Skytrain delay makes national news. GO train delays go unnoticed

from:		MS
to:		CJ Smith
date:		Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 1:08 PM
subject:		Well it seems transit woes aren't limited to Toronto

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/skyhostage-transit-glitch-snarls-vancouver-evening-rush-1.2415139

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		MS
date:		Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 1:29 PM
subject:		Re: Well it seems transit woes aren't limited to Toronto

Scary how we know this pain. Even more amazing how GO woes aren't national news.

from:		MS
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
date:		Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 2:46 PM
subject:		Re: Well it seems transit woes aren't limited to Toronto

There's a general disdain for Toronto out west due to the whole "Toronto thinks they're the center of the universe" mentality.

But yeah, we should be making more noise when our commute turns into a gong show.

We're more important than Vancouver, right? ;)

The claw firm has discovered technology. Jazmin Diamond's first #catselfie

Redneck elecktronicks - never be without juice again

by Billy Bob
Special to ThisCrazyTrain.com

Hidy ho, Ms. Cindy!

Billy Bob here in St. Catharines.  My missus, Daisy May, was feelin’ right badly for you the other week, cuz your phone lost juice and you was forced to GO it incommunicado.  Daisy May understands why them older coaches – with the “rich Carinthian leather” seats – don’t got no wall plugs, but she don’t get why them new train cars don’t come from the factory wired with outlets for you folks.  Daisy May says findin’ a power outlet on a GO train is like a Easter egg hunt, even when you got the list of wired coaches put together by that GO Voyageur person.  So, Daisy May turned to me ‘n’ said we gotta do somethin’ for that nice Cindy ‘n’ all her LSE friends, so they never gets stuck like that again.

By “we”, my missus meant me, and I knew I was in way over my head, so I got on the CB radio to my cousin Herb.  Maybe you heard of him?  Back in the 60s, he hosted his own local TV show called Handyman Herb's DIY Hacks – with Herb Hellfinger.  After explainin’ the situation, Herb laughed and said he knew right off what the fix was.

Herb said, “Every GO train car has outlets, Billy Bob.  The problem is folks don’t have the right plugs for ‘em”.

Huh?

O’ course, Herb was right – he always is.  He told me every GO train car he’s ever been on has these plugs:

  

I figured I’d be real smart, so I told Herb that folks just gotta buy one of these connector doohickeys off Amazon.  Well, Herb split a gut when he heard that, followed by, “Folks ain’t gonna part with their hard earned dough for that!  We’re gonna show ‘em how to build an adapter for way less!”

Huh?

We hopped in my Ford pickup and headed over to WallyMart (that’s what we call Walmart down here) and got us one o’ these here mini power bars:

Next stop, Home Depot, where we bought the all-important lockin’ plug:

 

Back at Herb’s workshop, he cut the cord on that mini power bar about 6” from the regular plug and tossed it in his “keeper bin” – Herb don’t throw nothin’ away.  Then he stripped down the insulation on the wires and connected the lockin’ plug and we was done!  Herb says make sure you connect them wires to the right prongs, like black to “hot”, white to neutral, and green to ground.

Here’s the project all set to GO:

Herb says if you’re goin’ this route, you might wanna upgrade your DIY project and invest in a surge protector, too, cuz you don’t want dirty power on them trains fryin’ your valuable ‘lectronics, eh.  Even them regular outlets have green lights to tell you if it’s safe to plug in your gear.  The higher the number of joules on one o’ them protectors, the better, or as Daisy May says, “Size matters.”  WallyMart gots this one that’s good enough to protect your fridge:

So, there you GO, Ms. Cindy.  Toss that in your bag and you’re never frettin’ about that cell phone dyin’ on you again!  And Daisy May will be feelin’ a whole lot better, too.

