This Crazy Train's Presto Chronicles, Chapter 34: What has improved with the new website?

Read previous chapters here.

Special to This Crazy Train

By Frank E. Futor

How is everyone liking the renovated PRESTOcard website? 

I visit the site only to audit my transaction history and to export it to a PDF every month — something I never had to do with the old monthly passes and 10/2-ride tickets.  I’m not sure what the software development team at PRESTO were thinking when they “improved” the transaction reporting capabilities, but I think a whole bunch more work needs to be done — just to get back to what we had with the old website.  Let me demonstrate.

Once signed in, scroll down to the My PRESTO Card Activity section of the dashboard.

I don’t have transactions for November, nor October, but I did travel in September, so let’s select that month and click on Search.

Wait a minute!  I travelled more than that.  What does that View Full History link give us?

WTH?!  We’re back to where I started — sort of.  Let me select September, again.

WTF?!  Only 10 transactions are displayed, and then I have to scroll page by page.  You must be kidding!  Let’s just click on the Print button, produce the PDF and be done with this nonsense.

OMG …

It gets worse …

I have to go back to the web page select page 2 and produce another PDF.  Shoot me now!

I demonstrated this “improved” website behaviour to a couple of senior developers I work with.  Both were left in stitches at PRESTO’s IT prowess.

Apparently, other users questioned this “enhancement”, too.  As of this writing, it appears the report can be generated for an entire month, but we are still forced to wade through the weak user interface to get there.  Who wrote that use case?

Are you still not seeing any systemic problems in PRESTO, Mr. Hollis?

#CanadianProblems

Toronto wants a seat at the Metrolinx table

Toronto councillors including Janet Davis want a seat at the Metrolinx table https://t.co/zv2Zas2odS #TOpoli #transit pic.twitter.com/3TVeTVZQse

— TorontoStar (@TorontoStar) November 14, 2016

Not sure if Shakes was one of the three arrested (have to assume since it's his "tag" in the photo)

Shakes lives in Oshawa. In a townhouse on Oxford Street. He deleted his Instagram when he realized I was onto him. #Coward https://t.co/mdZs3EUoyM

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) November 11, 2016

Metrolinx "absolutely annoyed" with continuing problem of costly graffiti https://t.co/fx7UdmfCS5 pic.twitter.com/0P3WnZddYY

— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) November 11, 2016

An update on GO Transit real-time bus information

Special to This Crazy Train

By GO Voyageur

In a prior article, TCT relayed Metrolinx’s assurances that their real-time bus information app would be available “soon”.  In terms of geological time, that delivery date is accurate.  As of November 8 it is more than three years after GO Transit Customer Relations “promised” real-time bus information, and all Metrolinx is capable of delivering is telling others “to put up or shut up”.

Well, a tip of the hat to Kyle Hubley for sharing with me that GO Transit real-time bus information became available via transit app recently.  FINALLY!  This is what we’ve needed for so long.  Thank you to the bright group of folks in la belle province (they’re so young) for accomplishing what Metrolinx never could.  I invite you to read their blog, in which they share the challenges they faced and how they triumphed.

I’ve played with the app for a few days, and it works for me.  I’ve found only one deficiency, and that is the app doesn’t report real-time bus arrivals at a bus route’s termini, e.g. Niagara Falls bus terminal and Burlington Carpool Lot.  Instead, you can view the scheduled arrival times (and set a reminder to board a drop-off only bus — WHAT?).  I was able to kludge a temporary solution for Niagara Falls by reporting on buses on Bridge St. near Stanley Ave. — it’s close enough.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t effect the same success at the other terminus of Route 12.  Passenger pickup is a significant part of travelling on the GO.  I believe these limitations can be overcome if the system engineers tweak their original problem definition of “When will my ride get here?” to “When will the vehicle get here?”

If you haven’t already, give the app a try at https://transitapp.com/

This was taken in 2013, in a place where some teens from a nearby high school placed 5000 Canadian Flags at a local Seniors care facility for Remembrance Day.

