I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas vacation. Eat lots of turkey. Drink all the drank!
I'll be back at this on January 6th.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Merry Christmas and I hope you have a lovely New Year's!
Lawyer cat, George, wasn't feeling very festive when my husband put his antlers on but he wishes you a Merry Christmas all the same.
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas vacation. Eat lots of turkey. Drink all the drank!
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas vacation. Eat lots of turkey. Drink all the drank!
Love letter about a foot rider/bag rider/all your space/all your stink
| from: | ram | ||
| to: | cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| date: | Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 6:34 PM | ||
| subject: | Wow, Double donkey... |
Not only is she occupying two seats because of her feet, her bags are all over the 'quad'.
I had to move to this hell hole, because the guy across from me smelled too much like darker noir and made my sinuses go nuts.
WTF is with people bathing in shit cologne on the train anyway? Not that anyone cares, but I have a hyper-sensitivity to perfumes...
B
When fans become friends
Last night I went out with two Crazy Train readers, two very loyal Crazy Train readers, where one is actually now a good friend who sends me cards and nice emails and likes all my Facebook posts and drives me home when I'm drunk. See? A true friend.
We went to Jack Astor's even though I wanted to fancy it up at the Royal York hotel but the bitch was closed and the other restaurant was like, come at 7, and I was like, ugh. No.
So Jack Astor's it was and the scantily clad waitress who thought I mowed rugs and put extra alcohol in all my Caesars - good times.
A drunken GO train ride home meant I was dialing up all the crazy I could muster while listening to, let's call him Carlos, talk on his phone about Chamon (seriously, Chamon as in Michael Jackson "chamon" or Weird Al Yankovic's "Chamon - ham on whole wheat - all right") who took his money but then didn't do what she said she would do so now Carlos has to three-way his cousin (I know - very non-PG) and he was not okay with any of it. NOT. OKAY.
Carlos really needs to get his finances in order because apparently banks keep turning him down. I guess that's what happens when you lend money to girls named "Chamon".
We went to Jack Astor's even though I wanted to fancy it up at the Royal York hotel but the bitch was closed and the other restaurant was like, come at 7, and I was like, ugh. No.
So Jack Astor's it was and the scantily clad waitress who thought I mowed rugs and put extra alcohol in all my Caesars - good times.
A drunken GO train ride home meant I was dialing up all the crazy I could muster while listening to, let's call him Carlos, talk on his phone about Chamon (seriously, Chamon as in Michael Jackson "chamon" or Weird Al Yankovic's "Chamon - ham on whole wheat - all right") who took his money but then didn't do what she said she would do so now Carlos has to three-way his cousin (I know - very non-PG) and he was not okay with any of it. NOT. OKAY.
Carlos really needs to get his finances in order because apparently banks keep turning him down. I guess that's what happens when you lend money to girls named "Chamon".
Monday, December 22, 2014
Movement to ban 'man-spreading' on transit picks up speed in Toronto
CTV Toronto
Published Monday, December 22, 2014 11:28AM EST
Published Monday, December 22, 2014 11:28AM EST
A movement against so-called "man-spreading" seems to be gaining popularity among public transit users, including those in Toronto.
"Man-spreading" refers to male passengers who sit with their legs parted in a V-shape on crowded subways and buses.
The inelegant male posture has been the bane of many public transit users. It has been written about in blogs and those who are guilty of it have been publicly mocked on social media.
Read more: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/movement-to-ban-man-spreading-on-transit-picks-up-speed-in-toronto-1.2158517#ixzz3MeTf6iN2
T'is the season ... for letters from the CRA
It's usually in the Fall and heading into Christmas that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) begins its audits of millions of Canadians who submitted tax returns online, without documentation, and in good faith.
