The UP Express - Toronto's Awesome Airport Link!

[@LonestarTrips]

Get the perfect Christmas gift! Get up to 55% off with my code LONESTAR by going to partner.ekster.com/LonestarTripReports

[@iseemelanie]

The UP Express is really handy to get to the airport, and also for people who live north of downtown who work in the financial district, close to Union. When it first came out, it was ridiculously expensive - $27 for a one way ticket 😳 They reduced the price about 5 years ago and now it’s about $10 when you use your Presto card. ETA: I clearly wrote this before the video was done lol I just get so excited about public transportation!

[@andrewisvrycool]

Isnt it crazy how their old price is still like one third the price of an uber

[@iseemelanie]

@@andrewisvrycool right?? It made no sense. I thought it was a typo the first time I saw it on the website.

[@stinkyroadhog1347]

It's surreal living within walking distance of Weston GO and being able to quickly hop on to Union Station and downtown Toronto in just a 15 minute ride. UP Express has been an important and very invaluable service to have

[@justenzong1706]

Since the UP Express started its operation in June 2015, this has been my favorite thing to take to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ and it is very close to the GO TRANSIT 61 RICHMOND HILL I started to like to take during the 2019 Canadian National Exhibition.

[@creaturexxii]

Glad to see you covering the UP Express. It helped me greatly along with the Toronto Subway when I was studying in Toronto.

[@NickP16]

What great timing for this video! I am flying from Minneapolis to Toronto next May. So this gives me a great idea on how to catch the train from the airport into the city.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

As a local, I'll say this. It's not always worthwhile using this service. Unless you're staying within walking distance of Union Station, it often isn't worth it. For example, if one is staying in the Yorkville area (or, for example, at the Chelsea Hotel) most of the time you're better off using the 900 express bus/subway combination. Not only will you come out vastly ahead in terms of cost (it's a standard transit fare to use the 900/subway, which is no more than $3.35 CAD), but the difference in travel times is often insignificant between the two methods. This is especially true if you are flying into T3, seeing as you have to take the tram to T1 in order to catch the UP Express (which will probably take 10 minutes in itself) but the 900 express has a running time of 13 minutes to Kipling, and then the subway takes about 26 minutes to Bloor/Yonge. Just some food for thought.

[@sonjagatto9981]

@@LiamWalsheliamskitchen Thank you❣

[@TheRandCrews]

UP express is practically what GO RER with be with all the commuter service running every 15. I see more use it to commute to downtown and going home than airport travellers, not to help when Line 5 will ever open at Mount Dennis connection

[@fares-please]

Awesome! Happy you enjoyed your ride on the UP. I operate these trains frequently and it's fun to be part of people's experience of visiting Toronto. Come back and see some more of Toronto some day!

[@Neville60001]

Thanks for coming to Toronto and doing these videos.

[@LonestarTrips]

Of course! Toronto’s a beautiful city, so it only made sense to stop by at least once.

[@EricaGamet]

I haven't gotten up to Toronto since 2018 (used to go every year for a conference), but I didn't know this even existed! I've just usually taken one of the hotel buses and the last couple of times, the bus from the airport to Kipling station and take the subway in. Hopefully I'll get back there soon (I love Toronto) and I will definitely take the train!

[@timbacchus]

Thank you so much for all these trips you give us. Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful new year.

[@SkysTrains]

just letting you know, most call it just the UP express rather then the U-P express.

[@chloetangpongprush3519]

Great video! Just one thing, could you please consider mentioning metric measurements (speed, distances) or just adding text at the bottom of the screen? Your international viewers will really appreciate it because a lot of us (me!) don't know what they mean! Especially since you filmed this in Canada and we don't use imperial (especially for distances and speeds)

[@elliebean368]

Replying to boost this comment; hard agree

[@LonestarTrips]

Yes absolutely! I’m sorry I haven’t been doing that, and I’ll be sure to add either voiceover notes or captions with metric units.

