Go says No Buses, Construction says limited Gardner, Construction says Limited Lakeshore, Commuters say "Let us work from home :)

Metrolinx continues to be in contract negotiations with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587, the union that represents approximately 1,850 GO Transit bus drivers, station attendants, maintenance personnel, transit safety and some office staff. 

While we are hopeful that a settlement can be reached, we are advising customers that the ATU's strike date is June 2, 2014. In the event of a labour disruption, regular GO Train service would continue to get you to your destination, but there would be no GO Bus service. Additionally, there would be no weekend GO Train service to Niagara and Barrie. 

Customers who would be impacted by the disruption to GO bus service, are encouraged to consider other travel options. GO Train customers are also encouraged to consider alternate travel options to the GO station as there may be increased demand on rail services and parking facilities. These options could include taking local transit, bicycling, carpooling (visit www.smartcommute.ca for information on our Carpoolzone program), etc. We also encourage you to load your PRESTO cards online in advance.

We recognize that a labour disruption would create an inconvenience for you. We remain hopeful that a settlement can be reached as we continue our negotiations. We will continue to communicate updates through the GO Transit website (www.gotransit.com), Social Media channels, "On the GO Alerts", and the Contact Centre. We encourage you to check our website daily as information will be updated as it becomes available. 

Revenue Canada Computer Systems Inadequate is causing Presto users to fail on Transit Tax Credit

Please pass on this link to your federal politicians and media outlets. Make them aware of the fact that Revenue Canada's computer systems are inadequate and thus are causing undue punishment on people who take the train to save the environment.

Open Letter to Federal Politicians regarding Inadequate Computer Systems at Revenue Canada

If you have any questions please email chris.williams@techguilds.com

Declined for a Trip you know was more than 15 minutes late here is why

Just got off the phone with a Supervisor at Go Transit about the January 21, 2014 morning cancellations and eventualy 25 minute trip delay.

Seems there is a problem with the Presto Software in that it expects you to take the next ride in 15 minutes.  If there is a cancellation of a trip and you catch the next train this is outside the 15 minute range so when you make a trip claim it states the trip is not on your card.

Go Transit is sending this issue on to the presto team to resolve however in the meantime, there are two ways to avoid the issue.

1) If your trip gets cancelled you need to cancel your Presto transaction and retap for the next ride.  This will ensure you are on the right train according to Presto.

2) As is usually the case with Go Transit, they announce the cancelled train only a few minutes before the next one arrives and you don't have time to walk back and tap cancel then retap.  If this is the case then it is simple, enter your trip as per normal online, however immediately call Go Transit and as to speak to the supervisor.  He will ensure the problem is resolved.  It is best to do it the day you enter the claim as it will be fresh in your mind when it happened and the times.

The more people that make claims for the 15 minutes and especially the more that follow up when claims are denied the better Go Transit Service we will all experience.  It is your duty to make them accountable.

One Blog Post To Rule Them All: The TTC has come a long way with a single post

If you have not read Andy Byford's post today on the TTC Blog you should.  It is finally a positive step in the right direction.  Determining the cause of issues is the start to finding solutions.

https://www.ttc.ca/News/2013/December/1612_Statement.jsp

We look forward to the next steps of finding solutions like:

* Adding that extra rail to bypass during issues.
* Communication with passengers, potential passengers, and just between staff to find alternate routes around things like broken water-mains.
* Building a Subway rather than an LRT across Shephard Line to reduce future delays due to inclimate weather.
* Maybe even covering or burying some of the existing subway that is outside to reduce delays due to inclimate weather.

NOTE: You don't have to bury the subway underground you just need to cover the tracks to keep the heat in so the tracks and switches dont freeze and the engines can handle it.

Anyways, off topic a bit the point is finally the TTC is heading in the right direction to becoming the Better Way.  Let's keep it up.

Non-unionize employees are safer?

I would like to know what screening methods unions use other than police checks. 

His comment about losing control of who enters the property was kind of funny.  strangers ride the subway every day.  there are no security scans.  anyone could bring whatever in.  a simple piece of paper on the tracks could cause chaos. 

