This Crazy Train's Presto Chronicles, Chapter 28: The Curse of Underpayments, Paper Tickets and Travel Windows

Before you read Chapter 28, you'll have to read Chapter 27 to get a full understanding of this email.

February 28, 2014

Reference No. 301-66143-H4PXXX

Dear Mr. Futor

Thank you again for following up with me. Your patience is appreciated.

You are correct that you can purchase a paper ticket with your PRESTO card. I apologize for my error. I incorrectly assumed that you were using the term “paper ticket” to refer to a receipt for a bus trip taken using a PRESTO card. I did not realize that you were inquiring about a separate, paper ticket paid for with a PRESTO card. I’m very sorry for this assumption, and I should have written that PRESTO customers are unable to obtain a receipt instead of “purchase a paper ticket” to clarify what I meant.

You’re also correct when you say that a local transit driver would not necessarily know what time a customer actually started their trip, since a customer could purchase their ticket at 1:00 pm, start their travel at 4:30 pm, and still be eligible for a co-fare on local transit at 7:15 pm. Passengers travelling with day passes would be eligible for the co-fare at any time of the day.

Unfortunately, I’m not privy to how local transit providers enforce the 3 hour travel window. Since co-fares are only available to paper ticket or day pass users when they are travelling to or from a GO Station, I presume that as long as a customer is boarding or disembarking at a station, the travel window is only lightly enforced, if at all.

I am unable to answer why a driver would say that the PRESTO system will block an e-purse load when there is an open trip. Again, this function does not exist as it was not identified as a requirement when the system was designed. Even if a driver had a newer version of the firmware, the system is still not designed to notify the driver of the open trip, or block the load.

You mention that other drivers have said that the system will allow money to be loaded after tapping on for a trip. That is technically correct. Funds will be loaded on the card. But, as you know, it will cause an underpayment and the intended amount will not be loaded.

We are considering how to best resolve this issue for our customers, but to update the system to allow this function would be costly and take time. In the meantime, we rely on our drivers and station attendants to prevent these types of overcharges from occurring by informing customers of the consequences of loading during an open trip. 

Unfortunately, your comments about the information you’ve received from differing drivers and the incident you’ve relayed with Josephine’s underpayment, indicate that there is some room for improvement in this regard. I have shared your observations with our Bus Operations team so that we can ensure all our drivers are educated about this important issue.

I would still like to send you a coupon to refund your previous overcharge. I will include the amount that you were overcharged on January 31st as well, but again, I need your mailing address to do so. Additionally, I trust that you were kind enough to direct Josephine to contact us so we could refund her overcharge as well.

Thank you for letting me address this matter.

Sincerely,

MH

Customer Service Representative

Cc.       Greg Percy, President, GO Transit

            C.J. Smith, This Crazy Train

from:		F Futor
to:		MH
cc:		Greg Percy ,  "C.J. Smith"
date:		Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 9:08 PM
subject:		Re: GO Transit, A Division of Metrolinx

Dear Ms. H,

Thank you for your e-mail of February 28.

I chatted with Josephine on the afternoon of March 7.  She informed me she had used the GO Transit contact information I had given her, and she had received a paper voucher refund for the PRESTO overcharges.

Based on the actions of the Durham Region Transit (DRT) employee whose bus I boarded on the afternoon of February 28, you are correct that local transit drivers rarely if ever enforce the Travel Window on paper tickets; he barely glanced at my ticket as I deposited $0.65 into the cash box.

