A Toronto city councillor says an exorbitant fare and a special tax tacked on by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority could discourage many city residents from riding the new high-speed rail link to Pearson International Airport once it is completed.

Though Metrolinx has not yet announced the exact ticket price for the new rapid transit line from Union Station, it is expected to cost between $20 to $30 each way and will include a $1.85 tax to compensate the GTAA for lost parking revenue at Pearson.

In an open letter released Monday, Ward 22 Coun. Josh Matlow said that cost would be “barely competitive” with taxis or limousines and could “limit the accessibility of the line.”

As a result, Matlow has drafted a motion to be debated at council next week that will call on Metrolinx to ensure the fare is “affordable for most Torontonians” and to scrap the planned $1.85 tax.

“This cost may, or may not, have an effect on business or international travellers but it would barely be competitive with taxis or limousines for residents,” Matlow said. “Common sense would dictate that if a resident living anywhere other than downtown (within close proximity to Union Station) can get picked up from their house and taken to the airport for about $50-60, they may opt to spend the extra money to avoid the additional time as the cost differential is not that substantial. Further, a couple or a family might find it actually more expensive to take the Union-Pearson Express. The passenger fare must be made accessible for Toronto residents.”

The rail link, which will also include stops at the Bloor and Weston GO stations, is being built at a cost of $456-million and is expected to be completed in time for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

Speaking with CP24 on Tuesday, Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins noted that the train is not intended to be a “public-transit-type service” and will include comfortable waiting areas with readily available flight info.

Aikins also said that Metrolinx does plan to offer discounts for families, students and seniors and is working with travel agencies and airlines to wrap the cost into the price of airfare.

“We have done our analysis and we know how much people are willing to pay but we are working on figuring out some variable pricing options,” Aikins said. “Can we figure out a lower price for children, for seniors, for groups, for families? If you get on at a different station can it be a lower cost? We are working on all of those things before we release it (the price) before the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, in a statement the Greater Toronto Airport Authority stood behind the $1.85 tax which will be tacked onto the fare.

"The GTAA does not receive government funding and is required to raise revenue to cover the costs of its operations and facilities. Non-aeronautical fees, such as parking fees, are an important component of our revenues," the statement read. "The access fee is in place to allow us to recoup a portion of lost revenues"

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