tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79391111081842622802024-03-12T21:49:26.372-04:00GO Transit BitesAfter more than 10 years of GO Train commuting, I've had enough. I can't take it anymore. On this blog, I'll vent, point fingers and cuss...not only at GO Transit, but also at inconsiderate riders. No one is immune. You've been forewarned. If you can’t take the heat, don’t follow. But if you’re as pissed off as I am, come along for the ride. No doubt it’ll be delayed.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-19993956569343166032012-07-09T15:00:00.001-04:002012-07-09T15:01:27.151-04:00July 9, 2012<br />
I know I haven't been posting much, and I'm not going to apologize. I'm busy and I don't have time. <span style="background-color: white;">I will try to post more often on this blog. Meanwhile, I do post my anger on Twitter, so head over there. </span><br />
<br />
For now, I have a challenge for GO Transit.<br />
<br />
My biggest beef (but we all know, not the only one) with GO Transit, is their lack of communication and the way they dance around the truth.<br />
<br />
Let's start with Performance Rating. They're so-called 95% on-time rating is bullshit. To be fair, each trip should have it's own rating. Let's face it, most of us take the same train every day. <span style="background-color: white;">I, for instance, take the 07:01 LSE from Union to Ajax. The fact that the 10:52 is on time all the time makes no difference to me. I never EVER take it. I want to know how many times MY train is delayed. Lumping all the rides into one statistic gives a false reading, implying that 95% of the 07:01 trips are on time when we all know that's not the case. </span><br />
<br />
So, GO Transit, give me THOSE statistics. If you want to talk the talk and brag about your 95% rating, then let's be real about it. Tell me how MY train is doing and tell everyone else how THEIR train is doing.<br />
<br />
Or are you too ashamed to face the truth?<br />
<br />
<br />GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-52346981379296108792012-03-06T10:29:00.000-05:002012-03-06T10:29:55.035-05:00March 6, 2012I saw the most awesome thing this morning!!!<br />
<br />
We're driving through the parking lot, behind a black mini-van. The black mini-van turns left, and I assume that it's going to follow the path down the lot to a parking spot. <br />
<br />
But no. <br />
<br />
The van drives straight into a metal pole. Hits it so damn hard that the pole is knocked out of its concrete cone. <br />
<br />
As we drive by, I take a look at the driver and I'm not surprised. She's blond. And I hope to hell she's also drunk, because if she's not, her driving skills are really pathetic. Or perhaps she's one of those people who found their driver's license in a box of Shreddies. <br />
<br />
We're laughing our heads off, carrying on down the lot (cuz there's no flippin' way I'm staying to see how that scene turns out) and this yahoo parks his car in a non-parking spot...one of those spaces with the cross-hatch lines through it. It's clearly not a parking space. And there are clearly other spaces available. The lot is not full at this point. <br />
<br />
I wanted to shout out the window: Hey, asshole! There's a vacant spot back there...you just have to wait for the pole to be moved. But then, I figured he's probably retarded. God knows he's at least blind. Maybe he's related to the blond chick.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-31318024550542402332012-02-15T09:00:00.000-05:002012-02-15T09:00:18.767-05:00Wednesday, February 15, 2012I am now a statistic.<br />
<br />
I got into a shouting match with an asshole this morning. Well...he was shouting. I was calmly calling him an asshole.<br />
<br />
There was the usual scrum at the doors, and this cocksucker decides that he's more important than the rest of us and positions himself in the middle of the scrum, by-passing everyone at the back. When the train arrives, he pushes his way through; even cuts off a girl in front of me. Sadly, she backs down and lets him in.<br />
<br />
Not me. As though you'd be surprised by that.<br />
<br />
"Asshole," I say, loud enough for him to hear. I want to call him out and make him step back.<br />
<br />
No response.<br />
<br />
"You're being an asshole," I say, louder.<br />
<br />
Again, no response.<br />
<br />
So I push his arm to get his attention. Before I can call him out and tell him to get to the back like everyone else, he whirls around and shouts "Why did you shove me?!"<br />
<br />
"Because you're being an asshole," I say, keeping my voice calm. "You butt in front of everyone else."<br />
<br />
"I did not!" He shouts. "There was no queue."<br />
<br />
I laugh at him. He's obviously a simple man and has a low IQ. "Yes there was," I say, "and you cut in front of everyone else."<br />
<br />
"No I didn't," he shouts, "there was no queue."<br />
<br />
Behind me, a man says, very loudly, "Yes there was. And you cut in front of everyone. We all saw it."<br />
<br />
I turn and flash a brilliant smile at my knight in shining armor. Man, he was cute.<br />
<br />
Buddy changes his story now. "Everyone is butting in."<br />
<br />
No, actually, they aren't. Just rude pricks like you butt in. But I didn't say that.<br />
<br />
As we walked into the train, he kept going on and on and on. Through the doors, up the landing, up the stairs to the second level. Kept going on and on about how I shoved him. I was getting tired of his ranting. He had no defense, no argument; just kept asking me why I shoved him.<br />
<br />
We're at the top of the stairs, now, on the second level. He stops and turns to me.<br />
<br />
"Why did you shove me?" he asks. Several people turn to watch.<br />
<br />
"Because you were being an asshole," I say.<br />
<br />
"Yeah? Well...you were being a FUCKING asshole." <i>Oh. Good one. What are you, ten?</i><br />
<br />
I smile. "I didn't use that word."<br />
<br />
Oddly, he didn't have a response for that. He just huffed at me and went and sat down.<br />
<br />
Don't. Fuck. With. Me.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-76246939099245391872012-02-07T08:24:00.000-05:002012-02-07T08:24:55.077-05:00Tuesday, February 7, 2012OH HAPPY DAYS!!!<br />
<br />
I didn't go to work yesterday, so I missed the first day of GO Transit FuckUpAlooza. And thank the gods for that, cuz if the text messages I received are any indication, I stayed home on the right day. <br />
