Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Amaaaaaazzzzinnnnng...
@TheMarilynShow This girl made a couple with toddler and stroller stand up on the GoTrain because that spot is fir bikers. Is that right? pic.twitter.com/tZOCX2YdGL
— Celia Oliveira (@Celia_Helena) July 31, 2017
Doesn't beat the time I watched a woman rub lotion on her feet and in between her toes...
this is just nasty...
— ᴩᴇᴛᴇʀ ɢ ᴍɪᴛᴄʜᴇʟʟ (@PeterGMitchell) July 28, 2017
noon #GOTRAIN always this way?
send transit police!#haiku #GOTransit #FeetOnSeat pic.twitter.com/SBVVuW4jL1
Friday, July 28, 2017
It's been so long since we've had a crazy train moment on here
TODAY IS THE DAY, FOLKS!
Long story short... possible sting operation. Guy allegedly boarded at Union Station. Grabbed a Lakeshore East train. Wanted for, allegedly, several robberies. Undercover arrest. Happened on the train and finished on the platform.
Long story short... possible sting operation. Guy allegedly boarded at Union Station. Grabbed a Lakeshore East train. Wanted for, allegedly, several robberies. Undercover arrest. Happened on the train and finished on the platform.
Gotta justify that September fare increase ...
Over 40 #GOTransit stations to be upgraded with bike parking & electric vehicle charging outlets https://t.co/RFFoLS5axK via @torontostar
— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) July 28, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Probably the number 1 reason for most train delays - these losers
@GOtransitMI Tell Your Kids to Stop Crossing Train Tracks! Don't risk your life for a shortcut! #GoTrain #Toronto pic.twitter.com/xH0YqrAwnD
— Shizzy A (@Shizzy_A) July 19, 2017
I blame footriders
The "crickets" are the people who press the strip when leaning against it for balance when they put their shoes back on.#footriders https://t.co/caNL1oMLFV
— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) July 27, 2017
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Stouffville corridor changes nothing short of a disaster say commuters who have written into the blog
I received this request (more than once now):
Would you be able to make a post about how the touted service increase are actually a service cut.
Yes. But, definitely keep pushing back on Facebook, guys.
What's happening?
- Buses run faster than trains on this corridor outside of rush hours
- Buses ran every 30 minutes, trains run once an hour
- Trains only go as far as Unionville, forcing people to make a transfer.
This is undoubtedly a service cut for residents of Markham and Stouffville. Unfortunately, this has received no media coverage. GO has been non-responsive to complaints giving only fluff pieces on how the changes are a first step to RER.
How bad is it? Ivy Kwok on Facebook writes:
Starting Jun 24, 2017, GO TRANSIT are boasting of adding more train services in the morning and evening to and from Union Station to Stouffville Line. Did they mention anything about the cutting of bus services? Not at all.
Take the evening schedule for example :
Today we have 20 buses services from Union Station northbound between 20:00 to 23:20, however, starting Jun 26, there are only 4 trains for the same period of time.
Today, 20:00 from Union will arrive at Stouffville at 20:49, starting next Monday, for the same time, there is a train 20:00 from Union, stop at Unionville, then transfer a bus to Stouffville which arrives at 21:20. It means 30 min more with the new schedule.
Moreover, there are NO SERVICES at all between 20:30 to 21:40 !!!
If I take the 21:50 bus from Union today, I arrive at Stouffville by 22:37.. next week, I take the 21:40 TRAIN and arrive at Stouffville by 23:00.
Stouffville customer asks:
Can someone explain to me where the enhancement is? They are just misleading the public by saying ADDING more train services but never mention about the cutting of bus services.
I am just furious about this reverse engineering ! We are moving backward not forward !
See here for more complaints:
Would you be able to make a post about how the touted service increase are actually a service cut.
Yes. But, definitely keep pushing back on Facebook, guys.
What's happening?
- Buses run faster than trains on this corridor outside of rush hours
- Buses ran every 30 minutes, trains run once an hour
- Trains only go as far as Unionville, forcing people to make a transfer.
This is undoubtedly a service cut for residents of Markham and Stouffville. Unfortunately, this has received no media coverage. GO has been non-responsive to complaints giving only fluff pieces on how the changes are a first step to RER.
How bad is it? Ivy Kwok on Facebook writes:
Starting Jun 24, 2017, GO TRANSIT are boasting of adding more train services in the morning and evening to and from Union Station to Stouffville Line. Did they mention anything about the cutting of bus services? Not at all.
