Thursday, December 14, 2017
Whoever has promoted the blog, I thank you
I haven't seen numbers like this on posts for well over a year....
Let's not forget about the other Ontario taxpayers who subsidize our commute
Literally the only time small towns in #NorthernOntario see public transit is as its being exported to #Toronto. #onpoli #gotrain pic.twitter.com/JveC0UcUwl
— Stephen Lee (@StephenAndLee) December 3, 2017
The woeful saga of switches and signals
Winter is just starting folks, and, due to mild winters since the last deep freeze of 2014, it appears Metrolinx has forgotten about GO Transit and its system.
This week has been unacceptable. Trespassing incidents aside, there is no excuse for shoddy maintenance or neglect. Asking passengers who pay close to $400 a month to get to work to have patience, and to continue have patience, is disrespectful. It is not fair to those of us who get into work one to two hours late, and then have to stay late to make up the time, only to face switch issues on the way home, whereas five hours of our day was spent commuting is... well, it's just plain wrong.
This was raised at the Townhall on Tuesday night and Metrolinx's management team accepted responsibility, admitted it wasn't right and pledged to do better. And on Twitter, Metrolinx's media spokesperson admitted there were failings. Accountability is important but admitting failure means striving to do better. We've got four more months of inclimate weather to get through. Winter comes every year. Winter happens in other countries with far more extensive commuter networks and their switches and signals operate quite fine.
Enough with bad winters, Metrolinx. Let's work on making winter on the GO better.
I also realized that at the end of the year board meeting for Metrolinx, there was no fare increase. Considering we got slammed in September, and with the woeful service issues this month, there would have been a full scale riot if they even tried to push one through for next February. We pay enough. We're also tired of learning about $100 million dollar cost overruns on Metrolinx projects. You can't have this kind of mismanagement of infrastructure and then come begging with your hand out to the passengers inconvenienced by these boondoggles *cough* Burlington *cough* for more money.
This week has been unacceptable. Trespassing incidents aside, there is no excuse for shoddy maintenance or neglect. Asking passengers who pay close to $400 a month to get to work to have patience, and to continue have patience, is disrespectful. It is not fair to those of us who get into work one to two hours late, and then have to stay late to make up the time, only to face switch issues on the way home, whereas five hours of our day was spent commuting is... well, it's just plain wrong.
This was raised at the Townhall on Tuesday night and Metrolinx's management team accepted responsibility, admitted it wasn't right and pledged to do better. And on Twitter, Metrolinx's media spokesperson admitted there were failings. Accountability is important but admitting failure means striving to do better. We've got four more months of inclimate weather to get through. Winter comes every year. Winter happens in other countries with far more extensive commuter networks and their switches and signals operate quite fine.
Enough with bad winters, Metrolinx. Let's work on making winter on the GO better.
I also realized that at the end of the year board meeting for Metrolinx, there was no fare increase. Considering we got slammed in September, and with the woeful service issues this month, there would have been a full scale riot if they even tried to push one through for next February. We pay enough. We're also tired of learning about $100 million dollar cost overruns on Metrolinx projects. You can't have this kind of mismanagement of infrastructure and then come begging with your hand out to the passengers inconvenienced by these boondoggles *cough* Burlington *cough* for more money.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
‘Ask Metrolinx’ Town Hall Draws New Ideas, Shared Concerns
TORONTO: December 13, 2017 – Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster hosted the first “Ask Metrolinx” town hall on Tuesday night, giving the public an opportunity to put their questions about transit and transportation in the GTHA directly to both him and the senior management team.
Two-thirds of the questions were asked live by the audience in the room at Union Station and via our livestream feed. The other questions were chosen by the public from 170 submitted online. Senior leaders listened intently as interested community members shared their issues and concerns, their ideas and suggestions, and committed to a number of follow-up meetings in communities around the GTHA.
Topics included:
- Dealing with service disruptions
- Managing poorly performing contractors
- Where fare dollars go
- Electrification and hydrogen technology
- New stations and accessibility
- Parking (stop building parking structures or build more)
- Noise mitigation both for service increases and construction
Town Hall by the numbers:
- 170 questions were submitted online ahead of the event
- 733 votes on their favourite question
- 35 questions submitted through livestream
- 75+ people attended the town hall
- 100+ watched livestream
A video of the town hall will be posted online at metrolinxengage.com. All questions submitted will be answered over the coming weeks. In addition, Phil Verster committed to making the town halls a regular event to encourage public participation and feedback.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
‘Ask Metrolinx’ Town Hall an Opportunity to Engage with Senior Management
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster is hosting the first “Ask Metrolinx” town hall to give the public direct access to both him and his senior management team to answer questions about transit and transportation in the GTHA.
This is an opportunity for our neighbours, customers and community members to engage directly with leaders at Metrolinx as we move forward with planning, building and operating the region’s transportation system.
Here are the ways you can engage with us:
· Questions can be submitted online at metrolinxengage.com – or asked in real-time (online or in-person).