<br />
As most of you know, by now, Ajax GO Station is under construction. The most recent phase is to install a pedestrian tunnel from the platform. When it's done, it will be a good thing. But, until then, we get to deal with half a platform. This will likely take a year to complete. <br />
<br />
Oh joy.<br />
<br />
Oh bliss. <br />
<br />
The one and only good thing that has come of this is the security. This morning, as I came up the escalator, my heart sang out! At the top of the stairs was a yellow-clad security guard, ensuring that the doorway was clear, and no one was blocking the exit. <br />
<br />
Hallelujah!!<br />
<br />
It was all I could do to keep from doing my Happy Dance. This construction thing may not be so bad, after all.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-16338271276659203872012-01-31T08:42:00.003-05:002012-01-31T17:39:44.760-05:00Primping on the TrainWhen I went to add the previous post to Twitter, I saw this gem from <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/GOTrainHate">@GOTrainHate</a>: <br />
<br />
[Video was removed. Damn!]<br />
<br />
Let me tell you what it was...<br />
<br />
Some dizzy bitch is blow drying...ACTUALLY BLOW DRYING!!...her hair on the GO Train, using the window as a mirror. The people around her don't even seem to be reacting. <br />
<br />
I'd have to be pretty fucking drunk to do this. I have cajones, but they're not big enough to pull that off. <br />
<br />
Wow. And I get upset when people put on make-up. Clearly I need to set the bar a little higher.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Edit</b>: RonNasty pointed out to me that the video has now been removed. That's funny, really. I only saw it a few hours ago. This says to me that everyone (quite possibly including the 'director') knew that was wrong on so many levels. </i>GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-48640084492205382852012-01-31T08:27:00.000-05:002012-01-31T08:27:50.203-05:00January 31, 2012We arrive at Union Station. I walk down the stairs and join the queue. I'm standing on the mid-level, right below the stairs. There is a man in front of me and line of people to the door. Some guy stands right behind me. So close that I can't move without touching him. He has a newspaper open and he's reading. <br />
<br />
Now, I know that my pesonal space is quite large and I have issues with strangers touching me. But this guy was all up in my face. Or ass, if you will. I kept glancing back but he wouldn't back off. <br />
<br />
The queue moves and we're standing at the doorway. He follows right behind me, stepping on my heels. I look back. Give him the evil eye. <br />
<br />
When I turn back...and we're still waiting for the doors to open...Bubba has the nerve...the fucking nerve!...to press his fat belly up against me. <br />
<br />
I just about hurled. I turned around and glared at him. He just looked at me as if to say "What? You want a piece of this?"<br />
<br />
No sir, I do NOT want a piece of you. I can't imagine anyone does. <br />
<br />
"Back off!" I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Fucker."GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-55904426440789749212012-01-23T08:33:00.000-05:002012-01-23T08:33:33.386-05:00January 23, 2012That's it! I've had enough!!<br />
<br />
I'm riding up the escalator this morning. I can see there is a crowd at the top of the stairs. A woman, just behind me and to my right, tripped on the escalator because there wasn't enough room for her to step off. <br />
<br />
There wasn't enough room because the landing was crowded with stupid people. Stupid lemmings who were funnelling through the ONE door that was open. Is everyone so mentally challenged that they can't even <em>push</em> the door open? <br />
<br />
But the lemmings weren't the entire reason for the crowding.<br />
<br />
There were two ditsy bitches standing at the top of the narrow stairwell, peering through the glass wall, waiting for the 7:01. Why are you are you standing there? Global warming has taken over and it is downright balmy today...8°C so says the weather man. It is NOT cold outside. And if you think it <em>is</em>, maybe you should dress better for the weather. It is January, after all. It tends to cool down a little this time of year. <br />
<br />
GO Transit needs to get on the ball and monitor the stairwells. Tell people to get the fuck outside. The shelters along the platform are there for a reason. If commuters don't want to stand outside like the rest of us, then they can drive to work. <br />
<br />
Don't kid yourself, GO Transit. If someone is injured because the stairwell was crowded, you will be found negligent. And everyone who has been injured in the past will come forward. God, I love the smell of a class-action in the morning!GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-47593353604519952752012-01-09T08:02:00.000-05:002012-01-09T08:02:06.282-05:00January 9, 2012Listen, jackass...I was polite enough to let you in front of me into the queue of people getting off the train. I could have pressed myself against the man in front of me as though I knew him in a "knew him" way, but I didn't. I thought I'd be nice and let you in. <br />
<br />
And you, you ditz, with the pink ear buds, I let you in, too. Even though you were popping your gum (which I hate. What are you, six?). <br />
<br />
Did either one of you say thank you? Glance up at me, make eye contact for a moment and smile? No. Nothing from either of you. No acknowledgement, not even a careless shrug. <br />
<br />
And people wonder why I'm such a bitch.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-52637479924221344192012-01-06T08:06:00.000-05:002012-01-06T08:06:21.602-05:00January 6, 2012Am I the only person who gets pissed off at the scrum jumpers? I'm talking about the people who join the group of commuters already gathered together at the point on the platform we're all sure the conductor will align the car door. <br />
<br />
Completely aside from this rant, let's all agree that the conduct screws this up on a regular basis. Now let's move on. <br />
<br />