You know what I submitted in good faith? My 2013 PRESTO-issued transit usage report. I also included a scan of my Presto card. Last year, the CRA asked me to prove I actually owned a PRESTO card. This year, the CRA asked me to prove the transit usage report I was asked to submit was actually mine. The problem? My name was no where on the report. I checked 2012 and the report had my name. Check your 2013 report. I bet you a million dollars your name is missing, too.
Below is a screenshot of Twitter user @GOvoygr's PRESTO transit usage report.
This is a photo of my report - downloaded directly from the Prestocard.ca website. My name is missing.
If you haven't been called out by the CRA yet, perhaps you weren't part of the coin toss. If you do, you will have to ask PRESTO to reissue your report with your name and enclose a scan or photocopy of your PRESTO card.
I can tell you this much, if I ran a company like how PRESTO is run, I'd be fired - no question.
This kind of sloppiness pushed onto the backs of tax paying transit customers is appalling. I spent close to $9 in postage and courier fees, and it took three months to fix this mess.
Last week, I received a letter from the CRA saying I've satisfied the request and no further action of my part is required.
It shouldn't have been a problem in the first place.
You know what I submitted in good faith? My 2013 PRESTO-issued transit usage report. I also included a scan of my Presto card. Last year, the CRA asked me to prove I actually owned a PRESTO card. This year, the CRA asked me to prove the transit usage report I was asked to submit was actually mine. The problem? My name was no where on the report. I checked 2012 and the report had my name. Check your 2013 report. I bet you a million dollars your name is missing, too.
Below is a screenshot of Twitter user @GOvoygr's PRESTO transit usage report.
This is a photo of my report - downloaded directly from the Prestocard.ca website. My name is missing.
If you haven't been called out by the CRA yet, perhaps you weren't part of the coin toss. If you do, you will have to ask PRESTO to reissue your report with your name and enclose a scan or photocopy of your PRESTO card.
I can tell you this much, if I ran a company like how PRESTO is run, I'd be fired - no question.
This kind of sloppiness pushed onto the backs of tax paying transit customers is appalling. I spent close to $9 in postage and courier fees, and it took three months to fix this mess.
Last week, I received a letter from the CRA saying I've satisfied the request and no further action of my part is required.
It shouldn't have been a problem in the first place.
In its review of regional service and fares, Metrolinx really needs to take the covers off of its fare model so that we can understand how it works, or if it even works at all
At its recent meeting, the Metrolinx Board approved a GO Transit fare increase taking effect February 1, 2015.
A separate, but important topic, and one noticeably absent from the meeting agenda, is the question of regional fare integration. Another related matter is the relative roles of GO as a regional operator and the TTC as a local one to accommodate demand to the core area. The hybrid SmartTrack proposal is a bit of both — a GO Transit corridor running with station spacings more like a subway in spots, but at TTC fares.
The problem has always been that GO simply does not regard itself, or at least not until quite recently, as having a role as part of a unified network. Critically, the fare structure is rigged against short distance trips, and this has been getting progressively worse for a decade.
KEEP READING
A separate, but important topic, and one noticeably absent from the meeting agenda, is the question of regional fare integration. Another related matter is the relative roles of GO as a regional operator and the TTC as a local one to accommodate demand to the core area. The hybrid SmartTrack proposal is a bit of both — a GO Transit corridor running with station spacings more like a subway in spots, but at TTC fares.
The problem has always been that GO simply does not regard itself, or at least not until quite recently, as having a role as part of a unified network. Critically, the fare structure is rigged against short distance trips, and this has been getting progressively worse for a decade.
KEEP READING
Friday, December 19, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
A message from the cattorneys who represent ThisCrazyTrain.com
You missed a spot. Let me get that for you. (Lick)
Thanks, by the way, did you check out that email from that guy who says he's going to see a lawyer about a photo used on the website?
What email (lick)?
Meh, never mind. Just keep licking.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Don't you hate it when your GO bus service is being cut/modified and you're the last to know?
