Go Transit's Solution to not enough parking spots

Blocked parking campaign: Please practice safe parking
http://www.gotransit.com/PUBLIC/en/news/whatsnew.htm#Pleasepracticesafeparking

Rather than creating more spots at the stations, they decided it was more profitable for tow truck drivers to just tow the cars away. I would like to hear from Go Transit what else they are doing to fix the parking situation. We got the new parking garage in Burlington, have you thought about doing the same in Oakville?

TTC Parking Lots - Where are the profits going?

The question I have for David Miller is if its only costing 1 to 2 cents per metropass to maintain the parking lots, then where are the profits from the $3 to $12 a day parking going to. I think the ttc riders have a right to know where that money is being spent. Are the factoring in the cost of riders lost when determining the price calls? If so that is a lot of riders.

I noticed too that in the Metro article this morning, a TTC official compared parking at go stations to ttc. Well, Burlington GO created a new parking garage to assist with congestion. They also allowed people to purchase preferred parking. Maybe this is a route TTC should do. Make part of the lot preferred parking at a premium and the rest free to metro pass holders. The few reserved spots could help fund lot maintenance.

Interestingly enough, the TTC has been running the same service over the past 10 years as far as trains, cutting corners on cleanliness of stations and raising fares. So why now are they screaming for more money when there has been no improvements. At least Go Transit has shown some improvement in the past 8 years. New trains, track extensions, but what have we seen from the TTC.

Please post your comments on this article and please fill in the survey at http://www.petitionsite.com the survey is called say NO to TTC.

GO Transit Fare hike. What if GO Transit ran the streets

Firstly let me comment on the GO Transit fare hike. Us riders have been putting up with poor service for so long and now the fake delay numbers are being used to tell us they deserve more because they are 90% on time. Here is the link to the fare increase article.

http://tinyurl.com/bgkqho

Secondly, let's think to if GO Transit ran the roads. Here are some changes in service we possibly would see:

1) Traffic lights would intermittantly work in cold weather or hot weather (Signal issues)
2) Your car would overheat or freeze up in winter on a random basis.
3) Go Transit would convert all streets to toll roads and charge you more money to drive on them every year.
4) Traffic lights would realize that you are already late for work and would adjust the signal to make you later. You are already late so you are in their negative stats. The light for the other direction would stay green until after rush hour.
5) You would in some occasions be allowed to run the red light if it appears they are red in all directions but you must do it a the normal speed limit. Any slower and you would get a speeding ticket.
6) Your radio would be hijacked by Go Transit as they appologize for the safety hazzard they caused by the traffic lights not working.
7) Drivers would be allowed to stop at a red light then the passenger get out and protect the crossing while the driver drives through.
8) Shopping cars and other debris would be placed in front of cars to cause further delays so there is an excuse for poor service.

It would be interesting to see the stats on how often traffic signals fail and how often train signals do. Are they not the same technology? Are there not many times more traffic signals than train track signals.

Shadow Delayed Trains

It is very interesting how GO Trains can be up to 45 minutes late but never make the delay board on the website or hit the alert application.

I challenge anyone to look at the go train schedule for February 26, 2009 and compare the on-time schedule to that posted on the website and to the alerts. You may also want to look at the logs of what train went through what switch as well.

What you will find is if the train ride ends at Union, odds are the delay may not be logged as it did not delay another train. You will find that sometimes trains get flipped to hide delayed trains. It's a conspiracy that should be uncovered as it is deceiving and makes it look like Go Transit is doing a better job than they are. I wonder how many bonuses at Go Transit are tied to ontime.

Green Means Go, Red Means Slow, Yelow Means Go Fast So What Signal Means Stop

I came across two dangerous safety hazzards both for passengers and crew yesterday.

The first was during the morning rush. I took the 7:38 am train from Burlington and upon arriving at Union there was excess traffic so they pulled our train past the switch and past the red signal in behind another train. I have seen this a lot lately and that combined with conductors always having to reposition the train, it could end up being a collision at Union.
Someone may want to investigate this.

The second is a bit more dangerous. I was on the 5:34 pm train out of Union. When we reached Burlington, specifically signal 393P1, we got stopped on all red. Our conductors did their job and called dispatch and they told them to go manually flip the switch. While the employees were at track level flipping the switch and standing on track 2 to do so, another Go Train rushed by and I heard the conductor scream. He looked and was relieved his co-workers were okay. As I looked up at the signals, I noticed all were red except the yellow light in the top corner. So I guess Yellow means go fast. The danger here near the mall is that this part of the track is extremely dark even if the engineer had put on the front light of the train. But the train that rushed by didn't even use his train whistle all we could hear from him was the clacking of the tracks.
If we don't be careful we are going to have another incident like we did on the ttc where an employee got hit in the tunnel.

