[URBAN NOTE] "Metrolinx reconsidering Union Pearson Express fares as ridership sinks"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Tess Kalinowski reports on the continuing underperformance of the Union Pearson Express.

Toronto’s new airport train is struggling to attract riders amid continuing criticism that the $456 million Union Pearson Express is simply too expensive.

On Friday, Metrolinx, the provincial agency that runs the train, said it will consider price adjustments among other options for building ridership.

The standard one-way adult fare on UPX is $27.50 but riders paying with a Presto card can board for $19.

Six months after it launched, Union Pearson Express (UPX) ridership levels were down significantly from the summer, hitting a low of 65,593 riders in November, 13,000 fewer passengers than the October high of 79,000.

A report to the Metrolinx board on Wednesday, argues that it will take time to change the ingrained habits of travellers accustomed to driving or taking a cab to the airport.