I always left my car unlocked back in the day so I wouldn't come back to a smashed window (never left anything it)

#BPS checked just under 500 vehicles parked at the @GOtransit lot.Only 7 were found to be unlocked & valuables left inside! #lockitorloseit pic.twitter.com/baNg99XxoQ

— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) November 8, 2016

Are they all at Remembrance Day ceremonies? *intentionally throwing shade

Wow, #GOtrain is practically empty this morning. Looks like 80% of GO Sheep are either bankers or government workers. #remembranceday2016 pic.twitter.com/ckv9MfExlO

— Dave D (@AndroidDav3) November 11, 2016

Part 8 of an installment, exclusive to This Crazy Train, "Meet the Deckers"

Editor's note: If you have had issues while aboard a Double Decker bus, or have a story about a Double Decker experience, drop me a line at cj@thiscrazytrain.com.

Read previous installments here.

Special to This Crazy Train
by GO Voyageur 

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

In this installment, I continue my quest to find the answer to Anonymous’ question, “And also has anyone written to GO directly to complain or is putting it on the internet the norm now?”

After nigh unto three weeks with no response from GO Transit Customer Relations (Passenger Charter violation +1), I escalated the matter to Greg Percy, Chief Operating Officer.

Date:          Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:40:49 -0400

From:          Me

To:              Greg Percy

CC:             GO Transit Customer Relations, Cj Smith

Subject:      Re: GO Transit, a Division of Metrolinx EM0119002913

Dear Mr. Percy,

I am puzzled why no one in Customer Relations has responded to my e-mail of June 27.

Is Metrolinx denying the extent of the black soot inside its double-decker buses?  Allow me to share more evidence with you.  Bus Operations may have spent a goodly amount to reclad bus 8198 for the Pride Toronto parade, but the inside remains stained.

Bus 8190 is no different.

In the name of transparency, may we see an independent laboratory's toxicology report regarding this soot, please?  What is this black particulate we are breathing on your double-decker buses?

Sincerely,

Me

Over the course of the next week and a half, I received a number of “thank you for your patience” e-mails, and finally Customer Relations — not Greg Percy — responded as follows:

Date:          Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:30:13 -0400

From:          Metrolinx Customer Relations

To:              Me

Subject:      Metrolinx, an Agency of the Government of Ontario EM0018003463

Dear Me,

Thank you for following up with me regarding the black residue you’ve noticed in some of our double decker buses.

As per my previous email, we have identified the cause of this reside to be a technical issue with the cabin filter in a small number of buses (less than 20% of the fleet). Since March, we have been changing these cabin filters and cleaning the ceilings. As you’ve noticed, this work is not yet complete and some buses have yet to have the filter changed, but this is expected to be finished by the end of August.

Our HVAC experts have advised that this residue is dust and the black colour is simply due to accumulation. However, we are sending out the used cabin filters for testing to see if we can discover the composition of this particulate matter. Unfortunately, I don’t have a specific timeline as to when we may receive these test results, but I will follow up with you again once I have them.

Thank you again for taking the time to write about this important matter.

Sincerely,

(Name withheld for confidentiality reasons)

Supervisor, Customer Relations, Metrolinx

I wasn’t sure how to take that reply.  Were we now dealing with a case of “lies, damn lies, and statistics”?  Tune in next time when I volley back some of my own figures (and a colourful graph).

Describe what's going on in this "selfie"

- Metrolinx handout (July 2015)

Sad news from the UK

London tram derailment kills 5; mayor says death toll ‘may well increase’ https://t.co/LqmOm798zq via @torontostar

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) November 9, 2016

Happens at Oshawa every morning

@GOtransit huge bike on gotrain during rush hour are no-no #etiquette #stouffville #union 9 am pic.twitter.com/LS3z5sAVTz

— Jem (@j3m52) November 9, 2016

The irony

He's back!

