I don't think the No Smoking sign is big enough

It's pretty big, it's almost shouting.

I guess this is one way to deal.

Some advice about love from Cookie Monster

Meanwhile, on a Montréal Metro train

For the brave the video is on Youtube.  If the link dies, you can find it on LiveLeak. 

News that will make the haters weep

Out of all the adoring fan mail I get about this site, most of the love comes from those who get a serious case of the angrys because of my distate of footriding.  One person sent me an email to rival the length of text in the Bible, start to finish, about how footriding isn't even a word.

Neither was selfie at one point in time.

Most of the emails are spent defending a person's "right" to sit how they want. The sense of entitlement displayed by these whiners would curl the hair on your toes.

I always knew I was onto something when I made it my mission to stop this social epidemic of feet on seats on public transit and it appears that people who matter do listen to the PAYING commuting public.

Since 2009, according to this CBC News report, the TTC has been allowed to fine passengers who ride with feet on seats.

Yeah, I didn't know this either. For nearly five years it's been an offence on the TTC to sit like you have no spine.

I feel vindicated.

Point: me.

Butt itch. What else could cause such awkward foot placement?

Tapping your PRESTO card at Richmond Hill GO Station is hazardous to your health

Isn't there acreages of parking lot at this station? So why smoke RIGHT THERE?!

Yeah... No. The plastic seat divider isn't okay either

Rob Ford looking disappointed on a TTC bus. Probably thinking it was the worst rollercoaster ride he's ever been on, like ever

However, caption nails it.

Meanwhile, in Holland

I'm warning you...

You may be offended... THERE IS A NSFW version. Yep, that link below.

Caution: nudity, including frank, beans, and someone who lost control of their bowels.

This is the worst level of commuter behavior I have ever seen. AND HE'S IN FIRST CLASS. There has been online discussion of whether he pooped or vomited. Look, I know this is gross. I can't even ... but family members challenge me on my transit observations. My Aunty Pauline refuses to believe anyone would actually put one's feet on a train cushion.

For the rail nerds, here's some info on the train service this fellow has desecrated. Thanks to PumpGuy for the lead on this.

http://i.imgur.com/EKEerYV.jpg

He was just waiting for breakfast to hop on board

Crime of opportunity at Burlington GO Station

Nice set of rims, huh?  Yeah, I think they're cool looking, too!

Too bad this happened.

Tori, a Burlington GO Transit customer, parked her car in her usual row at Burlington and went to work. She posted this pic to Twitter. I managed to see it and asked her to email me. I wrote back.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith <cj@thiscrazytrain.com>
to:		"Tori"
date:		Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 7:12 AM
subject:		Re: Burlington GO stolen car wheel

Hi Tori
This is pretty crappy.  Aside from transit security, have you filed a police report? Have you spoken with your insurance company and most importantly, aside from (text purposely censored; for privacy) are you getting any other compensation?! Insurance? Provided the deductible isn't a deterrent. 
This is ridiculous.  Absolutely ridiculous that this happened and nobody saw anything.  My husband is a mechanic, without air tools, it's quite an effort to do this but it's the cement block that throws me. It's one thing to pretend to change a tire as a ruse for theft, it's another to come that prepared.  
Was it just the one tire? Can I ask the make, model and tire size?
Has anyone offered up any theories, should people be concerned who drive the same kind of car as you? Is that a Mazda? Also what year?
And lastly, can you tell me what time you left your car at and what time you arrived back at the station? Do you always park in the same spot?
When you have a chance, can you count today within a 300 meter radius, how many other models of cars just like yours parked near you?
I know these are a lot of questions but I'd like to get your story up today and all of these answers help piece the puzzle together and help motivate people to be on alert.
There (text purposely censored; for privacy), but come on? This isn't a garden variety theft.

from:		Tori
to:		"Cindy (Cj) Smith"
date:		Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 1:40 PM
subject:		RE: Burlington GO stolen car wheel

Hi Cindy,

Thank you for your concern and help I really appreciate that.

Yes I did file a police report (text purposely censored; for privacy)

Was it just the one tire? Can I ask the make, model and tire size? Has anyone offered up any theories, should people be concerned who drive the same kind of car as you? Is that a Mazda? Also what year?

