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http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/420390
Bus services tout greener way to Pearson
GO adds regular routes from Mississauga, Richmond Hill
Private Airport Express upgrades coaches to offer Wi-Fi, leather seats — and fewer emissions
May 01, 2008 11:18 AM
Tess Kalinowski
Transportation Reporter
It's not the high-speed rail link that politicians and some travellers are seeking.
But two airport coaches are now offering enhanced service to Pearson International Airport.
GO Transit started two new airport routes last weekend, April 26-27 one from the Mississauga City Centre and one from Richmond Hill Centre, that run every 30 minutes and every hour, respectively.
The Airport Express coach that ferries travellers back and forth from downtown hotels every 20 to 30 minutes also is rebranding itself as a more luxurious and environmentally friendly lift to the airport, effective today, May 1.
GO has long had airport service from Yorkdale, but the new service is "a different market altogether," said spokesperson Stephanie Sorensen. "It's 905 to 905 service."
The trip from the GO bus terminal at Square One - some 86 trips a day in both directions - costs $3.75. From Richmond Hill Centre (44 trips daily), it's $4.85. Luggage facilities are available, and tickets may be purchased in advance.
The new GO services carried about 100 customers in the first week, and are expected to attract airport employees as well. At present, about 80 per cent of the airport's 100,000 workers drive there, according to GO.
The service is likely to expand further east and west along Highway 407, according to GO officials.
Starting today, the downtown Airport Express will have a new look inside and out.
The grey buses have been replaced with a fleet of 10 bright yellow ones.
Inside, they'll have leather seating, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment and laptop plug-ins for 54 passengers. The Quebec-built buses will also emit 55 per cent less nitrogen oxide and 90 per cent less particulate matter than the old ones, said Mark Hannah, vice-president of Pacific Western, which has run the shuttle since 1993.
At $29.95 for a round-trip, the Express is cheaper than a cab and takes 20 to 80 minutes, depending on the time of day and hotel destination, he said. The buses leave every 20 minutes. Online booking is available. The Airport Express carries about 500,000 people annually.
Meantime, the TTC continues to run what it calls the Airport Rocket from the Kipling subway station, an express bus that carries about 3,000 people on a typical weekday.
Aiport Express has added new amenities to its downtown-to-Pearson airport coach service, including leather seats, Wi-Fi Internet access and on-board entertainment.
Bus services tout greener way to Pearson
GO adds regular routes from Mississauga, Richmond Hill
Private Airport Express upgrades coaches to offer Wi-Fi, leather seats — and fewer emissions
May 01, 2008 11:18 AM
Tess Kalinowski
Transportation Reporter
It's not the high-speed rail link that politicians and some travellers are seeking.
But two airport coaches are now offering enhanced service to Pearson International Airport.
GO Transit started two new airport routes last weekend, April 26-27 one from the Mississauga City Centre and one from Richmond Hill Centre, that run every 30 minutes and every hour, respectively.
The Airport Express coach that ferries travellers back and forth from downtown hotels every 20 to 30 minutes also is rebranding itself as a more luxurious and environmentally friendly lift to the airport, effective today, May 1.
GO has long had airport service from Yorkdale, but the new service is "a different market altogether," said spokesperson Stephanie Sorensen. "It's 905 to 905 service."
The trip from the GO bus terminal at Square One - some 86 trips a day in both directions - costs $3.75. From Richmond Hill Centre (44 trips daily), it's $4.85. Luggage facilities are available, and tickets may be purchased in advance.
The new GO services carried about 100 customers in the first week, and are expected to attract airport employees as well. At present, about 80 per cent of the airport's 100,000 workers drive there, according to GO.
The service is likely to expand further east and west along Highway 407, according to GO officials.
Starting today, the downtown Airport Express will have a new look inside and out.
The grey buses have been replaced with a fleet of 10 bright yellow ones.
Inside, they'll have leather seating, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment and laptop plug-ins for 54 passengers. The Quebec-built buses will also emit 55 per cent less nitrogen oxide and 90 per cent less particulate matter than the old ones, said Mark Hannah, vice-president of Pacific Western, which has run the shuttle since 1993.
At $29.95 for a round-trip, the Express is cheaper than a cab and takes 20 to 80 minutes, depending on the time of day and hotel destination, he said. The buses leave every 20 minutes. Online booking is available. The Airport Express carries about 500,000 people annually.
Meantime, the TTC continues to run what it calls the Airport Rocket from the Kipling subway station, an express bus that carries about 3,000 people on a typical weekday.
Aiport Express has added new amenities to its downtown-to-Pearson airport coach service, including leather seats, Wi-Fi Internet access and on-board entertainment.