When I arrive at the station in the morning, there are perhaps ten people positioned where I usually get on. I stand at the back of the scrum. Many of the people who come after me walk straight to the front and stand at the yellow line. Really? Who are you that you're more important than the other people who were here ten minutes ago? Do you mind if I 'accidentally' step on the back of your heel when you walk in front of me?<br />
<br />
The evening shenanigans are not much different. The crowd gathers at the double doors to the stairwell. There's always a few fuckers that have to come from way behind us and try to get in at the front. Yeah, well, not on my watch, buddy. If I can, I'll block you. If you manage to weasel your way in front of me, I'm not breaking stride and I <em>will</em> step on your heels. <br />
<br />
It never fails that the buddinskies are the slow walkers, meandering down the corridor like it's a lazy summer stroll. Seriously? You cut me off back there and now you're going to drag your feet? Get the fuck outta my way.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-53921402989830705592012-01-04T08:23:00.000-05:002012-01-04T08:23:54.518-05:00January 4, 2012Alright. New Year. New Attitude. Right?<br />
<br />
I thought about deleting this blog. Being this angry can't possibly be healthy. Then I reminded myself that keeping it all in isn't either. <br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
All you idiots who stand at the top of the escalator at the Ajax GO Station need to get the fuck out outside. It's January. There's thing we call winter that happens every year. It gets cold. There's also this really neat invention called a Winter Coat. <br />
<br />
Get one.<br />
<br />
I get that it's cold outside. But you, standing at the top of the escalator, blocking the doorway, impeding the flow of traffic, is only making things worse. There isn't enough room at the top to have everyone standing there AND have people come up the escalator and go out the door. The flow of traffic gets backed up, people are stuck on the escalator--which is still moving, I might add--and it becomes a domino effect. <br />
<br />
It's dangerous. <br />
<br />
Grow a pair, get your ass outside with the rest of us, and get the hell outta the way.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-45034199001691964132011-12-07T08:12:00.000-05:002011-12-07T08:12:29.137-05:00December 7, 2011The Ajax GO Station parking lot is a complete clusterfuck. <br />
<br />
A new parking garage is being built. An excellent idea, as you need to have a Sherpa guide to get to the back lot. The problem is that the former Kiss-and-Ride is now closed. There's a new K&R, just south of the old section. It is a longer walk, but only about two minutes. It's not like it doubles your commute time. <br />
<br />
Of course, the lazy asses who can't walk the extra two minutes are dropped off on the opposite side. The side that pedestrians walk through, where a convenience store and dry cleaners are located, and where the day care centre is located. <br />
<br />
There is a large sign that says this is not the drop-off zone. It even has an arrow pointing you in the direction you should go, in the event that the Ministry of Transportation has issued a driver's licence to an illiterate person. <br />
<br />
Still, assholes drive through that section every fucking day and drop off their lazy passengers. Keep in mind that this section is a dead end zone. There's no place to turn around. So these morons are doing three-point turns (and not very well, I might add) at the same time everyone else is. It's just a matter of time before the area is turned into a bumper car lot. <br />
<br />
And it's just a matter of time before a pedestrian is struck. <br />
<br />
We all know the construction won't be done any time soon, nor will it be completed on time. Do we have to wait until someone is hurt before something is done about this?GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-74295068092179795422011-12-06T08:09:00.000-05:002011-12-06T08:09:48.881-05:00December 6, 2011How hard is this to figure out?<br />
<br />
If you go up the left side of the elevator, you go out the left side of the double doors.<br />
If you go up the right side of the elevator, you go out the right side of the double doors.<br />
<br />
This isn't rocket science. It's basic logic. And manners. <br />
<br />
Don't go up the right side, then cut in front of me when I'm on the left, so you can go out the one open door that all the other lemmings are filing through. If you do, I'm going to step on your foot or bang into you. And don't look at me as if it's MY fault. You're the idiot who didn't look before changing lanes.<br />
<br />
And if you're walking up, don't stop six steps from the top. The escalator isn't going to suck you in (though I really wish it would). Keep walking. There are more people behind you. I'm one of them. And as I've said before, it's all about me.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-68589840876718277562011-12-01T08:12:00.000-05:002011-12-01T08:12:37.165-05:00December 1, 2011It's been a while, I know. I've been busy. Don't bug me. <br />
<br />
So....<br />
<br />
This morning, I'm booting it for the 7:01 Ajax LSE train to Union. I hate starting my day literally running. It just sets a precedent for the rest of the day. <br />
<br />
I get on the train, sitting in a different car than normal. There's this obnoxious prick talking at the top of his lungs two quads away from me. Everyone can hear him. We're all glaring at him. <br />
<br />
Then his phone rings. And, if you can believe it, he talks even louder on the phone. <br />
<br />
Are you fucking kidding me? <br />
<br />
I have been working 14-hour days for more than two months now. I've had a headache for six weeks and it just won't go away. I don't need to start my day off with assholes. I deal with them all day long. I work for one. <br />
<br />
I wanted to go over to this guy and take his cell phone, hold it in my hand like a knuckle ring and punch him in the throat! Jesus!! Shut the fuck up! <br />
<br />
The worse part was he was with a friend. Why didn't his friend tell him to SHUSH? <br />
<br />