The ttc even advertises the paper cup issue in the ttc cars.

I am sure if there are special procedures for scanning then it could be listed in their contract and if not done ttc could sue them and get out of the contract. 

I look forward to comments.

Kill the escarpment highway? If so, what are the alternatives

There is a campaign to kill the escarpment highway.  The conduit to get people from outlying areas to work.
Part of the highway project is to get people from the Niagara Region into places like Kitchener/Waterloo and Guelph which currently you must rely heavily on Highway 6.  For those who have taken that commute, its really slow.  Lots of wasted fuel which is also bad for the environment.

Yes cancelling the highway helps the environment but what is the alternative?  One alternative is building an efficient transit system between Waterloo, Guelph and the Niagara Region.  It took 10 years to get the trains running on weekends only during the summer between Toronto and Niagara Falls.  How many decades to get the trains to Waterloo or Guelph.

Check out the video and blog post on Rick Goldring's Blog for details.
http://www.burlingtonmayor.com/?p=658

Please comment on his blog and let him know about your concerns on the alternatives to a mega-highway.

Excessive heat, Go Transit should harness it for renewable energy to power trains

"Excessive heat to make for a slower ride home‏" Go Transit says.

With all this excessive heat they should apply some of this alloy and power the trains. With the cost savings maybe they could buy newer trains and switches for winter :)

New alloy can convert heat directly to electricity

Look forward to comments.

Milton Go Train Beats The Go Bus

Why even have the 3:25 PM Milton Bus anymore given that there is a 4:00 PM train.

The 4:00 PM Train beats the bus because the traffic is bad. With traffic headaches slowing the bus down it makes no sense to run it.

As an optimization this bus could be used on another route in need.

I look forward to comments.

Clarity is everything. What lines have the speed restrictions? Where are the delays?

Here is what Go Transit says:

Temperatures are expected to climb above the 30 degrees celsius mark today and on Tuesday July 17 as well. With high temperatures come speed restrictions that will be in place at certain areas along your rail corridor, which may result in a longer commute than usual. We appreciate your patience and will make every effort to ensure you have a comfortable ride home.

Here is my interpretation:

We know the temperatures are going up so here is an excuse just in case we have to delay you so we don't have to pay.

Reasoning:

1) On the Lakeshore line, each time we had this I have experienced no delays due to speed restriction. Only delays for signal that have lasted at most 5 minutes.

2) Some lines have had speed restrictions and generally its the older track that is in need of maintenance such as the Milton Line. Since these lines are known to have speed restrictions why not spell it out. Why use a blanket statement. Simply do the research and let people know which lines are affected or have potential to be affected.

3) If it is true that it could be an issue on any lines then having trains go at normal speed through all these lines is a safety issue. If trains are going at 100 km/h all the time and its only at inspection that you enforce the speed restriction then you are risking those lives during the time you have not inspected the track. How often do you inspect the miles and miles of rail? If you are inspecting the track then you would know the locations that may be affected. Presenting a clearer message.

I look forward to hearing back from Go Transit possibly through a comment on this blog.

Move over 10 ride ... here comes Presto

For those still using those ancient 2 ride and 10 ride tickets you will soon have to move over to PRESTO.

Starting June 1, we will no longer sell 2-ride and 10-ride tickets, but we will continue to accept them as valid fare on GO trains and GO buses until July 31. Transfer your balance to a flexible re-loadable PRESTO fare card at GO stations. Learn more at gotransit.com/presto. 

This is a welcome move.  I have been using presto for a couple years now and the service is great.  The machines work well on the GO lines, there are lots of them at Union Station.  Even customer service is very responsive.

With all the chaos at Union with the construction, I would also like to note that adding the extra Presto devices in the middle area has made a huge difference.

I only have two complaints so far with Presto:

1) We need more stations to support the devices.

Did you know that PRESTO lets you travel the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with one fare card?  