For #BurlON @GOtransit riders, a poppy isn't a poppy unless it's from singing vet Bill Reid. @dweeks_CHCHnews finds out why. @morninglive pic.twitter.com/dxbwTgZkpj

— Linda Lee (@JustOutAndAbout) November 4, 2016

Here's 1 minute and 16 seconds of your life you won't get back

Reason #481 why we can't have nice things

“Bottom line, as opposed to finding ways to say no to building transit, will we use our expertise and know-how to find ways to (say) yes.” - Toronto mayor's spokesperson

SmartTrack, GO stations face construction issues ahead of funding vote https://t.co/Qs8jdBfEh1 via @torontostar

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) November 2, 2016

Last night BROUGHT ALL THE ANXIETY

In what felt like it was going to be a repeat of September 27th, our train crawled through Toronto's east end while our CSA told us a signal issue was the problem. Minutes later, we were told our train was experiencing an equipment problem which meant we had to stop for a safety inspection. This was a rinse and repeat of the last incident which involved the same pattern of misleading information.

I was on the train with 90% of the people who were on the same train that broke down in September and left us stranded for 3.5 hours mere metres east of the Ajax GO Station platform.

Last night, after the conflicting information was announced, audible groans broke out in my coach as passengers looked at each other in disbelief. Those of us with kids at home waiting for us moms and dads to arrive to help prepare for Halloween night began pulling out cellphones and making alternate arrangements. 

Do you blame them?

Prior to September, I would have been rolling my eyes at people panicking prematurely like that. Yet, there I was, talking to my husband and giving him instructions on how to paint my daughter's eyes with makeup to look like a wolf. Needless to say, he didn't want to attempt it and my daughter went out trick or treating with no face paint and tears of disappointment. When I met up with her after she and my husband had already left to go trick or treating with her friends -- after I frantically changed, wolfed down a sandwich, and threw out a bowl of candy onto our porch for kids to take while we were out -- she was visibly upset at being the only one in her "pack" without face paint. I gave her a hug and told her that life is what it is and some things can't be helped.

Our train arrived 15 minutes late, but I take the GO bus home from the station which was holding for another train coming in behind mine and was impacted by transfers along the route (transfers that don't usually happen when everything runs on time). I was 39 minutes late arriving home last night. 

Our CSA stressed the entire delay was due to ensuring we arrived home safely for Halloween.

I'm just putting this out there ... are trains not thoroughly inspected before they are put into service? Passengers are losing confidence in the reliability of the service. You just have to read Twitter to realize I'm not exaggerating. 

Fare increases are historically introduced at the December board meeting for Metrolinx. I invite you to submit a deputation in advance of the December 8th board meeting. Comments must be submitted two days before the meeting to be considered. I don't know if a fare increase is being proposed but we can't be subjected to a 2017 fare increase. Metrolinx has had a disastrous 2016 and we shouldn't be punished financially for it.

Unsettling statistics from the TTC today regarding sex assaults on system

Sex assault on TTC occurs almost once every three days https://t.co/eOWykAmVc4 pic.twitter.com/xEYCW2mYSu

— TorontoStar (@TorontoStar) October 31, 2016

Toronto Star Article

And it's not just men targeting women. A male co-worker told me of a time he had college age girls press up against him once on a swaying subway car and one actually grabbed his left buttock. When he turned to give them a look, they all giggled in response. It's never okay.

I always think it's better to hold off on these kind of announcements at this time of year. The optics cause people to cry FARE INCREASE

After 15 years it was time for a uniform update. Beginning next week, @GOtransit staff will gradually start wearing a fresh new look pic.twitter.com/8QU5F74abg

— Anne Marie Aikins (@femwriter) October 31, 2016

@femwriter @giaco82 @GOtransit @NOtransit pretty sure the huge fare increase is coming regardless. Some fresh salt for our wounds...

— Joe (@joes_world) October 31, 2016

For those blocked from Twitter, GO Transit unveiled its new uniforms today. Some passengers questioned the financial impact. The official word was the uniform launch was built into the existing budget.