Friends don't let friends talk loud on the GO.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-45832420519324853052011-10-19T08:22:00.000-04:002011-10-19T08:22:56.175-04:00Wednesday, October 19, 2011I'm sick and tired of this. What the hell is wrong with you people? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of us commuting with you each and every morning. What makes you think it's OK to cut in front of someone to go through the ONE door that's open. It's like you're all lemmings. I don't have a problem walking off a cliff to have all you idiots follow me. I'm happy to take one for the team, thin out the crowd a little. We could all do with a little less stupid in our lives. <br />
<br />
This morning, as every morning, I'm coming up the escalator. The escalator, of course, is only wide enough for two people. The landing at the top is also narrow. There are only two doors. <br />
<br />
Now, I realize logic does not prevail with the general public. I have come to the conclusion that most people are stupid. But is it not logical to think that if you ride up the escalator on the right side, that you exit through the door on the right? And, in turn, if you ride up the escalator on the left side, you exit through the door on the left. It makes sense, right? <br />
<br />
Not to the morons at the Ajax station. No. These idiots travel up the escalator on the right...dum dee dum dum dum...and veer off to the left to cut in front of the people who have walked up the escalator, because that's the only door that is open. Really? Are you so fucking lazy that you can't push open the door on your side? You have to cut in front of me to go through the one door that's open? <br />
<br />
This morning, some stupid broad thinks she's going to cut in front of me. I don't look at her, I don't break stride...I just keep walking up the escalator, across the tiny landing and through the door on the left. Oh, she tried to cut me off, but I just kept walking, blocked her like a linebacker.<br />
<br />
Not on my watch, honey. Not on my watch.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-78337771095175837712011-10-11T11:18:00.000-04:002011-10-11T11:18:07.596-04:00Tuesday, October 11, 2011Are you fucking kidding me? Today's Delay Excuse is doors and signals. Doors and signals. Really? If you're going to placate us, at least come up with a more creative excuse. <br />
<br />
I did something I've said I've always wanted to do. I got on the eastbound train going to Oshawa and stayed on it until it went back to Toronto. I was surprised how many other people did the same thing. There were at least two people in every quad when we got to Oshawa. And none of them got off. By the time we got to Whitby, it was standing room only. Pickering was shoulder to shoulder. <br />
<br />
I have to admit, I was a little smug sitting in my window seat. <br />
<br />
GO Transit had the balls to make announcements at Ajax, telling people to take the bus to Pickering to catch the train that departed from that station. Which, it turns out, was also delayed. <br />
<br />
Use your head, GO Transit How many people fit on a train? Do you really believe the same number of people will fit on a bus? This isn't a Rowling novel where the vehicles are miraculously larger inside. This is the real world. Real people, with real jobs, who are in real trouble because your system failed. Our bosses don't give a shit that we're late because the transit system sucks. Our bosses are screaming at us because we're almost two hours late for work and they have a deadline. <br />
<br />
To add insult to injury, the United Way was screaming at the station, jangling their money cans (that wasn't a euphemism, by the way, though it might increase donations). Even if I had intended to drop a few coins in the bucket, I wouldn't have because GO Transit pissed me off so much. I wasn't exactly feeling charitable this morning. I wonder how many others felt the same way. <br />
<br />
And even better...I received a GO Survey. "Tell us what you think of GO’s station web pages". Oh, I'll tell you what I think, alright, but you may not want to hear it.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-47259425717146577882011-10-05T22:45:00.024-04:002011-10-07T08:14:06.493-04:00Wednesday, October 5, 2011I took the 21:13 home tonight. Overtime. As I'm taking my seat, I notice The Twins. I've seen them once before, didn't really think anything of it then. But this time they really stood out. So to speak. <br />
<br />
Two black men, I'm guessing in their 50s. Identical twins. Identical outfits. That's right. Grown men, wearing the same clothes. On purpose. It's sweet that their momma still dresses them. <br />
<br />
They're a little short, maybe 5'3 or 5'4. Kinda sway from side to side when they walk. They look like Oompa Loompas. It's a little creepy. <br />
<br />
I couldn't resist. I texted <a href="http://www.thiscrazytrain.com/">CJ</a>. She said she knew who I was talking about. Thank the gods! I was beginning to wonder if I was hallucinating. Or drinking too much. <br />
<br />
I hope they start handing out Wonka candies.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-42657570218517749252011-09-27T21:31:00.000-04:002011-09-27T21:31:41.430-04:00Tuesday, September 27, 2011I walk home from the GO Train most nights. I see drivers do some pretty stupid things. I've been struck --- twice -- by a car. But that's another blog post. <br />
<br />
Tonight, I saw a bus driver do what many car drivers do. <br />
<br />
At approximately 6:42 p.m., Bus #8006 was making its first turn off Westney Road. There were pedestrians crossing the street. Their light was green. The bus began its turn and had to stop, blocking southbound traffic, and wait for the pedestrians--a cyclist and two pedestrians, to be specific. <br />
<br />
As a bus driver, someone whose job is to shuttle pedestrians around, wouldn't you be more aware of pedestrians crossing the intersection? And, in particular, an intersection you travel through every day? <br />
<br />
This isn't the first time I've witnessed this. It happens more often than you'd think. And far more often than it should (given that it shouldn't happen at all). <br />
<br />
Then again, the Passenger Charter doesn't specifically promise that drivers won't run down pedestrians. And the Passenger Charter is all about passenger safety, right?GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-27962983816958699782011-09-22T08:04:00.001-04:002011-09-22T08:23:26.930-04:00Thursday, September 22, 2011There was an annoying couple sitting in the accessability seats by the doors. I was sitting two quads down. They were watching some video of a baby crying. Without headphones. <br />