Take the evening schedule for example :
Today we have 20 buses services from Union Station northbound between 20:00 to 23:20, however, starting Jun 26, there are only 4 trains for the same period of time.
Today, 20:00 from Union will arrive at Stouffville at 20:49, starting next Monday, for the same time, there is a train 20:00 from Union, stop at Unionville, then transfer a bus to Stouffville which arrives at 21:20. It means 30 min more with the new schedule.
Moreover, there are NO SERVICES at all between 20:30 to 21:40 !!!
If I take the 21:50 bus from Union today, I arrive at Stouffville by 22:37.. next week, I take the 21:40 TRAIN and arrive at Stouffville by 23:00.
Stouffville customer asks:
Can someone explain to me where the enhancement is? They are just misleading the public by saying ADDING more train services but never mention about the cutting of bus services.
I am just furious about this reverse engineering ! We are moving backward not forward !
See here for more complaints:
In case you missed it ... Metrolinx rebranding will cost $250,000
ICYMI: With research showing public has little idea what it does, Metrolinx is rebranding https://t.co/FUIuDPoJ9M
— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) July 25, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Oshawa GO throwin' some serious shade at Burlington GO
Progress on the new Oshawa GO Station (which is really a new VIA station because that's what it will be in 40 years when GO train service finally comes to Bowmanville) is coming along smoothly. I'm amazed, actually, at the pace of construction.
I mean, the Oshawa station had a roof in 8 months. Burlington waited almost 3 years (and I still am not sure if the roof is complete). The engineering marvel that is Oshawa GO is surely going to garnish some construction excellence nominations.
Yesterday I noticed that raised flower beds had been built. Isn't it nice that the architect thought about how the smokers will need a place to sit? I can't wait for the cigarette butt garden.
I mean, the Oshawa station had a roof in 8 months. Burlington waited almost 3 years (and I still am not sure if the roof is complete). The engineering marvel that is Oshawa GO is surely going to garnish some construction excellence nominations.
Yesterday I noticed that raised flower beds had been built. Isn't it nice that the architect thought about how the smokers will need a place to sit? I can't wait for the cigarette butt garden.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Guyz, I think the blog is dying...
Readership is still there but I'm not sure where to take this. All the action is on Twitter.
Before Twitter, this blog was my Twitter.
The most popular pet peeve and email topic from readers is foot riding. I could fill this blog with photos and photos of foot riding. In my opinion, the problem is worse than ever before. You only need to look at the condition of the fabric of your morning GO train to see how awful it is. Seven years ago I figured we could shame the problem away. It's just not happening.
The grossest thing I witnessed was Monday evening. I wasn't fast enough with my phone to get a photo as the Stouffville train pulled out of Union, but it was a woman, sitting sideways in a quad, with her bare feet on the window pane. The souls of her feet were black. I shudder to think if she washed them before bed.
Before Twitter, this blog was my Twitter.
The most popular pet peeve and email topic from readers is foot riding. I could fill this blog with photos and photos of foot riding. In my opinion, the problem is worse than ever before. You only need to look at the condition of the fabric of your morning GO train to see how awful it is. Seven years ago I figured we could shame the problem away. It's just not happening.
The grossest thing I witnessed was Monday evening. I wasn't fast enough with my phone to get a photo as the Stouffville train pulled out of Union, but it was a woman, sitting sideways in a quad, with her bare feet on the window pane. The souls of her feet were black. I shudder to think if she washed them before bed.
Over 900km and still rolling
I pulled off an impressive 43.88 km on Sunday morning...
I'm still maintaining a 20 pound loss. I'm fighting a low metabolic rate, hormones, PCOS, age and poor sleeping habits, so managing a 20 pound loss and keeping it there is all I'm focused on at the moment. It would be nice if the scale would move, but that means 1,200 calories a day with a 1,500 caloric burn. Frankly, I don't have that kind of dedication or time. The good news is my doctor is referring me to a bariatric program that is funded by OHIP. I have so many questions and I'm hoping I get good answers!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
You ready to pay more for this come September?! It's bad enough we've got coaches without functioning A/C, now this
Still a better love story then the New York subway?.@GOtransit @GOtransitLW I already had a shower this morning but thanks so much (car 340) pic.twitter.com/SnFpbb2PyP— adventurelam (@adventurelam) July 12, 2017
I guess...
Friday, July 7, 2017
Automated announcements survey? No, what I want, are schedules...
Message body
What do you think about the new automated announcements on your train?