In general, the Travel Window is poorly understood by bus drivers.  I can share with you the following specific observations:

• The DRT driver had no knowledge of the Travel Window, and he didn’t really care.  In his words, “I log on; I drive my route; I log off.”
• Not all GO Transit drivers know what the Travel Window is, but those who were not aware of it did ask questions to gain an understanding of the matter.
• None of the GO Transit drivers from three different garages knew how to extend the Travel Window.  This is very disconcerting, because e-mail alerts advised that GO buses were operating up to 90 minutes behind schedule on March 12 and up to 60 minutes late the following day.
• Per CSR RA, the ability to extend the Travel Window was included on buses to address service delays to the trip – the “actual extension rests on the discretion of the driver” (Reference # 2012005893).  That assertion presumes drivers are intimately familiar with the method to be applied.
• Mr. A also wrote “the transfer window can be extended by GO Bus Drivers (only)”.  If the Travel Window starts with a tap on a local transit bus, why can that driver not extend it?  Local transit operators are not immune to delays; here is an extreme example.
• Drivers commented that PRESTO instructors are not well-versed in how the system works.
• I am aware of only one individual who seems comfortable extending the Travel Window.  Reference this well-read article and the comment dated December 27, 2013 12:50 AM

The Travel Window is an untenable contrivance.  It serves no one; it is biased and penalizes passengers unjustly.  Anyone travelling out of the eastern Niagara region to the eastern Durham region knows PRESTO will outright deny them the DRT co-fare.  From personal experience, the 15:20 Friday afternoon express bus out of St. Catharines (with train connection at Burlington) will allow me to roll into Pickering just under the wire to qualify for the DRT co-fare, whereas taking the all-stops bus at 15:27 in St. Catharines won’t.  Where’s the consistency?  Is this an equitable solution?  PRESTO pales in comparison to paper tickets, day passes, and the defunct 10/2-ride tickets and monthly passes.

Regarding the matter of loading the ePurse after tapping on, train travellers are not exempt entirely from the problem of overcharging.  With reference to the PRESTO transaction log below, the following tests were executed in the presence of two ticket agents:

1. Press Override (I have a default trip), tap on, and attempt to load funds to ePurse.  My card was debited with the base fare, $5.20.  When we attempted to load funds, the system reported an Underpayment amount of $2.25 (full fare Pickering to Union less base fare).  As the ticket agents and I discussed, the presence of an Underpayment amount is only an indication that there may be an open trip on the card.  The situation may have been caused by not tapping off on a prior trip.  An astute ticket agent will engage the passenger in a discussion and determine the reason for the Underpayment amount.  The ticket agent and I terminated the ePurse load transaction.
2. I hit the Correction button and cancelled the trip.
3. Tap on (default trip); my card was debited $12.56. 
4. When we attempted to load funds to my ePurse, the system reported no anomalies, i.e. no Underpayment amount.  Consequently, we continued with the transaction and loaded $60.00.  At this point we weren’t sure whether the trip had been closed, so I tapped on again.  The PRESTO machine rejected the transaction by flashing red and displaying an error message telling me I had already tapped on.  I thanked the ticket agents and proceeded to the train platform.
5. Tap on bus at Burlington; my card was debited the base fare.  The remainder of the transaction log is a bit messy.  I forgot to tap off at St. Catharines.  (Colour me embarrassed.)  I asked the next Burlington bound driver to clear the Underpayment status, but he didn’t know how to.  The subsequent Niagara Falls bound driver executed steps 6 through 8.
6. Attempt to clear Underpayment status.
7. Attempt to clear Underpayment status by tapping on.
8. Attempt to clear Underpayment status by reversing tapping on.

As you know, the transaction log is presented out of sequence, so I’ve indicated the order of events on the left.



I am puzzled by the statement that you “are considering how to best resolve this issue for our customers, but to update the system to allow this function would be costly and take time”.  Are you saying PRESTO was designed, built, and deployed with no means to roll out software corrections expeditiously?  What is the cost of not fixing this defect – another visit from the Auditor General of Ontario?  How expensive is PRESTO’s customer support department that was enlarged to handle the increasing volume of problem calls and complaints?

Thank you, again, for your diligence investigating these PRESTO issues.  I’ll send you my mailing address under separate cover.