Fake or real?

Go Transit (well someone) moved a bus stop. Rage ensued

Three summers ago, the region of Durham made some road improvements at Trulls Road and Highway 2 in Courtice. This also included the installation of a sidewalk on the south side of 2, from Trulls Road, east to Courtice Road. Then some lines were painted on the road on the southeast corner to take advantage of how the curb moved inward and a "bus stopping lane" was born, but it was never put in use... until last Monday (you have to admire the speed of bureaucracy - it's truly breathtaking).

The GO bus (and DRT stop) was moved across the street from the southwest corner to the southeast corner. I like it. It means drivers can make their right turns onto Trulls Road without interruption, and there's a curb to step onto, unlike the previous location which was a driveway, meaning it was a long drop to the pavement if traveling on a coach instead of a double decker. Unlike myself, other passengers DO NOT LIKE THAT THE STOP MOVED LESS THAN 30 METRES. Why? Because they have to wait for a light so they can cross to the other side of Trulls Rd. to walk home. They also don't trust drivers making left hand turns (I'm with them on that one but that's part and parcel with being a pedestrian). But this one lady was having none of it. She's been crabbing to the driver almost nightly. She's insulted she wasn't consulted before the decision was made and said drivers can't just support decisions without proper consultation.

Really? Does she think a handful of drivers got together in a room and made a collective decision to move the bus stop, then, slapping their hands on the table to seal the deal, they all got up and drove out to Courtice in a pickup truck armed with a socket wrench, pullbar and hammer and moved the stop? Did they high five each other as they drove away?

I advised this passenger to call operations/customer relations/MPP/media (I'm using my sarcasm font here). She didn't feel it was necessary since telling the bus driver was enough. Okay, lady. Passive aggressiveness for the win, right?

I'm just tired of listening to her every night.

Reminds me of that scene in Austin Powers with the golf cart

Oh brother

I wish I could say I've seen it all but nope

Photo from ‏@ProSelectionInc

Because that's *exactly* where you should put it

GOtrain composting @GOtransit pic.twitter.com/1q2yt7aVXL

— Von_Shmartin (@Von_Shmartin) October 20, 2016

The hell wrong with you?

Saw this on a commute home #gotrain #gotrainfail pic.twitter.com/MYpUF4kmDZ

— Andria (@andie_paws) October 24, 2016

Good effort on her part? Yes? No?

@MsCryerNPSS We can pass the info on for consideration. ^AS

— GO Transit (@GOtransit) October 13, 2016

Young people can make a difference! Tweet @GOtransit if you think your voices should be heard. Support quiet zone being suspended for #WEDay pic.twitter.com/8TitrFlb5P

— Stephanie Cryer (@MsCryerNPSS) October 19, 2016

@GOtransit These youth deserve the chance to talk on the train and since the trains will be packed they can't cram into the bottom floor.

— Ms. S McLeod (@MisssMcleod) October 18, 2016

@GOtransit disappointing 20 000 young people building schools, running food drives and volunteering at shelters isn't considered "special".

— Stephanie Cryer (@MsCryerNPSS) October 18, 2016

Thanks for traveling to Kenya to build a school, but @gotransit says your passion and enthusiasm must be quiet because #WEDay isn't special!

— Umoja Study Program (@NPSS_umoja) October 18, 2016

For those who can't see Twitter at work, the gist of this is a teacher bringing students in by GO Train to the WE Day event downtown wanted the train trip to be considered a special event, and the quiet zone eliminated. She asked her followers to tweet GO Transit asking for no quiet zones on trains today. GO Transit tweeted back that the quiet zone would remain in affect for today. The teacher was not pleased tweeting, "disappointing 20 000 young people building schools, running food drives and volunteering at shelters isn't considered "special"."

This was followed up with a tweet that read (from the Umoja Study Program): "Thanks for traveling to Kenya to build a school, but @gotransit says your passion and enthusiasm must be quiet because #WEDay isn't special!"

