Let’s talk TCO, broken windows, Pickering, Metrolinx, imported European glass...

Special to This Crazy Train

By GO Voyageur

Back in April, I traversed the Pickering pedestrian bridge from the GO station to the DRT bus stop on the other side.  Along the way, I noticed four shattered panes of glass…

Metrolinx and I exchanged the following tweets:

I forgot about the problem until June, when I had to cross the bridge, again.  Metrolinx and I exchanged the following tweets:

Special order of glass?!  WTH does that mean?  What exactly did the bridge engineers design and Mayor Dave Ryan endorse wholeheartedly?

In August, I strolled across the bridge one more time.  Imagine my surprise when…

“Soon”?!  Is that the same “soon” that made us wait an eternity for real-time bus info?

On Friday, as I waited for my westbound train at Pickering, a site foreman and his team armed with station blueprints, asked me to step aside, because they needed to examine the crack in the pane of glass at the foot of the stairs from the bridge to Platform 1…

I asked him why the panes of glass at Pickering station were so prone to shattering.  I mentioned the defective glass on bridge, and I pointed to the broken pane across the tracks at the foot of the stairs from the bridge to Track 2…

He couldn’t speak to the fragility of the glass, but he did explain why it takes so long to replace the panes.  You see, the sheets of glass originate in Europe and are shipped to Quebec where they are “heat treated” (his words).  Then they are shipped to Pickering for installation.  I wanted to engage him further in this discussion, but my train arrived, and I had to leave.

Well, that explained the “special order of glass”, and why six months after the problem was reported, it was still outstanding.  But so many questions remain unanswered.  Why is the original glass installed on the bridge so fragile?  Is it substandard?  Did the design engineers miscalculate something?  Is vandalism the cause for all this shattered glass?  Why do replacement panes need to be sourced from Europe?  Are there not more economical sources of glass in North America?  What is the total cost of ownership (TCO) of this structure?

Is it time Ontario’s Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, met with Metrolinx’s new President and CEO, Phil Verster, to get acquainted and review some numbers?

Rip Van Crotch

COMPLETE WITH SLEEP MASK

 

And this is how kids break arms and legs

Parenting...sort of 👬 #gotrain #carterbrian #marlowjames

A post shared by lesleyandco (@lesleyandco) on Oct 15, 2017 at 10:05am PDT

I retire in 2039 - shovels won't hit the ground in Courtice for a GO station until 2023-24 - AT THE EARLIEST - says Metrolinx

DURHAM — One-hundred-and-seventeen years and counting.

In 1900, a newspaper article noted Bowmanville would soon have train service to Toronto. The wait continues.

At a recent regional council committee of the whole meeting, Metrolinx officials said extending GO train service east from Oshawa to Bowmanville wouldn't happen until 2023-24 at the earliest.

Hope he had enough cash for fare

Tim's in a trailer comes to Oshawa GO (seems fitting.) Oh c'mon, it's not my fault if your house is on wheels

Here it is after being "grammatically corrected"

Metrolinx finally releases report on controversial GO stations
The transit agency said it withheld the study for 15 months after the decisive vote in order to correct grammar, factual errors. - Toronto Star

READ REPORT ONLINE

How soon til we see black painted buses and trains?

Looks like Metrolinx has rolled out new black Presto cards. Part of the rebranding effort I wrote about a while ago https://t.co/EXzQAY6gRk

— Ben Spurr (@BenSpurr) October 2, 2017

I don't eat under a blanket

This morning while sauntering my way through the York Concourse I noticed a woman struggling with this huge blanket and an infant. She was trying to cover herself and the struggling baby, and get herself in position to breastfeed. The blanket nor the baby were co-operating. And she looked super frustrated.

I backtracked and went up to her and said, "I don't eat under a blanket and neither should baby. Feed your baby, I'll stay here."

She said she didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I said, baby needs to eat. Feed the baby and I'll keep you company.