Just the one rim and tire was stolen and the rim is very specific to this un-common model Ford Focus ST (2013). I'm assuming this person has a Focus ST too and didn't want to pay the $600+tax to replace their rim. It's an 18 inch stock Focus ST rim and the tire is a low profile Eagle F1 worth about $250+tax so it's more likely they wanted the rim. Other theories are they wanted the tire and will get other matching ones form other cars or it was just a crime of opportunity and they will find buyers for each piece separately.

And lastly, can you tell me what time you left your car at and what time you arrived back at the station? Do you always park in the same spot? When you have a chance, can you count today within a 300 meter radius, how many other models of cars just like yours parked near you?

I left it on Monday July 21 at 8am to catch the 8:13 to Union, and I came back around 6pm (5:02 from Union). I park in the same spot 90% of the time yes, in a corner where it would be difficult (or impossible) for the entrance cameras to view.

I don't see many ST models around at all, I don't think I've ever seen one at Burlington GO. Once I saw a Fiesta ST but it's not the same rim.

The rims start off silver but I had mine painted matte black ($75 per wheel).

---

Did you see something?
Contact GO Transit Security at 1.877.297.0642

This your car? It is?! Oh you mad that it's on the internet? Too bad. You don't own the parking lot

Here's what could happen. Sometimes you just piss off the wrong person. Nope, it ain't right but parking rage is right up there with commuter rage.

Kamera porn

I've made it no secret that I track my traffic, especially the Google search terms that bring traffic to this website.

Here's a gem:

Here's what it linked to: http://www.thiscrazytrain.com/2012/05/smut-on-train.html and in a language where I have no idea what it is.

Let us know in the comments!

I think it's time for an update on the personal front

Back in February, I hit a number on the scale I hadn't seen since the year before my daughter was born. Embarrassingly, that would be 10 years ago this month.

What's frustrating is that I have not been able to move past 238 pounds. The scale goes up to 240 some days but will eventually slide back down and stay at 238. I even bought new batteries for that stupid scale. Still 238.

I routinely walk nearly 25 km a week but no longer walk 2 hours/11 km four times weekly in addition to daily walking.  My body has become very efficient at walking and walking as exercise no longer yields results.

I lost 80 pounds from walking and changing my lifestyle (I gave up a car) and eating habits (I quit sugar). As much as I love the results (I went from a size 26w to an 18w) I dislike what I need to do to keep the weight off and from coming back. It's the food. I miss, absolutely miss, sugar. I miss buffet style eating (I haven't been to Mandarin in over 2 years) I realize now I'm in mourning. And it's this food grief that is causing me to think it's okay to add a slice of very berry coffee cake (380 calories - all of them bad) with my morning Starbucks coffee.

I am tired of eating 90 grams of protein a day and the calculation and cost of achieving that number. Eating protein with every meal has proven to keep cravings away and keep the weight off but I am tired of tuna, eggs, chicken and protein bars. I have eaten every brand of protein bar out there. If you're just starting out on your own weight loss journey, I highly recommend the Detour bars sold at Costco but I'm sick of them. Fish is expensive. Although I can afford to eat it three times a week, my daughter has decided fish for dinner has got to stop. Especially white fish. She has quit on me. Her father isn't too far behind.

A few months ago I reintroduced red meat back into our diets. As my husband grilled three strip loin steaks I had marinated in a butter and garlic roux, my daughter stood at the screen door leading to the back deck, inhaling deeply, and professing her love for all things beef.  I'm pretty sure I saw a tear escape from my husband's eye as he turned the steaks to sear the other side.

It's been a rough 35 months for everyone in the Smith household.

Because of my husband's type 2 diabetes, sugar remains permanently banned from the home. I have perfected baking with Splenda and Stevia so it's not needed, but you can't make everything with artificial sweeteners (custard will give you the middle finger) and cakes just don't taste the same.  Don't get me started on ice cream.

