Derailment - February 4, 2008

I read Ed's article in the Metro this morning on the derailment and how TTC reacted to it. I think however Ed is missing the real issue.

1. A part fell off the bottom of the train dragging on the track. Is this due to failed maintenace? What if the train had derailed with people on it. Are there not checks done before each run to ensure the trains are in safe working order or at least at the start of shifts. Possibly trains should be taken off service throughout the day to check for damage. These trains make hundreds of trips a day.
2. How about a spare track? I always found it odd that the ttc only has one track each direction. This causes a lot of problems as one delay in the system sends it all to a halt. Having the extra track would allow trains to be removed from the line to make room and allow trains to bypass stations with problems. So there is a customer issue or a train malfunction. Why can't the train simply bypass that station and everything move as usual. Once things are running again open that station. On the Yonge line the stations are not that far apart. If you really needed that station you could get off the next stop and catch the next one back. Trains run every two minutes. Its not like missing one on go.

I hope Ed and more importantly MetroLynks and TTC will read this. The extra track is money better spent than trying to get people to ride their bike to the station by providing showers.

I look forward to hearing comments on this.

Also, check out Ed Drass facebook group and join it to show TTC that we are coping with their incompetance : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10149407497&ref=share