Blue22
Encyclopedia
The Air Rail Link is an airport rail link
service under construction in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. It will run between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs: Union Station
in downtown Toronto, and Toronto Pearson International Airport
in the City of Mississauga. The project is to be completed in time for the 2015 Pan American Games
.
Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency
that manages and integrates transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
, is responsible for the design, construction and operation of the ARL. Metrolinx is also the parent company of the GO Transit
regional transit system; the Air Rail Link is to be a distinct service from GO with unique identity, vehicles and fares that will nonetheless share some common facilities, including signalling systems and maintenance facilities.
Most of the ARL's line is being constructed as part of GO's Georgetown South Project, which is improving infrastructure along the Georgetown line between Bathurst Street and Highway 427 for current and future GO Transit ridership demand. It will also require a newly constructed 3.3 km (2.1 mi) rail spur to the airport.
ARL service will consist of 140 train trips per day, running every 15 minutes, seven days a week, eliminating an estimated 1.2 million car trips each year. Initially, the plan will utilize diesel trains and will eventually , at an unspecified date, electrify the Georgetown rail line and the Air Rail Link.
, three formal studies were conducted, and released in 1989, 1990 and 1991. The latter two presented options for either making a connection from the GO Georgetown train line, or the TTC
Bloor/Danforth subway line.
made a request for proposals for an airport rail link in April 2001. In May 2003, the submissions were parred down to four pre-qualified private consortia, who were then invited to submit business cases. A SNC-Lavalin
subsidiary named the Union Pearson AirLink Group was selected as the successful respondent to to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the ARL on November 13, 2003. The service was to be called Blue22, as a trip would take 22 minutes to or from Pearson with a stop at the Bloor GO/Dundas West TTC Station. Trains were to be refurbished Budd Rail Diesel Car
s, and were expected to begin running between 2008 and 2010.
In June 2008, the Ontario government revised the environmental assessment process from a required three-year period to six months. Furthermore, the high speed link received public statements of strong support from Premier of Ontario
Dalton McGuinty
, Toronto Mayor David Miller
and the federal government
. However, there had not been significant progress on the project to that point, due to failed consensus in negotiations, regulatory hurdles and community opposition..
In November 2008, Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency for Greater Toronto and Hamilton transportation, released its Regional Transportation Plan titled The Big Move
, outlining how the ARL was part of a strategy to establish multi-directional high-order transit connectivity to the Pearson Airport district, alongside Highways 427 and 407, the Mississauga Transitway, and other major streets. In December 2008, Metrolinx became the proponent of new EA that would simultaneously assess a combination of both Union Pearson AirLink's project and GO Transit's Georgetown South Service Expansion. The final Environmental Project Report was released on July 30, 2009.
On 1 March 2011, it was announced that Metrolinx had chosen to buy twelve two-car diesel multiple unit
s from Nippon Sharyo
, at a cost of C$
53 million, for the service. The Presto card will be available for use on the system.
. Beyond the 427, a 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) spur line will run to the airport. The line will have 4 stations: Union Station
, Bloor GO/Dundas West subway station
, Weston GO station and Toronto Pearson International Airport
Terminal 1. Connections to other terminals will be made via LINK Train.
The proposed service is also in the same railway corridor
as the West Toronto RailPath
multi-use trail. Conflicts may occur between future planned expansion of the RailPath and the Georgetown Sourth expansion. Although Toronto City Council
has funded and continued to support the RailPath, the outcome following meetings between Metrolinx and Toronto city and community representatives remains to be determined.
In April 2009, the Clean Train Coalition, representing the communities along the rail corridor, formed in response to Metrolinx's plans, pressing Metrolinx and the province to immediately prioritize electrification of the densely populated Georgetown South corridor and Union-Pearson Rail Link on opening day.
operates the 192 Airport Rocket express bus link from the airport to Kipling subway station
. Cash fare for the TTC is $3, and allows passengers transfer to other routes to complete their journey, without an additional fare.
