Roberta Aguirre
Canada has a broad range of rail mass transit systems, including airport rail links. The SkyTrain's Canada Line, which runs from Vancouver to Richmond, has a 4-kilometre spur line from Bridgeport station to Vancouver International Airport. This line was constructed in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics and opened in 2009. The Union Pearson Express is the only dedicated airport rail link in Canada, but other cities such as Ottawa, Calgary, and Montreal are also developing airport rail links.
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What You'll Learn
- The Canada Line in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a rapid transit line that operates as an airport rail link
- The Union Pearson Express is the only dedicated airport rail link in Canada
- Ottawa's O-Train expansion will include a light rail line connecting the airport to Line 2
- Calgary is planning a transit connection to the airport via the Blue Line and Green Line LRT
- Toronto's UP Express connects the airport to downtown, linking to a surface-level streetcar system
The Canada Line in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a rapid transit line that operates as an airport rail link
The Canada Line was constructed by SNC-Lavalin, and InTransitBC is contracted to manage the line for its first 35 years, until 2044. It is operationally independent of the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company, which operates the SkyTrain's Expo and Millennium lines. However, it is still considered part of the SkyTrain network. The Canada Line employs fully automated trains on grade-separated guideways, utilising conventional motors with third-rail electrical pickup rather than the linear induction system found on other SkyTrain lines.
The planning and design of the Canada Line, originally known as the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line or RAV, were prioritised in TransLink's Strategic Transportation Plan 2000–2005. Construction began in May 2000, and the line opened on August 17, 2009, ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Canada Line has consistently exceeded early ridership targets, with steady growth since its opening day.
The Canada Line begins in Downtown Vancouver at Waterfront Station, located in a subway tunnel beneath Granville Street. It provides a seamless connection to the airport, with a direct public transit link between YVR and Downtown Vancouver. The spur line to the airport ensures easy access for travellers, enhancing the airport's connectivity to the city.
Overall, the Canada Line in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a vital rapid transit link that effectively serves as an airport rail connection, facilitating efficient transportation between Vancouver, Richmond, and the Vancouver International Airport.
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The Union Pearson Express is the only dedicated airport rail link in Canada
The Union Pearson Express (UP Express or UP) is an airport rail link that connects Union Station in Downtown Toronto to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The UP Express began operating on June 6, 2015, in time for the 2015 Pan American Games. It is the only dedicated airport rail link in Canada.
The UP Express travels between Union and Pearson in 25 minutes, departing every 15 minutes, seven days a week. The service is designed for air travellers rather than conventional commuters, with fares based on age, origin, destination, and payment method. Children under 12 years old can ride the UP Express for free, and discounts are available for families, round trips, and airport staff. The UP Express uses an honour-based proof-of-purchase system, where customers must carry a pre-purchased ticket, a tapped-in Presto card, a contactless credit or debit card, or a mobile wallet while on board.
The construction of the UP Express line began in 2011 as part of the Georgetown South Project, which expanded the rail corridor shared with GO Transit and Via Rail. The project included a three-kilometre rail line extension to the Air Rail Link and a new passenger station at Terminal 1 of Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Air Rail Link connects Canada's two busiest transportation hubs: Toronto Union Station and Toronto Pearson.
The UP Express station is located in Terminal 1, next to the Terminal Link Train, which connects to Terminal 3 and the Viscount parking garage. At Toronto Union Station, the UP Express operates from a dedicated platform in the station's west wing along the SkyWalk. The platform features a waiting area, a guest services desk, a café, a gift shop, and a lounge. The UP Express has been well-received, exceeding initial projections of 2.35 million passengers annually, carrying 4.5 million passengers in 2019.
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Ottawa's O-Train expansion will include a light rail line connecting the airport to Line 2
In Canada, there are a few cities with light rail connections to their airports. Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa are among the cities that offer this service.
Ottawa's O-Train expansion, which began construction in 2019, includes plans for a light rail line connecting the airport to Line 2. The expansion is expected to bring 77% of Ottawa residents within 5 km of rail and improve access to the city's east end. The project consists of three extensions, including an upgrade to the Trillium Line, which will include a shuttle line to the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
The airport link is expected to be completed by 2025, with the entire project expected to be finished by 2027. The O-Train expansion will also include a new rail yard for the Trillium Line and guideway work for the southward extension. The total cost of the project is estimated at C$4.66 billion.