So in an effort to shake shit up, I've taken up road cycling.  Living out in rural Clarington has its benefits with this sport as I have kilometers and kilometers of country roads at my disposal.  In my first go, I racked up 22 kilometers in an hour and 33 minutes.  I was very pleased with myself. I am now up to 28 km in two hours with 12 km of that being uphill, which slows me down, but raises the heart rate right into a prime fat burning zone.

The exercise isn't an issue, it's the diet. Because of this food exhaustion and boredom, I'm sliding back into bad habits and it's scary because I can't seem to control it. It's like putting a finger in the hole of a wall of a dam where you know eventually that hole will grow bigger and the dam will break.

I'm at a loss. I have no idea what to do here.

Why we don't licence the seeing impaired

The person who owns the car on left arrived at the Brampton lot yesterday afternoon to discover that a seeing-impaired person (surely a fully sight-enabled person would never park like this!) had parked next to him, leaving no room to open  his door and get in.

We have no idea how the person in the car on the right exited the vehicle and the space is incredibly tight. We assume it was through the trunk.

LIKE A GLOVE!!!

Transit in Toronto needs an expert, not Rob Ford

As an ex-Torontonian (born and raised, in the west end is where I spent most of my days, around the Village with Future Bakery and all, eating Polish food on Roncy and playing in High Park in the fall... did you read that with the melody from the theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air in your head? ) I find it incredibly insulting that an elected official like Ford, who grew up in Etobicoke, the most pedestrian un-friendly suburb at its peak, where even today most of the neighbourhoods still don't have sidewalks, where EVERYBODY has at least two cars in the driveway, considers himself THE person to know what's best for transit in Toronto - a guy that doesn't even take transit to work let alone to public events.

Ugh. I'm so done with his mug in the news.

Anyhow, got this email last week:

from:		AW
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 8:40 PM
subject:		FordNation supporters on the TTC

Always an interesting day when Ford supporters dress up a giant teddy bear, put it in a stroller, throw some propaganda on the front of it, and march up and down the subway with it. 

He had even re-written lyrics to songs (This Land is Your Land) so they were about Toronto and was singing them. 

Apparently his name is Jim McMillan and he's a huge Ford supporter.

The board says "Rob Ford & Jim McMillan. We got the team. They got the horse & wagon (tough slogging). Rob for lower taxes, Jim for clean air & e/rail on the gardiner & Don Valley middle lanes. If you want to use the other 4 lanes for cars, odd plate endings one day, even plates on the next day. Odd plates the next. Jim McMillan"

See attached photo.

Horrifying video that won't be embedded here

I first saw this video (link below) yesterday on a friend's Facebook feed. Then I was texted the link. Then I got a direct message on Twitter and finally, an email about it.

People really want me to share this video.

I will provide the link but not show the video directly on this site.

I won't give it away - watch for yourself. The video is gross but it's safe for work.

Teen struck and killed by Kitchener-bound GO train Monday night

A young male, believed to be 16 to 17 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene, which took place at Dundas Street West and Sterling Road in Toronto's west end.

Witnesses told CBC News that a group of youth had been loitering near the tracks prior to the incident.

It was also reported that GO Transit will be assisting police by providing footage recorded with on board camera equipment.

Your 15 minutes of fame now extends beyond this website

Random observation by a GO passenger just like you

Good to know that our GO Transit service won't be affected by the pay hike for Metrolinx employees. Wonder which bucket they're going to empty to pull the cash from?

Source:
http://www.680news.com/2014/07/21/go-transit-service-not-affected-by-pay-hike-for-metrolinx-employees-matthews/

Jim Wilson made a comment about lowering fares. Ha! Is he new? *giggle* snort.

What in odor eater hell is this?

from:		D
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Mon, Jul 21, 2014 at 11:52 AM
subject:		Not just trains

Imagine my horror, on my flight from Van to toronto, as this foot snuck its way between the seat and the wall.

Luckily, there was no one IN the window seat, but I didn't appreciate it regardless.

You stay classy, Whitby - I'm fingering daytrippers for this one

Via email

Happy Monday!  I'd like to say mine is off to a swell start but I had to play dodge the puke pile going up the stairs to the platform.

I'll save your eyes and your gag reflex by not taking and sending a picture.

