What's Happening in Toronto, ON…

The Union Pearson (UP) Express recently reduced its rider fares and has since seen an increase in ridership.

According to Metrolinx, after the fares were reduced for about a week, reports already showed a more than doubled rate of daily ridership. Before fares were reduced, ridership ranged between 2,000 and 2,200 daily riders. After the reduction, this increased to about 5,000 daily riders.

The original price was $27.50 for one ticket or $19 for a ticket with a Presto card. The newly announced reduced rates are $12 for one ticket or $9 with a Presto card. The move to reduce fares was supported, and in fact encouraged, by Ontario Premier, Kathleen Wynne. According to Wynne, it was not acceptable that virtually empty trains were running every 15 minutes between Union Station and Pearson Airport.

The UP Express was officially unveiled on June 6, 2015 with a lot of fanfare, including a great deal of promotion around the new mode of transportation for the Greater Toronto Area. Graphic design was used for a variety of assets, ranging from the website to public handouts.

There may still be work to do be done to attract more riders, such as increased signage near stops along the route, as well as improving direct connection between TTC and the UP Express to make commuting on it more enticing.