This will be my view until then. The weather will be hot. The alcohol will be plenty.
No kid. No husband. No trains. No buses. Just the ocean and sweet Dominican hospitality.
Friday, November 27, 2015
See y'all in 10 days!
This will be my view until then. The weather will be hot. The alcohol will be plenty.
No kid. No husband. No trains. No buses. Just the ocean and sweet Dominican hospitality.
I was so disappointed to learn this wasn't the wheel of excuses
Miss this mornings' @GOTransit Passenger Charter 5 Year Anniversary Booth? It'll be back during the afternoon rush pic.twitter.com/v3DOiTg4f2
— Bryan Noble (@GONOBLE164) November 25, 2015
Here's the wheel for those who don't know.
The never-ending saga of personal drama, data and intimate details shared on the bus
There's so much I've been missing apparently while cocooned in music, movies and games.
Lately I've been forgoing the headphones so I can listen to the conversations around me on the bus.
Nothing is sacred.
NOTHING.
I don't know if it's just the demographics of my bus route but they are a real cast of characters and they put on an impressive show.
Yesterday morning, Shauna called up someone at 6:41 am to vent about her ex. She told the entire bus her name when she said it to the person who answered. She also named her ex. I think I heard "Kent"... maybe "Ken"? Shauna talked loudly and quickly. Trust me when I say not a single care was given as she detailed how her ex lifted her credit card information, including "that number on the back you need to confirm online purchases" and spent close to $3000 on Monday on "stuff I don't know but I have to call and see if they can tell me". Shauna then began to hatch a plan to steal her ex's dog that afternoon since she still has a key to the house they once shared. "He will go with me, no problem," she said. "And even if he changed the locks, I can still get him out through the kitchen window because the BBQ is right there, I can stand on it, and he never locks that window." She planned to hold the dog hostage until he returned whatever he bought.
Shauna exited the bus at a stop before the GO station so none of us got a chance to ask her why she's not calling the police as opposed to fighting a crime with a crime.
Two weeks ago, Connie did a great job bringing all of us on the bus with her that night up to speed on her current living situation. I blogged about it if you want to catch up yourself.
We all got to meet Rhonda a week later when she and Connie discussed their current alcohol preferences and what type of coolers Rhonda's grandmother prefers.
Last night, we were all introduced to two young lads with unlit joints in their mouths carrying 24 packs of Coors and pulling a wheelie-cooler. Some major football game was being watched at "Toopie's" (?) house and he could use the company since his truck was stolen and "he's a wreck". The whole thing was a surprise for Toopie. They even tried to get a "door stripper" but when they called her, she had no idea where Newcastle was so that wasn't gonna happen. They asked the driver (twice) when the last bus from Newcastle was so they could get back to Oshawa, but the driver was unable to tell them as this wasn't his normal route and the schedules that were on the bus were for the 407. But the driver did tell them they could use the mobile app or the website. Our two friends weren't happy "after spending a fortune on fare" to have to use data to get the time. "It shouldn't cost us money, man, to know when the last bus is." So I offered to find the info for them which resulted in an offer of a cold beer to take home. I politely declined. We got to learn a lot about Toopie's life, including his recovery from ear surgery last summer and the fact that Brenda was back in town and looking to "keep his bed warm".
I have never been able to bring myself to have a conversation on my phone on a bus or train about anything personal, including taking calls from contractors or setting up doctor appointments. These things aren't so urgent, in my mind, that I have to invite strangers. So I am always gobsmacked at what people *will* discuss.
I'm still traumatized by the woman who had discussed IUD options with her doctor's office on a bus ride home in the middle of the day this past October. My stomach rolled over when she asked "if it touches the cervix". I don't handle medical details well (I can't look at reproductive charts or watch operations) and even just typing that caused me to feel faint.
My preferred drama will always be GO bus fights. Adrenalin immediately kicks in and I'm ready to diffuse the situation if necessary. I always worry about how this impacts the driver and scares other passengers. I was a "mall cop" (I really hate that term) when I was putting myself through university and the training has stuck with me. I don't fear confrontation and I'm very self aware. I'm also not stupid. No situation is worth my life, 911 is my best friend, and I feel no guilt for walking away.
Some people just can't be helped.
Lately I've been forgoing the headphones so I can listen to the conversations around me on the bus.
Nothing is sacred.
NOTHING.
