Monday, December 8, 2014
Metrolinx proposes a 5% fare increase to GO Transit
In a nutshell, passengers who pay a cash fare of more than $8.25 a ride, will be paying 50 cents more per ride.
PRESTO customers will be paying 5% more. I only have figures for Oshawa to Union as this is the only fare I know. If I math this right, my fare will increase from $8.78 to $9.22 (an increase of 43.9 cents rounded) or $18.44 a day, bringing my monthly average fare to $318.00.
Now before you grab your shirt and start twisting it in your fists, just remember I am no champion at math. So I could be wrong in my calculation. I am waiting on math majors to confirm my numbers.
When I started traveling GO back in 2008, I think my monthly fare was $252.50.
This fare increase isn't approved. The Memorandum can be read here.
Those of us who travel the farthest will really feel it in the wallet.
There hasn't been a board meeting in the history of Metrolinx where a fare increase was rejected, according to my sources, so get ready to pay more on February 1st.
PRESTO customers will be paying 5% more. I only have figures for Oshawa to Union as this is the only fare I know. If I math this right, my fare will increase from $8.78 to $9.22 (an increase of 43.9 cents rounded) or $18.44 a day, bringing my monthly average fare to $318.00.
Now before you grab your shirt and start twisting it in your fists, just remember I am no champion at math. So I could be wrong in my calculation. I am waiting on math majors to confirm my numbers.
When I started traveling GO back in 2008, I think my monthly fare was $252.50.
This fare increase isn't approved. The Memorandum can be read here.
Those of us who travel the farthest will really feel it in the wallet.
There hasn't been a board meeting in the history of Metrolinx where a fare increase was rejected, according to my sources, so get ready to pay more on February 1st.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Am I missing something?
The TTC has pulled this ad due to 11 complaints (which I assume also includes this outraged Twitter user).
Why are we not protesting ads for tanning salons? You know, the ads that tell white people to look darker?
Thursday, December 4, 2014
PRESTO card readers and the AODA
If you're blind, and you own a PRESTO card, how do you know the balance of your card? How do you override if you're using the card for a destination station other than your default station?
This was the dilemma of a woman who was at the Oshawa station this morning. Her husband dropped her off and upon close inspection of the PRESTO card reader, he noticed there was no way for his wife to override the card using braille as a guide since she would be traveling beyond Union Station for a job interview in Mississauga.
THIS IS NOT COOL.
I did some research online and it appears that Metrolinx was told back in 2009 their beloved PRESTO product was going to be a problem with people who are disabled.
We're on the cusp on 2015 and I haven't seen a reader that has braille or voice response. So where does this stand I wonder?
I'm curious why, five years later, Metrolinx hasn't seem to address this.
If you've got info, please share it.
I took a look at Metrolinx's five year strategic plan, page 7 is dedicated to PRESTO and no where does it address accessibility.
PRESTO was designed and sold as a way to make commuting "easier".
I'm pretty sure the woman I met this morning would disagree.
This was the dilemma of a woman who was at the Oshawa station this morning. Her husband dropped her off and upon close inspection of the PRESTO card reader, he noticed there was no way for his wife to override the card using braille as a guide since she would be traveling beyond Union Station for a job interview in Mississauga.
THIS IS NOT COOL.
 |
| Where's the braille or audible voice response? |
I did some research online and it appears that Metrolinx was told back in 2009 their beloved PRESTO product was going to be a problem with people who are disabled.
We're on the cusp on 2015 and I haven't seen a reader that has braille or voice response. So where does this stand I wonder?
I'm curious why, five years later, Metrolinx hasn't seem to address this.
If you've got info, please share it.
I took a look at Metrolinx's five year strategic plan, page 7 is dedicated to PRESTO and no where does it address accessibility.
PRESTO was designed and sold as a way to make commuting "easier".
I'm pretty sure the woman I met this morning would disagree.
Metrolinx meets next week (December 11). I smell a fare increase
It smells like too much perfume, mixed in with a fresh bag of McDonald's take-away, topped off with someone carrying a box of fried noodles, with a hint of that leather smell that comes from an empty wallet.
That's what a fare increase smells like.
That's what a fare increase smells like.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
This exists - Malaysia's women-only commuter train service a hit
First rolled out by the railway company KTM in 2010, the women-only coach was aimed at enhancing safety following complaints of sexual harassment or women being groped especially during peak hours.
Azreen Mohd Yusup, KTM's head for corporate communication, said: "The coaches were too congested. We can't do much but it happens sometimes. The complaints have been highlighted to us but sometimes the women were embarrassed about the cases so they didn't report anything. But we know."
MORE ON THIS STORY
Azreen Mohd Yusup, KTM's head for corporate communication, said: "The coaches were too congested. We can't do much but it happens sometimes. The complaints have been highlighted to us but sometimes the women were embarrassed about the cases so they didn't report anything. But we know."
The research is clear: the economic and psychological cost of a bad commute is high
Businesses should do more to ease the angst of those who have long journeys to work
Andrew Hill
www.ft.com
Even by the exotic standards of train delay excuses, the reason for my commuter service’s late arrival one day last week was unusual: “Swan on the line.” But it got me thinking, Nassim Nicholas Taleb-style, about the hidden business risks posed by the humble commute to work.