<br />
Really??<br />
<br />
This is not a Cineplex auditorium, or even your living room with surround sound. It's a GO Train. Put your damn headphones in! <br />
<br />
And when they finally stopped watching the videos, they carried on a conversation that I could hear all the way down to my seat. Jesus, people! Shut the EFF up!! <br />
<br />
When I got off the train, some stupid broad was wandering along a narrow part of the platform, lost in her own thoughts, blocking the way for others, as though she's taking a pleasant stroll through a lovely country garden. Get outta the way, lady, or you're gonna get run over. If you don't want to play with the big kids, step outta the sand box until play time is over. <br />
<br />
And what was with the priest at the Ajax GO Station this morning? Was there an exorcism I wasn't aware of? Obviously the holy water missed a lot of people this morning.GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-85290907737558998092011-09-20T09:18:00.001-04:002011-09-22T08:05:53.109-04:00Tuesday, September 20, 2011I know. I've been busy. Not to mention these meds are working very well. I'll speak to my doctor and tell him to cut down the dose. My peeps need to hear me rant. I'm sure he'll understand. <br />
<br />
The last few days have me hankering to bitch, though. I was on vacation last week, and yesterday...my first day back and Monday, no less...I'm surrounded by talkers. <br />
<br />
Talkers in the morning. Talkers in the evening. Jesus, people! Shut the EFF up!! You don't need to shout into your cell phone. The microphone amplifies your voice and the caller can hear you quite well. So can I, for that matter, four rows down from you! I don't care if your brother can't make it to the party. No one else on the train cares either. I felt really bad for the poor shmuck sitting beside the woman last night who nattered on and on and on and on....<br />
<br />
I did see something quite peculiar this morning that made me laugh. I was walking to the office, my GO sidekick next to me. As we approached Bay and Front, we both noticed a woman in front of us, holding a baby carrier. You know the kind...nest the little one in the carrier so it can coo and laugh and sleep, and the handle flips up for carrying. <br />
<br />
Well, the carrier was empty, except for a bottle of apple juice. <br />
<br />
My sidekick turns to me. "I think she forgot something on the train." <br />
<br />
"I think so, too," I say.<br />
<br />
"She didn't listen to the announcement to check under the seat and make sure she collected all of her personal belongings." <br />
<br />
"No she didn't."GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-7654737467058949572011-09-06T16:37:00.000-04:002011-09-06T16:37:12.257-04:00Tuesday, September 6, 2011Back to school, back to work. My usual car was surprisingly empty this morning. Perhaps all the anxious parents stayed home to send the kiddies off to school. <br />
<br />
We did get this message from GO Transit: <br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: #274e13;">At GO Transit, we take your safety seriously and your safe commute with us begins as soon as you enter our parking lots. As a result, we'd like to remind you to always park in designated spots. Parking in an emergency access route, blocking other vehicles with your car, or limiting access to accessible parking spaces may result in your vehicle being ticketed and towed.</span><br />
<br />
This is a perfect example of how my generation has raised a subsequent generation of spoiled brats. We don't discipline. It's all about time outs and never following through with the threats. When my dad said he was going to turn around and go home if we didn't cut it out, he meant it. He only did it twice before we realized he meant business. <br />
<br />
Wagging your finger at stupid commuters is not going to solve the problem. If you say you're going to tow, then tow. Piss or get of the pot, GO Transit. <br />
<br />
And may I add that someone needs to speak to the illiterate commuters at the Ajax station. There is a designated Kiss-n-GO area. Granted, it's under construction. I get that your commute is screwed up. But there is a specific area that is NOT a drop-off or pick-up zone. That's the area by the day care centre. <br />
<br />
People rip through there like it's the Indy and pay no attention to commuters walking through the lot. They get pissed off at us when we walk through the lot. My response is, you shouldn't be there. There's a huge-mother sign that says this is NOT the drop-off area. I can't tell you how many times I've smacked the back window of a car that is backing up. Why do I smack the window, you ask? Because the asshole driving the car would have hit me otherwise. <br />
<br />
And they get mad because I've hit their window. <br />
<br />
First of all, it's highly unlikely that my superpowers lend to breaking windshield glass. And second...<strong>you shouldn't be in that area</strong>! Read the fucking sign. Me smacking your windshield is far less troublesome than the criminal charges that will follow if you hit me. Trust me on this. <br />
<br />
</span>GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-3408945060831029302011-08-12T08:30:00.002-04:002011-08-12T08:33:41.731-04:00Friday, August 12, 2011A few days ago, my Go Train friend sent me a text message. He said he had a blog-worthy picture, but couldn't take it without being caught and he just had to tell SOMEONE. Do tell, I say. And so he does:<br />
<br />
Him: <span style="color: blue;">553? if you're on 553 you need to get to car 2115</span>.<br />
<br />
Me: <span style="color: magenta;">taking 643. tell me</span>. <br />
<br />
Him: <span style="color: blue;">ok...here we go. Early 20s, wf, shapely legs, daisy dukes that are shorter than i've ever seen before...may even break some laws, sitting in the 3 seats by the door. legs wide apart.</span><br />
<br />
Me: <span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;">!!!!!!!</span><br />
<br />
Him: <span style="color: blue;">At times, and here is the kicker, she puts a flipflop free foot up on the pole...like 3' up the pole, constantly txting. for this, I don't mind ppl putting their bare feet wherever they want.</span><br />
<br />
Me: <span style="color: magenta;">perv! what's everyone else doing? R they looking at her?</span><br />