As she did this, I made some small talk and told her I was tired of mothers being made to feel what they are doing is unnatural, dirty or sexual. As we were talking, I did notice a dude staring so I stared at him until he looked away. When I caught him staring again, I got up and went over and asked him if he had a problem. He asked why she couldn't just feed the kid in the washroom. I asked him if he ate his lunch at work in the washroom. Then he offered some extremely worldly advice such as the mom should bottle feed. I told him to stop staring or I'd get security. He called after me that it was a free country which resulted in me yelling over my shoulder, WHICH IS WHY MOTHERS CAN BREASTFEED WHEREVER THEY DAMN WELL PLEASE.

As I sat back down next to the mom, she told me she was amazed at my attitude. I told her, look, I've been in your shoes. This is not an easy job. Sure, some people are jerks and even mothers, like my mom, dislike seeing women breastfeed in public. I don't care. Don't look. Move away. Change seats. Baby's gotta eat. I stayed til she was finished feeding and bid her good day. I truly don't have time for this bullshit.

BABY. GOTTA. EAT.

WE Day - the day with so much nope

The 703 train from Oshawa was packed with teens. I hate WE Day but it's 1 day. We always get through it - you and I, all of us.

What I did find annoying was the behaviour of some of the chaperones and teachers - BAGS ON SEATS, FEET ON SEATS, VOICE VOLUME DIALED UP TO 11. These people were more obnoxious than the kids.

At Union, I was met with a face full of bags after the three teachers sitting in the quad with me all stood up at once, not sure how one gets off a train. Backpack right to the face, which resulted in losing my glasses. Luckily, I'm one of those women graced with an ample chest shelf, as that's where they landed. I grabbed them before they could fall to the floor.

I mumbled, "Ridiculous" under my breath, biting my tongue to say anything more. There were some apologies. I just nodded.

Perhaps GO Transit could just dedicate a train to this crowd... I'm sure others would appreciate the effort.

So true

Forget the quiet zone. Nothing hushes the masses like a one act play titled "But I swear I tapped." #gotrain #drama @GOtransitLW pic.twitter.com/ystnbAJELn

— Robert Krbavac (@KRBAVAC) September 27, 2017

Sometimes, you just can't win

I've been suffering with osteoarthritis in both knees for just over a year now. I just learned it's now present in my right hip. I went to the doc complaining of pain, thinking it was something muscular, and learned it's moderate but manageable with exercise and strengthening.

This news has bummed me out. I'm super sick and tired of being in constant discomfort or experiencing pain. The only time I feel pain-free is after a bike ride, where for about 20 minutes, I am 25 years old again.

Life just isn't fair, is it?

Signs summer hasn't left the GO train

On the #gotrain, look up and see this. Wish CSA's would make more etiquette announcements. #gochro pic.twitter.com/JIfUHLPD4H

— Tanya (@905GoTrainGirl) September 6, 2017

@billburr #gotrain animal. It's not even that warm. pic.twitter.com/1EjaSXDp3y

— Simon Bowden (@Simon_Bowden) September 1, 2017

Ontario Making Commuting Easier for Cyclists in Southern Ontario

Province Building New Secure Bike Storage at GO Stations and Carpool Lots

Burlington, ON
Sep 12, 2017

Ontario is making it easier for cyclists to commute to and from work, school, and appointments with the construction of new, secure bike storage lockers at GO Transit stations and car pool lots across southern Ontario. This investment is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.

Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon were in Burlington today to launch the new Commuter Bike Parking Program, which will help encourage people to take their bikes as part of their daily commute.

Eight bike lockers will be installed at each of 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Simcoe Region for a total of 120 bike lockers. Work will be finished by the end of March 2018. In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, expanding storage capacity while enhancing security. The first locations, which will be complete by spring 2018, include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.

Making it safer and easier to cycle in Ontario is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Once I can forgive, but twice, no. The motorcycle spaces are not your reserved VIP spot. Get to the station earlier or park at Whitby, k?

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

- Submitted by annoyed multiple Oshawa patrons.

Rumblings from the NIMBYS in my Courtice neighbourhood about the GO train expansion. I WILL FIGHT YOU ALL IF YOU SCREW THIS UP.

I belong to a few private Facebook groups for the community I am in, and the communities I am next to. Everybody's bitching about how the Courtice and Bowmanville stations will bring more traffic congestion and noise to the area. And there's been some rumblings about train horns. These people seem to forget that the train tracks were in the area long before there were homes. Don't like it? Please move.

These people are high.

