My Lord, it's just been a buffet of spendi-- uh, news, these past two days from the folks at Metrolinx

Ontario orders new GO Transit rail cars from Bombardier

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/ontario-orders-new-go-transit-rail-cars-from-bombardier-1.1654413#ixzz2rLJBNkkf

Locomotive #666 (True story, click that link) better find its way on the Lakeshore line. I want a red carpet, a clown on stilts, a town crier, a pony with a top hat and a personal escort from CSA Mario (or Tyler) onto that train for its inaugural run.

Here's the official word from Metrolinx:
Attention reporters, editors and producers:

Metrolinx issued a news release today about our order for 65 new GO Train (bi-level) coaches, with two options for an additional 75 coaches, to help allow growth and increased ridership across the GO Transit system.

The news release is copied below, and also available on CNW’s website at these links:

-       English: http://cnw.ca/dYNVR

-       French: http://cnw.ca/WLVJ6

I finally took a look at the photo of the new GO trains we'll get within 18 years

The 18 years is not me trying to be funny. It is fact.

TomW keeps making comments on my post from last night about this and I was like, okay, maybe I should actually click the Toronto Star link instead of just focusing on the "Cradle a rider" comment written in the abstract of the email.

All I can say is ... NOPE.

Metrolinx Photo

I assume the middle armrest lifts up? Great. More room for foot riders to sit sideways!!!

And the faux wood panelling at the back... Are we going to the cottage?

Are the headrests cloth? They look like molded plastic. I presume the scooped design is to help with headrolls for those who lapse into a coma?

Maybe I should start a weekly segment called, "What does Bill say?" Because we need to know.

Tuesday night's train fight involving a disabled tractor trailer and my rant the next day caused quite a stir among those in the rail safety industry and those who enforce rail passenger safety. Some comments that were left on that post were also factually incorrect. I have left the original comments visible but have disabled further commenting.

I was in the midst of crafting a letter to GO Transit and Metrolinx about my concerns re: catastrophic event, terrorist hijacking, natural disaster and another flood, and when I as a passenger can leave a train on my own authority, when this email arrived:

from:		William.Grodzinski@gotransit.com
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 3:21 PM
subject:		GO Transit and Responding to Emergencies

Good afternoon

I read with interest a post on your blog with respect to a recent incident involving a collision between a GO train and a truck.   I wanted to take the opportunity to reinforce the safety of our system and the fact we take our customers safety very seriously by offering the following:

·         In the case of the recent Milton train collision – the evacuation involved approximately 840 customers on the train when the collision took place.  The evacuation of customers from the train onto awaiting buses was slow largely due to the weather and debris from the incident.   On average, buses hold 60 passengers so you can imagine the number of buses and drivers this requires.

·         It’s important to note, that evacuation plans are always decided with the primary objective of keeping people as safe as possible.  During the entire incident including the evacuation process numerous messages to our customers were made and many staff including emergency responders assisted in the evacuation process.  Customers on board were very patient and understanding.  We received positive comments from customers on the train subsequent to this incident on how it was handled.

·         As with each incident we assess and adjust our response plans and processes to the lessons we have learned.  Communication is one of the many key elements to any response plan.  We have made great strides in improvements in providing regular and current updates to those customers on board in an incident train as well as providing regular updates using a wide variety of social media and other communication methods to our customers when service is disrupted and delayed.    

·         Several comments on the recent blog encourage people to simply pull the doors and self-evacuate from the train when there is a delay.  This is simply bad advice and can actually lead to serious injury or death.  The railway environment can pose risks to those who are not trained to recognize the hazards.  Multiple tracks with live rail traffic, inclement weather, low or poor visibility conditions combined with uneven track bed surfaces can pose risks.  This is why emergency responders and GO staff who are trained will assist and oversee a controlled evacuation as safety will always be the number one priority.

·         We have experienced a small number of incidents when people have taken it upon themselves to leave a train only to end up needing help as they have placed themselves needlessly in jeopardy.  This also requires responders to deviate from the larger scene and send much needed resources elsewhere to rescue or assist that person.

·         Our website contains information to our customers on our processes and plans http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/travelling/safety.aspx

Bill Grodzinski

Director, Safety and Security

GO Transit, A Division of METROLINX

20 Bay St.,

Toronto, Ontario

M5J 2W3

William.grodzinski@gotransit.com

And just in time to soften the blow before our fares increase on February 1, Metrolinx releases this gem...