I don't know if it's just the demographics of my bus route but they are a real cast of characters and they put on an impressive show.
Yesterday morning, Shauna called up someone at 6:41 am to vent about her ex. She told the entire bus her name when she said it to the person who answered. She also named her ex. I think I heard "Kent"... maybe "Ken"? Shauna talked loudly and quickly. Trust me when I say not a single care was given as she detailed how her ex lifted her credit card information, including "that number on the back you need to confirm online purchases" and spent close to $3000 on Monday on "stuff I don't know but I have to call and see if they can tell me". Shauna then began to hatch a plan to steal her ex's dog that afternoon since she still has a key to the house they once shared. "He will go with me, no problem," she said. "And even if he changed the locks, I can still get him out through the kitchen window because the BBQ is right there, I can stand on it, and he never locks that window." She planned to hold the dog hostage until he returned whatever he bought.
Shauna exited the bus at a stop before the GO station so none of us got a chance to ask her why she's not calling the police as opposed to fighting a crime with a crime.
Two weeks ago, Connie did a great job bringing all of us on the bus with her that night up to speed on her current living situation. I blogged about it if you want to catch up yourself.
We all got to meet Rhonda a week later when she and Connie discussed their current alcohol preferences and what type of coolers Rhonda's grandmother prefers.
Last night, we were all introduced to two young lads with unlit joints in their mouths carrying 24 packs of Coors and pulling a wheelie-cooler. Some major football game was being watched at "Toopie's" (?) house and he could use the company since his truck was stolen and "he's a wreck". The whole thing was a surprise for Toopie. They even tried to get a "door stripper" but when they called her, she had no idea where Newcastle was so that wasn't gonna happen. They asked the driver (twice) when the last bus from Newcastle was so they could get back to Oshawa, but the driver was unable to tell them as this wasn't his normal route and the schedules that were on the bus were for the 407. But the driver did tell them they could use the mobile app or the website. Our two friends weren't happy "after spending a fortune on fare" to have to use data to get the time. "It shouldn't cost us money, man, to know when the last bus is." So I offered to find the info for them which resulted in an offer of a cold beer to take home. I politely declined. We got to learn a lot about Toopie's life, including his recovery from ear surgery last summer and the fact that Brenda was back in town and looking to "keep his bed warm".
I have never been able to bring myself to have a conversation on my phone on a bus or train about anything personal, including taking calls from contractors or setting up doctor appointments. These things aren't so urgent, in my mind, that I have to invite strangers. So I am always gobsmacked at what people *will* discuss.
I'm still traumatized by the woman who had discussed IUD options with her doctor's office on a bus ride home in the middle of the day this past October. My stomach rolled over when she asked "if it touches the cervix". I don't handle medical details well (I can't look at reproductive charts or watch operations) and even just typing that caused me to feel faint.
My preferred drama will always be GO bus fights. Adrenalin immediately kicks in and I'm ready to diffuse the situation if necessary. I always worry about how this impacts the driver and scares other passengers. I was a "mall cop" (I really hate that term) when I was putting myself through university and the training has stuck with me. I don't fear confrontation and I'm very self aware. I'm also not stupid. No situation is worth my life, 911 is my best friend, and I feel no guilt for walking away.
Some people just can't be helped.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
TBT to when GO Transit had turnstiles
Credit Dan Dl'Uo-- The (recently closed) Union Station Bay St. Concourse originally opened in 1979 with short-lived fare...
Posted by Vintage Toronto on Sunday, October 11, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Monday's "switch failure was not weather-related"
GO Transit president Greg Percy appeared on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday, one day after a switch failure on the Lakeshore East line caused hours-long delays and cancellations that had passengers fuming during the morning commute.
"I don't blame [passengers] one iota about being upset, about being late getting to work" Percy told host Matt Galloway in an interview this morning. "We all have commitments ... and when you're late for those, absolutely you should get upset."
Percy said the delays were caused by the failure of a single switch — a piece of track with moveable points that allows trains to transfer from one line to another. There are hundreds of switches on GO's network but the one that seized and later broke Monday is located in a critical spot, near where there Lakeshore East and Stouffville corridors come together.
"It couldn't have happened in a worse place," said Percy. The switch failed at around 6 a.m., before the heaviest rush-hour traffic, but it meant that trains east of the switch on two lines had to wait in place as repair crews worked. Some trains had to head back to stations, others were cancelled. It wasn't long before the delay had a "cascading effect," leading to delays on the busy Lakeshore West corridor.
