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Friday, November 19, 2010

Excess baggage

Obviously these two didn't get the memo.

What memo you ask?

GO specifically asks in its tariff that customers not bog down its trains with excessive baggage.

Look, folks, bottom line is those of us who use GO Transit everyday aren't paying $2 to ride. At almost $300 a month for a pass, those of us coming in and out of Oshawa have high expectations, and one of those is that you consider VIA for commutes into Union with luggage. VIA trains can support the baggage. GO trains cannot.

Secondly, my train buddies wrote me to tell me they were extremely accommodating to these people this morning, while others who got on at Ajax and Pickering, were not. As you can tell from the picture, things got awkward real quick.

It can be deceiving at Oshawa in the morning, but trust me, if you're looking for a trip into Union as part of your route to get to Pearson Airport, I suggest you consider avoiding rush hour.

Many thanks,
Us Crazy Turnips

11 comments:

Kary said...

I pay for a monthly pass. Last month i was heading to vegas after work, which meant that I brought my suitcase on the GO in the morning. If you think I'm shelling out more money to take VIA just because I have a suitcase, you're seriously mistaken.Of course I sat in one of the seats by the stairs, and my case was not in anybody's way. But CJ sometimes you're really off the mark. Daily commuters don't own the GO.

Cindy said...

I've used GO with a suitcase before during rush hour -- I was flying Porter Airlines. There's no where to park a car there -- so public transportation is the only way to go. And VIA doesn't stop at the station I could (at the time) walk to.

They didn't have excessive luggage. And everyone keeps talking about how they want us to use public transportation instead of cars.

So this is going to happen sometimes. I have no problem sucking it up. It's not like it's a purse and it happens everyday.

I too think this one is off the mark (for the first time ever).

Kelly said...

Kary,

CJ did mention that GO has tariffs and they have one specifically about luggage (see link below). Basically it shouldn't be excessive and it shouldn't inconvenience other passengers. You did the sensible thing and took an appropriate seat to accomodate your luggage. The people in this photo clearly didn't think about the people who would need to sit in those other two seats. That's why CJ's sending them a helpful memo. ;p

http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/docs/Tariff.pdf

Anonymous said...

I agree. One suitcase, it goes right under a seat. But one jumbo black one and a jumbo blue one on top blocking people from sitting because there's no leg room. Maybe it was more bad choice of seat. Why not use one of the three-seaters and stack the luggage in front of you. This way people can still seat. I think people just want to be able to sit in the morning. I see lots of people hauling suitcases but at least they are courtesy about it... These people built a fort. That was pretty rude I feel.

C.J. Smith said...

I dunno. Maybe I was a little off the mark as I wasn't there this morning to see it with my own eyes but surely there could have been better planning over where to sit or put it.

I can't win em all ...

Dan said...

They could have easily put that big bag in the aisle and switched to the aisle seat instead of forcing others wanting a seat to sit at awkward angles. If you went to a restaurant and were forced to sit at a table like that, as a paying customer you wouldn't be happy.

Hell, the accessibility car has lots of empty space on the lower level to put that kind of stuff.

kary said...

I agree Anon. I don't see an issue with bringing a suitcase, but yeah, you're right....get there early and choose a seat that accommodates the luggage a bit better than the quads.

TomW said...

By the way, for those in Durham, it is much better to take the 94 bus into Toronto (to Yorkdale or York Mills), and then the 34 bus to the airport. Saves wrestling with luggage on TTC buses/subway, there's fewer connections, and you can put 50 suitcases underneath the bus.

Cindy said...

Tom -- thanks for the info (if travelling to Pearson it's a great alternative)!!

Doesn't work if you're going to the Island Airport though -- still stuck with the GO Train for that one :(

Anonymous said...

I would have busted out the china and had a tea party on those bags. better yet. put your feet on em.
Silent J

Chris said...

gotta admit..... those effers sat in my seat....well their luggage was anyways. I was a little irked.