GO Transit operates two bus routes connecting to Pearson. Route 40 operates express service each hour between Richmond Hill Centre and Pearson. Route 34 provides daily service to Brampton
and the York Mills Bus Terminal
, stopping at Pearson along the way. Fares for these services range between $4.20 and $5.35, depending on the distance travelled.
The original Eglinton Crosstown LRT was projected to connect Pearson with the main TTC transit network by 2018 as part of Transit City
. However, Mayor Rob Ford
announced the cancellation of Transit City on the day that he took office. The redesigned Eglinton–Scarborough Crosstown line announced four months later included the Scarborough RT, but the line will terminate at Black Creek Drive
instead of connecting to the airport. A future extension could eventually reach the airport, completing the line as envisioned.
is a privately-operated airport bus
service from the airport to downtown Toronto. As of 2011, a single ride to or from downtown Toronto costs $24. Taxis and limousines are available, at both variable and flat-rates, depending on which zone in Toronto the trip will originate or terminate, and are the most expensive form of transport — other than driving a car and paying the parking fees at the airport.
Airport rail link
An airport rail link is a service providing passenger rail transport from an airport to a nearby city; by mainline- or commuter trains, rapid transit, people mover or light rail...
service under construction in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It will run between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs: Union Station
Union Station (Toronto)
Union Station is the major inter-city rail station and a major commuter rail hub in Toronto, located on Front Street West and occupying the south side of the block bounded by Bay Street and York Street in the central business district. The station building is owned by the City of Toronto, while the...
in downtown Toronto, and Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...
in the City of Mississauga. The project is to be completed in time for the 2015 Pan American Games
2015 Pan American Games
The 2015 Pan American Games, officially the XVII Pan American Games or the 17th Pan American Games, will be a major international multi-sport event that will be held from July 10–26, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Caledon, Hamilton,...
.
Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency
Crown agency (Ontario)
A Crown agency is the title used to describe a Crown corporation in the Canadian province of Ontario.This name is applied to any board, commission, railway, public utility, university, manufactory, company or agency, which is owned, controlled, or operated by the Queen in Right of Ontario, or else...
that manages and integrates transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is composed of the metropolitan areas of the Canadian cities of Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario. The GTHA includes the census metropolitan areas of Toronto, Hamilton and Oshawa....
, is responsible for the design, construction and operation of the ARL. Metrolinx is also the parent company of the GO Transit
GO Transit
GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe...
regional transit system; the Air Rail Link is to be a distinct service from GO with unique identity, vehicles and fares that will nonetheless share some common facilities, including signalling systems and maintenance facilities.
Most of the ARL's line is being constructed as part of GO's Georgetown South Project, which is improving infrastructure along the Georgetown line between Bathurst Street and Highway 427 for current and future GO Transit ridership demand. It will also require a newly constructed 3.3 km (2.1 mi) rail spur to the airport.
ARL service will consist of 140 train trips per day, running every 15 minutes, seven days a week, eliminating an estimated 1.2 million car trips each year. Initially, the plan will utilize diesel trains and will eventually , at an unspecified date, electrify the Georgetown rail line and the Air Rail Link.
History
Improved transit connections to Pearson Airport have been of interest since the late 1980s. Before the specific pursuit of an airport rail linkAirport rail link
An airport rail link is a service providing passenger rail transport from an airport to a nearby city; by mainline- or commuter trains, rapid transit, people mover or light rail...
, three formal studies were conducted, and released in 1989, 1990 and 1991. The latter two presented options for either making a connection from the GO Georgetown train line, or the TTC
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
Bloor/Danforth subway line.
Union Pearson AirLink Group proposal
Transport CanadaTransport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
made a request for proposals for an airport rail link in April 2001. In May 2003, the submissions were parred down to four pre-qualified private consortia, who were then invited to submit business cases. A SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. is a large Canadian engineering firm. It is one of the ten largest engineering firms in the world and is based in Montreal, Quebec. It formed in 1991 from the merger of SNC and the failing Lavalin, another Quebec based engineering firm....
subsidiary named the Union Pearson AirLink Group was selected as the successful respondent to to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the ARL on November 13, 2003. The service was to be called Blue22, as a trip would take 22 minutes to or from Pearson with a stop at the Bloor GO/Dundas West TTC Station. Trains were to be refurbished Budd Rail Diesel Car
Budd Rail Diesel Car
The Budd Rail Diesel Car, RDC or Buddliner is a self-propelled diesel multiple unit railcar. In the period 1949–62, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States...
s, and were expected to begin running between 2008 and 2010.