But one question does remain, what does GO Transit consider a special event to be?

Say it with a French accent

Hey @GOtransit it is rather ironic that the word NOT spell checked on this Scarb Stn sign was "train" pic.twitter.com/uFrjGjAKqe

— Tim Gibbs (@gtimgtim) October 7, 2016

Homework Assignments

Special to This Crazy Train

by Hy Perbolé

We at TCT Academy pride ourselves in our unwavering mission to help fill our students’ brains with knowledge.  We work relentlessly to better the human condition noted by George Carlin years ago.  Let’s see if we can learn from the following incident and achieve some improvements.

After a dinner of satiating wonton soup at one of Niagara Falls’ renowned eateries, I bicycled back to the bus terminal and boarded the GO bus bound for St. Catharines and points beyond.  Things went well until we passed Mountain Road on the QEW.  Traffic ahead was a sea of red lights.

A quick check of Twitter revealed there was a vehicle fire ahead near Bunting Road.  The OPP had closed the QEW Toronto bound lanes at Glendale Avenue.  As we entered the exit ramp to Glendale Ave., I overheard our driver requesting reroute guidance from Operations (control centre).

I believe we could have travelled Glendale Ave. north, left on York Road, cross the lift bridge to Queenston St., right on Dunkirk Rd., right onto Dieppe Rd., across Welland Ave., and then merged back onto the QEW.  However, those local roads are in an older area of St. Catharines, and there was a risk that our double-decker (not a super low model) might snag a low hanging wire not visible after sunset.

The response that came back on the radio was astounding: “I’m sorry, but I haven’t been down that way in a few years.”

EXCUSE ME?!

Our driver, realizing we had been left to our own devices, executed the detour route shown in the following map:

Is it not Operations’ responsibility (i) to know the detour options available to buses, especially DDs that are geofenced to routes, and (ii) to communicate those options clearly to drivers? 

And what email alert was issued for our delayed trip?  The following was:

Given that the driver had explained our predicament to Operations at approximately 20:40, why was the alert issued more than an hour later?  Clearly, this level of service from Operations is unacceptable and deserves a failing grade.

Do you remember the commitment Matt Baynie, VP of GO Transit Operations made last year?  Was that a limited time offer?  I interpreted it as an “onGOing” commitment.

Rather than call for CITs as was done previously, let’s turn this lackluster performance into a learning opportunity, shall we?

Operations, your assignment, due next Friday: Assume the QEW-Toronto lanes at Bunting Rd. are closed.  What detour guidance do you provide a driver requesting reroute instructions?  Repeat for the scenario in which the QEW-Niagara lanes are impassable in the same vicinity.  Explain all assumptions, options, and recommendations.  Please submit your assignment to Matt Baynie.

Matt Baynie, your assignment, due by month end: Produce a compendium of detour options for Route 12 drivers between Burlington Carpool Lot and Niagara Falls.  The reroute instructions are to be vetted by drivers, and easily accessible by Operations when needed.  Prepared a recommendation for a real-time bus information solution for passengers.  Explain in detail why GO Transit has not implemented any such solution even though one was promised more than three years ago.

Bonus marks: Issue a commendation for the driver whose quick thinking ensured the safety of passengers and protected the $800K++ double-decker bus.

Class dismissed.

Can you help find this locket lost on the Lakeshore East?

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO SEE FACEBOOK AT WORK: This is a long shot but I lost my silver locket and chain yesterday morning between Courtice and downtown Toronto. I took the GO train in from Oshawa station and when I arrived at work (along Bremner Blvd) it was gone. I have worn this locket everyday for 30 years and it contains pictures of my sons. The locket is engraved on both sides "Michelle" is on one side and "love mom and dad" on the other. Please, please, please share this post and pray that this will be found and returned. It's the most sentimental item I own and am lost without it

Email cj@thiscrazytrain.com or contact Michelle directly on Facebook.
Please share her post. Let's do what we can to help her get the locket back.