<br />
Him: <span style="color: blue;">NO! I know, right?!</span><br />
<br />
As you can imagine, the conversation took a serious nose-dive after that. There was a lot of discussion on how he could take the picture without getting arrested. We agreed it wasn't possible, and I didn't have enough bail money on me. <br />
<br />
I'm wondering if her parents know how she behaves in public. Then again, depending on how far east she lives on the LSE line, they could very well be proud. Perhaps, one day, their baby girl will be on Jerry. <br />
<br />
GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-49096254217922435922011-08-11T10:05:00.000-04:002011-08-11T10:05:20.351-04:00Thursday, August 11, 2011C.J. over at This Crazy Train <a href="http://www.thiscrazytrain.com/2011/08/ay-yi-yi-papi-have-you-see-this-tell.html">already beat me to this</a>, but I cannot let this news bite go by without commenting. <br />
<br />
Here's the premise: McGuinty, in order to get votes (let's be honest, it's the only reason he'd do this), is making a promise he cannot possibly keep. He proposes that GO Transit refund fares when a ride is 15 minutes late. <br />
<br />
What is the catch? Oh, don't pooh pooh my cynicism. If you didn't think the same thing, you haven't been taking the train long enough. <br />
<br />
The catch is that GO will determine what is deemed a delay. And note that there is no stipulation made for cancellations. I once read (and, dammit, I wish I could find that blog again!) that GO will cancel a train that will be 30 minutes late (or whatever their cutoff time is) because cancelled trains do not fall into the "sorry-we-were-late" category. This keeps their "on-time" status up. This is how they can say they run 90-something percent on time. <br />
<br />
So, McGuinty says: <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">“In those circumstances over which we have control, like equipment failure or the management of the tracks, including sharing with other users, we take responsibility for those kinds of things,” Mr. McGuinty said while making the announcement at a GO station west of Toronto.</span><br />
<br />
First of all, what is this "we" shit. As though McGuinty works at GO Transit and has any clue about commuting. <br />
<br />
We all know what this really means. It means that the GO alerts we've been receiving--telling us the delay is due to switch problems--will now say the delay is due to passenger illness (how will we know?), extreme weather conditions (do leaves on the track constitute 'extreme'?) and accidents. <br />
<br />
C.J. <a href="http://www.thiscrazytrain.com/2011/08/ay-yi-yi-papi-have-you-see-this-tell.html">described the accident scenario</a> best. <br />
*snort* <br />
Good one C.J.! <br />
<br />
GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-21146205982421858602011-08-05T09:02:00.000-04:002011-08-05T09:02:39.010-04:00Friday, August 5, 2011It is clear that Air Canada is taking customer service cues from GO Transit. <br />
<br />
An airplane, departing from Toronto, <a href="http://bit.ly/rmPm7A">veers off the runway</a>, onto the grassy knoll, sinks down and is rendered useless. Passengers are left on the airplane for three hours. Three hours!!! <br />
<br />
When I watched the news this morning, the news reader said the passengers were only told the airplane was having equipment issues. <br />
<br />
Equipment issues? Really? The airplane drove off the fucking runway! How is that an equipment issue?<br />
<br />
Instead of making up some random excuse, why can't businesses be honest? The pilot should have come over the PA system:<br />
<br />
"Um...guys? Yeah...listen. I was texting my buddy, and I wasn't paying attention, and I kinda drove off the tarmac a little. Sorry. My bad. We're just gonna sit here for a bit. The Trolly Tarts are gonna walk up and down the aisles and hand out free booze. Smoke 'em if you got 'em."GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-6490199579493779622011-08-03T16:11:00.000-04:002011-08-03T16:11:05.730-04:00Wednesday, August 3, 2011It's been quite a while since I've posted anything. Sorry about that. It boils down to two reasons: It's stupid busy at work, and whatever has pissed me off, I've managed to let go. I think I found a pusher with good shit. <br />
<br />
Today I received yet another GO Transit survey. Shouldn't they address the last survey before releasing another? Just sayin'. <br />
<br />
So, here we go... (you may want to take a nap first.)<br />
<br />
GO Writes: <br />
<br />
GO Transit is improving the way our printed and online schedules, quick tables, station display boards and station maps look and read. <br />
<br />
Earlier this month, we conducted focus groups with GO customers and non-customers to ask their opinion on new schedule designs and would like to know what you think about them too. <br />
<br />
Please take the following survey and let us know what you think. Your opinion will help us make improvements to our schedules and to continue to meet our customers’ needs. <br />
<br />
This survey may take up to ten minutes of your time. Your participation is appreciated and completing this survey will enter you in a draw to win one of three great monthly prizes.<br />
<br />
1. Currently, GO Transit provides its customers with many types of schedules. Which of these schedule types do you use most often to get GO Transit schedule information? <br />
<br />
A: Printed timetables, simply because I have one at work and one at home and it’s easily accessible. I also checked online tables, but I don’t use them as often. <br />
<br />
2. In order of preference, how you would prefer to get GO Transit schedule information? <br />
<br />
A: Printed Tables, Online Tables, Smartphone Tables. The key here is whether the schedules available online will be up-to-date.<br />
<br />
3. How often do you use the following types of schedules to get GO Transit schedule information? <br />
<br />
A: One of the selections was ‘Station Display Boards’. If you’re at the station, isn’t it too late to get schedule information? Shouldn’t you pretty much know what you’re doing before you get there? Just sayin’.<br />
<br />
4. How would you rate each of the following types of schedule in terms of ease of getting the information you require? <br />
<br />