Safety Issues With The Doors On Go Transit

Since this blog was originally created to bring up safety issues. It seemsa good time to not that this morning's train leaving Burlington at 7:15 am left Appleby Station and after passing the refinery, which means totally clearing the station, they then realized there were door problems.
My question is should it not be common practice to check that all the doors are closedprior to leaving the station. As a safety concern and especially in the winter when all the cold air pushes in while the train is moving probably around 60 km / hour. This season has been plagued with door problems but at least past ones were discovered at the station rather than when the train wasin motion. I will give them credit though. When we stopped at Bronte and the doors opened upon closing thedid check the doors again and found there was trouble. However after traveling 100 metres from the station we were stopped again.

I would love to see a response from vanessa, the spokesman for Go Transit that said they wereoptimistic about the winter season.

I would also like to hear her comment on where the additional fare increase went. You know theone that should have gone to air blowers on the most important switches. Although being pushed pastas an issue in yesterday's delay, the switch in the Oakville train yard that gets used by the 7:15 am and 7:25 amtrains and many other trains every day was frozen. The conductor told us they were manually flipping the switchand they would lie would they? So where is the air blowers on this troublesome switch?

Next time there is a fare increase, I am sure you will hear a public outcry into where this money went. It isbetter for Go Transit to get it all out in the open now as everybody on the train today was talking about that veryissue.

Switch and Statistical Optimization (Post Delayed Just Like GO)

This post is actually from yesterday but given the Go delay I did not have time to post it until now.

This morning is a good example of swich and statistical optimization.The train that was supposed to leave Burlington at 7:25 am was already 4 minutes late when itarrived at Union. We arrived at Oakville at 7:45 am and it was noted that trains were cancelledso our train was additionally crowded. After leaving Oakville we sat literally 100 m from the stationwaiting for a broken switch, however as we sat for the hour, other trains were allowed to pass us in both direction including other Go Trains.
Here is the two statistical optimizations:
1) Cancelled trains to NOT appear on the results on the Go Transit website By cancelling a train that is most likely to run late, it does not affect the stats.2) Since our train was already late and would appear on the stats as a negative, it was better to let all the ontime trains pass us than to back us up to Oakville and let us use another switch.
The other thing to note is that this particular switch seems to be the one that fails most of the time and is highly used. Given this knowledge should this switch not be up for replacement and possiblythe air blowers. There were three CN trucks on scene watching the conductor manually flip the switch.
This brings up a vital concern that Metrolynx and possibly Transport Canada needs to address.Passengers complained about the poor service from Go Transit but rather than actually improvingthe service for all passengers, they are just playing the statistics game.
If anyone has any better explanation on why a train leaving oakville at 7:45 am was still 100 metres from Oakville an hour later when other trains that left Oakville after it arrived at Union Stationon time. I will also note that this is not a one time issue. Over the past month, I personally have been on 2 such trains, one had switch problems like this one, the other had issues with the doors openingand shutting at stations on route. Other trains were allowed to pass us by.

When does 1/2 hour = 1 hours? Under new Go Transit Math

Go Transit Math can be interesting. I left work at 2:30 pm. Missed the 2:43 train even though it was delayed to 2:47pm. The next train was supposed to be 3:43 pm but was cancelled and a new train began at 4:10pm making all stops. Now this all stop train reached long branch and the doors would not close so they got maintenance staff to try and close them. Port Credit, Clarkson gave us the same problems. We rolled into Burlington station at 6:30pm so 4:10 to 6:30 = roughly 2 hours. The train usually takes 1 hour in good weather so that would be a 1 hour delay but according to Go Transit reps on the news trains were only delayed by 1/2 hour. I did notice that while we were stuck a few trains passed us. I am wondering if the train that passed us arrived at Burlington and was flagged in the logs as our train giving it the 1/2 hour delay. Then when ours arrived it became their train giving it a half hour delay or did they simply average the two.

Guessing they averaged the two, a 10 minute delay could then mean that three trains were on time and one was 1/2 hour late. It is my opinion that current metrics for go transit performance is not working.

Good Job TTC. Keep it up. Paramedics in the train

This move is one of the rare good moves the TTC has made lately and I would like
to congratulate them and tell them to keep it up. This is a great way to help save lives
and reduce train delays all in one sweep. You can read the article here.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/545077

Actually there are two good moves they are doing. The second is finally putting up those
protective screens for drivers. Police officers have had them for decades, Cabs have had them for quite a while now too. Its about time buses did the same especially with the 2 am routes through some rough areas.