Ontario government wants railways to make room for GO transit
The province wants Canada’s new federal Liberal government to join it in pushing private railways to make room for more passenger trains on the Milton and Kitchener GO lines.
Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said it’s time to formalize discussions on rationalizing the Kitchener and Milton tracks, which are still owned in sections by CN…
Monday, November 23, 2015
Anonymous commenting disabled until further notice
Dear Readers,
Due to the unfortunate abuse of the anonymous comment feature, I have to restrict commenting to Google accounts. You will need to sign in as yourself if you want to comment.
I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
Cj
Due to the unfortunate abuse of the anonymous comment feature, I have to restrict commenting to Google accounts. You will need to sign in as yourself if you want to comment.
I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
Cj
Free coffee tomorrow at Oshawa GO
@Just_LoriAnn please RT! The Coffee Fairies are giving free coffee at the Oshawa GO train station tomorrow 6-7:30am https://t.co/wgyjoeSxNs
— Durham Improv (@DurhamImprov) November 23, 2015The broken switch that caught everyone off guard
Well, that sucked. But it got fixed and I'm sure it was a sobering wake-up call that winter has arrived.
A fellow passenger who boarded the 5:53 am LSE Whitby to Union train was still on that train as of writing this posting (9:05 am). Her train had to travel back from Guildwood to Scarborough so it could run on another track. My train passed her's and I waved out the window in solidarity at those passengers caught in this mess. It's anticipated her train will arrive at Union by 9:30 am. That's three and half hours on a train.
And how was your morning?
A fellow passenger who boarded the 5:53 am LSE Whitby to Union train was still on that train as of writing this posting (9:05 am). Her train had to travel back from Guildwood to Scarborough so it could run on another track. My train passed her's and I waved out the window in solidarity at those passengers caught in this mess. It's anticipated her train will arrive at Union by 9:30 am. That's three and half hours on a train.
And how was your morning?
Cold weather leads to GO train delays: Metrolinx https://t.co/kadrYL0234 pic.twitter.com/98wNMsRSwy
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) November 23, 2015Friday, November 20, 2015
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ... "out of business" ... like I make any money from this
The whole fine for footriding is big news on the toronto subreddit. This site was mentioned.
People making themselves at home on public transit isn't going to be deterred by a fine. Look at the smoking situation ... and the drinking. And let's not forget parking. But I am flattered people think I'll be put out of business.
Truth be told, if this new bylaw were truly enforced, GO Transit wouldn't need to raise fares and if Metrolinx were to get really serious about the smoking infractions, they could buy a new double decker bus every year just from the revenue the fines would generate.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Putting your feet on the seat now carries a $75 fine
On November 5, 2015 the Chief Justice of Ontario ordered the by-law update of the Metrolinx Part 1 – Provincial Offences Act, By-Law No. 2 Regulation of Regional Transit System (Metrolinx).
Included amongst the new or increased fines for various infractions, is the offence of “Place foot on vehicle seat” which is a set fine of $75.00.
For more information visit the GO Transit website page Rules & Regulations, under GO Transit’s By-Laws, By-law No. 2 or the Ontario Court of Justice website.
I can't ... I ...
However, it's discretionary and up to Transit Safety Officers to enforce. They can warn a passenger, or write the ticket, but still...
Man robbed at Pickering GO Station pedestrian bridge
Police are searching for a male suspect who pulled a knife after the toy gun he initially brandished did not fool the victim.
On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers from West Division responded to the Pickering GO pedestrian bridge for an armed robbery. A 21-year-old male was walking northbound across the bridge when a male suspect stepped in front of him, pointing a toy gun at him and demanding his belongings. The victim initially did not comply with the demand as he recognized the gun to be a toy. The suspect then pointed a small pocket knife at him and the victim handed over a quantity of cash. The suspect then fled on foot towards the Pickering Town Centre.
The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.
The suspect is described as male, black, 20 to 30 years old, and wearing a camo-style jacket with a fur-lined hood, low-riding jeans and work boots.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Derusha of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2535.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Credit
On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers from West Division responded to the Pickering GO pedestrian bridge for an armed robbery. A 21-year-old male was walking northbound across the bridge when a male suspect stepped in front of him, pointing a toy gun at him and demanding his belongings. The victim initially did not comply with the demand as he recognized the gun to be a toy. The suspect then pointed a small pocket knife at him and the victim handed over a quantity of cash. The suspect then fled on foot towards the Pickering Town Centre.