Best wishes from the other side of the lake,

Billy Bob

The gift that keeps on giving

It's NOT okay to paint your nails on the #gotrain. If I pass out from the fumes, it's this moron's fault. 😷 #lse pic.twitter.com/qdQlLeNCiL

— Kip (@Kip_Rose) May 28, 2015

Why are benches not a priority for GO Transit's first-class passengers?

#gotransit #gotrain Question:When will Metrolinx do the decent thing and provide seating for informal smokers clubs? pic.twitter.com/ysYiBjMSVo

— Michael Methot (@d33pfish) June 9, 2015

Please. Stretch out.

Yes indeed @GOtransit he just takes up residence. Shall we give him a blanket. pic.twitter.com/yAP5qAwdsK

— Steve Kee (@steve_kee) May 28, 2015

I have asked how these headrests accommodate tall torso passengers

New GO Transit train cars and layover facilty unveiled in GTA http://t.co/XDKxCoxxot pic.twitter.com/fzF1WXdMBq

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) June 3, 2015

These should be at every station (edited) Turns out, GO is rolling them out system-wide

Great to see this signage at Burlington @GOtransit pic.twitter.com/ARFVoQcKwI

— Josh Rivett (@GORivett94) June 7, 2015

People over 40 should avoid these things

Sunday I hosted a backyard BBQ party for my husband's 40th birthday complete with food truck (Stuttering John's Smokehouse) and a bouncing castle.

I promised my daughter I would go in at some point and jump with her.

I barely made it out alive.

Once in, I couldn't stand up and the recoil from the kids jumping "waved" me over to a corner where I lay wedged between the mesh wall and a hump.

It didn't take long for my guests and the kids to clue in as to where I had wedged myself and the ensuing fallout. I had cut off the air intake valve. The castle began to deflate. Kids ran out screaming as the roof started to fold in on itself and with the help of my friend, Sandra, who was trying to pull me up, I managed to move away from the air supply tunnel and then slid myself out of this awful death trap. A few men fixed the hose and I laughed off my near death experience.

Never again.

And what does that have to do with public transit? One of my guests took the GO train in from Oakville to get to the party.

The beginning of a bad joke

View post on imgur.com

More GO Transit Service for TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

TORONTO: June 8, 2015 — Metrolinx is making it easier to get around during the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games with more GO service on routes that serve major events.

Schedules are now posted for these enhanced services, which include extra GO train and bus service for the Pan Am Games and extra GO bus service for the Parapan Am Games. Visitors and residents are encouraged to take advantage of these services to make getting around during the Games as easy and comfortable as possible, and are also reminded that Games tickets can be used as valid fare on GO and other participating transit systems on the day of the event.  

Extra GO train service for the Pan Am Games will run from July 11-26, 2015. It will include:

·         more Lakeshore East and West service to and from the new West Harbour GO Station for the soccer events taking place at the CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium; 

·         more trips to Exhibition GO Station, the site of Pan Am Park, which will be a hub of many free and fun activities for the public throughout the Games as well as the site of the Games media centre; and

·         more Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West service on weekends, particularly in the morning, for easier travel across the region and to events. 

There will also be extra GO bus service for the Pan Am Games on several routes to accommodate increased passenger volume to and from events, including:

·         more trips to serve events in St. Catharines, Hamilton, Milton, Mississauga, North York, downtown Toronto, Scarborough, Markham, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa;

·         more buses along the Lakeshore East and West corridors for early  morning and late-night events;

·         standby GO buses at key locations across the system throughout the Games, ready to be put into service if required to carry more passengers.

Extra GO bus service for the Parapan Am Games will run from Aug. 8-10, 2015, and again on Aug. 14. It will include an extra late-night GO bus trip from Port Credit GO Station express to Union Station for events at the Mississauga Sports Centre.

“Adding extra GO bus and train service is part of our plan to help keep people moving during the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. It will be a busy time, and I encourage people to plan ahead and consider carpooling, taking transit, working flex-time or telecommuting to help make the Games a success,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation. “I would also like to thank those already planning ahead for the Games.”