[@jessicaburdell7779]

Kinda reminds me a bit of the DC Metro cars that I've ridden on the Red Line quite a few times, while still living in the Howard County/PG area of Maryland

[@stephenkeever6029]

Really useful information. Thanks!

[@SteveGettingAroundPhilly]

Philadelphia: Can we have an airport service like the UP Express on the Regional Rail? SEPTA: We have an airport service at home! The Airport service at home: The SEPTA Airport line. Mediocrity defined. At least it goes further than downtown Philly after it leaves the airport, but half hour frequencies at best is resoundingly mid. The bottlenecking on the lines it runs on doesn't help either. I'd be happy if some SEPTA managers take a vacation to Toronto to see how a proper airport shuttle works.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

My thoughts on this service are that its fine if you are staying around Union Station, but if you're not (eg Yorkville) then its not worth it because there's little advantage to using it over conventional TTC services, which are a standard transit fare all the way to the airport. If you're in the dead of rush hour, that opinion might be different.

[@watson956]

From Yorkville? Sure, the TTC services will be cheaper, but significantly more time-consuming (subway & bus ride). So take your pick.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

@@watson956 the difference in time will be negligible at best from Yorkville.

[@Rigel_Chiokis]

I live in London and this is the first time I've heard of the UP Express. We have an airport shuttle service here which, with tax is $202 round trip to Pearson. I can catch the VIA Rail to Toronto Union for $40 to $50 depending on time of year and day of the week (one way) then call it $13 for the UP one way, so round trip $106 to $126. This is a much more afforable way to get to Pearson from London and the trains are much more comfortable than the airbus is!

[@ericonca]

The bathroom is huge!

[@coryphillips8526]

Watching the approach to the airport reminds me of Septa's Airport line approaching Philadelphia International Airport.

[@garymckee1287]

This was a PANAM white elephant which is why they lowered the prices. Great if you need to be within walking distance of downtown. Otherwise you will need to transfer to the TTC which is another $3.50 What the article does not say, is the TTC run an express bus from the Airport to the subway system, every 5 minutes, from there there are no additional fares. So 9 + 3 for a 40 minute ride (15 minute wait + 25 minute journey) or 3.50 for a 1 hour ride that connects to all points of the city, not just downtown.

[@geoswan4984]

WRT fares... Prior to the introduction of the Pearson Rail-link there was a direct bus passengers could board from the Royal York Hotel, just across the street from Union Station. There was a ticket agent there. It's route was via express highways, so it took longer, during rush hour. The last time I took that bus I think it cost $22. And, in the years after the Pearson Rail-link had been announced it was called "Blue-22", because the fare was projected to be the same $22 as the bus it replaced, and trains were supposed to run at least every 22 minutes. In the end they chose modern trains, they aren't blue, and they run more frequently. Initial plans were to use very old Budd Railcars. At the time the service started taking a cab from Union Station would have cost about $35. In 2024 a cab would cost about $60. I was very happy with my ride to the airport about a year ago. What I didn't realize is that the last train was going to leave around midnight, and my return flight got in long after that last train.

[@trainglen22]

Great video on a unique train service.

[@davegreenlaw5654]

Living within a stone's throw of a GO station, I decided it would be easier to use the GO-UP Express route for a trip to Indianapolis in early August. I too found it super convenient. And yeah, I remember when it was first proposed, with the name Blue 22...because that's how much the price was supposed to be. (Also, this was before PRESTO.) Also, the whole line was only supposed to be two stops - Union and Pearson - but was held up in City Council, as two councilors held out their support until a stop was added in each of their respective wards.

[@samtrak1204]

Thank you.

[@beefbrisket168]

the only time rode this train to Pearson, I ended up taking a quick snooze (i was tired abecause I have been awake for 34 hours). it was a bit loud and rough. Still though it helped me get to my flight for cheap. that morning I had a $50 Uber ride from pearson because I was in a rush

[@24gamingtriviaandmore10]

Amazing.

