Metrolinks is an agency of the Ontario Government that is upgrading the public transportation system in the “Golden Horseshoe” region of Southern Ontario. It integrates the various local transportation systems and operates a GO Transit service, a UP Express train from Toronto Union Station to Pearson the International Airport, and PRESTO, a payment system that unifies payment on the various service across multiple cities.
Some of the stations are new, like this one at Rutherford and at Downsview Park. The King City station is being replaced. In addition to adding dual tracking, most station platforms are being extended to accommodate longer trains. Aurora and Maple stations have retained their classic buildings from the beginning of the 1900’s.
Although the function has not changed, today ticket sales and verification are done with a credit card and a PRESTO card at the two pedestals on the right. The green box is for buying single fares or updating credit on the PRESTO card.
The Downsview Park Station is new, connecting rail service with bus and subway service since December 30, 2017. It is located in an area where Bombardier Aerospace used to test fly their planes and it was the Downsview Base for the Canadian Forces. As you may see, it is one of the least used stations in the system.
If you have used public transit but you do not live near a bus route, you probably know the challenges of finding a parking spot at the station. Sometimes the only required change is to add more parking. Unfortunately, dual tracking is removing parking from the most desired places near the platform.
Great to hear that public transportation system is being extended. I hear you, “Park & Ride” as we call it, is a challenge in Switzerland as well. Both are overloaded as we speak.
I had a fun post up the other day how to “play” using public transportation: https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2024/07/ubc-july-2024-dice-track.html
We have Park and Ride lots as well also for airport parking where a shuttle bus will take you to the terminal. Today, I heard the phrase Walk and Ride which fits the rail system.
Airport parking lots are called PARK and FLY. Do you have “Kiss and Ride” drop off loops too?
Bombardier Aerospace used to test fly their planes? They don’t do it anymore? My husband just retired from what used to be Bombardier…
Bombardier is an interesting company, from it’s beginnings as the inventor of the snowmobile and patienter of the names “SKI-DOO”and the “SEA-DOO” through growth into international rail and aircraft manufacturing. With mergers an deals always on the go, it must have been a roller-coaster ride of a company to work for. I believe it has scaled back to concentrate only on private jets now. Here Here is a link to an interesting history.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bombardier-inc