Union Pearson Express celebrates first anniversary, increased ridership

Guest Services Representative Noah Espiritu stands outside the Union Pearson Express train from Union Station to Pearson airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

The Union Pearson Express celebrated its first anniversary on Monday, announcing their weekday ridership quadrupled to more than 8,200 passengers since last year.

The first UP Express train left Union Station at 5:30 a.m. on June 6, 2015, stopping twice -- at Bloor and Dundas Avenues and then at Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue -- before arriving at Pearson International Airport. The entire ride takes 25 minutes.

In the first few months of UP Express being in operation, Metrolinx struggled to increase its ridership numbers and many criticized the high fares. On March 9, the organization introduced new fares for adults. The price of one ticket has dropped to $12 for commuters without a PRESTO card, ($9 with a presto card) down from $27.50.

In February, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca told reporters the fare change was part of “a plan that would help grow the ridership, in particular by making it more affordable for middle-class families and commuters across this region."

Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikens says 80 per cent of riders travel by plane. The rest are commuters, people looking to go home or to work and people going to and from events, like sports games or concerts.