The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.
The suspect is described as male, black, 20 to 30 years old, and wearing a camo-style jacket with a fur-lined hood, low-riding jeans and work boots.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Derusha of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2535.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Credit
Offensive comment directed towards Muslim women written on GO train
The comment, scribbled as graffiti, resulted in the train immediately being taken out of service.
In an article in the Toronto Star, Anne Marie Aikins, spokesperson for Metrolinx said, “People were very upset. We will not tolerate this behaviour and we deeply apologize to anybody hurt by this.”
This incident does not appear to be related to another incident that happened last night on a TTC subway train were two men and a woman called out two women wearing hijabs and accused them of being terrorists. One of the victims was pushed.
Both Metrolinx and the TTC have launched an investigation.
In an article in the Toronto Star, Anne Marie Aikins, spokesperson for Metrolinx said, “People were very upset. We will not tolerate this behaviour and we deeply apologize to anybody hurt by this.”
This incident does not appear to be related to another incident that happened last night on a TTC subway train were two men and a woman called out two women wearing hijabs and accused them of being terrorists. One of the victims was pushed.
Both Metrolinx and the TTC have launched an investigation.
Some people just can't leave summer behind
The worst thing about commuting on @GOtransit is not the service. It's the customers. pic.twitter.com/epfQMJmj1C
— karen (@mutable_me) November 7, 2015Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Them dirty Double-Ds
Yep, that's blood.
And dried vomit.
Credibility
Special to This Crazy Train
by Hy Perbolé
We at TCT Academy love it when pupils are diligent and submit their assignments promptly. Such is the case with the composition handed in by a supervisor in the Customer Relations department at GO Transit regarding the cleanliness of double-decker buses. So, full marks for that. Those of you not familiar with the issue of dirty DD’s, I leave it as a reading assignment for you to come up to speed on the matter.
After having read the correspondence, I am left wanting more information, like the following:
• What exactly is a "small number of buses"? That relative quantity clarifies nothing. That’s like waiting two years for real-time bus information and being told we’ll have it “soon”.
• Where exactly is the fresh air intake that so much dirt enters the bus?
• Why does the problem “seem” to be related to the bus cabin filter? Are we hedging bets? How does the faulty cabin filter convert normal coloured dust to black soot? What metamorphosis is happening in the HVAC system? What is the exact chemical composition of this soot, i.e. what exactly are we breathing?
• Why does the manufacturer (Alexander Dennis Ltd., Scotland) need to be involved in a cabin filter problem? Is GO Transit admitting there is yet another quality assurance issue with these $800K+ buses? TCT has reported previously on some of the many faults these buses have.
• Regarding the overall cleanliness of GO Transit buses, what does “brought up to our standards” mean? If clear and enforceable standards existed, would passengers be subjected any of the current conditions that exist on the DD’s?
• Regarding the supervisor’s assurances we “will see an improvement going forward”, I submit the following post on Twitter:
Whereas “truthiness” may work for Stephen Colbert, it does nothing for the official response from GO Transit. Customer Relations needs to stop pumping out these perfunctory platitudes. They do nothing for the corporation’s credibility, especially in advance of Metrolinx’s December board meeting in which inflationary fare increases — to support “improved service” — are expected to be announced yet again. I hope senior management proves me wrong on this.
As much as I would like to give this composition a marginal passing grade, the high standards of TCT Academy prohibit it. Sorry. It’s a fail.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
Anyone else feeling nervous?
What happened in Paris was terrifying.
Anyone concerned in the financial district and within the proximity of Union Station?
Should we be worried?
Anyone concerned in the financial district and within the proximity of Union Station?
Should we be worried?