We already have traffic congestion. Public transit infrastructure can actually improve an area as it requires roads to be improved, or re-built. One only needs to look at Milton to see what a GO station can do to a community.

We can't keep driving out of east Durham. We need a GO train. Oshawa is over capacity. I will make it my mission to fight anyone that does anything, protests, or complains in a way that stalls this development. I didn't stay in Durham so I wouldn't get the GO train I was promised 15 years ago. I would have been long gone by now.

Bowmanville GO extension 7 years away https://t.co/2ocqhNjawl

— CJ Smith (@ThisCrazyTrain) September 12, 2017

I think you bought a sedan instead of a motorcycle

Is it time for dancing in the streets?

Special to This Crazy Train
By GO Voyageur

Let’s get some musical accompaniment from Martha & The Vandellas, shall we? Excitement mounted on August 21 when GO Transit announced their Route 12 service changes commencing September 2:   

St. Catharines received some well-deserved improvements in service. I have believed for a long time that city carries Route 12. Thank you GO Transit planners! The editing on the announcement is mine. It appears someone in the Ivory Tower forgot that GO’s directionality of buses on the QEW is relative to Union Station, the centre of Metrolinx’s universe; apparently, official MTO signage is irrelevant.  This oversight can be excused given the excitement surrounding this news.  

In my opinion, the real highlight of the announcement is the last line. It appears to be Metrolinx’s way of saying they’ve made some headway with Burlington GO station. Did they keep their word? Indeed they did; bus 8370 rolled in just before 07:00.

 

I had to contain myself as the tears of joy welled up. However, there was no head office representation — no balloons, no music, no cake, no party hardy PR folk. The only coffee served was the one I brought the driver. We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries; then he was off.

Now, don’t get all excited and start thinking that the construction at Burlington GO is complete, because it’s not. GO Station Ops personnel were still mounting signage on the bus platform as bus 8370 arrived. You now purchase your tickets from agents inside the building, and the east tunnel leading to the track platforms is no longer barricaded. However, there are still construction pylons inside the building, black partitions at the west end, scaffolding in the stairwell to the west tunnel, and there are construction grade doors along the corridor to the east. Here is a walk from east to west through the building…

 

 Is Burlington GO finished? No, but at least it’s usable. No dancing in the streets just yet.

Back pedal so fierce, Del Duca digging a hole

Presented without comment

@GOtransit THE STRUGGLE IS REAL #fail #struggle #is #real #fam pic.twitter.com/hPzzu5jjOg

— Jordan Grant (@jordangrant2012) August 2, 2017

Wilmot Creek residents (this is a condo community in south Bowmanville) protested outside the Minister of Transportation's office last week (the tracks were there long before the community was built)

This was the message @StevenDelDuca's office, residents angry w/ new early & late @GOtransit trains. Worried for children's sleep. @CityNews pic.twitter.com/ArzOqVwevk

— Nitish Bissonauth (@NBissonauth) August 25, 2017

Some highlights from this article on Durham Region News (and you would think city councils would STOP issuing builders permits to construct housing near rail lines):

Wilmot Creek residents came to council with a petition with more than 900 signatures, requesting that a safety study be conducted at the two railway crossings at Wilmot Creek. The study will be paid for by the Wilmot Creek Homeowners Association and local developers, at no cost to Clarington.

The residents say other municipalities have banned train whistles and fatalities and serious injuries at rail lines haven’t risen in response. They consider the whistle as noise pollution that is disturbing their sleep and impacting their health. Some residents have health conditions that make uninterrupted sleep essential.

There are three railway lines (CP Belleville, CN Kingston and CP Havelock) that cross through Clarington and more than 20 public crossings. As Clarington grows the number of residents living close to the rail line increases. The risk of an accident rises as more traffic travels roads that cross railways, according to a staff report. At the same time, more residents are inconvenienced by the train whistle and Clarington now receives one request every two years to stop the whistles.

Good on this guy for calling it in

@GOtransit I just saw this guy walking on the train railway (near Mimico Station) I called 911. pic.twitter.com/JQSd2YTaSA

— Andrés Betancur (@AndresBetancurE) August 28, 2017

Fud

Transportation engineer responsible for building rail networks in Scotland and England hired as new Metrolinx CEO

The Board of Directors of Metrolinx have appointed experienced rail operator Phil Verster as its new President and CEO.