This is what happened with our good friend Bruce, who sent me this email:
Bruce was told by a GO bus driver that he would no longer be able to travel his regular route.
Needless to say, Bruce was pretty cheesed, so he reached out to me to let me know of the situation. This got me thinking. How does GO Transit come to these decisions?
So I reached out to GO Transit with some questions and this is what I learned.
Is it normal for GO bus passengers to be shut out of bus changes - as in not being able to provide input about service decisions?
Changes and adjustments to GO bus routes take into account present and future ridership, service quality and reliability as well as resources available. We do our best to take into account customer comments coming through our Customer Service Representatives.
Are there stats for this route (#67) to demonstrate its ridership, such as its decline?
Approximately 15 riders per day/3 riders per trip use the Glenwoods stop and the majority of those either drive there or get dropped off/picked up. The new Park & Rides at the end of the newly opened 404 extension offers more amenities such as shelters, proper platforms and walkways for a greatly enhanced customer experience. York Region Transit will provide a bus service between the Glenwoods and new Woodbine Park & Ride to access GO Bus Route 67.
What supports a cut and how can a passenger request a review?
We constantly monitor and optimize services to maximize convenience to customers within the resources at our disposal. As an inter-regional carrier, GO Transit has to carefully balance the local and inter-municipal mobility needs in our service area while ensuring that local municipalities fulfill their role at connection points and within communities.
Also, please let me know if there is a policy about signage at bus destinations and departures (that are not at the station, such as a Carpool lot) to instruct passengers of route changes. And if there is, I'd like to know what is a considered a reasonable time line for posting these.
Route change signage are installed on the affected bus stops as soon as possible. Signs will be up early next week.
GO bus route #67 currently services the carpool lot at Glenwoods Ave. and Woodbine Ave. in Keswick with YRT bus route #50 servicing the same stop. Beginning in January 2015, GO transit will no longer service this stop and will go no further north than Woodbine Ave. and HWY 404. YRT has no plans to service this stop and it would take me at least an hour to walk there. If I have to go through Newmarket I will incur a minimum of 1 hour extra commute in each direction. Have the morons setting these routes ever ridden public transit?
Bruce was told by a GO bus driver that he would no longer be able to travel his regular route.
Needless to say, Bruce was pretty cheesed, so he reached out to me to let me know of the situation. This got me thinking. How does GO Transit come to these decisions?
So I reached out to GO Transit with some questions and this is what I learned.
Is it normal for GO bus passengers to be shut out of bus changes - as in not being able to provide input about service decisions?
Changes and adjustments to GO bus routes take into account present and future ridership, service quality and reliability as well as resources available. We do our best to take into account customer comments coming through our Customer Service Representatives.
Are there stats for this route (#67) to demonstrate its ridership, such as its decline?
Approximately 15 riders per day/3 riders per trip use the Glenwoods stop and the majority of those either drive there or get dropped off/picked up. The new Park & Rides at the end of the newly opened 404 extension offers more amenities such as shelters, proper platforms and walkways for a greatly enhanced customer experience. York Region Transit will provide a bus service between the Glenwoods and new Woodbine Park & Ride to access GO Bus Route 67.
What supports a cut and how can a passenger request a review?
We constantly monitor and optimize services to maximize convenience to customers within the resources at our disposal. As an inter-regional carrier, GO Transit has to carefully balance the local and inter-municipal mobility needs in our service area while ensuring that local municipalities fulfill their role at connection points and within communities.
Also, please let me know if there is a policy about signage at bus destinations and departures (that are not at the station, such as a Carpool lot) to instruct passengers of route changes. And if there is, I'd like to know what is a considered a reasonable time line for posting these.
Route change signage are installed on the affected bus stops as soon as possible. Signs will be up early next week.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Mysterious Monday
"It truly is a mystery how she boarded the train as her boots or shoes were nowhere to be seen".
- Anonymous
I like these kinds of puzzles.