Organisations spend hours worrying about catastrophes, refining business continuity plans in case of tsunami or terrorist outrage. They devote more time than ever – though still not enough – to the psychological strains imposed on staff when at work. But mostly, except at the highest level of policy making, they do not see commuting, with its occasional inconveniences and uncertainties, as their problem.
MORE ON THIS STORY
Andrew Hill
www.ft.com
Even by the exotic standards of train delay excuses, the reason for my commuter service’s late arrival one day last week was unusual: “Swan on the line.” But it got me thinking, Nassim Nicholas Taleb-style, about the hidden business risks posed by the humble commute to work.
Organisations spend hours worrying about catastrophes, refining business continuity plans in case of tsunami or terrorist outrage. They devote more time than ever – though still not enough – to the psychological strains imposed on staff when at work. But mostly, except at the highest level of policy making, they do not see commuting, with its occasional inconveniences and uncertainties, as their problem.
Y'all don't need phones. What you do need - is Jesus.
There is a man next to me on the train who interrupted my game of Candy Crush (I only need 1 more jelly!) to tell me I should put down my phone and learn the word of God. He had this small card he tried to give me and I shoo'd it away, but not before I caught the name of the congregation - Coventry Baptist Church.
He's a long way from home according to Google.
He tried to woo me with tales of how he found Jesus and all the good fortune that brought him, but I interrupted him and politely told him the Quiet Zone was in effect. I pointed to the sign.
He apologized and wished me well.
At Whitby it got awkward because when he struck up a conversation with the woman who sat down across from him, she politely informed him she was Jesus.
He said, "Oh, you're Jewish!" And she says, "No, I'm Jesus." She then pulls out her book and starts reading.
Flustered, he puts the pamphlet he was about to give her back in his bag.
He looks so sad.
He's a long way from home according to Google.
He tried to woo me with tales of how he found Jesus and all the good fortune that brought him, but I interrupted him and politely told him the Quiet Zone was in effect. I pointed to the sign.
He apologized and wished me well.
At Whitby it got awkward because when he struck up a conversation with the woman who sat down across from him, she politely informed him she was Jesus.
He said, "Oh, you're Jewish!" And she says, "No, I'm Jesus." She then pulls out her book and starts reading.
Flustered, he puts the pamphlet he was about to give her back in his bag.
He looks so sad.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Friday I picked up our new car. Saturday an alleged impaired driver smashed into it
The before:
I was hit from behind by a driver in a 2014 Ford Edge who was traveling 70-80 km/hr. I was stopped behind a person waiting to turn left. The speed limit was 70 km/hr.
I saw the Edge coming. I always check my surroundings, especially when stopped in traffic. I do not take these opportunities as a good time to check my phone and I get upset when people do that at stop signs or at lights, or just stopped in traffic. You're a sitting duck.
I saw the Edge coming and I looked for an out. I couldn't move into the oncoming lane and I said out loud to myself, "He's gonna hit me". I had only seconds to prepare and years of conditioning took over. The sidewalk wasn't an exit strategy either, because of a concrete pole. So I took my foot off the brake, I had room, I always leave room between my vehicle and vehicles in front of me. I took my hands off the steering wheel. I let the car absorb the impact. And boy did it ever.
The entire backend of my 2014 Flex took it like a boss and the damage at first glance looks like the car simply said, "Meh", but it's pretty extensive.
I walked away with a sore back but the occupants of the car who hit me sustained injury. The wife of the driver was not wearing her seat belt. The air bags deployed in their car. She had smashed her head against the wind screen and was unconscious when paramedics arrived. The driver was dazed and in shock. He complained of leg pain. I just stood there trembling while witnesses talked around me. I was so grateful to be okay. I was thankful my daughter wasn't in the car.
I walked away with a sore back but the occupants of the car who hit me sustained injury. The wife of the driver was not wearing her seat belt. The air bags deployed in their car. She had smashed her head against the wind screen and was unconscious when paramedics arrived. The driver was dazed and in shock. He complained of leg pain. I just stood there trembling while witnesses talked around me. I was so grateful to be okay. I was thankful my daughter wasn't in the car.
Today I took the day off work to settle the bullshit that comes next, getting the car to the shop, waiting on the adjuster, arranging the rental and trying to calm my nerves. My thoughts are all over the place.
I want you all to take something away from this. If you're someone who checks your phone when you're not moving, please break this habit. Always be aware. Always be alert and know how to prepare for a crash. It will save your life.
The aftermath:
The back up camera was destroyed. All of the bumper clips are gone. The lower left rocker panels are misaligned and the two rear doors don't open as they are wedged under the panels. Inside, the frame for the lift gate is cracked. The bumper plate is wedged over the folded rear seats and they can't be moved or engaged to a seated position. The left exhaust pipe is bent. I'm told the whole backend of the car will be ripped apart and repaired. But I'm still here.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Someone forgot to unlock this TTC fare box - passengers still paid their fare
I bet you the person who paid with the five-r made his own change, too.
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