A: Let’s be clear about one thing here. It doesn’t matter what I answered, or what you answered, the first time you looked at a GO Transit timetable, you shit yourself, didn’t you? You looked at all those columns and rows and numbers and station names and thought, how the hell am I ever going to figure out how to get from A to B? And God forbid should I need to side-track to X or Y!<br />
<br />
5. Other than schedule information, when looking at the current printed timetables, what type(s) of information do you look for? <br />
<br />
A: There were a lot of choices in this list, none of which I use, except to confirm whether the trip I want to take is express and actually goes beyond Pickering. I also want to know what the departure and arrival times are. Other than that, I’m at the mercy of GO Transit (God help us!).<br />
<br />
6. How would you rate the current printed timetables in terms of… <br />
<br />
A: One selection was “providing you information on the area surrounding the station.” I can see this may appeal to tourists, but locals? Do people really jump on the GO Train and wait until they look at a map before they decide where to go? Or, perhaps I’m misinterpreting this. Perhaps the intention is to provide people who know where they want to go with information on how to get there. Still, I’d just call GO Transit and ask Customer Service. I don’t think the maps are user friendly.<br />
<br />
And now we get to see new concepts for the timetables. Hmm….<br />
<br />
7. In recent focus groups, customers were shown a variety of different covers for the new printed timetable concepts. Based on their feedback, we made a few changes and narrowed down the choices to two of the best covers. Please look at these covers and answer the following questions:<br />
<br />
7.1 Select the cover that most appeals to you (I'm paraphrasing here, as I forgot to write down the question).<br />
<br />
A: I picked Cover 2 for all the answers on this. I like white space. <br />
<br />
7.2 Using the highlighter, please select elements of the new covers that you like the most or click 'Next' to skip to the following question.<br />
<br />
A: OK. Give me a moment here. When I read this, I immediately thought “Oooh! Highlighter.” Then I clicked the highlighter button. My cursor became a huge-ass highlighter! How frickin’ cool is that?! AND there was an eraser! I may not leave this page.<br />
<br />
7.3 What elements of the new covers do you dislike? <br />
<br />
A: I like the new covers, so I picked None of the Above. I did add that the photos could be more interesting. They’re a little ho-hum. <br />
<br />
7.4 Using the highlighter, please select elements of the new instructions page that you like the most or click 'Next' to skip to the following question. <br />
<br />
A: More highlighter!! This is fun! I admit that I do have an old schedule, but nowhere does it tell you how to read the timetable. I like that they’ve added instructions. <br />
<br />
7.5 On the current GO Transit schedules we often use down arrows (↓) to designate transfer points. We are thinking about changing the symbols that indicate transfers/connections between trains/buses on the new schedules to this: [they had a pic of the symbol]. <br />
<br />
A: Oh yeah. That’s much better. It took me a while figure out what the arrows meant when I was a newbie. <br />
<br />
7.6 What elements of the new instructions page do you dislike? <br />
<br />
A: None of the above. (do you think they’ll hand out highlighters with the new tables? I hope so!)<br />
<br />
7.7 Using the highlighter, please select elements of the new schedule concept that you like the most or click 'Next' to skip to the following question. <br />
<br />
A: Again, more highlighting. Could this be any more fun?! There really isn’t any major difference, other than the train and bus symbols. But I like those, so they’re yellow now. <br />
<br />
7.8 What elements of the new schedule do you dislike? <br />
<br />
A: None of the above. It is what it is. I’ll live with it. I mean, really, how can you impart this much information without killing a small forest? <br />
<br />
7.9 Using the highlighter please select elements of the new back page that you like the most or click 'Next' to skip to the following question. <br />
<br />
A: The proposed back page is basically Presto propaganda. Really? Is it necessary to take up the whole back page for this? The old back page has important information like holiday service schedules and telephone numbers. I assume this will go somewhere in the timetable, but it’s easily accessible on the back. I only circled the contact information. It’s the only information I need from the new back. Besides, it just tells you to go to the Presto site. Oh, thanks, that was very helpful.<br />
<br />
7.10 Overall, how would you rate the new printed timetables? <br />
<br />
A: I marked everything as Good. It’s not excellent, and it doesn’t suck. So it’s Good. <br />
<br />
7.11 Other than schedule information, when looking at the current online schedules on your PC/Mac/laptop, what type(s) of information do you look for? <br />
<br />
A: I don’t use GO as my main means of transportation. Let’s face it, it’s not like the TTC. So I don’t look for the detailed information they seem to be so proud of providing. I only want to know when my train leaves and when it arrives (though we all know that despite the fact that it’s in writing, it’s not guaranteed). <br />
<br />
7.12 How would you rate the current online schedules? <br />
<br />
A: I didn’t give this a good rating. Mostly Poor and Fair. <br />
<br />
7.13 How would you like to search for schedules and information on GO Transit’s online schedules and maps webpage? <br />
<br />
A: This was difficult to answer. Sometimes (not often, but sometimes) I need to know where it’s stopping and I do travel to other stations periodically. So, a drop-down list, printer-friendly schedules as well as comprehensive planner were all good ideas.<br />
<br />
7.14 You will now see the new GO Transit map concept, followed by a few questions about it. The concept is an example of the Milton corridor map. <br />
<br />
A: My immediate thought was that it wasn’t very clear what the cross streets were. However, I did like the train and bus symbols to identify the two lines, and I liked that they added a few highlights at some stops (i.e. Square One). That’s helpful for someone like me who never takes the Milton Line, for instance. It might be helpful to add a landmark at each station. <br />