Who hasn't ridden one of these clunky coaches? Doesn't mean it's broken! And on whose dime, I ask?

#GOtrain @GOtransit Regular sounds inside the coach. Time to replace all? pic.twitter.com/lFVhm9Rqqx

— One of Hoi Polloi (@HereIThinkAgain) October 11, 2016

Province Building More Parking at Maple and Rutherford GO Stations

PRESS RELEASE

source

Ontario is making the daily commute easier for families in Vaughan, by building more parking at the Maple and Rutherford GO stations.

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation and MPP for Vaughan, was at Maple GO station today to make the announcement.

The province will construct new multi-level parking structures to help address the parking demands at Maple and Rutherford GO stations, which will provide 1,200 new spots at each station. Metrolinx will also be adding new pedestrian tunnels at both stations that will connect to the future second track and platform, which is needed to increase GO Transit service. This is another important milestone in expanding GO service on the Barrie line as part of Ontario's ten-year GO Regional Express Rail (RER) plan.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit. Since 2015, the province has announced support for more than 475 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Investing in transit infrastructure is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

• Construction will begin in 2018 at both Rutherford and Maple GO stations.
• To accommodate construction of the tunnels, GO station parking spots will be temporarily relocated at both stations. The number of parking spots will not be affected during tunnel construction as alternate parking spots will be available.
• Ontario remains committed to building a new GO station at Kirby which will include more parking for this growing region.
• GO RER will provide faster and more frequent GO rail service across the region, with electrification of core segments of the network. Weekly trips across the entire GO rail network are expected to grow from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 over 10 years.
• Since 2003, Ontario has extended the GO rail network by nearly 90 kilometres, opened 14 new GO stations, rebuilt four existing stations and added more than 31,000 new parking spots across the system.

Wuh-woh Shaggy

Presto roll out on TTC is over budget and still not done. Province says it can't yet provide estimate on final cost https://t.co/OSrSZBZ59f

— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) October 12, 2016

Significant fare drop in March was the boost UP Express needed

by Cindy (Cj) Smith
Blogger-in-Chief

After a rocky start, where low ridership was blamed on unreasonably high fares, Toronto's airport express train, Union Pearson Express (UP Express), is experiencing increased ridership thanks to a lower fare structure introduced in March. 

Thiscrazytrain.com conducted an email interview with the head of  Metrolinx's public affairs department to find out how much UP Express's ridership had increased since the fare drop. 

When the service first launched in June of 2015, a one way fare was $27.50. Metrolinx reduced the fare to $12 for passengers traveling without a Presto card. Fares are now $9, down from $19 for Presto card users. Seniors pay $5.64 with a Presto card and $6 without one. Children under 12 ride UP for free.

Dialy ridership under the old fare structure was 2,400 passengers a day. Since the new fare prices were adopted, ridership has skyrocketed.

People are loving the service—ridership is now over 8,000 passengers per weekday and continuing to rise, wrote Anne Marie Aikins, senior manager of media relations at Metrolinx, in an email to thiscrazytrain.com

Since fares dropped in March, wrote Aikins, approximately 80 percent of passengers are airport travellers – people flying in or out, or working at the airport (UP Express promises a 25-minute train ride from Union Station to Pearson). 

Aikins said the remaining passengers are daily commuters, occasional commuters, or those attending an event or game. The percentage split for passengers goes up during the morning and evening rush hour.

What's interesting to thiscrazytrain.com, and relayed to Aikins, is learning that people living near Weston and Bloor UP Express stations have given up the TTC, opting to spend more in fare to save time by grabbing an UP Express train, rather than fighting for a bus or subway trains; once the service became more affordable.

Aikins was pleased to hear that. As with any new service, she wrote, we have learned from our experience. By lowering fares, we are able to make this service more accessible for commuter and airport traffic, encouraging more people to use transit and removing more cars from the roads.

Um...