· Participants will have the opportunity to prioritize the questions submitted online by voting for their favourites at metrolinxengage.com the week leading up to the event.
· The town hall can be attended in person or via live webcast.
· A video of the town hall will be posted online after the event.
The team will be available to media following the questions from the public.
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: 97 Front Street West
Peter R. Smith Boardroom – 4th floor
Peter R. Smith Boardroom – 4th floor
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Renovations at GO Burlington hit the five year mark
Date: Fri,
1 Dec 2017 21:07:52 -0500
To: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
From: GO
Voyageur
Subject: December 1, 2017… Is it time to
party?
Hi Cindy,
Well, it’s
December 1, and that means but one thing — the renovation of Burlington GO
station celebrates its fifth anniversary.
So, what to do? Another premium
cupcake from Longos, the finest Metrolinx-green china that Dollarama has to
offer, a candle, et voilà !
I don’t see
the solar panels planned for the roof.
Do you?
Construction
pylons still litter the walk to the East tunnel. An electrical extension cord snaked its way
from the outlet, up the pillar, across the rafters, and into a work area behind
temporary doors that have been there an eternity. Two construction folk emerged from behind
the doors to chat in the sunny corridor and then disappeared again.
One of the
elevators to the West tunnel was not usable.
Hmmm… I didn’t actually test the other one. My bad.
The foyer of
this station is huge, but there isn’t much in the way of seating. For those hoping for a cup of java on their
way to work, dream on. There are stories
that a Tim Hortons location is coming (“soon”?).
Sorry, no
party. But the weather was beautiful!
Sincerely,
Friday, December 1, 2017
Health update: I'm a cycling machine
As most of you know, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself back in April, brushed off my bike and got back on the proverbial horse, despite pain and injury. My highest weight in 2017 was 286 pounds. Today I weigh...
... are you ready for it?
258.4
This has been the most frustrating journey to get here but I persevered and pulled off this:
... are you ready for it?
258.4
This has been the most frustrating journey to get here but I persevered and pulled off this:
It's been a little hairy to ride in the evenings in Courtice. The town itself isn't very big and there are only three bike lanes - none of which are connected. To really get a good distance, I'd ride up to Hampton (and to Enniskillen on weekends) but it's too dangerous to ride the narrow, rural roads at night. So my night rides have been short, about 15 km, and infrequent, because although I'm prepared for the cold, I really do not like riding in wind, and it's been really windy.
But I gotta keep moving, right? So at the beginning of the month I forced my husband off the couch and now we walk, five times a week. We're averaging about 3 km a walk because my knees get extremely sore as they are riddled with arthritis. We walked 4.5 km recently and I was almost crippled by the time I got home. But ride 35 km non-stop? No problem.
Someone mentioned putting together a Crazy Train cycling group for the Ride for Heart this coming June. I'm down. I'll post details on here, and on Twitter, once it's closer to registration. Now don't get too excited, I'm only interested in the 25 km route.
I haven't done a 50 km ride yet. My longest distance is 36 km. Let's stay realistic, k?
The goal now is to get to 238 pounds which was my original goal weight and I made it back in March of 2014. It is totally possible to lose 20 pounds in four months and I'm going to try my hardest to get there.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Packed train?! Why not sit on the toilet?
Gross, but resourceful.
Photo via @Jeremy32414144 on Twitter
Between January 2010 and Oct. 23, 2017, there were 85 fatalities involving GO trains, according to statistics provided by Metrolinx
Simcoe.com asked Metrolinx for the data and conducted an interview with its head of Transit Security.
When a fatal incident occurs, there is immediate concern for commuters and the victim's family, but these collisions also take a toll on the train engineers and emergency responders. There are usually two workers at the front of the engine. After the crash, they are quickly joined at the site by police, paramedics, rail special constables and other emergency responders.
READ MORE
List of municipalities where a fatality has occurred (as of Oct. 25, 2017)*:
Toronto — 32
Mississauga — 15
Oakville — 8
Burlington — 5
Newmarket — 4
Richmond Hill, Innisfil — 3 each
Brampton — 2
Kitchener, Whitby, Guelph, Pickering, Georgetown, Aurora, Holland Landing, Stouffville, Scarborough, Ajax, Hamilton, Barrie and East Gwillimbury — 1 each
* Source: https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/7936336-track-tragedy-how-85-go-train-fatalities-since-2010-took-a-toll-on-metrolinx-staff/
When a fatal incident occurs, there is immediate concern for commuters and the victim's family, but these collisions also take a toll on the train engineers and emergency responders. There are usually two workers at the front of the engine. After the crash, they are quickly joined at the site by police, paramedics, rail special constables and other emergency responders.
READ MORE
List of municipalities where a fatality has occurred (as of Oct. 25, 2017)*:
Toronto — 32
Mississauga — 15
Oakville — 8
Burlington — 5
Newmarket — 4
Richmond Hill, Innisfil — 3 each
Brampton — 2
Kitchener, Whitby, Guelph, Pickering, Georgetown, Aurora, Holland Landing, Stouffville, Scarborough, Ajax, Hamilton, Barrie and East Gwillimbury — 1 each
* Source: https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/7936336-track-tragedy-how-85-go-train-fatalities-since-2010-took-a-toll-on-metrolinx-staff/
Monday, November 27, 2017
You can't top this. No one can
Can't find a seat on the #gotrain?
