Toronto will soon join that select but small group of North American airports to boast a downtown rail link.
The Canadian commercial capital's somewhat oddly named UP Express train will open this spring.
A definite date has yet to be announced, but the train will run between Toronto Pearson airport and downtown Union station, hence the "UP" branding.
UP Express is estimated to cost C$456 million and is funded by the Ontario government.
Trains will run daily every 15 minutes, with the 25-kilometre journey lasting 25 minutes. After taking a new spur line from the airport, UP Express runs mainly over existing Canadian railroad tracks into Toromto city centre.
UP Express takes a leaf out of Heathrow Express' book as not only is the advertising slogan similar to that used when Heathrow Express was launched, but, at a one-way fare of C$27.50, it is also the most expensive air-rail link in North America.
But by European standards Toronto's air-rail link is a small scale affair. It reckons to carry just 5,000 passengers daily which is small beer compared to a similar link in Europe.
The Japanese-built trains are diesel powered (surface rail electrification is unknown in the Toronto commuter region). And, by European standards, they are not only short in length — most are just two or three-car units — but they have, to European eyes, a dull appearance.
Airport trains at this fare level should be swish and modern. But UP Express, although modern, has a rugged look about it which suggests it would be more at home in the Canadian wilderness rather than shuttling to and from the airport.
Alex McWhirter