In addition to increasing services, Metrolinx will have staff serving as ambassadors at Union Station and other GO locations near major event venues to provide information and help new riders and spectators get where they need to go during the Games.

“These increased services will play a critical role in keeping our region moving throughout the course of the Games,” said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx. “Whether you’re a Games visitor who’s new to the GTHA or a regular GO commuter, we’re committed to doing all we can to get you where you need to be when you need to be there during what promises to be a very exciting time for our region.”

Again?

Union 08:43 - Oshawa 09:41 train originate at Danforth - track switch. Passengers from Union take the #GOtrain leaving at 09:17.

— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 8, 2015

Who's Not Been Serving Us Lately? Part 8

from:		TM
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 4:37 PM
subject:		Fwd: Update: Burlington GO Parking Lot Construction

well into year four by the time it is ready...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: GO Transit <no-reply@gotransit.com>
Date: Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Subject: Update: Burlington GO Parking Lot Construction

Burlington Passengers: We want to provide you with an update for the construction occurring at your station.  Hydro is now installed at the new Burlington Station.  This means work can now progress inside the station building and the bus loop.  Later this summer, we will be closing the east tunnel and opening the west tunnel to the south lot. More information will follow closer to that time. At this time, we expect to partially open the new station building sometime in late fall with full completion expected in 2016.  We apologize for the unexpected delays encountered over the course of this project and we are working as quickly as possible to open your new station.

---

Previous installments of this Web Series are archived here

by Ali Gator

In this installment of Who’s Not Been Serving Us Lately?, I visit Burlington GO station, yet again, to check on “progress”.  Prior coverage of this Bondfield Construction boondoggle can be found here and here.  Other screw-ups by Bondfield were documented by The Toronto Star and CTV News.

Whilst waiting for the 15:16 train, I noticed there was actually life at the construction site, so I captured the following “Kodak moments”.  I’m not sure what the fellow was looking for in his pickup truck, but he futzed about for 10 minutes before the train arrived and blocked my view.  I hope he found what he was looking for.

The following photo captures the new antenna on the roof and the contrast in work effort at our construction site versus the new condos being built in the background.

As @raat_raat noted on Twitter:

Victoria may be onto something.  Previously, in the construction notice posted by GO Transit, the opening of the station was rescheduled for “spring 2015”.  Bondfield Construction changed their project completion date to June 2015 (it was December 2013 originally).  And what is the latest “promise” from Metrolinx?  A visit to their Project Map tells us the following:

Let’s remember that this facility was supposed to be completed in time for the Pan Am & Parapan American Games in July.

The latest scuttlebutt around the station is that it won’t be opened until January or February 2016.  Apparently, the additional delay is due to no work on the project during the games, because that will be aesthetically unpleasant to games’ spectators passing through Burlington.

I don’t know about you, but I want a front row seat at the photo-op when whoever cuts the ribbon at the station’s grand re-opening.  Does anyone want to join me?  I’ll bring the popcorn.

Mr. Minister of Transportation and Metrolinx, when can Ontario Ombudsman, André Marin, pay you a visit?  Apparently, he has a notion “you got some 'splainin' to do!"

UPX Was Never To Break Even

From stevemunro.ca

With all the hoopla surrounding the launch of service on the Union-Pearson Express (aka UPX or UP Express), it was refreshing to learn today from no less than the CEO of Metrolinx, Bruce McCuaig, that the line will never cover its costs.

Cast your mind back to the days of Prime Minister Chrétien and his Transport Minister, David Collonette (1997-2003). They had a dream of an express train from Union Station to Pearson Airport, a service that would be built, owned and operated at no cost to the government through the magic of private enterprise. SNC Lavalin was to be the lucky proprietor.

FULL ARTICLE

Time to *do* what we *want*?