[@FlightAndTrack]

Really great video. I never knew that existed!

[@LonestarTrips]

It’s a fantastic service, and I wish more cities in NA had rail links like this one.

[@gb9727]

some of the UPeX trains have a single sloped end and a flat end, which looks unusual

[@OfficialETandM]

3:59 Actually, Marin is pronounced muh-RIN, not MAHR-in

[@andrewisvrycool]

1:56 Slight mistake- it is that price for seniors not children :) Children

[@robgraham5697]

Last time I flew I really appreciated the UP Express. Before that, living at the opposite end of the city from the airport, It was in excess of two hours by transit. Too bad the flights I took convinced me to never fly again.

[@sammyt3514]

It's such a convenient service, especially for someone like me who lives downtown, but I'm worried about taking it since all my trips are to Europe and I usually check two large suitcases and have a carry on, so I worry it would be a chore having that much luggage on the train, especially since there were no luggage carts that I could see; I certainly can't wheel my 3 pieces of luggage myself without one.

[@georgejones8784]

There's no luggage carts at union station. Initially, UP was targeted at business fliers, hence the $30 price for the leather seats and free WiFi. I don't think they were expected to have more than one carryon bag. Now, it's more for commuters, but suffers from the high floor cars and short 4-car trains. I don't recall if you can take a luggage cart from the airport terminal and get it all the way to the UP train terminal. It's been a while, but you had to walk through the parking garage to get to the train.

[@sammyt3514]

@@georgejones8784 Thanks for your feedback. Makes sense that it would be targeted for business travelers with one piece of luggage or commuters since there doesn't any accomodations for passengers who carry multiple pieces of luggage.

[@Geno2733]

The GO Train is supposed to extend to London at some point.

[@MeITellYou]

10:21 not like it is a direct non stop ride

[@crushingvanessa3277]

Is there actual people at the airport to talk to if you need info on the train?

[@LonestarTrips]

Yep! I saw multiple UP employees at the airport station.

[@crushingvanessa3277]

@@LonestarTrips Thanks. Their website doesn't say if there's actual people at them.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@crushingvanessa3277 Of course. Safe travels!

[@crushingvanessa3277]

@@LonestarTripsThanks again, just like to confirm everything well ahead.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@crushingvanessa3277 😄

[@illbeokay45sos]

how do you check the speed of the train ? is there a app or website for that ?

[@LonestarTrips]

I use GPS speed apps on my phone.

[@ejssanctuary]

No need take a taxi or Uber. This is a very convenient way to the airport.

[@davidreichert9392]

UPE was off to a disastrous start, with high fees and constant NIMBYism plaguing its construction, but it actually ended up being one of the most successful public transport projects in the GTA in the long run. Perhaps even too successful since many also found it useful for other trips besides the airport and it often gets overcrowded. On the plus side this finally drove the point home that there is a demand for an S-Bahn type system, which GO Transit is now slowly starting to implement. Now if only it was electric rather than diesel...

[@simonsv9449]

You’re wrong. The Barrie Line does NOT serve Weston. It branches off shortly after Union Station.

[@LonestarTrips]

OK.

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Toronto is an enterprising N American city with this dedicated airport train.

[@SternenruferinPatchouli1]

pls do a report in a BIGBOY hauled Train ASAP

[@jimcrawford5039]

Why are Canadian stations called Union Stations? I know American ones are but why Canadian?

[@LonestarTrips]

“Union” stations are named as such because they served multiple railways, and thus are a “Union” between the different operators. Toronto is (or really, was) a union between the Canadian Pacific and Grand Trunk Railways.

[@FlightAndTrack]

I'm your first viewer 😀

[@LonestarTrips]

🎉🎉🎉 Thanks for being here for the release!

[@scooter80stv]

In case any tourists are considering taking this train and need to ask for help or directions: No one here calls it the U.P. Express. It's just the "up express".

