Pretzel Girl

My sources on the Lakeshore West line had some thoughts about the chick that was chowing down on a pretzel on Monday afternoon.

Listen girl, nobody wants to smell your nasty stinky garlic pretzel. Next time you're planning or reeking-up the train, just bring a skunk with you.

It’s people like you, who don’t think of others, that make life on the train miserable after a long day of work.

I hope you drop your next pretzel and get mustard on your brand new white jacket and it makes you cry.

TTC Update

Last week I actually gave the TTC props for their plans to install security cameras on all their vehicles.

So along comes Privacy International, a privacy watchdog group based in the UK, who say the TTC has shown “contempt” toward privacy laws and have asked Ontario’s Privacy Commissioner to investigate.

Well I have contempt for Privacy International. Seriously guys, don’t you have better things to do like preventing the government from reading my e-mails? I’m also pretty sure there are big-brother issues to deal with in Russia or China. TTC cameras? Seriously?

Anyone who takes the TTC on a regular basis knows there is nothing private about the experience. On the average subway car in rush-hour, how many people are on the train with you? 200 maybe? I don’t need Privacy International looking out for me, I need a watchdog group that will make people take showers in the morning before getting up close to me on the train.

So just what privacy is being violated? Well, I guess now I can’t pick my nose on the bus when I think no one is watching.

Oh how I love my car

I drove today, becasue I had off-site meetings. No GO Train for me.

I used to drive to work everyday, from the 905 into the city, but I gave that up this summer due to ongoing car problems.

I have to say that even though I was stuck in traffic, and my unresoveld car issues made me fearful that my transmition was going to fall out, it was glorious to be behind the wheel again.

I controled the heat/air, listed to the radio, and just relaxed in my own space. I also didn't feel like I needed a Purel bath, as I do after taking the train and subway to work.

I'm sorry, but the crappy service that GO and the TTC provide just can't compete.

TTC Update

I’m no fan of the TTC. In fact, I hate it far worse than GO Transit. That said, two promising improvements are being discussed.

The first has already been approved and will soon be implemented. I’m speaking of the installation of video cameras on all TTC vehicles. This is a long overdue safety and crime fighting tool will benefit both Red Rocket riders and staff. I give props to the TTC for this.

The second improvement is that of a provincial take over of the TTC by the GTTA (Greater Toronto Transit Authority). It is only rumoured at this point and, of course, the hapless David Miller and useless TTC Chair Adam Giambrone (henceforth know as Adam Jabroni) are already prepared to fight this sensible plan.

If these two really care about the environment, rather than protecting their own political fiefdoms, they will support any plan that involves integrating all GTA transit commissions. It’s the only way to get people out of their cars – which are far more comfortable.

Shout-out!

A shout-out to the lady who accused me of pushing her. You clearly didn’t feel me tap you on the shoulder, or hear me say ‘excuse me’. I don’t hear exactly what you said, because a train was pulling out about 6 inches from my head, but I got the drift.

So let me clarify for you. I am the guru of public transit etiquette. I hold the door for people everyday – though most don’t say thanks. I line up, and show patience. I give up my seat, and share my newspaper. I don’t eat or talk on my cell on the train, because I don’t want to disturb others.

You, on the other hand, were blocking the way and preventing people from moving down the platform. I made a point of going behind you rather than in front, so there was no danger of you falling back into the moving train, but because my briefcase touched you I’m the jerk? Your spoiled-princess attitude reminds me that riders like you are a big part of my negative experience on the GO everyday.

In short, you are a bitch.

Safety! It's one of GO's top 100 priorities.

While I’m on the topic of yesterday morning’s commute, I have a thought to share.

When a morning train is cancelled, and twice as many people as normal have to crowd onto the platform, it’s a real safety hazard. I wouldn’t be surprised if people in he past have slipped or been accidentally pushed onto the tracks.

I’m not joking - it felt that dangerous. People were packed from the yellow line on one side of the tracks, right to the yellow line on the other side.

Coming up the escalator to train level, people at the top wouldn’t get out of the way because they didn’t want to step out of the shelter and into the rain. This caused another dangerous situation for people who couldn’t get off a moving escalator.