@elvisrun When do we roll out the bar cart? $5 shots. Smokers pay double. https://t.co/bcTlhWP4jg

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) June 8, 2015

You had one job!

This may be the best picture ever. #TTC pic.twitter.com/zfhLhAULNS

— Dave Fleet (@davefleet) June 8, 2015

Did you get complimentary tickets to ride UP Express this weekend? Here's what you can expect, courtesy of my roving weekday reporter

Thanks to knowing some people who know some people who did some work for UP Express, I was able to score a 'preview' ride on UP Express. There was an all-day event held the day after the media briefing - all relatively low-key, with no presentations or 'special guests'. Judging by the numbers and conversations, UP had invited a lot of people with some connection to the project. Overall, it was probably far closer to the 'normal' customer experience then the special media-orientated tours.

Sadly, I had no means to take pictures. Metrolinx's Flickr page has plenty, as do all the various news reports. I shall just say it all looks just like the photos. (Really, these camera thingies are amazing!).

Union station
The UP Express platforms at Union are located just off the Skywalk. (From elsewhere in Union station, simply follow the signs). It feels slightly detached from the regular hustle and bustle of the GO/VIA facilities. This is more by accident than design - the trains require higher platforms, so are one end of the station to prevent conflicts with GO and VIA trains.

The station area has (or will have) a large opening to the SkyWalk - it doesn't feel closed off or separate - anyone can wander in if they like. It's a pleasant area, feeling light, warm, and airy - lots of glass and mid-toned wood. The whole thing feels up-market and comfortable, without being posh. The washrooms (round to the left) could be useful for those trekking from the rest of Union to the CN tower. (Sadly, I didn't see what they were like).

Union station has platform doors (like those proposed for TTC stations). This means the platform isn't open to the elements. Instead, the train sits outside the glass wall, carefully aligned so that the doors in the wall align with the doors in the train. The weather was pleasant that day, so I couldn't tell how much wintery wind will blow in. I suspect it won't be much. The net effect is that the whole area feels like you're indoors, with some doors that happen to lead a train. 

The station area has a few thoughtful features. There are flight departure display screens, so you can confirm your terminal and flight status in advance. No arrival status, however, which would have been useful for those meeting inbound passengers at Union. There's also an ATM that dispenses US dollars, Mexican pesos, Euros, British pounds (and another that does Canadian dollars). Certainly a cunning move by sponsor CIBC for the traveller who wants to skip the lines at the airport. There are big LED displays above each door, telling you the time until the next departure, so you know whether to rush for the waiting train, or have time to grab a coffee.

Coffee / tea are on sale (although they were free on preview day!). A glass cabinet implies pastries, etc. will be available for sale, similar to any other coffee shop, really. The prices seemed cheap to me - more "covering the cost of providing something passengers will value" than "making lots of money". Souvenirs were also available, so you have something to take home from your Toronto trip

Tickets can be bought from the information/sales counter (on the right of the entrance), or from the ticket machines (round to the right, past the counter), or on-board. There are also Presto card readers scattered liberally around. All tickets/Presto cards are checked on-board by the UP Express attendants. Given that UP Express users are 'guests', not merely GO's "customers" (and certainly not TTC's "passengers"!), I suspect there's a fancy title in there somewhere. (Regardless of titles, the staff I interacted with were unfailingly polite and helpful.)

However, on-board ticket purchases can only be made with a credit card (no debit cards or cash) and attract a $2 fee. The sales counters accept all the usual payment methods.

So, after getting my complementary beverage and taking a photo of a cupcake with the terrible camera on my phone (for posterity, rather than sharing), I boarded the train.

On the train

Firstly, a minor warning: there is a slight slope in the flooring beside the doors. You barely notice it getting on, but it caught me slightly unawares when I went to look out the door window during the journey. 