The platform was a complete wasteland of cake boxes, drink cups and other garbage. Clearly the remnants of Indy and baseball fans. Not a pleasant way to start the day.

It can only get better from here!

M

Parenting -- Signs you've done it wrong

You know, just when I thought society couldn't set the bar any lower, an incident on tonight's 520 LSE just proved me wrong.

Two guys sat in the quad in front of me, perfected ALL YOUR SPACE, and conducted a conversation loud enough to be heard in the locomotive over the roar of the engine. A woman seated under the quiet zone sign politely asked if they could lower their voices. She turned to point at the sign behind her. The men said nothing to her and ignored her request. When they exited at Pickering, I suspect their sense of entitlement got the better of them and in a fine display of bad parenting, both loudly exclaimed, "FUCK Y'ALL!!!" when they stood up.

As they went down the stairs, one of them leaned into the quad of the woman under the sign and said to her, sarcastically, "Hope the rest of your ride home is more enjoyable."

I. Was. Stunned. The woman looked horrified that someone would single her out so pointedly and be so disrespectful. She was visibly shaken. She hadn't done anything wrong.

Quiet zone or not, we are all within reason allowed to ask people to behave if their antics are interfering with any of us trying to enjoy the ride comfortably. So let's not blame the quiet zone for this horrible display of intimidation and rudeness. Blame bad parenting.

As a parent myself, I would be mortified to learn my grown son had conducted himself so dastardly.

Here's Tweedledouche with his leg contorted towards the window in an earlier fantastic display of footriding.

Let me go get my gas can and fill 'er up

Good news for Ajax passengers

Don't you just love that new train smell?

Anyone know when this project started (yeah I could Google it but y'all better than Google)

Just letting you all know I have emailed this person. I will post the exchange

Let's play my new GO train game! It's called: "Name the DNA!"

How nice of GO Transit to have provided a bench for this tired smoker

Hey... what the...? What's that sign?



Sigh

Today I learned that Presto and GO are not integrated when it comes to fare resolution

On Tuesday, I had to override my trip home as I had been driven to Ajax after a company event downtown. I pressed the override button, tapped and got off at Oshawa. At Oshawa, I tapped on the bus and tapped off when I reached home.

Did you spot the mistake? Yeah, I didn't tap off when I got off the train, so a $4.68 fare became $12.78, as I was charged full fare to Newcastle -- the end of the road on the LSE.

This morning, I waited in line at GO Transit Customer Service in Union Station and had time to ponder, as the line snaked its way through, why I was unable to correct this fare mishap online or over the phone. Over the phone meant being mailed a credit voucher - no thanks. I'm moving and don't plan on forwarding my mail so not a good idea as it could take weeks. PRESTO was supposed to prevent line-ups. Yet, here I am, in line, to ask for a refund and also, observing a large amount of people looking to resolve under-payments and adding fare to their e-wallets. It's archaic.

I've never had a fare reversal issued before so imagine my surprise when the agent, after reviewing my mistake, he pulled out a paper and a pen.

What fresh hell is this?

I filled out my portion of the form which asked for my name and phone number and I was puzzled that there is no database application for these agents to use to collect this information. My personal information is there with the PRESTO card, is it not? I know the agent used my card to review the transactions and I have a feeling that's all he can see. This means there is no integration within Metrolinx's organization. Walking to work, it then dawned on me why those of us who use credit cards to either autoload or load fare also can't have credits applied back to our credit cards, kind of like what Ticketmaster does when a concert is cancelled. Quite simply, neither GO Transit or PRESTO can because they don't record or store this credit card information. Moneris does. Moneris processes credit card payments for PRESTO online. I don't think PRESTO has an arrangement to do chargebacks. I know it can be expensive.

In other words, there is no ONE system for GO Transit to handle PRESTO fare reversals, refunds or credits. And the reason why it takes so long for refunds due to delays to happen is because I bet at least three forms have to be filled out and processed by at least three different departments and then someone at GO Transit manually processes the credit to each PRESTO card.

Who built this dinosaur? Oh wait, right, the same government where we learned via a Toronto Star article that Metrolinx is mandated to take the lowest bid on any infrastructure project. So of course PRESTO was handed over to the lowest bidder and you know what your nana always said, "You get what you pay for."

