Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I signed up for the Let GO Know surveys. I figure this falls under the same category as voting: If you didn't vote, you can't bitch about the elected officials. At least if I give GO my opinion, I can bitch about them not listening.

They did, after all, ask me.

So I received a survey today. Let's go the through the questions, shall we?

(text in red are my comments and answers)


We’re conducting a survey to better understand what amenities and services you would like to see at our stations and on our trains and buses. GO Transit is committed to making your experience comfortable. We have made this promise to you in our Passenger Charter, and we are always finding ways to improve. (You could start with being on time) Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your participation is voluntary and your responses are kept confidential. The survey feedback we receive is used for planning future improvements.

We appreciate your time! Completing this survey will automatically enter you into our monthly draw to win one of three prizes. (I keep hoping I'll win a free year of commuting, but it never happens)

Thank you for participating!

And, here we go...

GO Transit is looking into various types of services that could be offered to you on your GO Transit commute. In order of preference, rank the top three amenities you would like to be offered:

Please rank the items by dragging each one to the desired rank.

coffee/tea
cold beverages
snacks
newspapers
wifi access
freephones to local taxi companies
window blinds
improved headrests
more luggage space
more room for bikes on GO
heated shelters
cupholders
hand holds for when standing on trains
bank machine
additional power outlets

I selected Wifi, hand holds, window blinds. I tried to add "better garbage receptacles" to the Additional Comments field, but it wouldn’t let me. It read “Please remove Other response in the text box.” If you don't want me to add additional information, why have the field there?

I know I've said many times that it would be nice to have a trolley tart walking up and down the aisles offering adult beverages (god knows I could use a martini after work most days!) but offering drinks and snacks would be a logistical nightmare. Not to mention the mess that would ensue. People can't even take away the wrappers from snacks they bring on themselves, why would GO Transit want to provide them with more arsenal? And there's already enough newspapers lying about the train.

I have mixed feelings about the luggage space. This is a commuter train, not a vacation train. How much shit are you bringing back and forth to work? And we do not need more space for bikes. Commuters are not supposed to bring bikes on the train during rush hour, so there should be no issue taking them off-peak time. There's barely enough room to stand, some days. 

Heated shelters? HEATED shelters? How about shelters. Period. 

I'm not even commenting on the bank machine thing. 

Additional power outlets. Hmmm. Alright. It's not a priority for me, but I can see needing to plug in and charge. You forget sometimes and run low on juice. I get it. It's not on my list, but I may use it if it's available. 

Which of the following Wi-Fi enabled devices do you use on most often on GO Transit? Please select all that apply:

smartphone
laptop
e-book
portable gaming system
tablet (ipad)
other

I selected smartphone, laptop and e-book. I admit, I started getting excited about the direction these questions were going.  


Do you subscribe to a data plan? Please select one response only.

I forgot to note what the choices were, but I only have a plan for my cell. My wifi is home-based.


Do you tether your Smartphone with your laptop while on GO Transit? Tethering is when you use your Smartphone as a modem to connect your laptop to the internet. This can be done wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired through USB.

I said no. Cuz I don't.


Where would you like to find Wi-Fi access? Please select all that apply.

in stations
on train platforms
at the bus loop
on each train car
on a designated train car
on buses
other – please specify

I selected "on each train car" and "on buses". I figure I don't need to use it in the station, either at Union or Ajax. Though, in hindsight, having wifi when I'm stuck at Union Station might come in handy. I'm curious about what people entered for "other", though.


How frequently would you access Wi-Fi offered by GO Transit? Please select one response only.

daily
2-4 times per week
once a week
once a month
never - explain why

Um...Daily!


Would you be willing to pay for Wi-Fi on our bus or train services? Please select one response only.

Yes
No

NO! I'm already paying for shite service through the arse. The least GO can do is sweeten the deal a little.


Are there any other services or amenities you would like GO Transit to offer you on your commute?
Please be as specific as possible.

I left this blank. I thought long and hard about adding something, but really couldn't think of anything. Then I read the next question.


Many commuter train services in North America are beginning to offer 'quiet cars' on their service. A quiet car is a designated train car that is great for passengers who want an even more relaxing journey. Passengers are asked to refrain from conversations, using mobile phones and to reduce the volume of personal stereos.
If GO Transit designated a train car as a 'quiet car,' how likely would you be to use it? Please select one response only.

extremely likely
likely
unlikely

Are you freakin' kidding me?! I'm EXTREMELY LIKELY!


If GO Transit designated a train car as a 'quiet car,' would you use it instead of the train car you currently use most often? Please select one response only.

yes
no
unsure - please specify why

Hell yes! And who the hell is unsure? I bet it's the rowdies.


If GO Transit designated a train car as a 'quiet car,' how often would you like the quiet car to operate? Please select one response only.

all day on weekdays
only during peak periods (weekday morning and evening rush)
only on weekends
all the time

All the friggin' time!!


If GO Transit designated a train car as a 'quiet car,' how would you like this to be communicated to you? Please select all that apply.

in-train signs
in-train staff
decals on the outside of the train car
platform markers/signs.

I checked all four. I want it made crystal clear where I'm supposed to sit. I also want it to be crystal clear where loudmouths shouldn't. I want to be able to say to them "Hey! Did you NOT see the big ass logo on the side of the car before you boarded? Shut your pie hole!"


If GO Transit designated a train car as a 'quiet car,' how would you like the quiet car's etiquette to be enforced? Please select all that apply.

posters
CSA train announcements
self-regulation by passengers (peer pressure)
additional transit security personnel
quiet cards

Again, I checked all of them. I want it to be clear. I'm also more than a little disappointed that the choice of "Beatings" wasn't made available. I would have checked that one, too. 


Would providing amenities in stations and on buses and trains have a positive or negative impact on your travels with GO Transit? Please click on your selection or drag the slider to your selection.

Sliding rule options:

very negative
negative
neutral
positive
very positive
unsure

Positive. Definitely positive. But let's face it, no matter what, I'll find something to bitch about.


How well do you feel offering amenities to our customers delivers on the GO Transit Passenger Charter promise to “Make your experience comfortable”? Please click on your selection or drag the slider to your selection.

Sliding rule options:

fails to deliver
delivers poorly
delivers
delivers very well
exceeds expectations
unsure

I chose delivers. As far as I'm concerned, they're doing their job. No more, no less. And being the cynic I am, I can't help but think they're offering these amenities to appease us. If we dazzle the passengers with shiny objects, maybe they won't notice our service sucks.


And finally, we came to the end...

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. If you have any other comments or suggestions for GO Transit please let us know in the box below.

Like I'm going to let this one go by without a comment! So I wrote:

I am most excited about the Quiet Car. I'm tired of loud talkers, dance-club cell phone ring tones and drunken sporting event/concert goers. The amenities in this survey are all good ideas to add to our commute. I can't help but wonder how much it will add to our cost.

So that's the survey. I hope you all filled yours in if you received one. If not, sign up. You can't bitch if you don't bitch.