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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

So what happens when the CNE starts?

If you think rush hour service on the Lakeshore West and East GO train corridor is a mess now, what about when the CNE opens August 19th?

This was brought up in the comments yesterday in response to the email sent to me by Metrolinx's COO

There are not enough trains as it is to service the regular crowd. If Metrolinx was smart and proactive, staff would create a campaign around its Exhibition promotion letting the general public know what peak times of travel are so that they could plan their departure from the CNE accordingly.

Can you imagine trying to board any of the trains headed east after they've passed Exhibition and head into Union? What about westbound trains as they pull into Exhibition?

I can only hope someone has given this some thought.

10 comments:

Skin Man said...

The westbound trains should be fine for those riding to Clarkson and stations further west, as they can use the express trains which do not stop at the Ex. Those traveling using the all stop trains, they will see an impact. However, those trains are never full, (at least when I use them). Undoubtedly there will be a drop in train etiquette, as these infrequent users won't be familiar with the expectations of regular travelers, (which is strange b/c the expectation is fairly low - behave like a civilized human being).

Sounds like LSE will have a problem - sorry!

G said...

Good-bye Quiet Zone.

The 4:30 LSE is actually not too busy... at least not at the far-west end of the train (which, admittedly, is a bit of a pain when you get off at Oshawa Station and have to walk the full length of the train to get off the platform). So I'm less concerned about overcrowding than I am about having to deal with non-regular train riders. They don't know (or care) about the QZ; they're loud and boisterous; they leave garbage everywhere; and they put their feet on seats even more than the regulars.

I suppose it's snobby to feel this way, since they've got as much right to ride as I do. But I spend about 40-60 hours per month on the train and damn it, I like things a certain way.

C.J. Smith said...

True, Union boarders going west will miss the Ex crowds but those of us heading east will get them all.

Anonymous said...

Add to that the westbound passengers on track #1 can't read the signs or are too lazy to walk eastward down the platform to use all of the coaches....you end up with a bottleneck as 2000 people try to cram into the first 2 coaches....and no amount of signage, CSA announcements or on-platform direction from the Transit Safety guys make a difference.....it's gonna be a tough couple of weeks

Sylv said...

Speaking of non-regulars, did anyone watch the last episode of The Amazing Race Canada? It ended with all the teams boarding a GO train in Hamilton, and promptly becoming foot- and bag riders :(

Phynesse said...

Some of the best stories come from EX day trippers.

Vanessa said...

Whaaat are the peak hours, I am from out of town and am staying at an airbnb place near union and plan to go to see a concert on wednesday I wanna get there around 7.. is a cab my best option?

C.J. Smith said...

You'll be fine going to. It's coming from that sucks
Peak rush hour for GO trains from union heading out of Toronto is 330 to 630 pm.
Coming in you should be ok!

Vanessa said...

You are a doll!!!! thank youu!!!! I am from a small town we dont have trains or buses haha im going to get lost. i know it.

Bicky said...

From the GO Transit website Quiet Zone page:

"Rush hour includes all trains arriving/departing Union Station before 9:30 a.m. and all trains leaving/arriving at Union Station between 3:00 and 7:30 p.m., Monday to Friday."

The evening rush hour has been extended!