I laughed - because it's true

Fast Fact: When the Quiet Zone was first rolled out, GO Transit Security was overwhelmed with all the code 1033s to shut people up. As much as Metrolinx implemented this for the benefit of passengers who asked for quiet cars, it is the most counter-productive attempt at passenger comfort, ever. 

Can you tell I am not a fan? I do sit in the Quiet Zone but I don't believe anyone can realistically expect everyone to all share the same expectations of "quiet". My expectation of quiet is that you don't bring seven friends on board with you, sit in separate quads and yell at each other across the aisle about how you would love to buy a condo downtown, as you couldn't imagine having to commute every day, because if you had to do what "these people do", you'd shoot yourself. Instead, if you aren't a regular commuter, you sit down, lower your voice and show some courtesy for those who do have to do what "these people do" every day.

Yeah. Day trippers. They can shut the hell up for sure.

This picture says everything you'd need to know about yesterday's LSE morning delays

Apparently so is unwrapping a granola bar, unzipping a wallet and eating chips

Sorry I went over my 25 comment limit

Yep. That's about as much as I want to read on any given post on any given day but that one pic I put up on the weekend with Bob and his suds? It struck a nerve.

I'm sorry if your comment wasn't published. I have emails where people have shared stories of horrid situations involving drunk passengers. Turns out, this is a topic way too many people can relate to - more than foot riding.

I will read the emails. I won't star them. If I star it, it winds up being part of a list that is now over 500 items long of emails I need to read. I'm not complaining. I enjoy the attention the site receives. It's just that, some days, it's a full time job needing time I do not have.

Please don't be mad. Remember, I still love you. That counts for something. Remember that children's television show where at the end, the female host would look through a hand-held mirror and she'd start reciting the names of kids she could "see" through the camera. I can't tell you how many times I waited for my name. I remember putting my face right up to the television in tears, smooshing my cheek and mouth, and whimpering, "I'm right here, say my name... "

I see you.

"GO should have long ago been empowered to expand its system and service frequency" - Opinion piece in Toronto Star

Y'all know I can't legally republish the article in its entirety. Loud hissing from my lawyers from the corner of hell they sit in makes it so.

According to this Opinion piece about promises of frequent service/expanded service -- our rail infrastructure suck balls, but it's not GO/Metrolinx's fault.

"One of the ways Premier Kathleen Wynne says she’ll bust gridlock in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is by dramatically increasing GO’s use of the region’s rail lines. She deserves applause for that decision, but also a warning flag.

For too long, the CP and CN lines criss-crossing the GTHA sat largely unrecognized as corridors for quick, cost-effective transit expansion. GO should have long ago been empowered to expand its system and service frequency. This wouldn’t have eliminated the need for major improvements to the TTC, but it would have relieved some of the pressure by creating a high-frequency urban rail service similar to those built in major European cities decades ago ... "

KEEP READING

The GO train is not your backyard patio

Milwaukee tall boy on a Thursday evening train home? No.

Winnipeg bans busking on public transit

I like how the media spun this story with headlines leading readers to believe that if you break out into song about wheels on a bus, you're tackled and shackled and hauled off in a police cruiser.

No. Not even close.

According to a report on CBC's website:

"The rule came as part of a larger transit bylaw that makes it against the law not to pay your bus fare and establishes an array of “inappropriate conduct” for which someone can be kicked off a bus or fined.
The provision for the city’s more “musical” guests, says without permission from Winnipeg Transit, no one can play a musical instrument, sing or offer a live musical performance on a city bus or face a fine of $100 plus court costs".

So if your five year old gets on a bus in Winnipeg, like how a five year old got on my GO bus this morning, and burst out into song about Wheels on a Bus but the only verse she knows is "Round and Round" and sings it non-stop for 27 minutes, I think you're good. But if you pull out an acoustic guitar and join in - BUSTED.

I should also note this same transit company ran this ad in the 80s:

How about someone pick up a hammer?

from:		TM
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 7:37 AM
subject:		(no subject)

Did your station have people in hard hats on the platform this morning with tablets?