GO train makeover will offer a plusher, greener commute

Published: Today at 4:26 PM

http://bit.ly/M0bqS9

This article was sent from thestar.com mobile app.

GO is preparing to cushion its commuters with some added comfort by redesigning its coach and bus interiors starting later this year.

The most noticeable difference will be the colour. The traditional blue hues of GO interiors — there are varying versions across the system — will be phased out in favour of the new corporate colour, a mossy shade of green.

The regional transit company is also introducing new ergonomically designed seats with more foam to “better cradle a rider.”

Some GO riders are on transit for up to two hours, said Anne Marie Aikins, a spokesperson for Metrolinx, the provincial agency that operates GO.

MORE AT THESTAR.COM:

Just stop right there, Anne Marie. You had me at "more foam" ... 

What is this? I think... I think I'm crying. It's like a song, a sweet song. Cradle a rider by Metrolinx.

A couple more glasses of this Lindman Bin 85 and I might even manage to write the lyrics.

Oh look. Metrolinx built a locomotive just for me

When you see it ...

We can all thank RailPictures for this demonic eye candy.

This headline makes me want to start drinking

Washington Metro subway buys Presto system

via The Toronto Star

Washington Metro riders will be getting their own version of the Presto transit fare system about the same time that the technology finally rolls out on the TTC.

Accenture, the company that built Presto for Metrolinx at a cost of $700 million, has sold the latest version of the technology to the Washington Metro for $184 million. Washington says it will begin a pilot next year, the same year a broad roll-out was scheduled for the TTC.

But a company spokesman denied any suggestion that the U.S. transit agency was getting the same product for less than a third of the price.

KEEP READING

Bag rider and his strategic game of "douche"

Packed express train -- boarding.

You can't sit here...



 ... And you can't sit here

 

Thanks to A.L. for documenting this douchey-ness.

Before the haters even put one finger on the keyboard, I will say it again.

None of us should have to ask you to move your shit.

Speaking of train/vehicle collisions, this is the only one you are allowed to laugh at

#gotrainprobs - for the elite

Really? He should have hashtagged this with #commutersindistress (Eye roll).

Tractor trailer dies on train tracks. Milton GO train comes along and punches it. Passengers stuck for three hours waiting for cops to break it up

Photo by thee_armoni via Instagram

Ridiculous.

GO has never made an effort to be transparent and communicate with its customers Metrolinx's protocol for investigations, evacuations or emergency safety inspections.

Instead, we're all held hostage on the train. Last night, hundreds of passengers on the Milton line were stuck on the coaches for three hours after a disabled transport truck was struck resulting in a police and safety inspection. I don't know if the passengers were evacuated and put onto buses while the train was still at the collision scene, or if they were allowed off after the train had hobbled its way into a station.

When trains are delayed, we truly are left in the dark. No one tells us why we can't be evacuated and find our own way home. I am sure there are rules and safety regulations that prevent or restrict the release of thousands of people into active rail traffic, but can't this same traffic be temporarily halted so we can make our way out onto a road?

This is Canada. If I want to hoof it up to Kingston Road and walk all the way home to Courtice, after a train quits on the outskirts of Pickering GO Station, I should be "allowed" to do this. You know, single-file, follow the man with the flashlight and all that jazz.

What the hell would happen in a natural disaster, such as an earthquake and a stretch of track would become compromised beyond conventional repair? Would we all be expected to sit there? Wait for the army? Bunker down for 10 hours?

Does Metrolinx even have a disaster plan?

That "little" flood that compromised a Richmond Hill train back in July was a complete and total gong show. GO Transit demonstrated quite clearly, with the whole world watching, that there may very well be no disaster plan.

Well ... ?

Now, not that I have trolled the Metrolinx website looking for this information but if it does exist, please share it in the comments. Don't be afraid to say, "Duh. Cj, it's right there". Yes, you're right, it is there but what's described is how to get out of the train, no where is it documented what sets forth an evacuation procedure such as, "if your train has become disabled and rail traffic cannot proceed due to earthquake, serious collision, flood, hurricane or other natural disaster, and conditions determine that you must be moved from the train out onto the tracks to be assessed by emergency personnel, please ... (insert the steps to be taken).