Take our online survey from now until July 19th and tell us what you think about the automated announcement system we introduced on your train earlier this year.
|
He's lucky I didn't witness it to give him a boot up the arse
How kind of the construction worker who arrived in Oshawa to leave the #gotrain in immaculate condition. #bootprint#paytoomuchforthiscrap pic.twitter.com/LySdxhSsOL
— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) July 7, 2017
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
GO took away schedules (train and bus) and replaced them with fluff (Note the word: "Information")
Here's the crap that's at Oshawa GO:this feels, like, AGGRESSIVELY unhelpful, go transit pic.twitter.com/jA9bHma3oy— finley (@swampliker) July 2, 2017
The reason being? No one reads nor wants to consult with paper schedules.
Hey, I get it's a digital age, but depending on your mobile provider, depending on whether your train was late, AND WITH NO APP, waiting for gotransit.com or triplinx.ca to load could take enough time to MISS A BUS.
And what if it's pouring rain? Is everyone carrying their mobile devices in a life case? My phone happens to be water resistant, but it still sucks at swiping a wet screen. And depending on where the moon is aligned with the sun, I can drop a signal with Rogers like no one's business.
Pas cool, GO Transit.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Must be the same contractor responsible for Burlington GO
Zip ties used on the undercarriage of a #7train..is this standard? How often are these checked for wear and tear? @MTA @NYGovCuomo @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/V2WhtfQo2G
— MsJaya_B (@MsJaya_B) June 28, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
So many Passenger Charter violations!
Hi CJ,
I just returned from vacation to find this response in my inbox from GO about the Stouffville line changes. The original email to GO is at the bottom of the email. Not only did it take 9 business days to reply (I sent in my comments on June 9th), but it doesn't address a thing. Immediately below, I've also attached some additional correspondence from Facebook. Feel free to use anything you want to get the word out.
__________________
GO Transit: Facebook
Go Transit really needs to acknowledge to its Stouffville line passengers that the changes to its schedule are not to their benefit. The change will result in a significantly longer commute time, plus added hassle of transferring at Unionville Stations for those commuting further north. For example, the 11:20am-12:05pm bus from MtJoy to Union station will now become 11:08am-11:31am bus from MtJoy to Unionville Station, 11:46 train from Unionville to Union station arriving at 12:27pm. 45 minutes total time now compared to 1h19m starting next week. This is just one of the many changes as well as the evening commute at 8pm, 8:30pm 9:40pm are increasing by 30 minutes in duration. Please explain yourself GO.
From: GO Transit Customer Relations <customerrelations@gotransit.
Sent: June 21, 2017 1:39 PM
To: Paul Gill
Subject: We've Received Your Comments EM0016007382
Sent: June 21, 2017 1:39 PM
To: Paul Gill
Subject: We've Received Your Comments EM0016007382
Dear Mr. Gill,
Thank you for your recent email regarding the recent addition of midday and evening trains to the Stouffville line.
We always look for opportunities to tailor our service to meet the needs of our customers. Although, there are no additional changes that will be made to the board change that takes effect on June 26th customer feedback on how we can improve service is very important to us. Your suggestion has documented for review and consideration
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
Regards,
X
Customer Service Representative, Customer Relations, Customer Care
From: Cindy (Cj) Smith <cj@thiscrazytrain.com>Sent: June 12, 2017 1:58 PM
To: Paul Gill
Subject: Re: Stouffville Line Changes.
To: Paul Gill
Subject: Re: Stouffville Line Changes.
That's ridiculous. Please forward me the reply. I will publish your email (anonymously) and the reply.
On Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 11:15 AM, Paul Gill wrote:
FYI - It seems as if GoTransit is touting their new train service to Stouffville, but neglect to share the whole story with its passengers. Below is an email I sent to customer service. Just thought I would share since I believe this is incompetent planning at its best.As a Stouffville line commuter, I "just read the service change update that is posted here: http://www.gotransit.com/Public/en/news/Stouffville/Default. aspx
Following my review of the schedule, I'm shocked if GoTransit actually views this change as a benefit to all its Stouffville commuters. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my reading of the schedule now suggests that my commute time to Mount Joy station will increase from 37 minutes currently to 1 hour 7 minutes as of June 26th from 8pm onward (with exception of 10:30pm which is 53 minutes). In addition, underpinning this is the fact that all customers will now be expected to disembark at Unionville station to transition to a bus to proceed northward. How can you justify that this is a progressive change that is good for your customers if the results are 30 added minutes and an inconvenient transfer on top of this? You have a lot of explaining to do to your Markham/Stouffville customer base."