The airport rail link will improve connectivity between the airport and downtown Ottawa, offering a more efficient alternative to the bus services previously relied upon. However, some travellers have expressed concerns about the time-consuming transfers and the inconvenience of navigating heavy luggage during the journey.
The O-Train expansion is a significant development for Ottawa's public transit system, providing a seamless and intuitive travel experience for residents and visitors alike.
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Calgary is planning a transit connection to the airport via the Blue Line and Green Line LRT
Several cities in Canada have light rail connections to their airports. For example, Vancouver's Canada Line is a rapid transit line that operates as an airport rail link between Vancouver, Richmond, and the Vancouver International Airport. The line has 16 stations and 19.2 kilometres of track, with a 4-kilometre spur line from Bridgeport station connecting to the airport.
Calgary is also planning a similar transit connection to its airport. The city has identified a transit connection to the airport via the Blue Line and Green Line LRT as a key priority in its 30-year strategic transit plan, RouteAhead. The plan includes extending the Blue Line from Saddletowne Station to a new station at 88th Avenue N.E., creating a transfer station between the Blue Line and the Airport Transit Line. This extension will enhance transit accessibility for northeast Calgary communities and facilitate smoother travel by integrating the North Central and Northeast Calgary workforces with the region's second-largest employment hub.
The Green Line, also known as Route 203, is a planned expansion of the LRT network in Calgary, Alberta. It will run between Calgary's north-central and southeastern boundaries, connecting with the Red Line and Blue Line in the city's downtown core. The Green Line will be the largest public infrastructure project in Calgary's history and the first rail line in the city to operate low-floor trains. The first phase of construction, which began in 2025, will see the line stretch from 7 Avenue SW downtown to Shepard Station in the southeast, including two segments: the SE Segment and the Downtown Segment.
Calgary's plans for a transit connection to the airport via the Blue Line and Green Line LRT demonstrate a commitment to improving accessibility and connectivity for its residents and visitors. By integrating the airport into its rapid transit network, Calgary aims to provide efficient and seamless travel options for those travelling to and from the city.
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Toronto's UP Express connects the airport to downtown, linking to a surface-level streetcar system
Toronto Pearson International Airport is connected to downtown Toronto by the UP Express, a dedicated airport rail link. The UP Express travels between Toronto's Union Station and the airport in 25 minutes, departing every 15 minutes, seven days a week. The service began operation in 2015 and has exceeded its projected ridership, carrying 4.5 million passengers annually as of 2019.
The UP Express operates from a dedicated platform at Union Station in the station's west wing along the SkyWalk. The platform features a waiting area, a guest services desk, a café, a gift shop, and a lounge. From Union Station, the UP Express heads northwest along the existing GO Transit Kitchener line, with stops at Bloor Station and Weston Station. Beyond Highway 427, a newly constructed 3.3 km elevated rail spur carries the UP Express from the Kitchener line to the airport, forming the longest elevated rail line in Ontario.
At Pearson Airport, the UP Express arrives at Terminal 1, where riders can transfer to the airport's Terminal Link people mover to connect with Terminal 3 and the Viscount parking garage. The UP Express operates from dedicated high-level platforms at Bloor and Weston stations, adjacent to the GO Transit Kitchener line low-level platforms.
The UP Express is operated by Metrolinx as an independent division, similar to GO Transit. Metrolinx plans to electrify the UP Express along with the Kitchener Line and use a unified train set with the rest of the GO network. The UP Express has been criticized for its initial high fare prices compared to other North American airport-city connections. However, it offers discounted fares for seniors, groups, families, long layovers, and those meeting travellers at the airport.
Upon arriving at Union Station, passengers can connect to Toronto's streetcar system, which operates mostly at street level, providing easy access to various destinations within the city centre. This combination of the UP Express and the streetcar system offers a convenient and efficient way to travel between Toronto Pearson International Airport and downtown Toronto.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Canada has airport light rails in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary.
The light rail in Vancouver International Airport is called the Canada Line.
The name of the light rail in Ottawa's airport is the O-Train.
The name of the light rail in Calgary International Airport is the Calgary Airport Rail Connection.
No, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary are the only cities in Canada with airport light rails. However, there are plans for a light rail extension to the Ainslie St. Transit Terminal in Cambridge, Waterloo.