Sincerely,
FF

I think my daughter has secretly been betting on the ponies. Found this last night. She's 8

GO Transit and us passengers obviously have a different understanding of what "ON TIME" means

Sent via text message

"Transit users who resent waiting 24 hours to access money deposited to their Presto fare accounts had better get used to it". - Toronto Star Report

Metrolinx, which operates the Presto fare payment program, says there is no way around the 24-hour lag time, due to the complexities of a system used by 10 separate transit authorities, each with different technologies.

We’ve been reporting on Presto problems, particularly money put into accounts that appears to disappear, or is far less than the amount actually deposited, which generated dozens of complaints from readers.

They also told us about other problems, including a 24-hour delay before money credited to the account online through a bank or credit card can be accessed to pay a fare.

KEEP READING

Six women report sexual assault on Milton GO by groper feigning sleep: police

FROM METRO NEWS

Six women have gone to the Toronto Police to report they were sexually assaulted by a man who sat next to on the buses or trans in the Milton corridor of GO Transit, feigned sleep and then groped them. Det. Wayne Fowler said a suspect, Mustafa Ibrahim, 29, of Mississauga, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and he expects more charges will be laid. After police announced on March 6 that Ibrahim had been arrested in connection with the assault of a 22-year-old woman, other women came forward to say they’d been assaulted in the same manner. The assaults date back to December, said Fowler.

KEEP READING

Just doin' some art on the train... on a phone ...

OFF TOPIC: C'mon! Really?! This has "stunt" written all over it

Not gonna lie - this has been a real Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! kind of day

The amount of chairs that have been thrown around in email and in comments would have put Steve into a coma. Trust me.

Look, no one is going to win this fight. If you really feel that you're entitled to do whatever you want on public transit without any regard for the comfort of others, then listen to me very carefully, I'm actually gonna yell it. THIS IS NOT THE WEBSITE FOR YOU.

Please go ahead and create a blog where you can write all about the courteous things people do when on a GO train so you can poke fun and laugh at us who keep our feet off the seats, don't block the doors, don't charge down the aisle like a ferocious linebacker, don't indulge in HAPPY HOUR at 7 in the morning, don't block seats with bags, dog carriers, pillows and purses; who listen to movies or music at a reasonable volume and don't conduct phone conversations that can be heard on the next level all about how the guy at the office thinks you're stapling his paperwork wrong.

Oh, and be sure to Instagram all these courteous things, too.
Don't forget the hashtags.

Know before you GO from your desktop

You gotta admit, it is pretty

Horde of stupid folk

When other people's children ride the subway

from:		cp
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 9:51 PM
subject:		Rush hour idiots

Coming home last Thursday from work during rush hour (looks empty because we were just about to hit bloor and yonge coming eastbound ) these young idiots who thought the world owed them everything were taking up seven seats total and yelling at people who were looking at them calling them bumbacl-t and don't f-cking look at them... how could you honestly not look at them? they were talking loudly, looking ignorant with their feet up and swearing non stop. It was so embarrassing... the girl with her feet up was yelling at all the adults saying 'If you wanna f-cking sit just ask don't f-cking look at me, I'll hit you". Who would wanna sit with you after you saying stuff like that?
Nothing was more cringe-worthy than coming home on that ttc train that night...thank god I was only on for a few stops.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to:		cp
date:		Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 10:02 PM
subject:		Re: Rush hour idiots

Holy mother of croissant sandwiches on a pug! The hell?!

from:		cp
to:		"Cindy (Cj) Smith"
date:		Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 10:04 PM
subject:		RE: Rush hour idiots

Seriously, I was so embarrassed for them... shameful when people think they're entitled to act that way 

Are you ready my Kitchener-Waterloo folks? All day-two way train service comes to town in 2016 - that's right - you go jump up and down!