Ew. Why. #gotrain #fail #sogross pic.twitter.com/oOA3dc6mhb

— Nathalie Holroyd (@nathalieholroyd) October 9, 2016

Harvest feast, personal accomplishments and derailment

It was a great weekend for me because, baby, I'm back! Back on the bike!

October 11th marked a horrible two year anniversary for when I first injured myself, sustaining a blow to my right knee, which resulted in bursitis of the upper patella. I had fallen down the stairs of a double decker GO bus after the driver missed my stop. I went down the stairs to tell him but had no idea he would brake suddenly. It took 18 months to be able to walk without pain. To help with the healing process, I took up cycling more aggressively, working my way up to 35 km bike rides through Courtice and Bowmanville. I did this up until November of last year. I stayed active over the winter using a treadmill. In April, I took up long-distance walking again, and well, I had no idea I had weak hamstrings when I decided to teach myself kickboxing in my basement. Also, I never was one to stretch religiously. SO MANY LESSONS WERE LEARNED WHEN I TORE THE HAMSTRING IN MY LEFT LEG on May 3rd.

It's been a long road, folks, to get better, and thousands of dollars for physiotherapy, massage and yoga. The first time I tried to cycle 10 km was August 3. I cried the whole way. It hurt so much to pedal. I stopped trying and took up yoga on the advice of my sports medicine doctor. Two months later, just this past Wednesday, I hopped on my bike and did my 10 km training route -- a route I designed to train my body to climb hills with a considerable, but gradual, elevation. I did it without pain. And I did it again two more times! Tonight I ride again and this time, I am going to add 5 km to the route. As some of you may know, back in early 2013, I embarked on a journey to get in shape as I was tired of being tired (and round). After an almost 100 pound weight loss, I gained 40 pounds of it back, and all of it after I injured myself. In the past six weeks, I've lost eight pounds of that gain.

I trust you all had a lovely harvest and long weekend? You did?! Great. Imma keep going on about my life, k?

On Sunday, we took our boat out onto Lake Simcoe and... NEVER AGAIN. It was too windy. The water was too choppy. Although we caught some impressive jumbo perch, I'm not cut out for that kind of fishing. It was too terrifying even though my husband swore we wouldn't capsize. The drive up was breathtaking, though. This is my favourite time of year! I ate too much but exercised enough that I broke even. 

On the weekend, I had a lengthy text conversation with a GO train passenger questioning the safety of the trains, commenting they travel too fast and doubtful anyone at Metrolinx cares about derailment, because he/she was one of the people affected by the three and half hour delay last month, and doubted that there's a procedure in place to handle a derailment and ensuing evacuation in a "timely manner". It's a valid concern, but it was the "timely manner" part that left me scratching my head. I told this person that much. Also, all GO trains have, what, a crew of three to five Bombardier personnel, including the CSA? These folks have families, too. I am positive safety is paramount to them. We're not the only ones who want to get home safe. 

I don't think anyone can accurately predict the consequences of a derailment, so much to a point, that Metrolinx has a time frame for the rescue effort. There are so many factors to consider. Do I trust there is a plan? Yes. I trust there is a plan on what to do and who to call to coordinate a rescue effort. Do I still have an answer as to what warrants a train evacuation? No. Sometimes situations may result is passengers having to make executive decisions. I'm always ready. I know where the tools are. I'm not afraid to ask for help. If the train is on fire, I'm the first one out. If we've gone off the rails and we're upright, I'll wait for emergency personnel. If we're on our side and people are gravely injured, and I'm okay, I'll do my best to administer first aid. As for evacuations after engine failure... guys, I have to believe in my heart of hearts, there is no way in hell the mistakes made that night will be repeated. I'll keep my eye on the Metrolinx website for the report. I will share it when it becomes available.

Is there a war on Thanksgiving no one told "us" about?

I'm only saying "us" because I've received a few emails and texts about this.

So this email from GO Transit put a few people off.

At first blush, my thought was, welp, that's a little casual, but meh, whatever.