What if the CSA is killed (God forbid) and the train crew is seriously injured? Do we just sit in the coaches and wait for the firefighters? What if they can't get to us? What if no one can communicate from the train about the situation we are in? You know, some psycho hijacks the train?

I don't know. I'm just in a mood today. Just let me rant, k?

Someone made fake signs and posted them throughout the UK's London Underground

Reader kindly asks that we don't judge a book by its cover

This message is important. Just this morning a very able-bodied woman, at least she appeared able-bodied to those who glared at her - smokers frigidly smoking their cigarettes as they huddled on the bus platform - exited her car from where she parked it -- in a disability spot right next to the entrance of the Oshawa GO train platform. One man made a point to look her up and down and rolled his eyes and turned away, continuing to puff right under a No Smoking Sign - oh the irony. But is it?

For all we know, the woman had a brace on her knee, hidden under her pants.

Submitted via email
(Name, initials, email withheld by request)

Dear CJ,

    This happened about two weeks ago on the LSE 5:10 (I have been taking the accessibility coach since Dec 16). I'm twenty five, but I look about twelve. I have been sitting on the accessibility coach because I had ACL reconstruction and a meniscus repair the first week of Dec.
The first couple weeks were great. The coach accommodated my crutches and my knee immobilizer brace. The assistants in the coach recognized me and were extremely friendly. I began the healing process, first losing the crutches, then trading in my immobilizer for a smaller metal jointed knee brace.
My smaller brace fits over most of my skinny leg dress pants, however, I have one pair of wide leg dress pants it fits comfortably under.
Well I was sitting in the car, with said pants and brace on. Another young woman with a cane sat across from me. I had my headphones on and was reading waiting for the train to depart. The train car was becoming more and more full. The assistant came asked that anyone not requiring a seat to please get up. This is when it started...The woman across from me and the woman standing beside her began staring at me. I continued reading until it become uncomfortable. No one was giving up a seat and these women were sure I didn't need one. They began saying very rude things about me to eachother, finally I pulled off my headphones and pointed at myself, as if to say, you are talking about me. The woman across from me said "yes, you need to get up". Without a word I lifted my pant leg and revealed the heavy duty metal brace hiding beneath. She muttered sorry under her breath and would not make eye contact with me for the rest of the trip. The other woman just turned around.
     I'm now able to walk without the brace and I have stopped taking the accessibility car to avoid situations like this. I'm not even 8 weeks post op, I still have lots of swelling and discomfort. I arrive at work early so I can leave a bit early to ensure that I get a seat on the train home because I don't want to have to prove to anyone that I "deserve" an accessibility seat.
So I just wanted to post this so that other passengers kindly consider that reasons for requiring a seat on the accessibility car may not always be visible. If you cannot see a physical disability (while someone is seated), it does not give you the right to harass or bully them, no matter how young or able bodied they may seem to you.
Thanks,
Fellow train passenger

Working this weather like a boss ... that or I'm about to rob your house

I was out for 2 hours power-walking tonight. I walked 10k.

My balaclava froze to my face. True story.

We should all be proud of Lori! It can be scary to speak up

from:		Lori M
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Sat, Jan 11, 2014 at 9:37 PM
subject:		I am proud of me

This morning while waiting at the GO station I witnessed a man smoking near the outside stairs leading to the platform, so I walked to the stairwell, somewhat down the stairs, and turned to look at the no smoking sign saying out loud, "People smoking?! Meanwhile, there's a sign right there!!!" 

Then I walked back to where I was originally.

As the train was pulling in I noticed he was still smoking and then he bent to put out his cigarette out on one of the steps. As he did this I said, "You should have put that out hours ago, buddy." 

He looked at me like he was shocked to get called out. I didn't get onto the same car with him.

When I sat down I was shaking, I think I shocked myself because normally I just sit idle and stew internally. 

Oh, but what's this?

This "nice" man was on the train coming home. He had three seats of a quad taken up (body, bag, feet). 

I didn't say anything but did manage to get a photo without obscuring his face (baby steps, one day I will say,"Hey this is not okay") and did somewhat copy him to see if he'd notice and stop. I crossed my legs but didn't put them in a seat. I leaned back a little, kept my bag in my lap, and I was too lazy to get my paper out of my bag so I read the label on my coke bottle.

