Gil Posted April 22, 2015 Report Posted April 22, 2015 The Globe and Mail is reporting that the UPX will begin service on June 6. Toronto’s Union-Pearson rail link to start service on June 6 TORONTO — The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, Apr. 22 2015, 11:17 AM EDT Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 22 2015, 11:52 AM EDT A new express train connecting Toronto’s Union Station to Pearson International Airport will begin regular service June 6. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the Union-Pearson Express will run every 15 minutes for 19 1/2 hours every day. The ticket for the 25-minute ride will cost $27.50 cash each way or $19 with a Presto transit card. The express train is expected to carry 2.35 million passengers a year by 2018, and the government says it will eliminate about 1.2 million car trips to the airport in its first year alone. Wynne, who rode the new express train on Wednesday, says her government made a commitment to have the express link between downtown and the airport ready for this summer’s Pan Am Games in Toronto. She says the express train service – part of the government’s $130-billion, 10-year infrastructure plan – will help change people’s perceptions of Toronto for the better.
gecalsthom Posted April 24, 2015 Report Posted April 24, 2015 Nice to finally hear a date for commencement of service. Does anyone know the best location to spot the trainset during the testing phase and best time of day to do so?
drum118 Posted April 24, 2015 Report Posted April 24, 2015 Nice to finally hear a date for commencement of service. Does anyone know the best location to spot the trainset during the testing phase and best time of day to do so? Spadina Overpass, Bathurst St Bridge, Bloor Station, Dundas Overpass, Roger Road Overpass Islington Overpass, and Jane St Overpass are the best location. You walk onto Bloor Platform off the RailPath and you will see them every 7-8 minute going both ways at best.
Xtrazsteve Posted April 27, 2015 Report Posted April 27, 2015 Nice to finally hear a date for commencement of service. Does anyone know the best location to spot the trainset during the testing phase and best time of day to do so? If you get a wide enough view, one at Spadina overpass would be nice. You'll can try to get the trainset with the CN Tower and Skydome.
drum118 Posted April 27, 2015 Report Posted April 27, 2015 If you get a wide enough view, one at Spadina overpass would be nice. You'll can try to get the trainset with the CN Tower and Skydome. You can a view from Etobicoke North Platform where it will either picking up speed or decreasing, depending which direction it is going. Depending on the time and day as well what taking place at Weston Station, you will get a view from the west platform. You can get a view by the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the PATH entrance where it will be at slow speed.
gecalsthom Posted April 30, 2015 Report Posted April 30, 2015 If you get a wide enough view, one at Spadina overpass would be nice. You'll can try to get the trainset with the CN Tower and Skydome. You can a view from Etobicoke North Platform where it will either picking up speed or decreasing, depending which direction it is going. Depending on the time and day as well what taking place at Weston Station, you will get a view from the west platform. You can get a view by the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the PATH entrance where it will be at slow speed. Thanks guys! I went to try my luck on Tuesday and I ended up at Spadina. Here are 2 photos I took. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=529003 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=529006 Cheers!
andyman Posted May 4, 2015 Report Posted May 4, 2015 Why are they testing with only 2 cars? Will not each train be in service with 4 cars?
lip Posted May 4, 2015 Report Posted May 4, 2015 Why are they testing with only 2 cars? Will not each train be in service with 4 cars? Since when was service going to be with 4 cars? When UPX opens up for service what you will be seeing is 2 or 3 car trains. Platforms at Union and Pearson are long enough to accommodate 3 car trains max.
dowlingm Posted May 5, 2015 Report Posted May 5, 2015 I was certainly under the impression up to fairly recently that UPX would ultimately be 4 cars. I guess that was knocked on the head when the track geometry of the UPX station relative to the GTAA rollercoaster dictated that only a 3 car platform length would fit.
andyman Posted May 5, 2015 Report Posted May 5, 2015 I was certainly under the impression up to fairly recently that UPX would ultimately be 4 cars. I guess that was knocked on the head when the track geometry of the UPX station relative to the GTAA rollercoaster dictated that only a 3 car platform length would fit. What's the capacity of 2 cars? Seems a waste to run it with only 2 cars but...
gecalsthom Posted May 6, 2015 Report Posted May 6, 2015 What's the capacity of 2 cars? Seems a waste to run it with only 2 cars but... That would be 120 people (60 people per car). I guess they would run 2 car trains during off peak periods. When the ridership grows, they may order further cars to extend all trainsets to 3 cars.
drum118 Posted May 12, 2015 Report Posted May 12, 2015 By fluke, I ended up at the Bloor station on Monday, considering I have being trying to make it there for the past few weeks.The UPX trains weren't running on any set schedule Monday afternoon when I saw 3 eastbound trains within 10 minutes. Even the westbound were all over the place.They were using all 3 track and the #2 track has been cut from track 1 at the West Toronto Grade Separations.All but 2 trains were A-A with 1 3 car A-C-A and 1 A-C. The breaks were squealing like pigs for some reason when coming to a stop.I found it very odd that the block signal went red once a eastbound train past it and turn green going the opposite direction when that train past the Bloor block on the same track. Never seen this before. At one time all 3 tracks were green going east or west.I don't have much hope that the centre platform will be completed on opening day and the east platform will be mid summer or fall.They were removing all the modules for the UPX platform enclosure for some reason and this will delay the project some what. They were working on the access platform on the east platform as well a section of the platform. Once this is done, then the temporarily platform can be taken out of service with the use of the new platform so the rest of the GO platform can be built.Most of the wood has been installed for the ceiling on the Centre platform with material being staple to it. The GO platform ceiling is in place with wiring taking place. Flashing stills needs to be finish.First time I shot video with the new camera and like Nikon, prefer my Sony camera to the point the sound track maybe off based on You Tube notices.A few horns sound odd at times when they enter the construction zone.Sound barrier wall going up on the west side on both sides of Bloor St.Not sure when I will have the photos on line, but here are the videos for what they are worth. Will have to re-shoot with the other camera this week.