They were on the Burlington platform with shirts with a construction symbol on it. From what I could gather they seemed to be asking people to sign up for notifications of construction delays and elevators out of service...or something. Then the train came. 

Any idea what this was all about?

Maybe with all those people in hard hats they could have been working on the new station instead!

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith <cj@thiscrazytrain.com>
to:		TM
date:		Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 7:43 AM
subject:		Re: (no subject)

This is Metrolinx’s response to the bad publicity surrounding the unwarranted lengthy construction delays at Burlington station.  Let's look like we care even though logistically we can't do much about it.
The fact that someone in PR thought it would be great to have transit employees dress up as construction workers is actually insulting.

from:		TM
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 7:44 AM
subject:		Re: (no subject)

Seriously. There were tons of them too. Focus on finishing the station! Always seems like they focus on the silliest things when there's so much that actually needs attention.

Is this true?! Or is someone trolling footriders?

Thanks for the note!

Accidents happen, right? At least this person left a warning. And owned a pen.

Nope

Stranger danger

This is every commuter's public transit nope. Some random stranger mistakes you for a pillow. This happened to a Twitter follower of mine on the bus last night.

Something - something train is not your hotel room

Via email





‎Can you spot all the things going on in these photos taken on this morning's 7:15 Lakeshore West train?

Feet on seat
Bag, coat spread across
Makeup session
Hair being 'done'

Something - something train is not your living room

Via email



Lakeshore East this morning. After making himself breakfast and clanking his spoon against the bowl to get every last drop, he removes his shoes and places them on his bag, and then begins to review materials in the three binders placed on the seat in front of him.

I would have never had the unbelievable opportunity to see any of this if the original occupant hadn't got up after a habitual blabbermouth sat down in the area.  She mutters "I'm not putting up with her this morning" and walks off.

For those who don't follow me on Twitter, I found this Saturday night

I had walked through a few coaches, randomly looking for a clean seat, before spotting it in a coach two away from the locomotive. It's a bell. It works. It is awesome.

I had a brief discussion with a few passengers who were exiting at Union (I boarded at Mimico) who said it had been there from as far back as Burlington.

There's no inscription. I have no idea who carries a bell. Why?

I called GO Transit Lost and Found; no one has reported a bell missing.

This may be the one time IN MY LIFE, where I may use the finders-keepers rule. Cj needs a bitch bell.

Think of the foot riders! Just sneak up behind and ding-a-ling-a-ling.

Context

Fun times on the Barrie line

So this just happened at 8 am.
Trains are holding and it's expected the police investigation into this dump truck/train collision will last 2 to 3 hours.
Unfortunately, the train's PA system is not functioning and the CSA went from coach to coach to check on passengers.
There are no injuries reported.

Special thanks to @LisaMBritton on Twitter for the photo and heads up.

CityNews has more on the story.

Hey Kids! Let's go back in time when GO Transit almost went electric

The whole story can read on blogTO.

Girl, why you running?

Do none of you have watches? A cell phone that shows the time? Are your running for all of the diarrhea?

On the Lakeshore East, Oshawa is the last station (or first station depending on direction of travel). When the trains pull in, usually 10 to 15 minutes before departure, you've got boat loads of time to board and get settled. This morning, at about 7:06 am, this woman came barreling out of the station, bowled her way through a small group of people, knocked one lady's coffee to the ground - no sorry to be had - and vaulted her way through the doors of the 7:15 am train.

What fresh hell was that?

Girl, you ain't late.

None of her behavior was acceptable. The woman who lost her coffee was pretty upset. I don't blame her. I offered to buy her another one which she refused graciously.

I boarded the last coach in front of the locomotive, the one where Speedy Donkeygonzales got in. I spotted her on the second level, in a window seat, in a quad with no one else, on her phone. I didn't say anything.

Not my circus, not my monkey.

You know what that means, right? No, not that I've started new meds or am meeting with a counselor who has made commuter rage her mental health issue specialty. Today was Speedy Donkeygonzales' lucky day.

Otherwise, that phone would be somewhere else. I'm pretty sure one less coffee lady would agree with me.