Regards,
Paul
Sure his name was "Simon Smith"...
Are they sure this wasn't Chuck Norris?!@Charfmander https://t.co/qbiYqorL2j
— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) June 28, 2017
A man somehow escapes serious injury after being hit by a bus in Reading - he quickly gets up and walks into a pub like nothing's happened pic.twitter.com/rtclMP0zlc
— 5News (@5_News) June 27, 2017
New subsidy much lower than UPX's first year in operation, transportation minister calls it ‘great news.’
The province is subsidizing rides on the Union Pearson Express (UPX) at much lower levels than it did last year, but it still costs the public about $11 every time a passenger boards the controversial air-rail link.
FULL STORY
FULL STORY
Monday, June 26, 2017
Oh, look! Some kind of confirmation that I'll be riding a train out from Courtice in 2025
That will put me only 14 years away from retirement and 25 years from when we were first promised a GO train in Clarington. But hey, at least the folks in Kirby will get their train long before we do.
You ready to pay an extra 56 cents to ride the LSE? Board votes on 3% fare hike this Wednesday
Because *whah* fares didn't go up in February.
And you know why, because I would have torn Union Station down to the ground, thus, saving millions of dollars having Carillion do it.
But alas, it was short lived.
For me, as someone who travels Union to Oshawa and back, it's an extra 56 cents a day. This means I'm going to be chopping legs off at the knees. You know why.
*Chop*.
Read the Board agenda
And you know why, because I would have torn Union Station down to the ground, thus, saving millions of dollars having Carillion do it.
But alas, it was short lived.
For me, as someone who travels Union to Oshawa and back, it's an extra 56 cents a day. This means I'm going to be chopping legs off at the knees. You know why.
*Chop*.
Read the Board agenda
You can already buy coffee at Oshawa GO and I like the coffee at Oshawa GO ... because southern butter pecan!
| from: | TW | ||
| to: | "cj@thiscrazytrain.com" | ||
| date: | Mon, Jun 26, 2017 at 3:05 PM | ||
| subject: | Tim's and GO |
From GO's quarterly report to the Metrolinx board
"This spring, we announced a pilot project to bring Tim Hortons to a select number of GO stations. The new partnership between The Kilmer Group and Metrolinx will provide GO Transit customers with quick, convenient food and drink options from Tim Hortons at four GO stations: Oakville, Clarkson, Ajax and Oshawa"
Last time I checked, both Ajax and Oshawa already had places where you could buy coffee...
Pungent indeed
It may be nothing more than a case of bad optics. But even the whiff of possible political interference in Metrolinx’s decision to approve the construction of two new GO stations — despite a study strongly advising against them — is just too pungent to ignore.
We need answers on proposed #GOtrain stations: Editorial https://t.co/EIQgFzUq2T via @torontostar#gotransit— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) June 26, 2017
Is that an ashtray built into the end of the armrest?
WHICH OF YOU IS OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THESE COACHES?
WHERE DID YOU SMOKE?!
WHERE DID YOU SMOKE?!
Photo courtesy of Metrolinx
Friday, June 23, 2017
When the daytrippers come on board, all kinds of stupid shit comes with them
Does this make me an elitist commuter?
Yes.
And I don't care what the occasional GO train customers think of me (or the rest of us who commute for work). I really don't. The amount of email I get from people who find this site when looking up schedules or how to scam Presto, who read the posts without realizing their shit is the shit we put up with during rush hours throughout the year, and bombard me with their righteous indignation over how they feel about my opinions about foot riders, suitcase straddlers, vapists, drunks, Blue Jays fans, you name it, gets immediately marked as spam.
I. Don't. Care.
Your annual $100 to $300 Go train fare to daytrip to concerts or a party, pales in comparison to what us "elitists" pay, so we are more than entitled to ask for - and demand - better service; courtesy and a comfortable ride.
If we ask you to be quiet in the quiet zone, then you be quiet in the quiet zone.
And now that we can't even claim a tax rebate for the money we shell out, well, now we're getting even more aggressive about calling you out for your shit.
A busted or jammed door means a thousand of us are now delayed. We don't care where you need to be. We just want to get home and at a time that allows us to enjoy our families, or our garden/patio, or get to an appointment on time.
Don't be a douche. The rules are no bikes during rush hour. I don't bring mine so you can't bring yours. The end.
Yes.
