The Union Pearson Express (UPX) train won't be running until spring, but the airport service is already being added to the Presto fare offerings.

Using Presto to ride the airport train will trim the $27.50 single adult ticket price to $19. Many riders will pay less than that, including airport workers who can buy a pass that reduces the per-trip cost to about $7.50.

Even so, many Toronto residents still think the airport train, built with $456 million in public funds, is being priced too high.

Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of UPX, says it wasn't designed as public transit. Instead, the Pearson to Union Station train is modeled on similar services in Stockholm, Tokyo, London and Oslo, rather than some of the public transit models that service Vancouver, Chicago, New York and Madrid travellers.

Stockholm

The Arlanda Express runs every 15 minutes between the airport and Stockholm Central Station, covering the 40-kilometre distance in 20 minutes.

A single adult fare is the equivalent of about $38 (all prices Canadian dollars). Children ride free and there are concession prices for seniors, students and those who buy multiple tickets.

The electric trains are operated by a private company that has the concession to run the airport service.

Arlanda Express offers Wi-Fi and makes two terminal stops at the airport.

Tokyo

The Narita Express takes about an hour to travel from the airport to central Tokyo. Trains run every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on time of day.

It offers a choice of first-class or “green car” and coach or “ordinary car” seating. The first-class ticket is about $46, which buys travellers more seat room and leather chairs in a carpeted cabin, compared with about $30 for coach seats and rubber flooring. There are bulk ticket discounts.

According to the website, the Narita Express attendants sell coffee and snacks.

London

It takes about 15 minutes to make the 24-kilometre journey from Heathrow to Paddington Station. Trains depart about every 15 minutes at most times of the day.

Each train includes a quiet coach and the option of regular or first-class service. The first-class upgrade includes more legroom and larger seats, newspapers and magazines and a table.

The regular adult fare is about $38. First-class costs about $53. Like Toronto's UP Express, the Heathrow Express charges a premium for on-board ticket purchases.

Budget travellers also have the option of taking the Tube, a 50-minute subway trip that costs about $10.35.

Oslo

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Known as Flytoget, the Oslo Gardermoen airport train takes about 19 minutes to reach the city's central train station. Trains leave every 10 minutes.

A standard fare is about $26. There are half-price tickets for seniors and students, and young children ride free.

Flytoget operates every other train as a direct service to Oslo Central Station. Alternate trains stop at various points of interest, including a convention centre and the National Theatre.

The Norwegian service is considered one of the fastest in the world, running up to 210 km/h, according to its website.

Critics of the Toronto UP Express say it should be priced as public transit, given that it was publicly funded. They point to the following airport services as better models for the Union Station to Pearson train.

Vancouver

The Canada Line — part of Vancouver's SkyTrain system — connects travelers and airport workers from the city's international airport to downtown for about $9. The 15-kilometre trip takes about 26 minutes and departs about every six to seven minutes most of the time.

New York City

You can take AirTrain from Newark or JFK airports, then a New Jersey Transit train or the New York subway to Penn Station in downtown Manhattan. The 27-kilometre trip from Newark runs about every three minutes and takes about 40 minutes for $12.50 U.S. ($13.61 Cdn). The 26-kilometre JFK trip costs $7.50 U.S. for a 50-minute ride.

Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority runs "L" train service from O'Hare and Midway international airports to downtown. It costs $5 to travel the 30 kilometres in about 45 minutes from O'Hare into the city on the Blue line. It's about 25 minutes on the Orange line to make the 17-kilometre trip from Midway. The fare is $2.25 (US).

Madrid

The Madrid Metro runs every five minutes to two terminals in Barajas Airport. It takes 12 minutes to get downtown and connects to the rest of the transit system. The Go Madrid website warns, however, that you'll likely have to transfer to reach most destinations, so travelers should take luggage into consideration. The downtown run costs about $7, including an airport surcharge. You can buy a tourist pass for the Metro, however, that will give you unlimited use for a day or more and eliminate the airport tax.

Union Pearson Express

Trip time: 25 minutes

Stations: Four. Between Union Station and Pearson, the train will also stop at Bloor St. near the Dundas West subway station and in Weston. The Pearson terminal is mostly complete. The other stations are about 50 per cent finished.

Departs: Every 15 minutes in both directions.

Features: Overhead luggage bins; Wi-Fi on-board; tray tables similar to those on airplanes; online ticketing; full-height luggage racks near the doors; pull-down coat hooks.

Trains: Diesel multiple units that incorporate the engine into the coaches.

Spur track into the airport: The trip is about 23 kilometres. UPX will run up the Kitchener GO line and then branch off onto a three-kilometre spur into the airport.

Riders: 2.5 million annually projected by 2020.

Fares: To be charged by distances, so riders who get on or off at Bloor or Weston will pay less. Discounts for families, seniors, children and students with additional savings when Presto cards are used. Airport workers will be eligible for a $300 monthly pass.

Airport workers: About 40,000 people work at Pearson. Metrolinx says 3,500 live in the UPX catchment area, and only about 1,400 of those are interested in using the train.

Source: Metrolinx

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