02-17-2016, 08:50 AM
(02-17-2016, 08:29 AM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote:(02-16-2016, 09:38 PM)tomh009 Wrote: As a frequent business traveler, a train is my #1 choice for getting to a city from its airport. Roomy, relaxed and unaffected by traffic. Even if my company might pay for a taxi.
NB: Most business travelers travel light, very frequently with carry-on luggage only, so the bags are less of an issue.
Two very different customers. Those who do not live in Toronto and are staying at hotels/visiting businesses near Union, and those who live in Toronto. If you live in Toronto, unless you live near Union, UPX will never be the most convenient way to get to the airport, because you must first get to Union. If you don't need to pay the cost, because employer covers it, I'd think you'd almost always choose a taxi. But if you're the businessperson from outside Toronto, what are the odds that you'll see Presto vs cash fare and shake your head long enough to choose a taxi instead?
My point was that I don't do that. And I have many colleagues who would similarly choose a train over taxi (not just cost but also traffic).
Cash fares are always more expensive, everywhere. It's why I have an Oyster card for London and a Suica for Tokyo. But even at today's fares (which are too high, I do agree with that) the cash fare is still substantially less than a taxi fare to downtown. Taxifarefinder.com estimates the taxi fare at about $70, depending on traffic.
I would recommend going down to $20 cash one-way, $35 cash return, or $15 Presto one-way. I think that would substantially increase ridership -- and increase revenues in spite of the lower fares.