And I don't care what the occasional GO train customers think of me (or the rest of us who commute for work). I really don't. The amount of email I get from people who find this site when looking up schedules or how to scam Presto, who read the posts without realizing their shit is the shit we put up with during rush hours throughout the year, and bombard me with their righteous indignation over how they feel about my opinions about foot riders, suitcase straddlers, vapists, drunks, Blue Jays fans, you name it, gets immediately marked as spam.
I. Don't. Care.
Your annual $100 to $300 Go train fare to daytrip to concerts or a party, pales in comparison to what us "elitists" pay, so we are more than entitled to ask for - and demand - better service; courtesy and a comfortable ride.
If we ask you to be quiet in the quiet zone, then you be quiet in the quiet zone.
And now that we can't even claim a tax rebate for the money we shell out, well, now we're getting even more aggressive about calling you out for your shit.
A busted or jammed door means a thousand of us are now delayed. We don't care where you need to be. We just want to get home and at a time that allows us to enjoy our families, or our garden/patio, or get to an appointment on time.
Don't be a douche. The rules are no bikes during rush hour. I don't bring mine so you can't bring yours. The end.
LSW 16:00.— ᴩᴇᴛᴇʀ ɢ ᴍɪᴛᴄʜᴇʟʟ (@PeterGMitchell) June 22, 2017
rider with bike, 2 cars behind engine. IN THE DOOR!@GOtransit @GOtransitLW #GOTransit pic.twitter.com/SE0Bpap5o7
— ᴩᴇᴛᴇʀ ɢ ᴍɪᴛᴄʜᴇʟʟ (@PeterGMitchell) June 22, 2017
#CommuteWithKindness
This guy bought us a cheesecake after we gave him a free presto card #CommuteWithKindness pic.twitter.com/si5qzTHm7w
— kj (@kianamodeste_) June 22, 2017
You can view the rest of the pictures from yesterday's initiative on Twitter.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Bowmanville students celebrating #CommuteWithKindness day in honour of GO Transit’s 50th Anniversary
TORONTO: June 20, 2017 – A good start to the morning can make a world of difference in anyone’s day. Students at Bowmanville High School are hoping to provide a moment of happiness and get commuters started on a cheerful note during their morning journey to downtown Toronto with their self-titled “Commute With Kindness” Day (social media hashtag: #CommuteWithKindness).
Metrolinx is pleased to support the Bowmanville High School’s 2017 graduating Students On The Leading Edge [SOLE] Leadership class to spread cheer and pay forward community goodwill. On Thursday, June 22, 2017, students will board Union Station-bound Lakeshore East GO train or GO bus in the morning to perform random acts of kindness for customers.
The students will celebrate their second annual Random Acts of Kindness event while honouring GO Transit’s 50th Anniversary. Commuters can expect to be challenged by trivia acknowledging both GO Transit and Canada’s 150th Birthday!
Members of the media are invited to document the Thursday morning journey by joining students as they travel to Union Station. GO Transit and Transit Safety staff will be on hand to ensure the trip is a safe and memorable one for all involved.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 2017
TIME: Oshawa to Union train – Group #1 departing Oshawa GO at 0938hrs.
STARTING POINT: Oshawa GO Station – 915 Bloor Street West, Oshawa (Bloor Street & Thornton Road).
DESTINATION: Union Station (65 Front Street West, Toronto).
Metrolinx is pleased to support the Bowmanville High School’s 2017 graduating Students On The Leading Edge [SOLE] Leadership class to spread cheer and pay forward community goodwill. On Thursday, June 22, 2017, students will board Union Station-bound Lakeshore East GO train or GO bus in the morning to perform random acts of kindness for customers.
The students will celebrate their second annual Random Acts of Kindness event while honouring GO Transit’s 50th Anniversary. Commuters can expect to be challenged by trivia acknowledging both GO Transit and Canada’s 150th Birthday!
Members of the media are invited to document the Thursday morning journey by joining students as they travel to Union Station. GO Transit and Transit Safety staff will be on hand to ensure the trip is a safe and memorable one for all involved.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 2017
TIME: Oshawa to Union train – Group #1 departing Oshawa GO at 0938hrs.
STARTING POINT: Oshawa GO Station – 915 Bloor Street West, Oshawa (Bloor Street & Thornton Road).
DESTINATION: Union Station (65 Front Street West, Toronto).
Monday, June 19, 2017
Good luck getting past Drive Clean
When someone says, "Buy a beater for the #GOtrain station..."
— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) June 16, 2017
And you take them literally. pic.twitter.com/Henmr5zzSs
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