Great idea! Encourage everyone to take transit when in reality it's hard enough finding a parking spot at the Oshawa GO Station and for many people who take the Lakeshore East to find seats during their morning/evenings commutes.
I was confused by this advertising campaign when I saw it as well. My GO train crew and I have had many discussions about car-pooling - we've even considered it - but the reality is that unexpected schedule changes due to work commitments, sick kids, days off, etc. just don't make it feasible. As you note, Cindy, walking or cycling from Courtice to TO (I'n at Yonge/Bloor) just isn't an option (it's not even an option to cycle TO the GO station, realistically). And as Anonymous (1:00 pm) said, if I'm reading the ads while sitting on the train, maybe I'm not the right audience for these advertising $$$.... When you live where we do, it's train it or drive it - no alternative (and that is exactly why GO and Metrolinx know that, no matter how high those fares go, or how inconvenient the parking situation is, the majority of current riders will remain riders...).
Don't blame GO Transit kids. If you don't have flexibility in your commuting options that's the fault of your friendly local neighbourhood planner. My neighbourhood is dense and well connected to roads, bike lanes, pedestrian and transit options. Yes it's downtown. No it didn't cost a fortune (I gave up my car and used the savings to offset the extra mortgage). If you want your 2 car garage you have to live with limited options.
I grew up in downtown Toronto. I wouldn't move back if you moved out and gave me your house. I love my fields and my farms. And I have local transit. I don't complain. I chose to be far away but walking is an option, I'm poking fun at how long. So calm your tits.
Hear, hear Cindy! My 2-car garage isn't the reason I don't live in Toronto (where I also grew up) anymore. The point I believe we were trying to make is that to advertise "improved commute" options to people who are already NOT DRIVING (but are, ironically, riding a train system that is notoriously unreliable) and have no option to cycle/skate/walk/swim/whatever is a poor application of advertising dollars. Since I believe it's the Ontario government who is sponsoring these signs, maybe they could cancel the ad campaign and add funding so that GO or CN or whoever manages the tracks could finally address the track switch problems that plague LSE passengers all the time, regardless of weather.
Maybe I'm a bit weird, but with that many comments, there has to be an interesting conversation going on. Interesting in accordance with definition....and Garp's.
17 comments:
You could skip to work whilst twirling a ribbon - that might be faster?
Well at least Google Maps didn't take $8.5 million and 8 years to figure that out.
How about cycling? Oh right, Highway 401 and 2 don't exactly promote that now do they?
Transit? Great! I'll just spend half a day on Durham Transit & TTC and pray the buses line up.
Of course you could always take GO Train cause it's always on time! Now only if they had the bar car....
Why are they advertising on transit? Are they not preachig to the choir? Shouldn't this be appearing on the giant billboards that line the Gardiner?
LOLOL - annonymous - that made my day - i can just picture all the bankers doing that at union :D
Great idea! Encourage everyone to take transit when in reality it's hard enough finding a parking spot at the Oshawa GO Station and for many people who take the Lakeshore East to find seats during their morning/evenings commutes.
That's only if you can maintain the 5.1km/h speed that Google Maps assumes you walk at. After a couple hours, I think you would start to slow down.
I was confused by this advertising campaign when I saw it as well. My GO train crew and I have had many discussions about car-pooling - we've even considered it - but the reality is that unexpected schedule changes due to work commitments, sick kids, days off, etc. just don't make it feasible. As you note, Cindy, walking or cycling from Courtice to TO (I'n at Yonge/Bloor) just isn't an option (it's not even an option to cycle TO the GO station, realistically). And as Anonymous (1:00 pm) said, if I'm reading the ads while sitting on the train, maybe I'm not the right audience for these advertising $$$.... When you live where we do, it's train it or drive it - no alternative (and that is exactly why GO and Metrolinx know that, no matter how high those fares go, or how inconvenient the parking situation is, the majority of current riders will remain riders...).
It would take me 12 hrs 40 minutes walking the Lakeshore according to Google maps. And only if I hit every green light.
That leaves me -80 minutes for work every day.
Don't blame GO Transit kids. If you don't have flexibility in your commuting options that's the fault of your friendly local neighbourhood planner. My neighbourhood is dense and well connected to roads, bike lanes, pedestrian and transit options. Yes it's downtown. No it didn't cost a fortune (I gave up my car and used the savings to offset the extra mortgage). If you want your 2 car garage you have to live with limited options.
I grew up in downtown Toronto. I wouldn't move back if you moved out and gave me your house. I love my fields and my farms. And I have local transit. I don't complain. I chose to be far away but walking is an option, I'm poking fun at how long. So calm your tits.
Ah but some folks ARE complaining...;)
PS That's the first time I've been told to 'calm my tits'. Like all first times I will remember it forever.
Hear, hear Cindy! My 2-car garage isn't the reason I don't live in Toronto (where I also grew up) anymore. The point I believe we were trying to make is that to advertise "improved commute" options to people who are already NOT DRIVING (but are, ironically, riding a train system that is notoriously unreliable) and have no option to cycle/skate/walk/swim/whatever is a poor application of advertising dollars. Since I believe it's the Ontario government who is sponsoring these signs, maybe they could cancel the ad campaign and add funding so that GO or CN or whoever manages the tracks could finally address the track switch problems that plague LSE passengers all the time, regardless of weather.
CALM ALL THE TITS!
^ hee hee... you said "tits". *snicker*giggle*chortle*
I love it when I see anything approaching 14 comments....you know its going to be a gong show of hilarity in the comment section!
Really, Skin?
I always worry peoples eyes will glaze over after 10.
Maybe I'm a bit weird, but with that many comments, there has to be an interesting conversation going on. Interesting in accordance with definition....and Garp's.
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