Of course the heroic public service workers at BLOW Transit were nowhere to be seen. In such situations GO needs to reassign their Special Constables from harassing people who forgot to stamp their tickets to helping to ensure public safety.

E-News Alerts - Part 2

So yesterday morning I had a meeting at work and made a point of getting an earlier train. It was also raining hard, so an early start was prudent.

As I'm walking up to the station, I notice WAY too many people on the platform. Of course, the preceding train had been canceled and their were twice as many people getting soaked in the rain.

The only station announcement was the early train was cancelled, but the next one was on schedule. To cut to the chase, I received NO E-NEWS ALERT.

What the Hell is the point of having e-mail bulletins in the first place if they either send them too late (see last post), or don't send them at all. WTF GO?

My guess is that the GO Transit staffer who sends out the alerts was probably late because his train was cancelled too.

Where is the pride in reliability at GO? I expect them to act like Tom Hanks at the beginning of Castaway when he is doing everything he could, as a FedEx manager, to make sure his deliveries arrive at their destination on time.

Are GO Transit E-News Alerts helpful to you? ...becasue I'd rather get SPAM!

Are GO E-News Alerts worth the trouble of subscribing to? I say no, and the e-mail posted below is my proof.

On Friday Afternoon NO Transit cancelled the 5:33 PM train from Union to Pickering, because of a "computer signal problem”. Now notice below the e-mail states, "This message was sent on: 10/19/2007 5:34 PM".

Um, way to GO! What f-tard thought it was a good idea to send out the cancellation notice for the 5:33 train at 5:34? I'm sure the computer signal problem was apparent earlier in the afternoon and they could have provided more notice to passengers.

One more example of GO not giving a damn about their riders.


Subject: GO Train Cancellation(s)
From: "GO E-News Alert"
Date: Fri, October 19, 2007
To: "GO E-News Alerts"
Priority: Normal

LAKESHORE EAST CORRIDOR:

The 1733 train trip from Union to Pickering (1814) is CANCELLED due to a railway computer signal problem.

The 1825 train trip from Pickering to Union (1902) is CANCELLED due to a railway computer signal problem.

This message was sent on: 10/19/2007 5:34 PM

I love when people push off the train and run for their cars

I get it when people run for their train or bus, but I don't get these idiots who get off the train and run for their cars.

Everyday I see the same jerks doing it, and I can't figure it out. My best guess is that they want to beat the traffic out of the parking lot, but it doesn't really take that long anyway.

I can't imagine a daily run from the train to the car in my work clothes.

Maybe these people have to get their kids from daycare or something, but they look like a-holes.

If anyone has any insight into what these fleet-footed commuters are thinking, please share with us.

Playtime with GO Transit

Click the picture above for a full-size picture you can print off.

Now the kids can play GO Transit at home.

Will they recreate dad getting home late every night, or play as mom sitting on the floor of the bus because she didn’t get a seat on bus.

Your misery is limited only to your children’s imagination.

New Locomotives?

Just where are the new locomotives that GO promised would be arriving this fall?

I read about them in a glossy flyer that GO printed up telling me how grateful I should be that they purchased them.

Has anybody seen one?

Let’s take to the streets!

It bugs me that thirty percent of the time the stupid machine that validates rides screws up and stamps over a previously stamped area. Those crappy pieces of junk can screw up with no consequences for GO, but if you’re running late and forget to stamp your ticket you’re screwed. GO = The Man.

What is the smelliest thing people eat on the GO?

Take the poll located on the right, and share the grossest thing you've smelled someone eating on the train.

McDonald's is always gross, as is the nasty crap people bring from home, but I swear I almost barfed from the smell of some ass eating a sausage on the train. I was totally gagging. I could taste the bile rising in my throat.

Who the Hell wants to eat surrounded by 200 people jammed onto a bus or train anyway? Please leave the chow at home people... or at least limit your snack to something lite.

Overcrowding on the Lakeshore East Line

REPORT - OVERCROWDING ON THE LAKESHORE EAST LINE

Looks like GO is going to have to add mre capacity to the Lakeshore East line.

And I thought it was bad when people had to sit on the steps, becasue all the seats were taken.