<br />
7.15 How would you rate the new map style? <br />
<br />
A: The overall feeling was the only thing that got a Good. The colours, layout and clarity are Fair to Poor. Plus, I’m colour-blind. If they had a blue and green line, I’d be lost. More so than usual. <br />
<br />
7.16 What elements of the new map style do you dislike? <br />
<br />
A: There were some interesting choices for answers. The bus route is very busy and overwhelming. The train route doesn’t stand apart from it. Major intersections need to be labelled and the text wasn’t easy to read. I’m assuming that’s because we were looking at a scanned picture on the web. I sure hope it will be clearer when they go to print. One choice that made me smile was “I couldn't tell which direction was North”. Lake Ontario is clearly marked on the map. If you don’t know where north is based on that, perhaps you shouldn’t be leaving your house, let alone taking public transit. However, if the lake was not visible, and particularly if you’re not familiar with the area, you’d have a hard time figuring it out without a small compass logo. <br />
<br />
7.17 If given a choice between the two maps below which of the two do you prefer? <br />
<br />
A: This was a tough one. But I’ll admit that my immediate choice was the second map. It’s simple, easy to read and you are not distracted and overwhelmed by the street lines. <br />
<br />
7.18 Why did you choose Map 2? <br />
<br />
A: It’s easier to read. I always have a general idea of the location of my destination and never rely on a GO Transit map for details directions. I use a proper map for that, if necessary. I only use the GO map to determine the location of a station. <br />
<br />
7.19 If a decision was made to no longer have printed schedules, and only provide schedule information through quick tables, online schedules and on station display boards, what impact would this have on you? <br />
<br />
A: Some impact – I prefer to use the printed schedules, but would adjust. I really wanted to check “Significant impact – I only use the printed schedules” because I hate looking up the information on line, but I get that we shouldn’t be levelling forests just so I can read a GO Train schedule. <br />
<br />
7.20 Are you aware that GO schedule information is available on Google Maps? <br />
<br />
A: Oh yeah, like Google Maps is reliable. Do you know how many stupid people have driven into swamps by following Google and GPS? <br />
<br />
8.0 Do you have any additional comments or feedback for GO Transit regarding the changes we are making to our schedules? If so please let us know what you think in the box below. <br />
<br />
A: I said a few more things. Nothing bad. No, honest! Then this: “It is much faster to grab the schedule and flip it open (I've highlighted the times I usually take) than to log into my computer, open a browser, open the GO site, find the Schedule menu, find my route, find the time then try to interpret what the schedule means.”<br />
<br />
That's it. Did you get a survey request? Did you complete it?GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939111108184262280.post-69745223602852138852011-07-22T08:44:00.000-04:002011-07-22T08:44:49.699-04:00Friday, July 22, 2011I received a series of GO News Alerts this morning.<br />
</br><br />
<em>First email sent at 07:15</em>:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Oshawa 07:00 - Union 07:50 train trip is holding at Oshawa due to a track switch issue. The current delay is 15 minutes. An update will be provided when your train is on the move.</span><br />
<br />
This was sent at precisely 07:15. That means GO Transit sent me an email 15 minutes after the train was supposed to depart Oshawa, to tell me that the train was 15 minutes late. I know I suck at math, but I'm confident I could have done the calculation on that one on my own. <br />
</br><br />
<em>Second email sent at 07:18</em>: <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Oshawa 07:15 - Union 08:05 train trip is estimated to be delayed 10-15 minutes from Oshawa due to a track switch issue. </span><br />
<br />
Now, I know that there is always the possibility that the conductor will make up some time and the train will arrive at Union station pretty close to its scheduled time, but if the previous train is delayed 15 minutes, would it not be reasonable to assume the following train will also be delay by an equal amount of time? <br />
</br><br />
<em>Third email sent at 07:29</em>:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Update: The Oshawa 07:00 - Union 07:50 train trip is on the move, delayed 25 minutes late from Oshawa due to a track switch issue.</span><br />
<br />
Back to the first delay. Someone really needs to get their calculator out. <br />
</br><br />
<em>Fourth email sent at 07:39</em>:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Lakeshore East Line Passengers: You may experience a longer commute than usual this morning due to a track switch issue just east of Whitby. GO Trains on your line are currently delayed up to 30 minutes. We are working to resolve this issue and resume your normal schedule. We thank you for you patience and will provide you with updates as we receive more information.</span><br />
<br />
Aaah...now it all make sense. They were just shooting crap out their yaws to appease us. Somewhere, someone is saying: "The whole thing is going to hell in a hand-basket. Just type anything. Use the Track Switch Excuse series." <br />
<br />
And even as I wrote this post...<br />
</br><br />
<em>Fifth email sent at 07:55</em>:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Update: The Oshawa 07:15 - Union 08:05 train trip is delayed 35 minutes from Oshawa due to a track switch issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Since the Track Switch Excuse is so often tossed about (and let's for a moment, slip into our fairy tale world and assume this is a legitimate excuse and issue), should GO Transit not be looking at why the switches continuously fail? And...now, stay with me on this, cuz it's going to get complicated in a moment...actually FIX the damn switches? <br />
<br />
Just a thought.<br />
</br>GOTransitBitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03124965587300650136noreply@blogger.com2