The seats are arranged 'airline style' - in pairs, rather than quads of a GO Train. Half face one way, half the other. Normally people prefer to face the direct of travel, but after a long flight, facing the other way may have novelty appeal. The seats come equipped with fold-down tables (complete with a handy recess for your beverage). The seats seemed comfortable enough - the seats (and train) are narrower than a GO train. The train is closer in width to a subway train, albeit with more headroom. Regardless, the seats certainly seemed comfortable enough for a 25-minute ride. Legroom was more generous than a plane (so those coming from the airport will be very happy!), and I could comfortably stretch out my legs underneath. (There's more room between your knees and the seat in front of you than is between your knees and the knees of the person opposite you in a GO quad.)

The ride quality was good: you could have an open cup of coffee on your fold-down table without it slopping over. It's certainly better than the middle level of a GO Train. The movements feel smaller but faster than a GO Train (which makes sense, as it's a small vehicle). The speed hit at least 60mph (100km/hr). If you haven't been on the Kitchener line in the past few years, you'll be amazed at the scale of works that were required, with multiple large, long under-passes. (At one point, I had a view out the front, and the train had to slow before going down the slope: it was like that moment at the start of a rollercoaster ride, just before you do that initial plummet...). 

A pair of power outlets is provided at each seat - handy for recharging your device before/after a flight. However, the wheelchair spaces have no dedicated outlet, and must use the ones for the adjacent seats (which are in a very awkward position for the person in the wheelchair).

Being an airport train, luggage facilities are obviously a major consideration. There are luggage racks for big suitcases, plus overhead bins above the seats. The luggage racks have a 'lip' at the bottom to stop stuff rolling out, plus a fold-down 'bar' to make sure nothing can topple out. Given the ride quality, this seems overkill. The net result is that it will be rather awkward to put your luggage in the luggage rack, and I suspect people will use the wheelchair spaces instead. Also, the doors on the overhead bins are hard to open/close, thanks to some weird hinges. There was certainly plenty of luggage space - but it will be impossible to say whether there's enough until the train is full of actual passengers. Certainly it wouldn't work if everyone has a large suitcase - but many passengers don't.

There are few screens scattered around, showing various adverts, as well as information about delayed/late flights. The free WiFi worked just fine, according to reports from other passengers. Like the luggage racks, there might be a different story with a full train.

There is one washroom on the train. It's in the middle car if you're in a three-car train, and in the car without a pointy nose if you're in a two-car train. (If it's a one-car train, something's gone terribly wrong, and your need for a washroom will suddenly be very urgent, then disappear.) If you're moving between the cars, then you'll get a first-class view of the track underneath whizzing past. (The floorway is fine, but you can see out at the corners.) 

Passengers - sorry, guests, are provided with an in-flight magazine - sorry, on-train booklet. This informs you of the delights of Toronto and other typical in-flight magazine things. Possibly not what you want to see before/after a long flight. There's a welcome from Kathy Haley (President of UP Express), who states it's an "indescribable pleasure" to welcome you on board. 

(Cj writes, I laughed so hard here... "indescribable" indeed!)

Bloor / Weston stations
The train stopped at both stations, but the doors didn't open for this test run. As the UP Express trains have much higher floors than a GO Train (closer to a VIA train, I would say), there's a raised section at the end of the platform at these stations, with a nice ramp up from the 'normal' platform level. I'd estimate they're about 1m above the track. These stations will be usable from opening day, but work is clearly continuing. I saw a pile of ceiling material (the same wood as used at Union) at one station, waiting to be installed.

Pearson station
We had a brief wait while the train was slightly repositioned after stopping, to align with the platform doors. The stopping point is all down to the driver's skill (unlike subways with platform doors). Practice will help, and I can't see it being a problem in the long term. The platform doors are considerably wider than the train doors, so there's a reasonable margin.

