Toronto residents love to complain about the regional transit network, but sometimes, all it takes is the fresh perspective of a visitor's experience to remind locals to appreciate the commuting options available in and around the city.

Chicago resident Molly Fleck took to X on Monday to share her experience riding the regional transit network on a trip to the city to visit family, riding a train from Weston GO/UP Express station into the heart of the city to Union Station.

Part of the reason I went to Toronto for the weekend was to visit some of my husband’s extended family in the western suburbs. This gave me the chance to ride Metrolinx (Toronto’s suburban rail). Some thoughts 🧵 pic.twitter.com/af3rsLCa2o

— Molly Fleck (@mollyfleck) February 26, 2024

Fleck documented the start of the trip at Weston station, noting how the rail stop offers a ticket office (and surprised at how it was staffed despite her trip occurring on a Sunday afternoon), public washrooms, access to seating and screens showing wait times.

Of particular interest to Fleck were Weston's park-and-ride options, bike parking, and, of course, the station's automated pizza vending machine.

Outside, the station had a parking lot for park-and-ride customers and some covered bike parking. Also a pizza vending machine!!! pic.twitter.com/mzxwvDixDO

— Molly Fleck (@mollyfleck) February 26, 2024

In addition to the ticketing booth, Fleck was surprised to learn that automated machines allow riders to just tap their Presto, credit or debit cards while on the platform, noting how Chicago's "Metra could never."

The station had a ticket agent as well as a ticket machine, but you can also just tap your credit card at the reader on the platform. Metra could never.

And as of today, Toronto has fare integration! pic.twitter.com/HSnDdnzUgy

— Molly Fleck (@mollyfleck) February 26, 2024

Though the plan was to hop on a GO train, Fleck decided to board a UP Express train when it arrived first.

We took the Union Pearson Express bc it came first, but the Go Train also stops at this station. The UPX was very comfortable. Because it’s an airport link, there was lots of space for luggage. pic.twitter.com/7Jlle7Gnuf

— Molly Fleck (@mollyfleck) February 26, 2024

"Service was quick. We waited 11 minutes for a train on a Sunday afternoon. UPX trains came every 15 minutes, while Go trains were hourly," shared Fleck on X.

"We arrived downtown at Union Station in about 15 minutes. All in all, a very easy, pleasant, reliable experience!"

The thread is a bit of an eye-opener for Toronto locals used to moaning about poor transit service, and a great endorsement of the UP Express.

"Thread is evidence of the fact that the UP makes us look really good to out-of-towners," wrote one commenter.

Another user wrote "Toronto is such a great example of how Chicago could do just a little bit better and make a huge difference."