The Union Pearson Express train received a shocking $52.26 government subsidy per ride during its first 10 months of operation, according to a Metrolinx report
A Metrolinx report released quietly on Friday shows ridership levels on the controversial UPX train have dropped even further. The report shows the trains ran at just 8% capacity in November and December. An average 14 people boarded each 173-seat train.
Thousands of transit riders are packed daily into an overcrowded Toronto transit system, while one transit line in Toronto continues to run virtually empty. Dane Grgas reports on the problem - and what can be done to fix it.
On Thursday, the Metrolinx board will be discussing specific fare reductions at its board meeting. The fare reductions include allowing children 12 and under to ride free — up from 6 years of age, and a reduced return adult fare of $44 rather than $53. Airport workers will be able to temporarily buy a pass for for $250, instead of $300, and a buy-one get-two ticket offer is also being temporarily introduced.
The Globe and Mail has picked up the story about near-empty UPX trains, brought to the media's attention by TTCriders when the Metrolinx board received its second quarter report. “When the TTC is overcrowded and breaking down and fares are going up again, we have got to get our priorities straight,” said Mary Breen, a spokeswoman for the group.
A Metrolinx report quietly released today shows ridership levels on the controversial UPX train
Metro News just wrote an article about how Google Maps transit planner recommends you take the outrageously expensive UPX if you're starting basically anywhere in the western part of Toronto. Google maps EVEN doesn't recommend you take the much cheaper TTC, even if you're standing at Dufferin subway station, which is on the way to the airport.
Please share this amazing infographic developed by ourselves and Humberto DaSilva and Jennifer Foreshew from CUPE 5277.
The Toronto Star wrote an article about our study on the low ridership levels on the UP Express.
Marco, Shaun, and I (Jess) went up to Pearson Airport and counted ridership levels to verify Metrolinx's official ridership statistics. We found the trains were practically empty.
Last Thursday, TTCriders members counted riders exiting and entering the UP Express at Pearson Airport during rush hour from 7.30am to 9.30am. We discovered that o