Pearson station itself has a similar feel to Union - glass and wood, light, warm and airy. The signs pointing you towards the terminals could be bigger - I missed them until after I'd spent some time wandering round. Those coming from the airport will see a top-up machine for your Presto card, and only about half-way down the platform will you find a ticket machine, which seems the wrong way round. I understand there's UP Express sales counters elsewhere, but access to the airport was still fenced off. You'll be able to buy a Presto card there - which saved you more than the $6 for the card, and be very useful for travelling round the GTHA. A useful feature for visitors to the GTHA! 

The station has direct access to T1, and you can access T3 via the LINK train. The LINK station is right next door - you literally walk out of one and into the other.

Prior to (re)-boarding for the trip back to Union, I noticed cleaning staff doing their thing. They obviously do a quick pass after each trip, keeping it all neat and tidy. All transit agencies should copy this practice - stuff can accumulate on any transit vehicle (bus or train), and frequent small-scale tidying would deal with 99% of it.

Conclusion
Is it worth the $19 for a Presto user / $27.50 for non-Presto users? Certainly there are many for whom it doesn't make sense (at any price), because of their point of origin. However, if the route saves you enough time over your alternative, then certainly it's hard to fault the quality of the service.

South Carolina did it first Metrolinx!

Dave and Bob are back and this time, they've installed Presto machines at Union's UP Express Terminal

"I say Dave, where are we going to put the Presto card readers for the UP Express station at Union?"
"Bob, didn't we have a very similar conversation about the re-build at Erindale?"
"Good point Dave"
"You know what do then, Bob?"
"Sure thing, Dave"

How's that pedestrian tunnel coming along at Eglinton GO? My roving weekend reporter checks in

from:		Mel
to:		CJ Smith
subject:		Packed train today

So, I took the train in to Toronto today (tickets to Titanic). The train was pretty busy with a lot of Blue Jays fans going in as well. Surprisingly, most were well behaved. And it was too busy for any foot riding.

We had a couple of Transit Safety Officers checking tickets. When the guy came upstairs, the first guy he asked, didn't have a ticket. And from what I could see was refusing to show ID. The TSO called the other TSO over and before I knew it, the three of them were no longer on the train. I think they removed him at Danforth. Best to remove him from a situation that could escalate.

I remembered to take pictures at Eglinton. I'm attaching a few. The ones I took on the way in had a lot of reflection back so I'm not going to bother attaching those. I'm sending the ones I took on the way home. Feel free to use any or all of them, if you think it's blog-worthy. The one with the guys standing on a blue thing I took as the train was moving so it's a little blurry.

AND!! I was surprised at how clean the train still was after a full day of running back and forth. Normally, the train is a pig-sty by late afternoon on the weekend.

Clarkson GO parking donkey doesn't like lines. Same car, different neighbours. Can someone tell me why?

Throwdown in the Quiet Zone of the 3:43 LSE?

VIA EMAIL

One of the ladies I chat with in the morning was talking with a woman she rides the train with in the afternoon and apparently, a fight broke out on the 3:43 pm LSE Tuesday afternoon. Guy was sleeping, guy across the way was yammering on his cell phone in the Quiet Zone, guy wakes up and punches yakker. Yakker removes earpiece and hauls off and hits sleeping-now-awake-but-pissed guy in the face.

That's all I know. Did anyone else hear about this?

Ding! Fries are done?

On my bus ride home last night, I was unaware a man had been trying to get my attention because I was engrossed in a book.
Usually when an adult wants to address another adult, we use words and actions such as tapping the shoulder and saying, "Excuse me."
Instead this man suddenly yelled, "Ding!"
It startled me. When I glanced his way, he says, "I asked you three times if this bus goes to Newcastle."
I stared at him for a few seconds and answered, "I don't know. I get off in Courtice."
He shook his head, mumbled, "Stupid bitch," and stared out the window.
What the hell?
Do I look like the bus driver?
A tour guide?
So I got up and loudly asked the driver if the bus goes to Newcastle when I walked towards the doors in preparation to exit at my stop.
"Yes it does," he told me. So I asked him to hang on a sec and I went back over to Mr. Ding!
I leaned in over the seat and hollered at him that the, "BUS DRIVER SAYS YES"! in true Franks and Beans style a la Warren from the movie There's Something About Mary.
Then I got off the bus.
Hands down, one of the rudest encounters I've ever had.