Over the last 12 years, Mr. Verster has overseen operations and major construction of some of the most complex and customer intensive rail services in England, Scotland and Ireland.  Among his most recent assignments as a Managing Director of Britain’s Network Rail have been running Scotland’s railway operations, the ScotRail Alliance, and initiating work on the East West Railway, a new rail line linking Britain’s high tech corridor between Oxford and Cambridge.

Mr. Verster was selected following an international search on behalf of Metrolinx.  His start date is October 1, 2017.

Rob Prichard, Chairman of the Metrolinx Board, pointed to the unique set of criteria in Metrolinx’s search:

“We’re implementing a $34-billion transit build – the biggest transit investment in Ontario’s history and one of the largest in the world today.  We’re quadrupling the number of weekly GO Train trips - from 1,500 to 6,000.  We’re electrifying key GO rail lines to provide 15-minute express service all day long throughout the region, and we’re building new LRT lines to tie the region together.

“Moreover, as we execute this massive transformation, we need to continue providing the current high level of daily transit service that people throughout the region depend on.  We sought as our next CEO a person with deep domain expertise and substantial executive experience operating and building railways.  There are few people in the transit and rail industry with the know-how, experience and executive skills to drive transformation and maintain service at the same time.  Phil Verster is one of them.

“Mr. Verster has graduate degrees in both engineering and business and a post-graduate diploma in law.  He has operated, built and electrified commuter rail.  He has the expertise and executive experience we need to deliver on our ambitious agenda, leading the 4,000 employees of Metrolinx and working with all of our partners.  We are delighted the Mr. Verster has chosen to join Metrolinx.”

At ScotRail, Mr. Verster oversaw the delivery of $3 billion of new electrification of the Scottish railroad.

Most recently, at the East West Railway, Mr. Verster led successful efforts to re-launch the project through creative partnerships with the municipalities and local leaders it will serve while simultaneously designing and engineering the project in the most cost effective way.
Mr. Verster said: “I am very excited about joining the team of dedicated women and men at Metrolinx, and to be part of one of the most exciting transit transformations taking place anywhere in the world.  I believe Ontario is the place to be.  Not just because of the very large scale of investment being made in transit, but because of the dynamism, optimism and quality of life that has made this region so envied all over the world.

“At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that all the investment, all the construction, all the new trains and services are not an end in themselves.  They’re about improving the experience of passengers, contributing to communities and to the economy.”

TTC CEO Andy Byford welcomed Mr. Verster’s appointment: “I am delighted Phil Verster is coming to Toronto to lead Metrolinx.  We worked together in London just over a decade ago in an executive team that turned around a poorly performing train operating company.  He will be a superb leader for Metrolinx.  He is smart, driven, good at delivery and gets things done. He will deliver both the projects and the change agenda for Metrolinx and GO.  I very much look forward to working with him as our partner at the TTC.“

Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail in Britain said: “Phil Verster is a great leader, a loss to the UK rail industry and a gain to the Canadian railroad industry.  He has made a great contribution to ScotRail and to Network Rail as a Managing Director for the last six years.  He has a great customer focus and a strong track record in supporting and developing teams to improve customer service and train service performance.”

Heck, thought I posted this... I met my goal to cycle 1000 km before the end of summer (August 9 - more than a month ahead of summer's end)

My husband suggested I try for 1500 km before winter hits. I don't know about that.
I will say this, cycling saved me - physically and mentally.

But ... dogs are already on trains and buses ... there's no enforcement. Just like bikes, feet on the seats, smoking, etc...

Story link here (so controversial and for no reason ... )

I HAS BEEN QUOTETH:
“I don’t think you’re going to get everyone to agree on what is best,” she said. “But as a regular GO commuter, as long as I’m a paying customer and I get to sit before your dog does, we’re good!”