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I think he might have moved his legs, but when my stop was called and I got up to leave I said, and I hope he heard, "The man in the red hat is a jerk."

No, we won't wait while your friend grabs a coffee!!! WHAT THE HELL?

Submitted via email 

CJ - Jesus! The sense of entitlement exhibited by GO bus passengers causes my eyeballs to fall out of their sockets sometimes.

TO THE LADY HEADED TO WHITBY GO THIS MORNING:

Yes, it was cold this morning. And if you knew you would need a warm drink, how about you get your ass out of bed earlier and make it, rather than having your bus mate ask the bus driver when we arrived at your stop to please wait, because you had run into the McDonalds to fetch a coffee before the bus arrived. The onus is on you to plan your morning to give yourself enough time before the bus comes to get a damn coffee!!!

YOU SUCK BALLS!

Your selfishness can (and did) delay a lot of bus-train passengers who manage to get their shit together in the morning. You also put the bus driver in an awkward position as your friend literally stood in the doorway, despite being asked to move, so the driver could shut the door and keep the heat in the bus.

HOLY MOSES. LOOK AT ALL THIS ACCOMMODATING!!!

And when you climbed on board, did you thank all of us for waiting while you pulled this ridiculous stunt?

NOPE.

How kind of you to thank the bus driver. HOW KIND.

You made us late. We missed our usual train and then you had the gall to joke to the driver that if you hadn't been so cheap, maybe you could afford a car and at least use a drive-thru.

PLEASE! BUY A CAR! YOU WOULD DO US ALL A FAVOUR!

-Mike F.

Published using Blogger for Android

Friday's comedy of errors

On the Lakeshore East, there was a service suspension sometime before 3 pm. I know this because two co-workers whose text message alerts actually work told me.

Remember how I signed up for them there text alerts several weeks ago? I haven't received a single one. I have checked and double checked and I'm on the list. This must be personal.

I set up a separate notification account under my work email address - it's been nothing but crickets.

My Rogers account gets the emails, albeit in comical delay.

Above is the mail sort - newest first.

Yay! Service has been restored.

Boo! Service has been suspended.

Wait. What?! AGAIN?

I was still at work when I got the suspension email. Now I believe GO is just messing with me.  My co-workers were getting ready to leave and were showing me real-time text messages that proved the emails wrong and that service had been restored long before these emails arrived.

I'll be calling GO today. I didn't make this personal but somebody did.

You don't need to sit here. Them bags are tired

Submitted via email

Hey CJ, came across this lovely couple on the Barrie line today. This isn't the first time I've seen them do this either. By the way, the remainder of the car was full, yet not once did they attempt to move one of their bags.
- BF

Last Tuesday's GO Train "pedestrian fatality" on the Barrie line -- he has a name

Alexander Nicholas Roy-Lachapelle was the only child of his parents, Richard and Marsha, of Aurora.

He was 17.

Two days after his death, a video contest Alexander entered with fellow students at his high school beat out several other schools and claimed the top prize - $10,000 towards prom.

Please read Alexander's memorial and if you can, respect his parents' wishes and make a donation to the charity mentioned.

Thank you.

You had one job!

I hope someone spills coffee on you. Inspired by "Because it's Friday"

(Submitted by email)

Dear Idiot Lady On The GO Train That Spilled Coffee On Me This Morning:

I have no idea why on a crowded train you decided to get up before the train pulled into Union.  After all, don’t we all get off at the same stop?  Never the less, as you were getting up, the train came to an abrupt stop, and I got to wear your tepid coffee. It also felt so good to hear you say “I’m sorry” as you were laughing.  .  Nothing seems more forthright than a laughing apology.  You were probably waiting for me to say something like “it’s okay” or “don’t worry” rather than just look at you as though you were and idiot, still are for that matter.  Please forgive my silence, I was searching for the right expletive.

Luckily, writing this email into ThisCrazyTrain.com about it has been cathartic for me, and I am over it. Really I wish you no ill will…only that on your GO train ride back home tonight, that someone spills coffee on you, and that it is piping hot.  Don’t worry, if the pain is too much, I’m sure you’ll be rightly consoled when the person who spilled it on you gives you a laughing apology.

Sincerely,
VA