— Cindy (Cj) Smith - GO Commuter Extraordinaire (@ThisCrazyTrain) November 27, 2017
Take your shoes off, tie your jacket thru the bars on the stairs and make a goddamn hammock!#gotransit https://t.co/Jy8VDYJyM0
The hell was that this morning?!
I was seated on the 7:03 Oshawa to Untion train at about 6:53 am when I got the first tweet that something bad was happening just outside of Guildwood GO station. We were told we could expect delays of up to 10 minutes due to a malfunctioning signal - the same signal system we were told three years ago was due for an upgrade.
That worked out well, didn't it? What the hell do we pay fare increases for? Isn't it for system improvements?!
Ten minutes was generous. I rolled into work at 9:18 am, one hour and 18 minutes later than I usually arrive. Thankfully I am up to date with my tasks, otherwise, I'd be staying an extra hour to make up the time.
All of the trains affected this morning by the signal mess qualify for the Go Transit service guarantee. I'd give it a couple of days before trying. The information is entered manually and a lot of trains were affected.
By the way, does the acronym for the title of this web page stand for "Fucking GO System"? Seems appropriate.
That worked out well, didn't it? What the hell do we pay fare increases for? Isn't it for system improvements?!
Ten minutes was generous. I rolled into work at 9:18 am, one hour and 18 minutes later than I usually arrive. Thankfully I am up to date with my tasks, otherwise, I'd be staying an extra hour to make up the time.
All of the trains affected this morning by the signal mess qualify for the Go Transit service guarantee. I'd give it a couple of days before trying. The information is entered manually and a lot of trains were affected.
By the way, does the acronym for the title of this web page stand for "Fucking GO System"? Seems appropriate.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
So back in October Bombardier staff delayed an LSW GO train to make a coffee run
@GOtransit still investigating? #nosafety 1 engineer driving & 2nd goes for #coffeebreak..@Bombardier @Teamsters .why are you quiet? pic.twitter.com/wbK1NTLwQS— RjE (@citoyendumond10) October 19, 2017
it never stops @GOtransit #coffeebreak still delaying the 7.43 Union 2 Alder at Oakville Station @CP24 @globalnewsto @MetroNewsCanada pic.twitter.com/FxpVo2LbqM— RjE (@citoyendumond10) October 18, 2017
Just because the train is moving away from Union is not an excuse. Commuters heading out of the city are entitled to a properly kept schedule. Is this normal? I should hope not.
Friday, November 17, 2017
No, no, no and hell no - but don't panic! It's an error on Presto's part. Card cancellations sent in error (who built this piece of crap?)
Anyone else get an email from @PRESTOcard saying their card was cancelled? I did not request this. I'm checking in with Presto to find out what's happening. I did have to have my card reset this morning due to last night's issue. pic.twitter.com/46bAvQ3RJ1
— Cindy (Cj) Smith - GO Commuter Extraordinaire (@ThisCrazyTrain) November 17, 2017
Hi! How are you?
It's not that there isn't anything to report (other than a HUGE Presto card mess last night that made for an annoying commute this morning for those of us who could not tap last night and then had to line up at stations to have our cards reset this morning) because there is, I've just been a lazy blogger. As I've mentioned before, Twitter now trumps the website and I forget to blog.
But hey, wanna know what I've learned recently? That six years later, now that I'm driving again, people still have no idea how to park properly. I call every parking donkey out for his or her shit if I happen to encounter one. How hard is it to park straight between two lines? In fact, if you were truly skilled, you wouldn't need lines to be able to accurately measure a polite and courteous distance between your car and one next to you. There is so much dumb at the Oshawa GO station lot, I don't know where to start.
So ya, hi, how are ya? Hope you're well. And I miss you, too.
But hey, wanna know what I've learned recently? That six years later, now that I'm driving again, people still have no idea how to park properly. I call every parking donkey out for his or her shit if I happen to encounter one. How hard is it to park straight between two lines? In fact, if you were truly skilled, you wouldn't need lines to be able to accurately measure a polite and courteous distance between your car and one next to you. There is so much dumb at the Oshawa GO station lot, I don't know where to start.
So ya, hi, how are ya? Hope you're well. And I miss you, too.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Welp, this is depressing
MEANWHILE... IN COURTICE/BOWMANVILLE...$128 Million contract awarded for #Cooksville @GOtransit redevelopment. https://t.co/92bTBaZG79 #Toronto #transit #GTHA pic.twitter.com/MkWUbnTE4S— UrbanToronto (@Urban_Toronto) November 8, 2017
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Friday, November 3, 2017
Presented without comment
You’re looking right at it! #EtiquetteFail @GOtransit pic.twitter.com/3YYTOybcza
— Steven Siscos (@StevenSiscos) 2 November 2017
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