Token Dispenser Posted May 12, 2015 Report Posted May 12, 2015 Simulated service started on monday, but there were signal issues along the corridor, so that really affected the timetable, today was a lot better and there will be training conducted on passenger services as well as equipment breakdowns along the line.
soo8513 Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 The simulation on May 12 shows what UPX can do to GO trains on the west side of Union. I also now see why the 2nd class Milton customers (my opinion) were moved from track 27 to 4. On 4 they get boxed by VIA using #3 and by UPX. Yesterday's #155 was delayed 15 minutes out of Union due to UPX having right-of-way ahead. Announcement was "we are delayed because of a red light".
1overcosc Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 Issues like this are why they do full scale dress rehearsals for a month instead of launching right away. To work out all the kinks.
smallspy Posted May 13, 2015 Report Posted May 13, 2015 The simulation on May 12 shows what UPX can do to GO trains on the west side of Union. I also now see why the 2nd class Milton customers (my opinion) were moved from track 27 to 4. On 4 they get boxed by VIA using #3 and by UPX. Yesterday's #155 was delayed 15 minutes out of Union due to UPX having right-of-way ahead. Announcement was "we are delayed because of a red light". A large part of the issue is that not all of the track has been commissioned and opened, and some of which has been still has substantial slow orders on it. The reason why Milton runs were moved to track 4 is so that they can take the north track through the flyunder and out onto the Galt Sub with a minimum of crossing movements. Dan
gecalsthom Posted May 14, 2015 Report Posted May 14, 2015 By fluke, I ended up at the Bloor station on Monday, considering I have being trying to make it there for the past few weeks. The UPX trains weren't running on any set schedule Monday afternoon when I saw 3 eastbound trains within 10 minutes. Even the westbound were all over the place. They were using all 3 track and the #2 track has been cut from track 1 at the West Toronto Grade Separations. All but 2 trains were A-A with 1 3 car A-C-A and 1 A-C. The breaks were squealing like pigs for some reason when coming to a stop. I found it very odd that the block signal went red once a eastbound train past it and turn green going the opposite direction when that train past the Bloor block on the same track. Never seen this before. At one time all 3 tracks were green going east or west. I don't have much hope that the centre platform will be completed on opening day and the east platform will be mid summer or fall. They were removing all the modules for the UPX platform enclosure for some reason and this will delay the project some what. They were working on the access platform on the east platform as well a section of the platform. Once this is done, then the temporarily platform can be taken out of service with the use of the new platform so the rest of the GO platform can be built. Most of the wood has been installed for the ceiling on the Centre platform with material being staple to it. The GO platform ceiling is in place with wiring taking place. Flashing stills needs to be finish. First time I shot video with the new camera and like Nikon, prefer my Sony camera to the point the sound track maybe off based on You Tube notices. A few horns sound odd at times when they enter the construction zone. Sound barrier wall going up on the west side on both sides of Bloor St. Not sure when I will have the photos on line, but here are the videos for what they are worth. Will have to re-shoot with the other camera this week. Nice videos! I have not been to that part of town yet. Holiday over and work beckons. Oh well
gecalsthom Posted May 14, 2015 Report Posted May 14, 2015 Here are two photos that I took the other day at Pearson Airport
Tom1122 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Posted May 30, 2015 This morning, there was a preview for the UPX. I was able to attend! My sister's coworker had won a chance to be a the priview plus a guest, however, my sister's co-worker couldn't make it so I was able to go in her place. Breakfast was served and after a couple speeches, people were allowed to ride the UPX to Pearson and back on a two car train with cars #1003 and #3003. Prior to the train people were allowed to ride, at least three UPX trains arrived and departed the station when I was there. I was the first passenger to board #3003 which led West to the airport. The airport station is blocked off from the rest of terminal 1 so I couldn't leave and catch the route 40 back to York Region. For those who are thinking "Pics or it didn't happen" I have attached some pics to prove I was there.
TheAverageJoe Posted June 5, 2015 Report Posted June 5, 2015 There was free day passes given out online for tomorrow's opening if anyone was able to get a pair. I got a pair so will be out tomorrow checking it out.
nfitz Posted June 5, 2015 Report Posted June 5, 2015 I'd think that anyone with a pair, would simply show up without a ticket, and take a ride assuming they were unlikely to get fare checked the first day. And if they were, to simply get out of it with a warning, with the excuse that they'd heard it was free the first day.
TheAverageJoe Posted June 5, 2015 Report Posted June 5, 2015 I'd think that anyone with a pair, would simply show up without a ticket, and take a ride assuming they were unlikely to get fare checked the first day. And if they were, to simply get out of it with a warning, with the excuse that they'd heard it was free the first day. They were only giving the tickets away online. You have to print them out as they need to be scanned before they work.
Token Dispenser Posted June 6, 2015 Report Posted June 6, 2015 I'd think that anyone with a pair, would simply show up without a ticket, and take a ride assuming they were unlikely to get fare checked the first day. And if they were, to simply get out of it with a warning, with the excuse that they'd heard it was free the first day. if you are caught without a ticket you will be asked to buy it right then and there on the spot from staff, a 2 dollar convenience fee will also be applied.
ttcgeek Posted June 6, 2015 Report Posted June 6, 2015 They were only giving the tickets away online. You have to print them out as they need to be scanned before they work. Actually, you don't have to. I checked my email again and it says you can display it on your mobile devices as well.
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