TORONTO – A Toronto transit advocacy group is staging a ‘day of action’ Wednesday to inform commuters about the potentially sky high cost of riding the Union-Pearson Express train.
Members of Our Union Pearson Coalition are petitioning riders throughout the day at all stations along the new train line calling for lower fares, more stops, and full electrification of the rail line.
The cost for a one-way trip from Pearson International Airport to Union Station in downtown Toronto hasn’t officially been set but reports suggest it could range from $20 to $30.
Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency in charge of the project, will meet Dec. 11 to discuss the fare price which some critics say is too costly.
Pearson airport employees recently complained about the price per trip, but a media report suggests a deal has been struck to offer discounted fares.
A rumoured $1.85 surcharge has also been scrapped. The extra fee was supposed to compensate the airport for lost parking revenue.
The new $456 million rail link is targeted for completion just in time for the Pan Am Games in 2015.
Members of Our Union Pearson Coalition include Social Planning Toronto, TTCriders, the Clean Train Coalition, the Union Council of Airport Workers, and the Greater Toronto Workers Assembly.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto — Transit riders gathered this morning at Dufferin Subway Station alongside TTCriders, the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA), and Environmental Defence Canada (EDC) to call on Toronto City Council to implement long-promised dedicated transit lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst streets.
The TTC is considering opening a physical merchandise store in an attempt to bring in non-fare revenue.
A plan proposed by TTC staff to go ahead with funding a pilot project that would have seen platform-edge safety doors installed at TMU (Dundas) station has been put on hold pending further discussion by board members.