PRESTO is transferable to most local transit companies in the GTHA, including select TTC stations. When you use your card to transfer from GO to a participating local transit you'll also get a discount on your fare. 

2) We need some of the self service booths like we have at Union Station at some of the other stations like Yonge/Bloor.  Cards are supported here but if you forgot to fill up you are stuck paying a cash fare.

If you have an comments about Presto I look forward to hearing it.

Safety Issue at Port Credit: Fences need to be added/repaired at Port Credit

It always takes an accident to show issues that really should be caught ahead of time.  Case in point, students cross the tracks near Port Credit Station all the time, so why is there not a high fence to stop them.  There is an underpass they could be using instead.

In fact, over the course of the Lakeshore line there needs to be an inspection done of places where fences are in need of repair or where fences need to be added.  On the train ride in, just looking out my window I could spot large openings in the fences near the tracks.  This is a big safety issue for kids walking home from school.

I look forward to hearing more on what CN, Go Transit and VIA are planning to do to resolve this safety issue through this busy corridor.

On a related note, I would like to say thank you to Mississauga Transit for their assistance during this incident.  They quickly converted Clarkson Station buses to shuttles and got everyone home.

Get Lucky with Go Transit

Go Transit has a new contest for St Patty's day.  All you need to do is tell them how you were lucky
on the Go Train.  Be sure to enter as you deserve 10 free rides.

Good Luck

New TTC Trains less Accessible

Last night I witnessed it first hand at the Dundas Station.  Someone wheeled on their motorized chair at an earlier station but when we reached Dundas Station the gap between the train and the platform was over 2 inches wide.  Normally the gap is under an inch so its possible to back the chair out on the older trains.  I thought maybe it was just the Dundas station but as I watched the train head to Union I noticed the gap was wide most of the way down.  If the TTC is going to order more of these trains then they need to think of a mechanism to close the gap when the train stop.  One possibility is accessible cars like they have on the Go Train and then drop something out of the door over the gap so they can get off.

In our case we had 4 passengers assist on getting the chair off while two others held the person.  The conductor was confused he didn't know what to do.

I look forward to hearing someone from TTC comment on what will be done on these new trains to assist in this matter.  The old trains seem to be find, you can back out the motorized chair and its fine.

Safety at the King Road Yard.

Condolences to the 3 engineers that were killed in the crash.  Train derailments do happen due to weather, extreme heat or cold can be a factor, but when an accident occurs in nice weather on almost the anniversary of another derailment 4 years before, it has to be more than coincidence.  Is there a faulty switch?  Does the track need repair?  Are the trains moving through the yard too fast?  I thought there was a speed limit through freight yards.  I know at Mimico there are signs about speed limits.

(Update: The train was speeding when the incident occurred, but was the freight train speeding 4 years ago when it derailed at the same spot? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/derailed-via-train-was-travelling-four-times-authorized-speed-limit/article2355102/)

These are all questions I would like to see answers on.  I take the Go Train and TTC and would like to know that the sections of track are safe.  If they are not then we need to be resolving those safety issues before expanding service elsewhere.  You may say CN owns the tracks but Go Trains and Via trains use them and should push for them to be a safe place to travel.

Where does the parking ticket money go?

Today in the paper it stated the amount raised on Parking Fines.  Correct me if I am wrong but this money goes to the cities I assume and probably not for Transit Funding.   Are not Go Transit lots private property owned by Go Transit, a government funded private company.

If the parking fines are going to Go Transit, then it would make sense why the priority is on more go lines and not additional parking.  Almost $60,000 is a good amount of money extra to just throw away.  On the other hand, parking lots do take time to build so they could be planning them.  But wait, there are Malls close by with lots of parking.  Why not have people park there and shuttle bus over.  Wow what a concept.  Even better why not run Go Transit buses between stops where there is ample parking to other where there is not.  People can drive to that other stop or a carpool place in between and get shuttled over.

There are alternatives that make economic sense to the consumer.  If you get a $25 ticket for parking illegally that would make it cheaper to drive.  We are supposed to be promoting transit use not deterring it.   Some of the stations mentioned like Richmond Hill are station where you want people not to drive.  Imagine the amount of traffic into downtown that is currently diverted by the Richmond Hill line.  What if everyone said not sure if I will find parking and drive.  Its crazy.