Service over safety: TTC employees

I challenge anyone who takes the TTC to read this article. I know we all complain about
late trains and buses. We cry for express buses and all but this is not the way to fix the problem.
I for one would rather know I am riding on a safe bus than get there 1/2 hour earlier.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/11/24/7520206.html

The problem here is that public outcry has not led to efficiency in the areas it should.
There are things you can do for us that do not cost more money or put us in danger.

1) Make buying transit passes easier. That means filling the transit pass machines before and during the commute not at 9:00 am at the busiest hub (Union Station)

2) I know some commuters are going to laugh at this but when a train is late Go will appologize on behalf of Go Transit for the delay and make you aware why. When the doors are closing on a train you do not hear Go Transit yelling and screaming about the doors they simply say stand clear and give people a chance to get in. If someone does run the doors the Go Embassador says, "For your safety and the safety of others please stand clear of the doors" Its polite and friendly.

3) Maybe sweep out the stations once in a while. You will save in escalator repairs and maintance and people will start respecting their stations too.

Yes buses are over crowded and we need more so why not order more. It makes you wonder where all the TTC budget goes. I challenge any MP to look into the TTC budget and do an audit and if the books are clean give them more money but I am guessing there are a lot of black holes our money is falling in.

Go Transit Delays and cancellations not being sent out on go alerts

This morning on the Lakeshore Line in burlington the train that normally arrives at 7:15 was 17 minutes late. The 7:25 arrived on time but they decided it would bypass some stops so when the 7:15 train arrived the station worker announced that the 7:43 train was behind us. Our conductor had to correct her so people were not left stranded.

When I got to work I noticed none of these were mentioned in Go Transit Alerts is it possible that they are not being logged in the 90% on time stats either? I remember arriving late on a train and complaining at customer service where they claimed my train was not late when on the board it showed yellow for the next train east since ours was late arriving.

I would love to hear answers on this from someone from Go Transit reading this. Please comment and I will approve them. I think other riders would love to hear what Go Transit has to say.

90 on time rate and winter is coming. Let's See

I know you are all going to bring up the flaw in their 90% rating in that
they average it so when the 5:19 train leaves that minute early its factored in but come on.
They have been using the same flawed method for years and its only this year they got their
fudged number so high.

But alas winter approaches and this will be the tell tale sign of the new system. The new trains
are awesome but this will be their first real winter experience. I am crossing my fingers that
it all works. I have to admit over all Go Transit has been getting better. In some ways I think it
has some to do with the work Ed Drass and I along with all of you, giving Customer Service a good kick in the pants.

I know for a fact that Go Transit reads this blog and I hope those working there share it with their conductors and customer service embassadors as they are doing an amazing job. I want to point out one in particular. The blonde haired female embassador on the 5:34 train leaving Union. I saw how polite, helpful and friendly she is to everyone on the train. During the construction, she makes sure everyone knows about the cars not opening at some stations in a polite and friendly manner.

One more note: Do cancellations count in the on-time calculation. My go alerts today showed 2 train cancellations and a train modification. If they don't then in theory Go Transit could fudge the numbers by simply cancelling a train if its not in a busy time period instead of taking the late penalty. If someone from Go Transit is reading this I would like to hear a comment on whether this is a correct assumption. Also what are the stats on cancelations?

Its been a long trek but it is making a difference so keep sending me your stories and comments at susan@clinchportal.com

Customer Appreciation Day

Thanks to Go Transit for the muffins, bags and gum this morning. It is good to see Go Transit showing appreciation for its riders. I am wondering when the TTC will be doing the same.

I have been writing this blog for over a year now and I have seen vast improvement in Go Transit Customer Service. Case in point, the sign change at Union a year ago we probably would not have seen all the newpaper ads, handounts, announcements on the trains they probably would have just done it. But now they communicate.

TTC needs to take a look at how Go Transit is doing things and make the change. When the trains stopped at Yonge and Bloor for the power line falling on the tracks, there was no communication just chaos. I was there and saw everyone still trying to get on the train. There were limited announcements, police were down there trying to get people up but the website still said business as usual.

If you have any comments on this post or any post please post the comments on the blogpost or email Susan Fischer at susan@clinchportal.com

Express Trains To Stop At Exhibition, I wish

I found it funny seeing one of the election candidates standing at Exhibition station but ignoring one of the Lakeshore Line communters major beefs. People getting off at Exhibition pay the same fare price as those at Union but they don't get the advantage of express trains. Out of fairness, all express trains should stop at both stops in the same zone. It is not going to cost them any more money.