Full-Day, Two-Way GO Train Service Between Waterloo Region and the Greater Toronto Area Ontario
Government Committed to Investing in Public Transit, Modern Infrastructure

March 18, 2014 | 1pm

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Waterloo Region today, where she announced the government's plans to bring full-day, two-way GO Train service between Waterloo Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

As estimated in a City and Region of Waterloo report, this investment would create more than 33,000 net new jobs. As part of the government's next step to deliver full-day, two-way GO Train service, the province is making a number of improvements to GO's Kitchener line that will result in better service, shorter travel times and fewer delays for passengers.

These include:

• More GO Train trips: by the end of 2016, Metrolinx expects to introduce two additional morning and afternoon peak period trips Upgrades to the rail corridor leading to faster travel times 
• Building a new train layover facility 

Making smart investments in infrastructure helps connect regions and their economies and brings prosperity across the province. It is part of the government's economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. The comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario's greatest strengths - its people and strategic partnerships.

Quick Facts

• One trip between Waterloo Region and Toronto could be an express service that could save passengers 20 to 30 minutes per trip. The increased service could add 1,000 additional daily passengers.
• Since 2003, Ontario has invested $19.3 billion in public transit in Ontario, including approximately $9.1 billion in GO Transit to improve service and expand routes.

Source

Like a glove!

Thanks to Kim who spotted this amazeballs parking job at Pickering GO.

Whoopsies

As I was setting up my new phone tonight, I accidentally imported anyone who had ever emailed me with a Twitter account into Twitter and I followed them all - en masse - including my legion of trolls and haters.

Utter hysteria erupted, followed by direct messages from haters who were "appalled" I chose to follow them. The accusation from one that I was stalking her reduced me to tears... tears of laughter.

My favorite was this direct message:
 
 He never replied. Bummer.

I can't even begin to describe how beautiful the resolution is and how fast this beast is. So pretty. So big. So mine.

But my bubble was quickly burst when it became apparent that Rogers (aka YOU HAD ONE JOB!) sent the wrong size SIM card.

Unless I'm an idiot, and can't follow instructions or follow a YouTube video, it DOES NOT FIT. My Samsung Tablet 10.1 takes a smaller size of SIM card than my Samsung Note 1, so I know something is amiss.

This means a visit to the Rogers Store on Bay Street on my way home... because I just love detours at home time!

Meanwhile... in Canada

Love, hate, what a moron, chainsaw!

By request, I have updated the reaction options noted below each post. For each chainsaw checkmark, I promise to go back to the photo (if there's a photo) and edit it to add in a chainsaw ...And maybe blood.

Remember!? REMEMBER??

Oh, I gots your number.

Yours Truly and a whole bunch of others made the Huffington Post

The team over at Huffington Post Canada compiled a list of 34 things only GO Train users can relate to ... and it's pretty brilliant.

Several points are illustrated with photos from GO Transit passengers' Twitter accounts (my favourite is the dirty boot foot rider - no credit - C'mon!!!) and at the very bottom is a credit to Yours Truly with a shout-out to this little ol' website.

"Rebel" isn't what comes to mind

#pornmagazine on car 2638 #gotrain #gotransit

So let's say you're on the train...
You lift up a seat.
You see this -> #pornmagazine on car 2638 #gotrain #gotransit

NOT SAFE FOR WORK. CONTAINS NUDITY.

PEOPLE COMPLAINED. FOR REAL. 

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! DON'T OPEN THE LINK IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE NUN.

How about a boooooop on the head?

Trollin' parking donkeys

from:		DH
to:		"Cindy (Cj) Smith"
date:		Fri, Mar 14, 2014 at 9:39 AM
subject:		ooops I did it again

Can't see the line? Cuz the white car in parked on it! 

I'm saddened by the fact that I have to catch an early train home today so he/she won't need to climb in through passenger door. 

CSA Brian has a birthday today

The conductor made an announcement on the 7:15 OSH train this morning asking passengers to take the time to wish him well if we could.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

The conductor should have sung Happy Birthday to Brian.