Friday, November 13, 2015
I know I've joked about punting passengers' bags but tonight someone actually did it
In the 8 years I've been taking the GO train to and from work I've seen a lot of crap but tonight? Tonight took the cake. I've logged countless blog posts about the deplorable behavior exhibited by some on the Lakeshore East train that terminates in Oshawa on my thiscrazytrain.com website. I thought I had seen everything but apparently not. Tonight I watched three grown women fight over a suitcase that was occupying a seat - emphasis on *was*. Seats fill up pretty quickly and with the average monthly fare averaging $319, people have little tolerance for what I call seat hogging on rush-hour commuter trains. But there is a diplomatic way to deal with these matters but this one woman was having none of that tonight. She grabbed the suitcase when she saw it, plopped it down in the aisle and kicked it so it rolled down the aisle... and then it fell over. Apparently there were breakables in the suitcase - items for a wedding this weekend. Literally all hell broke out. Screaming. Arms flailing. Grandstanding. There was still 10 minutes to go til the train was scheduled to leave. I should mention that when I boarded I offered to put one suitcase beside me in the aisle, but I was given a curt, "No thanks." I cautioned these two ladies that others may not be pleased with the situation. I was politely ignored. Then the beast of burden showed up. As it stands now, I have one suitcase beside me. The beast is downstairs and we're all sitting here traveling in awkward silence.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
God forbid anyone exercise at work!
This happened on Tuesday
Posted by blogTO on Thursday, November 12, 2015
Because GO transit passengers do!
Faulty air cabin filters blamed for black soot found on Double Decker GO buses
Last week I ran a story about Double Decker buses on Route 12 and their overall lack of cleanliness. Also pointed out was the appearance of black soot near the air vents and on the surface of the interior.
A representative for GO Transit wrote in an email the problem would be investigated and has since written back a response:
Dear Ms. Smith and Mr. (Name withheld by request)
Thank you for your patience while I looked into your concerns.
We investigated all of the double decker buses to determine the cause for the black debris coming out of the air vents. We identified a technical problem with a small number of buses which seems to be related to the cabin filter for the bus. It is not filtering all the airborne dust out of the fresh air intake which is what causes the black dust. We are working with the manufacturer to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
With respect to the overall cleanliness of our buses, we are taking appropriate measures to ensure they are brought up to our standards. I trust that you will see an improvement going forward.
Thank you again for bringing these important matters to my attention.
Sincerely,
(Name withheld for confidentiality reasons)
Supervisor, Customer Relations, GO Transit
A representative for GO Transit wrote in an email the problem would be investigated and has since written back a response:
| From: | GO Transit Customer Relations customerrelations@gotransit.com | ||
| to: | Cindy Smith X | ||
| date: | Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 10:43 AM | ||
| subject: | GO Transit, a Division of Metrolinx EM0119002913 |
Dear Ms. Smith and Mr. (Name withheld by request)
Thank you for your patience while I looked into your concerns.
We investigated all of the double decker buses to determine the cause for the black debris coming out of the air vents. We identified a technical problem with a small number of buses which seems to be related to the cabin filter for the bus. It is not filtering all the airborne dust out of the fresh air intake which is what causes the black dust. We are working with the manufacturer to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
With respect to the overall cleanliness of our buses, we are taking appropriate measures to ensure they are brought up to our standards. I trust that you will see an improvement going forward.
Thank you again for bringing these important matters to my attention.
Sincerely,
(Name withheld for confidentiality reasons)
Supervisor, Customer Relations, GO Transit
Because drying clothes with a candle was a pain the ass
It doesn't look like this anymore
Posted by blogTO on Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The more things change, the more things stay the same
Courtesy of Toronto Public Library & the Toronto Star Archives. Photo credit Don Dutton -- All at sea: This GO train...
Posted by Vintage Toronto on Thursday, November 5, 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Was the driver interviewed??? No reason given for why minivan was stopped on tracks on Langstaff Road in Vaughan
Commuters on the Barrie line were going nowhere fast after a GO train collided with a minivan at a level crossing on Langstaff Road, just metres south of the Rutherford GO Station last night.
Five people in the minivan escaped without injury after the train struck the vehicle at a slow speed while it was preparing to enter the station. The collision happened after 5:30 pm.
Commuters were left stranded at Union Station for 90 minutes waiting for train service to be reinstated and those left on the train had to wait for buses to take them to stations past Rutherford.
There is no word from York Regional Police whether any charges will be laid.
Five people in the minivan escaped without injury after the train struck the vehicle at a slow speed while it was preparing to enter the station. The collision happened after 5:30 pm.
Commuters were left stranded at Union Station for 90 minutes waiting for train service to be reinstated and those left on the train had to wait for buses to take them to stations past Rutherford.