Meanwhile, in email, some of the choice comments:

WHAT THE FUCK CJ?! IS THIS A THING NOW?

---

Please don't destroy Thanksgiving with a poor and misguided attempt at political correctness

And in text:

NO. They did not go there.

---

Fuck this nonsense. Will you say something? Is there a war on Thanksgiving no one told us about?

---

Your thoughts? I think someone was just trying to be different. Please email GO Transit if you need more clarification. My pitchfork is in the shed and I really don't feel this is worth getting it out.

Metrolinx is not happy with the TTC success rate in regards to its Presto card implementation

12% of Presto card readers on buses don’t work, Metrolinx audit says https://t.co/tHKkmpj0FF via @torontostar

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) October 7, 2016

Ladies and gentlemen! WE HAS A WINNER!

Oh. Lord. What a legend. #gotrain That's one way to cause a huge delay. #gotransit What an idiot. https://t.co/Bf72q7K0Pb

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) October 4, 2016

Toronto Star reporter asks...

TWITTER POLL: Is this distracted driving or did I throw him under the bus? https://t.co/HWuHgk8aaV #TTC #distracteddriving #chips

— Laura Beeston (@LauraBeeston) October 4, 2016

Because I know you like cat stuff

ITG (Inside the GIF): How do I get into these situations? (Part III)

Thugs open fire at GO bus in Oshawa Friday night

It happened on Simcoe Street South, just north of Bloor Street, near the former Zellers plaza.

I've been told so many things but can verify that a minivan stopped, a side door was slid open and shots were fired. People were standing on the opposite side of the street when the incident happened around 11 pm. Police were able to recover the vehicle and several weapons. Three men face over 35 charges in relation to the incident. No names have been released.

The GO bus was empty and presumably not in service at the time. No shots hit the bus. The driver is uninjured.

A woman who was on another GO bus, but heard the drama unfolding over the bus radio, said drivers chatted back and forth that the incident happened in an area near what is presumed Hells Angels biker territory.

It's believed the GO bus was not an intended target.

I realize this is all third-party information. People like to gossip. I like to throw things out there and see what comes back.

Either way, a terrifying incident.

Other people's children ... come on!

So many things wrong with this picture! 1. Why is someone eating sardines and/or cat food on the train? 2. Were they eating it with their fingers/face? 3. Why did they decide to leave it on a seat right...beside...a...garbage?!? #gross #gotrain #toronto #why #lowcarb

A photo posted by @lindz_eh on Sep 29, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT

Halloween comes early for these passengers

@GOtransit made my day 💕 #bestemployee pic.twitter.com/mZWZ6zKuWG

— Samantha (@samcheungg) September 20, 2016

Oh man... I've had so many bad experiences with collectors, here's hoping all this positivity rings true

TTC workers get ready to come out of the booth https://t.co/d3k53BjFhB #toronto #GTA

— TorontoStar (@TorontoStar) October 3, 2016

Missed Connections

Probably the most bizarre (for lack of a better word) suggestion I get from readers or first time googlers for "how to make my site more interesting for GO riders" is to offer a "missed connections" feature.

That somehow I should play a cupid role, for passengers too nervous, shy, or unsure to approach other passengers about a date, or wanting to know what they were reading, wanting to offer advice for a family problem they overheard, or wanting to know where someone worked or went to school.

The only missed connection I'd be down for is WHO WAS THAT PERSON EATING A CAN OF TUNA FROM THE TIN ON A RUSH HOUR TRAIN?

I'd love to just sit down across from him, turn on the care bear stare and say, "Hi!", real loud, "HOW'S THE TUNA?! CAN I HAVE SOME?" And then pry open an emergency window and chuck it.

Horrible news out of New Jersey today

A crowded commuter train plowed into the bustling Hoboken station during the morning rush hour Thursday, killing at least one three people and injuring more than 100 others, some critically, in a tangle of broken concrete, twisted metal and dangling cables, authorities said.
FULL STORY