When you see a #cute guy on the bus. #GOTransit #dog https://t.co/HNKJcTcbIh pic.twitter.com/9BBGxCEEbB

— Leonashanana (@Leonashanana) January 18, 2017

Nobody has complained about this persons dog. Just saying! Might be something to consider. pic.twitter.com/RuNJfWxxK7

— 乇mily (@RedFawnLily) July 24, 2016

@ThisCrazyTrain @GOtransit is there an animal fare? This dog takes up a seat while people are stand. #fail #GOtrain pic.twitter.com/iq11sHXhxE

— The Rookie (@Therookie70) July 14, 2016

@GOtransit Dog policy shows preferential treatment towards small dogs.Muzzles rather than crates for big dogs please. pic.twitter.com/8DD54p5KkN

— Erin Kobayashi (@leighkiyoko) August 13, 2014

Back from Chicago!

First, let me pay homage to my idol ^^^^ ...

The best thing we did was pick up a Ventra card - an open fare card that is nothing like Presto. My husband and I spent $35 USD and we took trains and buses to:

Lincoln Park

Beverly (Chicago's south side and what was once a predominantly Irish area)

Navy Pier

Wrigley Field (caught the ball game between the Cubs and Blue Jays)

and...

... Firehouse 51 (where Chicago Fire is filmed on location outside of the hall and in the service bay)

This was as close as I was going to get to Taylor Kinney.

And of course, we picked up some Chicago Fire Department swag!

We rode the "L" like champs.

And saw some amazing sites along the way such as the incredible architecture of the city's Chinatown (off in the distance).

We couldn't do everything so it warrants another trip in the Spring. I absolutely loved the city's waterfront.

The bus operators were incredible - friendly, engaging and polite. Locals said it was because we were engaging and polite. Were we supposed to be rude?

People like to be respected and respond in kind. I chatted up every police officer I met and charmed the fire fighters. Public service can be a shitty job and dealing with the public isn't easy, so if I can make someone's day better by asking her about her job or what sport team he roots for, then that's what Imma do.

I wholeheartedly agree

A picture tells a thousand words

As a graphic designer and someone who works with photos a lot to help illustrate a story, it is important your stock photo or professional photos don't send the wrong message.

Recently, I've noticed an increase in bikes on board trains at rush hour and have received tweets and texts from other passengers also noticing this. I fully support transportation on two wheels but when space is at a premium during commuter time aka rush hour, bikes need to be tossed off. There is no room. Please don't.

I got an email about GO and the CNE and in that email was this link gotransit.com/JustGO
When the site pops open, what is the first image you see? This:

So, if I'm a daytripper or even a regular GO commuter, what does this image tell me?

Exactly.

Please, Go Transit friends, can you try a different image here? We're already putting up with a lot on trains with unregulated temperatures, shorter coach lengths, platform congestion at Union, construction woes at stations *cough*, Burlington, *cough* and increased fares come September.

Throw us a bone, k?

Exploring Chicago by transit

Well, that's the plan - my plan. My husband on the other hand, who is apparently too good for public transit, is terribly stressed by this idea. I am NOT taking uber or a cab to Wrigley Field from our downtown hotel to this Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs game he talked me into next Friday. We are taking transit.

So, he owes me one.

I picked a hotel that is literally close to everything on foot. I have already mapped out our eating excursions (we arrive next Tuesday and leave Saturday) and one place I need to go, is the fire hall that stands in for Firehouse 51 on the tv show, Chicago Fire. The fire hall is 35 minutes away from our hotel by subway and apparently, we can use a credit card as fare payment. However, I plan on hooking both of us up with day passes which makes my husband shiver in horror. If he had his way, we'd rent a car (no thanks) or take a cab everywhere (apparently we're very rich and I simply choose to ignore just how wealthy we are).

I truly believe the best way to really see a city and feel its vibe is to ride its transit system.

At least I didn't suggest we rent bikes...

No plans to bring back buses for Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville GO Train customers, says Metrolinx

The problem for these commuters is with midday and evening service: previously, commuters had the option of taking a single bus direct from Union to all points north of Unionville GO Station.

Now, there's no longer bus service between Union and Unionville at those times.

That forces people travelling to and from stations north of Unionville to take a train and bus combination, which some say some adds up to an hour to their commute.