There is no word from York Regional Police whether any charges will be laid.
Keele & Langstaff: @YorkParamedics assess 5 occupants from the van, @VaughanFire checked for injuries on the train. pic.twitter.com/ZpTOE75Gq0
— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) November 10, 2015Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Sesame Street is 46 years old today. This is my favourite vignette. I still sing Milk, miiiilllk, milk to this day
So much suspense. So much drama.
WILL THE BABY GET HER MILK?!
GO Bus be bringing so much crazy lately, I may have to start up thiscrazybus.com
Generally my GO bus rides home from Oshawa GO station to Courtice are uneventful but ever since the clocks rolled back, some very unstable individuals have taken to riding the GO bus and bringing their suitcases full of drama with them.
I'm the only one on Twitter who has used a gobusfight hashtag so I'm able to aggregate the two fights I witnessed and have cut and pasted the text from the tweets below. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Clarington, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is getting off at my stop. I should follow her.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Clarington, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is asking Rhonda if they can meet up at Tammys place and set it on fire but first they have to get the dresser out
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is having nothing to do with fucking brown curtains and Rhonda better buy blue so they match her bedspread
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Rhonda just called Connie. She's at Walmart. The whole bus knows this because of speakerphone. Are brown curtains okay?
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is going to knife the bitch if she doesn't get her clothes tonight
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Tammy has hung up. Connie is calling Rhonda who is not answering. She is leaving a vmail about Tammy
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is demanding Tammy makes $20 payments to reimburse her for the Fido charges
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is screaming on her phone at Tammy because her clothes are being held hostage. So many f bombs
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
Tonight's #gobusfight is brought to us by Connie who was thrown out by Tammy and is now staying at Rhonda's house in the back room
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #11 Melissa has called Dan on her cell and is leaving him a sobbing voicemail. Lots of swearing. Girl, you're better off
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #10 Dan has just told us all that Melissa is a whore & has exited the bus at Mary Street. Melissa is crying. Good god...
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #9 Dan is calling Rick to meet him at Wilson Rd because he's done with her crap. Passenger just suggested they both leave
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #8 Melissa, the woman, has decided Dan needs to GET OFF THIS FUCKING BUS RIGHT NOW BEFORE SHE KILLS HIM.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #7 it's shit like this that makes me love public transit. Man is now downstairs talking to her.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #6 Driver has asked the girl to quit yelling insults up the stairs. She also asked me what my bra size is
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #5 She just climbed over him and angrily stomped down the stairs screaming he should get her a boob job so he's happy
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #4 He's telling her he's packing his shit up tonight if she can't get over the fact Jesus gave her A-cup titties
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #3 She's encouraging him to ask other women on bus to show him their tits & ask what bra sizes we wear #escalatingquickly
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #2 Apparently it's the Sears catalogues fault. Too much wonderbra temptation as a child. He's dialing up a lot of WTF
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #1 He's now explaining he looked at the woman because of how she's dressed. Girl is like so it's ok if she was naked?
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
Watching this couple fighting on the GO bus. Apparently he looked too long at a woman. She's all about him getting her number. #chillout
I'm the only one on Twitter who has used a gobusfight hashtag so I'm able to aggregate the two fights I witnessed and have cut and pasted the text from the tweets below. Start from the bottom and work your way up.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Clarington, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is getting off at my stop. I should follow her.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Clarington, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is asking Rhonda if they can meet up at Tammys place and set it on fire but first they have to get the dresser out
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is having nothing to do with fucking brown curtains and Rhonda better buy blue so they match her bedspread
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Rhonda just called Connie. She's at Walmart. The whole bus knows this because of speakerphone. Are brown curtains okay?
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is going to knife the bitch if she doesn't get her clothes tonight
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Tammy has hung up. Connie is calling Rhonda who is not answering. She is leaving a vmail about Tammy
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is demanding Tammy makes $20 payments to reimburse her for the Fido charges
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update Connie is screaming on her phone at Tammy because her clothes are being held hostage. So many f bombs
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain 16h16 hours ago Oshawa, Ontario
Tonight's #gobusfight is brought to us by Connie who was thrown out by Tammy and is now staying at Rhonda's house in the back room
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #11 Melissa has called Dan on her cell and is leaving him a sobbing voicemail. Lots of swearing. Girl, you're better off
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #10 Dan has just told us all that Melissa is a whore & has exited the bus at Mary Street. Melissa is crying. Good god...