KNOW YOUR ROLE.

That is all.

Cat's cradle... without the string and at a rave circa 1996

A friend of mine posted this video she took of a guy on the GO train home Friday night playing some kind of Cat's Cradle with his hands.



What those hands are really doing is playing out a rave happening in his mind.
Here it is with music.



Tell me I'm lying!

238 and it feels great!

It's taken all of December, January and February to early March to lose 10 more pounds. I'm now at 238 lbs. I had been hoping for 235 lbs by March 14 but a month-long bout of illness in February really put a wrench in the exercise routine.

For those who haven't been following along with my quest to be car-free and weigh less, some background info about this weight loss journey and a before photo can be found here.

Somewhere in the GTA there is a driving school where all the instructors are blind

You could fit a motorcycle in that gap!

That's tight...

Let's zoom in, shall we?

Pictures lovingly submitted by Tyler.

She lost me at donor tissue

I went to the dentist last night. Going to the dentist is right up there with emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the furnace filter on the scale of things I like to do.

The check-up was going well until the hygienist handed me a mirror and pulled my lower lip down and discussed my gum line with me. The gum over one tooth in particular, right near the little piece of skin that connects your inner bottom lip to the lower gum line, is almost all gone.

This is bad. I will lose the tooth if I don't have surgery.

The hygienist was very chatty and upbeat about this problem of mine. Me? I wasn't so nonchalant. I'm a very medically weak person. I pass out just looking at the instructions for tampons - true story. Yes, it is incredible that I managed to give birth.

I don't think she noticed how pale I was getting as she rattled on and on about how this condition is treated and what is done to treat it. Something something donor tissue and then I knew if the dentist didn't stop talking, I was going to pass out. I practically shouted the word stop.

I have to wait til I see the oral surgeon to get a sense of why I need cadaver skin in my mouth.

Oh, and what does this story have to do with riding public transit? When I take the GO bus home, the bus drives right by my dentist's office.

Kindness (but with a question)

I just realized that I don't know how the stranger managed to buy a ticket for this person. If the stranger was at a wicket, wouldn't that wicket be available to this woman?

Presented without comment

All I wanted was to be BFFs and eat cinnabons

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date:		Tue, Mar 4, 2014 at 9:13 PM
subject:		your go train website

I just wanted to tell you that I hope one day someone makes a website like yours and puts up your picture.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie
date:		Tue, Mar 4, 2014 at 9:29 PM
subject:		Re: your go train website

You mean like Facebook?

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

WHat do you mean like Facebook?? Facebook doesn't put anything up without permission

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

So when your friends tag you in a photo, what's that?

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

It's different.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

How? I go to a party and someone tags me and it shows up for all my friends to see and will stay there until I remove the tag, which at one time you couldn't do.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

Well as least you can remove it

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

I can remove photos from my site. All you need to do is ask.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

People shouldn't have to ask.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

People shouldn't do bad things but they do.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

Why do you care?

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

Why do you care what I do with photos on my site? You care about something so you did something about it. I care about something so I did something about it. See? We're kindred spirits. BFFs even.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

I don't think so.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

Oh I sure do. Wanna meet me at the mall? We can get something pierced. Like our butt cheeks. I'd like that. Then we can eat Cinnabons while we check out boys.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

No thanks.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

Why?

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

Sorry, I don't do that stuff with strangers.

from:		Cindy (Cj) Smith
to:		Jess Mackenzie

You'd be surprised at what you do with strangers every day without realizing it.

from:		Jess Mackenzie
to:		Cindy (Cj) Smith

Okay. You're wierd. Thanks. Bye now.

Trunk Olympics - he has them

from:		DH
to:		"Cindy (Cj) Smith"
date:		Thu, Mar 6, 2014 at 8:41 AM
subject:		ROGO Parking donkey

Broke the first rule of donkey parking: don't park so that your driver's door can be blocked. 

