Fare hike coming for GO Transit, Union Pearson Express
Metrolinx board asked to approved 3-per-cent increase at board meeting this week.

thestar.com
By BEN SPURR
June 26, 2017

After freezing prices at the start of the year, Metrolinx plans to increase fares for GO Transit and the Union Pearson Express this fall.

A report going to the transit agency’s board on Wednesday recommends that the cost of single-ticket adult fares be raised by about 3 per cent, effective Sept. 2, 2017.

The change would only affect trips that cost more than $5.65, however. Rides that are $5.65 or cheaper wouldn’t change.

The report estimates that the increase will generate an additional $8.5 million for Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of transit planning in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

The revenue is needed to “to meet the needs of our growing customer base, expand services, and ensure the financial sustainability of the corporation,” according to the report.

GO is in the midst of a major service expansion and continues to add trips during peak and off-peak periods. By 2025 Metrolinx plans to quadruple the number of weekly trips on the rail network from 1,500 to 6,000 as part of its regional express rail program.

“No one likes to pay more,” said agency spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins.

“We understand that...But they do want to pay more for good service and expanded service.”

She described the increase as “modest.”

Between 2013 and 2016, GO fares increased roughly 5 per cent per year, with the changes coming into effect each February. Last December the Metrolinx board forewent the usual hike, however.

The decision came months after service disruptions in June and July related in part to construction at Union Station significantly drove down on-time performance.

Aikins said a possible factor in the board’s decision to not raise prices earlier this year was “to give customers a break” after the patch of poor service. She said she couldn’t speculate on whether there would be another fare increase in February 2018.

Under the new fare structure, the cost of a trip between Union Station and Barrie would increase from $13.55 to $13.95, or $12.03 to $12.35 for Presto card users.

The cost of a ride on the Union Pearson Express, between Union and the airport, would go from $12.00 to $12.35, or from $9.00 to $9.25 if using Presto.

If approved, the increase would mark the first time Metrolinx has raised fares for the Union Pearson Express.

The agency was forced to slash prices for the air-rail link in March 2016, after initial high prices deterred riders and left trains running mostly empty for months.