Free Wi-Fi Pilot on 407 West and Waterloo/Mississauga GO Bus Routes

TORONTO: June 3, 2015 – Metrolinx is making it more convenient to take public transit by offering free Wi-Fi on select GO Buses as part of a six-month pilot project.

The service is being provided on 10 buses that generally operate on GO Transit’s Highway 407 West and Waterloo/Mississauga bus routes. Together, these routes serve customers in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Aberfoyle, Hamilton, Milton, Oakville, Mississauga, Bramalea and Vaughan, including stops at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Guelph, McMaster University, Sheridan College and York University.

“Our unprecedented public transit investments are making transit a better choice for commuters,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.

“This is further proof of our government’s commitment to making the daily commute more convenient and the quality of life better for Ontario families.”

The pilot will allow staff to measure customer demand and determine technical requirements while giving passengers an opportunity to provide feedback on the service. It follows the rollout of free Wi-Fi across 36 GO stations and terminals — 14 in spring 2013, and another 22 this past February. The remaining 31 stations and terminals will come online during a third and final rollout later this year.

“We’re committed to making it easier to choose transit first,” said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx.

“Giving passengers another way to stay connected as they move from place to place makes GO Transit an even more attractive and convenient travel option.”

Customers can select the network name starting with “Free WiFi at GO” from their available networks to access the service, which is provided through a partnership with GO Transit’s advertising partner, IMA Outdoor, and its sponsors.

This project is part of Metrolinx’s plan to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with convenient and customer-friendly transit. Working through its divisions – GO Transit, PRESTO, and Union Pearson Express – Metrolinx is transforming the way the region moves.

Today is Wednesday, right?

Just checking in.

I am buried in work. Lots and lots of work.

Keep reading comments and commenting. It gives me great pleasure when I take a break to read them.

Welcome to GO Transit where the rules don't matter

This was at Appleby GO Station this morning. I tried to zoom into the photo without distorting it, but that is a cigarette that passenger is holding.

The smoking situation at Oshawa is now a free for all. Smokers smoke on the platforms and with the bus drivers on the bus platforms. Yes, drivers. In GO Transit uniform.

I spoke to one driver who told me to mind my own business. True story. Mind you, he must have felt bad afterwards because when I saw him this morning, he was standing in the parking lot, smoking. I think his comment to me was more of a knee-jerk reaction. More of surprise that someone actually said something.

It doesn't help that he's also one of my favourite drivers because I was hurt by his comment to me.

People now light up when they exit the trains at Oshawa, blowing smoke into the faces of passengers crowded behind them as we move towards the one and only exit.

When the Bombardier operators exit the locomotives or the cab cars, some will also spark one up at track level.

So, for those who have complained to me about the smoking situation at GO train stations, what can I do? We have employees of the agency who refuse to obey the by-law.

All I can do is ask that you write to GO Transit. And don't blame the Transit Safety Officers. These men and women do the best they can, but it's hard to enforce the rules when your colleagues are also breaking them.

Passengers see this. The optics are terrible.

PS. I am not publishing photos of the employees. I have asked people to email them directly to GO Transit. If you're reading this and you have photographic evidence of employees smoking in non-smoking areas, please email them to customerrelations@gotransit.com. Please cc cj@thiscrazytrain.com

Walk to work? Sure

According to Google Maps, it would take me 12 h 27 min to walk 60 km from my house in Courtice to my office at Wellington and Bay.

Sorry, Ontario Government. Ain't nobody got time for that.

What if you have a long torso?