IMHO, I left him too much space.   I feel bad about that. 

Needs more pony - every baby shower needs pony!

eCigarette?

Me. On a Friday night GO train, after it pulls into Oshawa and I've spent Happy Hour with friends

I can watch this for hours. HOURS.

Stare - stare so hard that the footrider leaves

So, uh, you're gonna need some salt with your salt

I only know there's a road salt shortage in Ontario because of where my husband works and the fact that I am the V.P. of my condo board. You know why there's a shortage? Probably because it's all at the Oshawa GO Station. The platform is outrageously over-salted. Salting should only happen if there's a threat of ice. It's been pretty damn dry since Monday. But there's a reason why it's there.

Oh I get the whole liability thing and so out of fear, corporations and businesses salt over salt. It's this same fear that has forced several landscaping and snow clearing businesses into bankruptcy this winter. Many could not keep up with the demands of the "weather",  and the threats of liability claims, so they shut their doors.

Sad, really.

Worst. Winter. Ever.

And then there's these two

I'm sure if someone had asked, they would have moved their bags. Thing is, something something lead by example...

Am I right? I'm right, aren't I?

Just another night. Just another foot rider

CHAINSAW?

OR FIRE?

Just tellin' it like it is ...

And Vegas is booked, baby!

THANK YOU BABY JESUS FOR AEROPLAN MILES!!!

I saved $500 off this trip and spent less than $1000 for the package.

Thank you very much to those who wrote suggestions in comments, texts and email. I found all the information useful and will be mindful of your tips and tricks.

I turn 40 in June. I'm going to Vegas

Yes. Forty.

40!

Ergh... so to deal, I told my husband I would like to be in Vegas, in June, on my actual birthday. I spent hours last night reviewing hotels/resorts, reviewing shows and researching flights. I was so overwhelmed and overloaded by the information that I went to bed with somewhat of a decision. Then there's the price tag... but it's Vegas and I never really celebrated the last few decades of milestones in my life in any kind of style, so 40 is the year.

Initially I figured Paris Hotel, but this morning I discovered that Planet Hollywood has a Prince tribute show, on my birthday, and the hotel seems more up my alley - young, hip and vibrant.

I haven't paid for or booked anything yet because I'm interested in what you all think and what your experiences in Vegas were like. Have any of you have stayed at Planet Hollywood or seen the Prince show?

I also would totally entertain recommendations for dinner. My birthday falls on a Saturday and my husband wants ALL THE SWANK. Give me what you got!

Email or comment... and thanks!

Relax. She was just settling herself...

The link below loads up a video. Have a peek:

Crazy GO Train shenanigans #gotrain #quietzone #toronto | OnInStagram

Oh dear... Now do many of you understand why a lot of passengers will not confront other passengers? Because that Instagram video is a perfect example of a bad reaction.

From what I can gather she must have invaded the personal space of the man beside her. He looks like he's not into the fight she's trying to start and is amused by her reaction. He probably asked her to stop moving around or something.

Again, it's hard to get the whole story but her reaction is a little over the top.

Some idiot pulled the emergency brake yesterday on the LSW

Can you smell that?
That stench?
No?
Let me describe it for you.
You know how on a hot summer's day you lift the lid of your green bin and you're punched in the face by last night's dinner left to rot?
That's what self-entitlement smells like.

Yesterday, as the 353 pm LSW train rolled its way past Bronte, a passenger, who may or may not have missed his stop - details are fuzzy - pulled the emergency brake and then proceeded to pry open the doors of the coach he was in. This resulted in an investigation that lasted 17 minutes.

I have no idea if this passenger was fined or not but in my head, I like to play this game I call "Boot or Brick" where I get to line up jackasses like this brake-pulling clown against a wall at Union Station and I ask the crowd if I should throw a boot or brick at the person. Then I revel in the chanting of "Boot! Boot! Boot! Boot!" and I wind it up. But unfortunately, we're not in a country where a game like that is acceptable.

