Toronto — Streetcars to the Airport 

Rail Transit Online, October 2007

The city’s proposed streetcar expansion program could provide a link to Pearson International Airport, according to Toronto Transit Commission chairman Adam Giambrone.  However, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is planning on a mainline rail service from Union Station and has already built a C$35-million station adjacent to Pearson’s new Terminal One.  Giambrone admits the direct link to downtown is still possible, but a private-sector project known as “Blue 22” has stalled and many officials believe it will never reach fruition because of intense opposition by residents in the western part of Toronto.  Four years ago, SNC Lavalin was awarded a concession, which would include the use of GO Transit routes.  Airport officials contend that business travelers may not want to spend an hour on a TTC streetcar to reach downtown but would be willing to pay a premium fare for a 20-min. express train.  “I know people talk about Blue 22 and say Blue 22 is dead, but I've got tell you, nobody is going to be able to foreclose the link between Pearson airport and downtown,” GTAA Vice President of Corporate Affairs Toby Lennox told the Toronto Star.