This Saturday, April 11 and Tuesday, April 28, Metrolinx will conduct safety-test exercises for the new Union Pearson Express service along the rail corridor near Toronto Pearson International Airport and at the new UP Express Pearson Station. These exercises will test and assess “the various safety- and emergency-preparedness processes”, including co-ordinating how various agencies, including local fire, police and ambulance services, respond to an emergency on the line.

Specific test scenarios simulate on-board train or station-based emergencies. Each test will make sure that Metrolinx, emergency services and other agencies respond appropriately to each test situation, which will also include a drill to evacuate a train. Although you may see the trains and various first-responders undertaking these simulated emergencies, Metrolinx has planned these tests so that they didn’t interfere with regular rail service.

This Saturday, emergency-procedure and service-recovery tests take place on the Pearson subdivision tracks at the base of the elevated guideway from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Greater Toronto Airport Authority, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services and Metrolinx staff will simulate an on-board emergency, evacuating passengers from the train onto alternative transportation.

Tuesday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., at UP Express Pearson Station, Metrolinx and other agencies will test station-based life-safety or emergency responses.

Metrolinx will announce the official start of UP Express service after it successfully completes this testing.