I play this same game in my head with people who snap their gum when the train is deathly quiet or text message with the keypad tone on their phones unmuted.

It's very satisfying. You should try it.

Boot wins every time.

We wouldn't need guts if people would just keep their bloody boots off the seats!

from:		MS
to:		CJ Smith
date:		Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 7:59 PM
subject:		I need guts.

So I have decided that I need to stiffen my spine and speak up. However,  not today.

Dude with his feet on the seat was sitting next to me and yapping to the blonde in the picture. She was sitting where the boots are now. The whole ride they yapped across the aisle. Yup, we're in the quiet zone. I shot "the look" a few times and she shut up once.

I wish I could handle confrontations better. 

And to top it off, it felt like they had the air conditioning running.

So glad today is over.

from:		cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to:		MS
date:		Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 8:25 PM
subject:		Re: I need guts.

Aw, sorry you had a bad day.

Confrontation is hard. You know I know it is and I never expect anyone to do more than they feel comfortable doing. In these situations, when the train isn't too busy, you can always ask the CSA to make an announcement. All, well, almost all, the CSAs know who I am so throw the site name around if needed.

THAT'S RIGHT. TELL THEM YOU "KNOW PEOPLE".

I think you're gonna need a bigger pole

I've got nothing

Tonight I rode the bus with a young man (18? 19?) sitting near the back who kept saying, "mah nig--h" over and over in his phone call to whoever he was talking to.

This young man was white.

It was an assault to the ears and deplorable to listen to. Apparently a young lady (20?) sitting near him felt the same and not so politely asked him to stop.

Needless to say it didn't go well. He banged the back of her seat a couple of times, another guy (30?) jumped in and defended her, and on and on they bitched back and forth.

WHAT YEAR IS THIS? AND WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?

I was disgusted by what I had witnessed, the general lack of respect. If this young man was my son, I'd be embarrassed.

Everyone got off at downtown Oshawa, I generally feared for the girl's safety but the man who defended her made a point to shadow her, so I can only suspect all was well.

Unbelievable.

It's so shiny! - My daughter about my new PRESTO card

Yes. Yes it is. They're always shiny when they're new and full of hope and promise.

Oh and a big shout-out to all the lazy dicktards parked in the disability parking, idling, waiting for the train to come in or for the person they dropped off to return from doing business inside the Oshawa GO station on Saturday. Every spot, and there a lot of them, was occupied by idling and non-idling drivers. I parked where I was supposed to and walked the mere 300 metres to the station. These are the same people who park in fire routes at the grocery store or at Walmart.

Tell me I'm lying! Lazy jerks. Not a single vehicle had a permit.

I don't know the name of the raven-haired attendant at the Oshawa GO who helped me replace my PRESTO card that split in half on Thursday, all I know is that I like her. She sold me my first PRESTO card back in 2011, and despite the line-up behind me, took the time to answer all of my questions.

And yes, I had to pay $6 to replace the card even though it split in two through no fault of my own.

What's the alternative? Pay my fare everyday in cash? It's not like I had any choice but to shell out the $6.

It's terrible how we're held hostage to this fragile piece of plastic.

PRESTO releases 2013 Transit Usage Reports on time - it's a Christmas baby Jesus miracle!

In May 2013, I had my wallet pick-pocketed as I stood on a street corner near Union Station. I was worried that my transit usage tied to the stolen card would not be carried over when I received my new card.

PRESTO proved me wrong. Not only did the usage carry over to my new account, but it's accurate and Presto released the reports when they promised. Thank you.

To access your report sign in to Presto's website
(https://www.prestocard.ca/en-US/Pages/ContentPages/Home.aspx)

Click this link to be taken directly to your transit usage report page once you've signed in.

For future reference, reports are found under Card > Transaction Information > Transit Usage Report