Metrolynx you have done good things with Presto, making the trains run better now its time to step up to the plate and help passengers get to the trains.

Heated clash breaks out on TTC streetcar between passengers and driver

Instead of dealing with the issue with the TTC driver, we are punishing the customer.
TTC drivers get away with a lot of things and when people complain they get booted off the street car or
drivers get rude and nasty escalating the situations.  If they were simply polite like Go Transit Staff then
a lot of these heated situations can be resolved before they escalate.

Really, Go Transit should consult TTC on customer service and customer relations or more of this will happen.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1021534--heated-clash-breaks-out-on-ttc-streetcar-between-passengers-and-driver?bn=1

I look forward to comments on this situation or other incidents you had with ttc.

Want to break the law and get away with it? Work for the TTC.

Safety First, this is how Go Transit thinks now, it was not always that way
but they worked on it.  One thing you didn't hear from Go Transit was that
a bus or train driver broke a law and that they would deal with it internally.

That is exactly what is happening on the TTC.  The latest is a texting bus
driver.  Kinear said if any laws were broken there are internal processes to
deal with the issues and that they will stand behind their employees.

I remember similar comments with the sleeping attendant at the station. Now
its a safety concern especially in light of the recent increase in pedestrian
fatalities related to bus accidents.

I find it shocking that the average driver in Ontario faces a $500 fine
for texting because its dangerous but bus drivers responsible for the safety of
hundreds of people during the course of a day gets let off with an internal
investigation that we never hear about

A citizen of Ontario regardless of whether they are Union or not should be the
same under the law.  You would think the TTC were a military base by the
seperate tribunal but a quick look and you realize the military is actually
organized, and concerned about your safety.

Safety first, and all equal under the law.  Two things we need Mayor Ford to
look at.

Support Presto On The TTC.

It seems Go Transit and many other transit systems are smart and doing presto to make riding easier across
systems.  The TTC however is not going to be adding Presto to any more stations beyond the pilot and will
likely stick you with a credit card payment system in its place.  Show the TTC you prefer Presto over Credit Card at the turnstyle and Support Presto On The TTC

Please pass this on to all your friends as the more of us join the more TTC will take notice and change their decision.  It could mean less fare increases since they would not be wasting millions researching what Presto has already done.

Letter to Mayor Ford on Presto and TTC

I sent the following on to Mayor Ford. I look forward to his response. If you use Presto and feel TTC should get their act together

and continue the roll out please comment here or go to the TTC website and let them know.

If you look at Union Station you will see that loads of riders are using the new Presto cards to the point of stressing the system.

This wide popularity should tell the ttc that this pilot is working and they should expand it.

Instead the head of the Union run TTC wants to invest millions on their own system that will not connect to anyone else.

I think the TTC should get no more money until they stop wasting money. They should roll out Presto, allow people to fill

their presto cards at stations and extend the number of stations.

Go Transit and other local transit like Burlington Transit has already started rolling this out. I would like the transportation

mayor to tell TTC to get out of the dinosaur age and join the modern age where transportation works together.

Car when needed bus or train when needed but all working together. This is the goal behind presto.

I look forward to your response.

Chris Williams

http://go-transit.blogspot.com/

95% less than 20 minutes late makes sense now

From looking at the mornings delays and actually looking back at past delays in my email, I noticed a trend. Delays tend to happen a lot but most delays are 10 to 15 minutes with some delays logged as 17 or 19 minutes which are under 20. Thus the selection of 20 minutes is a simple case of changing the math.

I would like to see the actual numbers on 15 minutes rather than 20 minutes or since you are so proud of the 20 minutes, what about changing the free ride from 30 minutes to 20 minutes. Since its less than 20 minutes late 95 to 98% of the time then this would make sense from a customer service point of view and customer satisfaction. Let's see Go Transit put their money where their mouth is.