In June 2008, the Ontario government revised the environmental assessment process from a required three-year period to six months. Furthermore, the high speed link received public statements of strong support from Premier of Ontario
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
, Toronto Mayor David Miller
David Miller (Canadian politician)
David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
and the federal government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. However, there had not been significant progress on the project to that point, due to failed consensus in negotiations, regulatory hurdles and community opposition..
In November 2008, Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency for Greater Toronto and Hamilton transportation, released its Regional Transportation Plan titled The Big Move
The Big Move
The Big Move is the regional transportation plan published by Metrolinx for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in Ontario, Canada. It makes specific recommendations resulting from seven 'green papers' and two 'white papers' released for public discussion. A draft RTP was released alongside...
, outlining how the ARL was part of a strategy to establish multi-directional high-order transit connectivity to the Pearson Airport district, alongside Highways 427 and 407, the Mississauga Transitway, and other major streets. In December 2008, Metrolinx became the proponent of new EA that would simultaneously assess a combination of both Union Pearson AirLink's project and GO Transit's Georgetown South Service Expansion. The final Environmental Project Report was released on July 30, 2009.
Metrolinx takeover
After two years of failed negotiations and financing difficulties, the public-private partnership between Ontario and the Union Pearson AirLink Group was called off. However, the project did not die with it; Metrolinx was handed responsibility to build, own and operate the ARL.On 1 March 2011, it was announced that Metrolinx had chosen to buy twelve two-car diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s from Nippon Sharyo
Nippon Sharyo
, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...
, at a cost of C$
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
53 million, for the service. The Presto card will be available for use on the system.
Route
A typical run to the airport will originate from Toronto Union Station, and run northwest through west-end Toronto between Bathurst Street and Highway 427 along tracks on the Metrolinx-owned Weston Subdivision. This section of track has to accommodate the ARL, GO Transit, Canadian National, and VIA RailVIA Rail
Via Rail Canada is an independent crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. It is headquartered near Montreal Central Station at 3 Place Ville-Marie in Montreal, Quebec....
. Beyond the 427, a 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) spur line will run to the airport. The line will have 4 stations: Union Station
Union Station (Toronto)
Union Station is the major inter-city rail station and a major commuter rail hub in Toronto, located on Front Street West and occupying the south side of the block bounded by Bay Street and York Street in the central business district. The station building is owned by the City of Toronto, while the...
, Bloor GO/Dundas West subway station
Dundas West (TTC)
Dundas West is a station on the Bloor–Danforth line in Toronto, Canada. It now ranks as the 29th busiest station in the system. Its postal address is 1525 Bloor Street West; the main entrance, however, is on Dundas Street, at the corner of Edna Avenue...
, Weston GO station and Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...
Terminal 1. Connections to other terminals will be made via LINK Train.
Public concerns
Residents living along the Weston section of the proposed route have objected to alterations to accommodate the trains. Concerns include the division of Weston from the closing of level crossings, noise levels, air quality and property values.The proposed service is also in the same railway corridor
Right-of-way (railroad)
A right-of-way is a strip of land that is granted, through an easement or other mechanism, for transportation purposes, such as for a trail, driveway, rail line or highway. A right-of-way is reserved for the purposes of maintenance or expansion of existing services with the right-of-way...
as the West Toronto RailPath
West Toronto RailPath
The West Toronto RailPath is a multi-use asphalt trail running from Toronto, Canada's The Junction neighbourhood toward downtown Toronto. The RailPath has been developed and funded by the City of Toronto for bicycle and pedestrian use by local area residents and is an example of an urban...
multi-use trail. Conflicts may occur between future planned expansion of the RailPath and the Georgetown Sourth expansion. Although Toronto City Council
Toronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
has funded and continued to support the RailPath, the outcome following meetings between Metrolinx and Toronto city and community representatives remains to be determined.
