Innovative Partnerships Put UP Express Guests First

Cisco, Deloitte and Rogers along with CIBC create an enhanced and connected travel experience for riders of the new UP Express train

TORONTO, April 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Union Pearson Express (UP Express) today announced that Cisco, Deloitte and Rogers will join previously announced Lead Partner CIBC in an innovative strategic partnership that will enhance the travel experience for riders of the new express rail service between Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport, opening this spring.

"Our Founding Partners' involvement is a major vote of confidence from the business community, and a reflection of their high interest in UP Express," said Kathy Haley, President of UP Express. "We are delighted they are applying their expertise to create a seamless and connected customer experience for UP Express, whether it's from plane to train or train to plane." 

Each Founding Partner is contributing their specific expertise throughout the travel journey with a primary focus on anticipating and satisfying travellers' needs. In return UP Express will be providing access to marketing assets.

• Cisco powers the network that helps to create a seamless, Connected Passenger experience by enabling services and developing special tools for UP Express travellers like travel alerts, hospitality information and live updates
  
  
• Deloitte will provide UP Express with consulting expertise, including data analytics to help optimize the service and improve the guest experience. They will also provide content to inform and entertain our travellers
  
  
• Rogers will have a presence across the UP system, including branded content on multipurpose media screens on trains and in stations, as well as a news feed that will appear on a number of station platforms
  
  
• As Lead Founding Partner, CIBC will provide travellers with access to multi-currency ATMs at UP's stations at Union and Pearson; complimentary Wi-Fi service aboard UP Express trains and at its stations; and a "CIBC UPstairs" lounge at Union Station

"Like everyone, I expect connectivity whenever and wherever I happen to be," said Bernadette Wightman, president, Cisco Canada. "Digitized and connected is the future of transportation and UP Express is world-class. I'll personally be making the UP Express journey myself on many occasions – to and from the airport. The mobile technology, rich multimedia applications and customer services will maximize my time and be a fantastic experience."

"CIBC is excited to be the founding and lead partner of UP Express because we think it's a game-changer for transit in this city," stated Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice President Brand, Corporate and Client Relationships, CIBC. "UP gives passengers a great option for travel between Canada's two largest transportation hubs. With our UP and Toronto Pearson Airport partnerships, we're looking to add value for our clients by offering our services to them in a way that fits their life, including providing a seamless banking experience for travellers before they fly."

"As one of Canada's largest and most diverse professional services firms, Deloitte is proud to be a Founding Partner," said Colleen Albiston, Chief Marketing Officer at Deloitte. "UP Express will significantly enhance the traveller's experience, while at the same time elevate and reinforce Toronto's status as a world-class city. Through this partnership, Deloitte plans to engage business and leisure travellers with insightful and original content that informs and entertains."

"At Rogers we're passionate about delivering what's next to our customers, so we're excited to be a founding partner of a project that is innovating how people travel in the city," said Dale Hooper, Chief Brand Officer at Rogers. "We'll provide branded content across the UP system, as well as live news from 680News, part of Rogers Media, on platforms so customers can keep connected to what's happening in Toronto and the places they may be travelling to around the world."

"As a division of Metrolinx, our goal is to improve the transportation and transit network in our region, specifically by creating a faster, more convenient and reliable choice for getting to the airport from downtown. The involvement of our Founding Partners strengthens our ability to achieve that aim and will help to enhance and differentiate UP Express on the global stage." said Haley.

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. Cisco products and services are supplied in Canada by Cisco Systems Canada Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc. For ongoing news, please go to http://americas.thecisconetwork.com.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal bank and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

About Deloitte
Deloitte, one of Canada's leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

About Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications is a leading diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

About UP Express
Union Pearson Express is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one project among $16 billion of transportation improvements Metrolinx is bringing to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Launching this spring, UP Express will be a dedicated express air-rail service connecting Union Station in downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport in just 25 minutes.

For more information, visit www.upexpress.com.  

SOURCE Metrolinx

Image with caption: "CIBC, Deloitte, Cisco and Rogers (CNW Group/Metrolinx)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150416_C5555_PHOTO_EN_14328.jpg

Image with caption: "Metrolinx, CIBC and UP Express (CNW Group/Metrolinx)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150416_C5555_PHOTO_EN_14378.jpg

Cisco: Karin Scott, Director, Public Relations, Direct: 416-306-7164, Mobile: [phone] or [email protected]; CIBC: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, Media Relations, [phone] or [email protected]; Deloitte: Jeannie Tsang, Public Relations Manager, Direct: 416-643-8084, Mobile: [phone] or [email protected]; Rogers: Sara Howe, Communications Manager, Direct: 416-935-3151, Mobile: [phone] or [email protected]; Metrolinx: Anne Marie Aikins, Manager, Media Relations, [phone] or [email protected]