New train cars include more leg room, movable arm rests, softer lighting and much more–more comfortable ride for you! pic.twitter.com/7sqSWPBqsq

— GO Transit (@GOtransit) June 2, 2015

@GOtransit Do the headrests go up and down to accommodate for tall passengers whose shoulders may come up to the curved part?

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) June 2, 2015

Friday night LSE trains are how this blog/site got its name

Any train after 9 pm leaving Union is bound to be crazy. And it didn't take long for the phone to start ringing after this man dialed some up for me while I was on Platform 25.

I had dinner and drinks with two people who I met on Twitter, and through this site, and although I wasn't completely sober, I was sober enough to know that this man who decided to chat me me up was getting too friendly and I had to get rid of him, and fast. He was very drunk because he had lost his job that afternoon and was afraid to go home to his wife and kids in Ajax and tell them. That part I can sympathize with. The part I can't sympathize with is when he made a move to hug me. Whoah! Back off, buddy, and go home to your sandwich! I told him I had to go to Oakville as the LSW was waiting on 24, and I hopped on-board and and sat down. I had no idea when the train was leaving and with hourly service on the LSE, I was pissed off I would have to possibly wait another hour for a train just so I could avoid a drunken encounter. Luckily the LSE pulled in while the LSW was still waiting and I watched as my drunk buddy get on. When he was out of sight, I bolted from the LSW, high-tailed it six coaches down the platform and hopped on the LSE. I put my sunglasses on, tied my hair back, and buried my face into my chest -- you know, to hide (which is laughable since this "look" is all over Twitter, but like I said, I wasn't 100% sober).

I stayed this way until I witnessed (well, I heard) a drunk guy slap his drunk girlfriend.

WHAT THE HELL?

Before I had a chance to stand up and plant a shoe into the drunk guy's nose, this other man stood up and hauled the abusive jerk from his seat and pushed him towards the stairs. The man, dressed in business attire, was much larger than the drunk guy and mad as hell. Drunk guy went down the stairs, swearing, and soon after, his drunk girlfriend followed. They remained in the bi-level. Somewhere around Rouge Hill, drunk guy passed out and drunk girlfriend phoned every lifeline she had to tell them she was drunk -- that her boyfriend was drunk, and how slutty a waitress they had was. You could hear her from Oshawa. I am sure of it.

At Ajax, where they needed to exit, drunk girlfriend was unable to rouse drunk guy. She shook him. She yelled at him. She punched his arm. The CSA announced he was closing the doors and drunk girlfriend flew into a rage. She bolted down the stairs to hold the doors open while screaming at drunk guy to wake up and get off. Business attire man had already left and no one else was willing to get the jerk off the train. The CSA announced several times to stand clear off the doors, someone hit the strip, alarms started to sound and I made my way downstairs with the sole intention of pushing drunk girlfriend off the train. Natural consequences, people. If you're too drunk to get off a train and you miss your stop - too bad. Some of us want to go home.

While I was telling drunk girlfriend to get out of the doorway, with about 11 passengers watching, the CSA showed up, looking angry and frustrated. She told him she couldn't get drunk guy off the train. The CSA went up and literally rolled the guy off. It was beautiful. I also gave drunk girlfriend an earful. If she had busted the doors, we'd be going nowhere.

And that my friends is why you, me, ride this crazy train.

So much for improved communication

from:		PR
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Sun, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 PM
subject:		GO Bus Cancellation

Hi CJ,

My sister left my place heading towards Union to catch the Go Bus to Brampton. She checked the site, the "service at a glance" on the main page stated that all buses are on time (I have a screen capture image below). 

Getting to Union, she finds out most buses are not running and she has to take the Lakeshore West train to Port Credit and connect to a bus to Brampton.

The main page has no mention of this as well (neither does their twitter).

I really think GO needs to be more clear with their customers. 

Just wanted to give you a head's up.

Thanks!

Why cats don't direct rail traffic