Who's Not Been Serving Us Lately? Part 5

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4
by Chris P. Bacon

Editor's Note: Coincidentally, The Toronto Star ran this story today about construction delays at Clarkson GO Station. I love the headline. Fail is a good word. Fail seems to be the word of the day.

In this installment of Who’s Not Been Serving Us Lately? I revisit Burlington station to check on developments there.  I guess Metrolinx felt compelled to issue a statement given that the December 2013 and June 2014 completion dates were missed.  And what did Metrolinx say?  The following notice is posted about the station, bus loop, and tracks:

Can Metrolinx expound on the “unforeseen underground utility issues”?  Isn’t one of the first tasks of a civil engineering project to conduct a discovery process to verify the location and status of underground services?

How did the project get to this stage before Bondfield Construction Company Ltd. realized there was a problem?  Bondfield’s home page claims the following:

“For 40 years, Bondfield Construction Company Limited has consistently proven itself as one of Ontario’s leading full-service construction companies with a renowned reputation for delivering innovative, quality, cost efficient projects on time and on budget.”

The construction notice bemoans the “exceptionally harsh winter”.  This is Canada, so suck it up buttercup! Other cities in Canada endured the same winter that Toronto did, but their construction projects didn’t hibernate until the spring.  The construction of the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg pressed on during winter.  What does this say about the capabilities of Bondfield engineers and trades people?

Since my original story, a bit of progress has been made on the soffit and fascia of the new station.  Note, too, that the roof now has a ladder!

The construction notice states, “We are working as quickly as possible to complete the station improvements”.  

I’m sorry Metrolinx and Bondfield, but I’m not buying any of this drivel.  The private sector can plan and manage projects through adverse conditions to keep the RBC Convention Centre on track.  It’s now summer and no one is working at Burlington station.  Is Bondfield Construction Company Ltd. hiring staff to deploy to this project?  As I write this article, Bondfield’s career opportunities web page has a total of three job postings. Many Ontarians are out of work.  There is work to do, and funds have been committed, but no one is hiring. 

Is this another case of public dollars going directly to the profit line of big corporations?  I’d like someone to help me understand what’s going on here.  I just don’t get it.

With billions of dollars in capital works projects at risk for The Big Move, I also don’t understand why the mainstream media isn’t having a feeding frenzy trying to identify who at Metrolinx is responsible for this fiasco.

Good question?

I swear. It's not just me

VIA first class! And he's got NO class

Even with ALL OF THE LEG ROOM, douche is still a douche.

I guess I botched this marriage proposal

from:		Graham Wayne <gwayne1963@outlook.com>
to:
bcc:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 11:26 AM
subject:		I am interested in you for serious relationship

How are you today my dear,

My name is Graham Wayne, I am ranked a Sergeant major in the US Army,
currently serving in Afghanistan on peace keeping mission.

I am well educated with two(2) university degrees and a masters degree in
engineering, please i am very sorry to contact you through this email
exchange and there is no other way to reach you OK. I was Just looking
around the www.blogger.com site and I saw your email I got interested on you
and I decided to drop this note to you. I am looking for serious
relationship that will lead towards MARRIAGE, despite you do not know me
very well, but i promise i will tell you all you need to know about me.

Please reply me so that I send you my pictures and tell you more about me.I
will be very glad if you appreciate this and we will go on from here
knowing each other.

Regards,
Graham Wayne

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith <cj@thiscrazytrain.com>
to:		Graham Wayne
date:		Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 11:36 AM
subject:		Re: I am interested in you for serious relationship

Hi Graham!
I own two circus elephants who are extremely protective of me. They come with me as part of the package.  Deal?

Sassy has a bit of halitosis problem but the vet says as long as  I keep feeding her the kegger of Costco peanut butter I've been doing each day, it will help. You know the best thing about that? The soft serve "end" result. If you know what I mean...

Peaches, he's a bit of an idiot. I mean every branch of the dumb - dumb tree was hit when he stormed out of Africa. But I love them both dearly.

So as long as we can ride off into the sunset on the backs of two elephants, sure.  Get back to me on that marriage thing. I gotta get these two beasts measured for suits.

In a GO station parking lot when suddenly (think Pride)