FULL STORY HERE

ALL THE APPLAUSE FOR BN!

from:		BN
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Wed, Aug 2, 2017 at 6:38 PM
subject:		LSE 6 PM Express Train

The guy in the plaid shirt sitting with one leg in the aisle brought his bike on the train at rush hour, then muttered under his breath while pointing at the bicycle sign "it says two bike but I guess you guys don't want to share" while he proceeded to prop his bike against the two seats across from us (blocking them in the process as seen in the pic).   I told him that bikes weren't permitted on rush hour trains and he says defensively "oh really?  Thanks for the information but that's the UP Express". So of course I Google it on my phone and proceed to tell him that in fact it does include Go trains.  He starts telling me off and says I need to get a life LOL.  Such entitlement.   Then I just tell him " I'm just letting you know to educate you" to which he replies  "I'm a lawyer,  I don't need education". So ironic.  So much for using his lawyering mind to read the fine print.  

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith <cj@thiscrazytrain.com>
to:		BN
date:		Thu, Aug 3, 2017 at 7:14 AM
subject:		Re: LSE 6 PM Express Train

Bravo to you for speaking up to this self righteous jerk. That takes a lot of courage and despite his grandstanding, I'm sure he thought about it all night. And hopefully, he's more respectful next time.

When people are defensive like that, it's a telling sign they already knew they were breaking a rule. Honest people don't react this way. There's usually a hint of embarrassment followed by apologies. 

Potential disaster avoided on Kitchener line after citizen calls 911 to report a forklift on the tracks

A frantic 911 call to report a forklift on the tracks near Guelph last night helped avoid what could have been a derailment, according to Metrolinx.

A GO train, en route to Kitchener, with about 1800 passengers on board was safely stopped 200 metres away from the forklift which is believed to have rolled onto the tracks from a nearby construction site. There was no one on the forklift at the time and the incident is being investigated.

It took 15 minutes to remove the forklift.

Metrolinx says it takes a GO train up to 1 km of distance to come to a complete stop. The actions of the person who called 911 most likely prevented a derailment.

- With sources from Twitter, Newtalk 1010 and Metrolinx

When your hate so great it makes you stupid, too

“It looks really scary, should be banned." Except they're empty bus seats, not burkas https://t.co/nkCUJlRe6M

— Rashida Yosufzai (@Rashidajourno) August 1, 2017

And yet another reason why your train may be delayed

GO Transit Special Constables - Dealing with Trespassers along the right-of-way. #police #policeofficer #officer #constable #specialconstable #cops #alllivesmatter #transitpolice #campuspolice #transitsecurity #campussecurity #security #securityguard #securityofficer #lawenforcement #thinblueline #bylaw #sheriff #paramedic #firefighter #corrections #fitcops #canada #ontario #wolfhunter #fitforduty #cop #bluelivesmatter #gotransit

A post shared by ONTSPCASSOCIATION (@ontspcassociation) on Jul 21, 2017 at 5:34am PDT

First time I've seen someone arrested for fare jumping - more to the story for sure

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.... #toronto #gotransit #nofreerides

A post shared by Patrick (@glaciersofrice) on Jul 28, 2017 at 3:42pm PDT

Meanwhile, at Oshawa GO

Because sometimes you just gotta take yer trash to the GO parking lot. #stayclassy #stayclassyoshawa #gotrain

A post shared by Holly D (@stayclassyoshawa) on Aug 1, 2017 at 11:10am PDT

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...
noon #GOTRAIN always this way?
send transit police!#haiku #GOTransit #FeetOnSeat pic.twitter.com/SBVVuW4jL1

— ᴩᴇᴛᴇʀ ɢ ᴍɪᴛᴄʜᴇʟʟ (@PeterGMitchell) 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.

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

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

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:

That's an interesting motorcyle you're riding ... looks like a car to me

Oshawa GO Station

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

This is the stuff of nightmares

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.

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.

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!

You ready to pay more for this come September?! It's bad enough we've got coaches without functioning A/C, now this

.@GOtransit @GOtransitLW I already had a shower this morning but thanks so much (car 340) pic.twitter.com/SnFpbb2PyP

— adventurelam (@adventurelam) July 12, 2017

Still a better love story then the New York subway?
I guess...

Automated announcements survey? No, what I want, are schedules...

• GO Transit 
 
• Today at 9:42 AM

To

• csmith8965@rogers.com

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