For those taking express trains we know that they usually end up slowing down there anyway waiting for signals so why not just stop and be done with it.

Hopefully being an election year and the focus being on transit one of the candidates will read this and do something about it.

If you have any comments or suggestions for articles please email me at susan@clinchportal.com

Another Year Of Two Fare Hikes

I find it interesting how the transit systems have found a way to give communters two fare hikes in one year. What would happen if most employees asked for two raises a year? Oh gas is costing more so we have to raise the fare. Okay, transit is costing me more, I am going to have to raise my salary.

It doesn't work that way. There are a lot of people who are starting to take transit because fuel costs have gone up. Now with a surcharge it will cost them the same for a longer commute so back to driving. Then the government wonders why we are not meeting our green quota.

I can' t wait to hear a response from the government and transit systems. I am guessing they will ignore it and hope the issue goes away.

Asked for Reciepts again by revenue canada for the tax credit

Again I have been asked by revenue canada to send in all my reciepts for transit. This is two years in a row and the program has only been active two years. I am interested in how many are in the same boat or if they are simply picking on me. It seems that Mike Wallace is teaming up with them on this and is not going to help me. They say simply to mail them off my damn self. Rather than working on fixing the system, they are more interested in passing the buck back to us as its too time consuming. I guess its too time consuming to vote for them next election. I challenge all others who are having this issue to contact their MP and if they get the same response boot them out of office.

If I don't hear anything I will assume they are picking on me because I am writing this blog. If you are in the same boat and are facing the task of faxing in every receipt then please email me at chrisw_88@hotmail.com as well email Mike Wallace at Wallace.M@parl.gc.ca so he will have ammunition for this issue.

Finally a smart move by TTC and the Union. No Strike Monday

As is expected by anything that bears the ttc name the 4:00 dealine came and passed with no
word on strike or not. It was not until almost 6:00 that they finally told us that they reached a tentative deal.

http://thestar.blogs.com/ttc/2008/04/559-good-news.html

So I guess we can take the train on Monday if we want. I still say we should boycott them in May and through the summer by walking that extra 1/2 hour or so instead of paying ttc the extra $100

Let's Show TTC how little we need them!!!

If we do get the strike on Monday then I for one will not be buying my May MetroPass and simply start walking from Union Station to Bloor. It will save me $100 a month and I will get the exercise. I highly recommend that the rest of us do the same. When they see the ridership fall then they will do something.

Its interesting hearing some of the comments like in 24 hours newspaper this morning.

"Our subway operators obviously have to be highly skilled to perform their jobs and they're always at risk of trauma from the tragedy of suicide.. but the TTC subway operator now makes less than a Mississauga bus operator."

I thought this was interesting because the focus here is on the more money the operator should get because of the trauma. But wait, what about more money to make the tracks safer. France has the enclosed platforms where the doors open when the train doors do.

The other thing is there is no reference here to Go Transit. Why are people not jumping in front of Go Trains? I guess the TTC makes it too easy for them. Instead of spending millions on cameras, why not spend it on making the stations safer for everyone.

The recent article I saw from Ed Drass was interesting too. He focused on the cleanliness of the ttc interesting how they do a major or minor clean once every 21 days. Imagine if you cleaned your house once every 21 days.

The Brad Ross Strike

If the TTC goes on strike and we get service disruptions we can call the Rosses.
For example, we are currently experiencing a Ross in service please be patient.

http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/newsrelease.html

Ross is promising that there would not be an issue with service for the customers so if we experience them, we can blame him. He is the one negotiating with the Union so not only
can he be held accountable for his negotiations but his comments on our not being delayed.

If the strike does happen and we do get delays I will be using this new nomenclature on my blog
when referring to TTC delays or service outages.

Go Transit Will Become Slow Transit From April 10 through 24

It seems that we are going to be experiencing delays between 5 to 10 minutes. I am guessing
that is on top of the usual under 10 minute delays.

So I guess with this blanket statement possibly any delay under 20 minutes during this period will not be listed on the go transit delay page.

LAKESHORE WEST: Due to CN track work from April 10 through 24 between Port
Credit and Oakville, trains will slow down through the work areas,
which
may result in delays of five to 10 minutes. We apologize for the
inconvenience.

So maybe now I will actually catch the 5:19 train at Union as it will be late and arrive in burlington possibly its express status will get me home by 6:20, when my usual 5:34 train from Union would normally reach there.