[@SternenruferinPatchouli1]

sadly not pulled by UP 40/41 Big Boy

[@nyrmetros]

Hello and welcome to 1967!

[@mfraye12]

It's just "up" like the word, not "U.P.". Metrolinks and local news media all pronounce it like "up express".

[@LonestarTrips]

👍

[@thomashattey8037]

When it first started it was too expensive. In 2015 they offered free rides for a weekend to get people on board so to speak. They also gave away cardboard fold together models of a UP coach. Then they lowered the price.

[@toadscoper4575]

Shame it isn’t electrified, like other airport rail links in Europe and Asia. Should’ve taken off points for that… such an non-modern service 😒

[@LonestarTrips]

Agreed. Electrification is the way to go. However they are planning to electrify the line as a part of GO transit’s RER-esque modernization project here in a couple years.

[@toadscoper4575]

⁠@@LonestarTripsyea, I’m aware of the ongoing modernization process, but it’s been plagued with setbacks with no clear timeline (kind of reminds me of the MBTA’s beleaguered electrification plan that has gone dormant within the past year)

[@LonestarTrips]

@@toadscoper4575 yeah everything’s a mess with modernization projects rn. The only one set to actually see operation anytime soon is Caltrain.

[@kiddo817]

@@toadscoper4575it’s actually incredibly well done. The procurement process was just completed this year, with nearly $15 billion in funding already designated for the GO Expansion project. The UP Express will also be getting a new fleet of EMUs.

[@spectria.limina]

On the plus side, the rolling stock is apparently designed to be converted to EMU, so they won't need new stock like the GO network will.

[@binh5948]

I got pregnant on that train

[@chicagocarless]

Not “you pee” express, “Up” express. Also, not “MAH-rin”, it’s “muh-RIN”.

[@RR-xu5xk]

The UP express is a huge bust. Not many people use it at all and now consists of only 2 train cars. Should have just extended Kipling station subway to the airport instead.

[@Sudz3]

its weird that you say "GO train" but "You Pee Express". everyone locally calls it UP Express.

[@elthionel]

The construction of this line resulted in the building of deep rail trenches along the Weston corridor, effectively splitting the neighbourhood in half. A decade later, a lower income neighbourhood has turned into a ghetto, one of the highest crime neighbourhoods in the GTA. The legacy of this line is dozens of lives lost to gun violence, the collapse of a community. While its a great experience, its still a line that is in little demand never meeting 25% of its projected volume and a huge loss leader for the metro transit authority.

[@garymckee1287]

Weston was done well before the rail line was "improved". The project is a Provincial entity, not a Municipal one.

[@randyscott1496]

Once again here's a KZbinr talking out of his ass. Before the UP train there was a very successful Airport Express Bus that connected Pearson Airport with 8 stops in DT Toronto. The buses were newer well maintained Prevost busses and the fares were reasonable with employees being able to buy reduced 10 ride tickets. This service was way more convenient for most people as it offered door to door service to the most popular hotels or at least walking distance to others. There was also a second line serving the north part of Toronto but it was cancelled due to low ridership.

[@atrifle8364]

Or maybe he just didn't know despite doing research?? The rest of your comment is great beyond the first line.

[@fares-please]

I believe he was referencing a rail/public transit rail line. The Express Bus was a private operator.

[@garymckee1287]

@@fares-please The express buses was sanctioned by the municipal and provincial government after the TTC gave up Grey Coach Lines, which is why they were upset when the project was finished

[@georgejones8784]

That An-124 came to Canada with a shipment of covid medical supplies. They really should have let it leave.

[@almostthere3733]

UP Express is crap. You cannot catch a UP train at one of the most westerly stations like Weston and go to the airport if you are coming into the city on GO or VIA services from out of town. You have to travel ALL THE WAY INTO TORONTO TO UNION to then travel all the way back again on UP to get to the airport. Waste of time and money. A cash grab and definitely inconvenience.

[@spectria.limina]

Huh? You can totally transfer between GO and UP at Weston. I've done it many times.