In April 2009, the Clean Train Coalition, representing the communities along the rail corridor, formed in response to Metrolinx's plans, pressing Metrolinx and the province to immediately prioritize electrification of the densely populated Georgetown South corridor and Union-Pearson Rail Link on opening day.
Transit
The Toronto Transit CommissionToronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
operates the 192 Airport Rocket express bus link from the airport to Kipling subway station
Kipling (TTC)
Kipling is the western terminus station of the Bloor–Danforth line of the subway system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the westernmost station in the system. It is located on St...
. Cash fare for the TTC is $3, and allows passengers transfer to other routes to complete their journey, without an additional fare.
GO Transit operates two bus routes connecting to Pearson. Route 40 operates express service each hour between Richmond Hill Centre and Pearson. Route 34 provides daily service to Brampton
Brampton
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.Brampton may also refer to:- Canada :* Brampton, a city in Ontario** Brampton GO Station, a station in the GO Transit network located in the city- United Kingdom :...
and the York Mills Bus Terminal
York Mills Bus Terminal
York Mills GO Bus Terminal is located at 4023 Yonge Street, near the northeast corner of York Mills Road, in the North York area of Toronto, Canada...
, stopping at Pearson along the way. Fares for these services range between $4.20 and $5.35, depending on the distance travelled.
The original Eglinton Crosstown LRT was projected to connect Pearson with the main TTC transit network by 2018 as part of Transit City
Transit City
Transit City was a plan for developing public transport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was first proposed and announced by then-Toronto Mayor David Miller and Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission Adam Giambrone on March 16, 2007...
. However, Mayor Rob Ford
Rob Ford
Robert Bruce "Rob" Ford is the 64th and current Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was first elected to city council in the 2000 Toronto municipal election, and was re-elected to his council seat in 2003 and again in 2006...
announced the cancellation of Transit City on the day that he took office. The redesigned Eglinton–Scarborough Crosstown line announced four months later included the Scarborough RT, but the line will terminate at Black Creek Drive
Black Creek Drive
Black Creek Drive is a north-south arterial road in Toronto, Ontario that extends from Highway 400 at Jane Street, near Ontario Highway 401 to Weston Road in the south. Originally intended to be a freeway extension of Ontario Highway 400, it was built instead as an arterial road after public...
instead of connecting to the airport. A future extension could eventually reach the airport, completing the line as envisioned.
Commercial
The Toronto Airport ExpressToronto Airport Express
Toronto Airport Express is operated by Pacific Western Transportation. It was established in 1993, from the demise of Gray Coach who were contracted to establish a service between the downtown core of Toronto and Lester B Pearson International Airport. The service operates 20 hours a day, 7 days a...
is a privately-operated airport bus
Airport bus
An airport bus, or airport shuttle bus or airport shuttle is a bus or coach used to transport people to/from, or within airports. These vehicles will usually be equipped with larger luggage space, and incorporate special branding....
service from the airport to downtown Toronto. As of 2011, a single ride to or from downtown Toronto costs $24. Taxis and limousines are available, at both variable and flat-rates, depending on which zone in Toronto the trip will originate or terminate, and are the most expensive form of transport — other than driving a car and paying the parking fees at the airport.
See also
- Union Station (Toronto)Union Station (Toronto)Union Station is the major inter-city rail station and a major commuter rail hub in Toronto, located on Front Street West and occupying the south side of the block bounded by Bay Street and York Street in the central business district. The station building is owned by the City of Toronto, while the...
- Toronto Pearson International AirportToronto Pearson International AirportToronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...
- MoveOntario 2020MoveOntario 2020MoveOntario 2020 is a plan proposed by the Government of Ontario that would fund 52 rapid-transit projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in Ontario, Canada.-History:...
External links
- Official Metrolinx project home page (as a combined project with Georgetown South Service Expansion)
- Union-airport rail link on way (17 June 2000)
- Transport Minister Announces Winning Proposal for Toronto Air-Rail Link (13 November 2003), with included map
- Clean Train Coalition
- Weston Community Coalition