- Anonymous
I like these kinds of puzzles.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Yesterday's weather and the cleanup that never was
A handful of concerned readers reached out to tell me about deplorable platform and stair conditions at Richmond Hill and Newmarket GO stations.
I encouraged all of them to write to GO Transit and in regards to Newmarket, which was poorly attended to based on photos supplied, I put those passengers in touch with a key GO employee who I trust to follow up.
At Oshawa, at 4:45 pm yesterday, the platform was slush and snow-covered, but passable. Salt was only encountered once I headed over to bus loop. I can't speak for the parking lot conditions as I don't drive.
Today, people are concerned that it appears crews did little overnight at several more stations to stay ahead of the icy conditions.
Let me know how it was/is at your station in the comments or in email to cj@thiscrazytrain.com. Please send photos if possible.
Newmarket platform. Please walk down this narrow path. Because who needs the whole platform, right?
I encouraged all of them to write to GO Transit and in regards to Newmarket, which was poorly attended to based on photos supplied, I put those passengers in touch with a key GO employee who I trust to follow up.
At Oshawa, at 4:45 pm yesterday, the platform was slush and snow-covered, but passable. Salt was only encountered once I headed over to bus loop. I can't speak for the parking lot conditions as I don't drive.
Today, people are concerned that it appears crews did little overnight at several more stations to stay ahead of the icy conditions.
Let me know how it was/is at your station in the comments or in email to cj@thiscrazytrain.com. Please send photos if possible.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Perhaps the fare increase will mean GO Transit can afford to type more sentences
And the text message:
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If you don't have PRESTO, it will cost $27.50 from Union Station to Pearson Airport
The provincial government held a news conference and photo-op this morning to show the public, via the media, the UP Express Terminal at Pearson Airport.
I was not invited to this press conference. I'm sure that was an honest oversight.
PRESTO passengers will pay $19 one way. For those of us living in the eastern corridors of GO Transit's service area, factoring in the fare increase expected in February, it would cost me $28.22 to get to the airport and the same to come home. This is much cheaper than an airport shuttle or limo.
Airport employees with proper ID will pay $10 a ride. Family passes are available for $55. There is no group pass option if using PRESTO.
The UP Express begins service in the Spring and passengers can expect trains every 15 minutes. Wifi, luggate racks and electrical outlets will be available, with each trip lasting 25 minutes.
Metrolinx expects 2.5 million riders a year and fare revenue should fully cover the operating costs by the time the service has been running for three years.
I was not invited to this press conference. I'm sure that was an honest oversight.
PRESTO passengers will pay $19 one way. For those of us living in the eastern corridors of GO Transit's service area, factoring in the fare increase expected in February, it would cost me $28.22 to get to the airport and the same to come home. This is much cheaper than an airport shuttle or limo.
Airport employees with proper ID will pay $10 a ride. Family passes are available for $55. There is no group pass option if using PRESTO.
The UP Express begins service in the Spring and passengers can expect trains every 15 minutes. Wifi, luggate racks and electrical outlets will be available, with each trip lasting 25 minutes.
Metrolinx expects 2.5 million riders a year and fare revenue should fully cover the operating costs by the time the service has been running for three years.
News Feed
This morning, we were with Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister Steven Del Duca to see the new Union Pearson Express train and station at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and to announce the proposed fare structure.
Details on the proposed fare structure can be found here: http://bit.ly/1x2IuxT
Photos from the event can be found here: http://bit.ly/1vF2TSZ
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Quote of the Day
In a comment in response to the proposed 5% fare hike expected to be approved this Thursday, Pete wrote:
Wow. Call the WAHHHHHHHBULANCE!I ride a bus.
Gas prices are down and are expected to stay below a $1 well into the new year and beyond. Canadians are expected to save $30 a week which means it will cost you half of what it used to cost you to drive to the station, so suck it up as you will well be able to afford it.
Monday, December 8, 2014
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