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #9 Dan is calling Rick to meet him at Wilson Rd because he's done with her crap. Passenger just suggested they both leave
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #8 Melissa, the woman, has decided Dan needs to GET OFF THIS FUCKING BUS RIGHT NOW BEFORE SHE KILLS HIM.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #7 it's shit like this that makes me love public transit. Man is now downstairs talking to her.
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #6 Driver has asked the girl to quit yelling insults up the stairs. She also asked me what my bra size is
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #5 She just climbed over him and angrily stomped down the stairs screaming he should get her a boob job so he's happy
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #4 He's telling her he's packing his shit up tonight if she can't get over the fact Jesus gave her A-cup titties
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #3 She's encouraging him to ask other women on bus to show him their tits & ask what bra sizes we wear #escalatingquickly
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #2 Apparently it's the Sears catalogues fault. Too much wonderbra temptation as a child. He's dialing up a lot of WTF
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
#gobusfight update #1 He's now explaining he looked at the woman because of how she's dressed. Girl is like so it's ok if she was naked?
CJ Smith @ThisCrazyTrain Nov 4 Oshawa, Ontario
Watching this couple fighting on the GO bus. Apparently he looked too long at a woman. She's all about him getting her number. #chillout
Friday, November 6, 2015
Part 6 of an installment, exclusive to This Crazy Train, "Meet the Deckers"
Editor's note: If you have had issues while aboard a Double Decker bus, or have a story about a Double Decker experience, drop me a line at cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Special to This Crazy Train
Paging Mr. Clean
by GO Voyageur
Ali
Gator normally writes these articles, but over a beer a couple of weeks ago, he
suggested I submit this story, because of the photos I had amassed.
First,
let’s run the newsreel from
April 3, 2013. Glen
Murray, then Minister of Transportation, was positively gaga over the new Enviro500
double-decker buses (#8101—8125) purchased by GO Transit from Alexander Dennis
Ltd. Even more of these buses were acquired;
the equipment numbers are now north of 8200.
With
all the hoopla over these vehicles, you’d think the very least GO Transit would
do is keep the minister’s pride and joy buses clean. Wrong!
I’m
not referring to the occasional spilt beer in the rear of the upper saloon, or a youngster dumping
their soft drink. I’m
referring to the continual filth due to neglect by the maintenance staff. Why isn’t the acrylic glass on the stairway
cleaned more often? Who wants to look at
the following mess for an hour or more?
BTW,
that’s not an isolated incident. Here
are more:
Let’s
compare GO’s buses to one from Niagara Region Transit. This one looks clean; it had been on the road
for half a shift before I snapped the photo:
And
peering into the bus, I noted that the windows were spotless — on both sides.
Let’s
compare that to DD # 8142 this weekend.
Did
someone take this baby off-roading and forget to run it through the wash bay? Looks can be deceiving. That grime isn’t on the outside of the bus;
it’s on the inside of the window!
Is
that the worst of it? Nope. It’s time to get serious. Have you ever examined the air vents on the
double-deckers? Look closely at the
following photo.
What
are those soot marks to the front and rear?
Most air vents I’ve looked at have those dark stains on the
ceiling. Is this dirt being forced in
from the engine compartment? Let’s
recall that OC Transpo’s deckers
had issues with fumes inside some of their buses. Does this happen, too, with GO Transit’s
DDs? Yes. Fumes inside the bus precipitated the
following email alert.
If
the ventilation system is indeed pumping dirt into the bus, then it must be
settling somewhere, and it should be detectable. A quick wipe of the front dashboard with a
paper towel provided the answer.
Exactly
what is this soot, and what is its source?
How much of a health hazard is this crud, not only for passengers but
especially for drivers? Maybe it’s time
for the mainstream media to investigate this problem as a matter of public
concern.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
#RoyalGOat
Spot a goat, win a prize. Well damn son, sign me up!
From GO Transit:
The Lakeshore West line will be welcoming a very special rider tomorrow morning as Turbo the Goat will be aboard one of our trains to Union.
He is in town for the Royal Agricultural Fair at Exhibition Place from November 6th to 15th and is heading into downtown Toronto for some sightseeing. If you spot the #RoyalGoat and share your picture on Twitter, you will be entered to win tickets to the Fair.
GO makes it easy to see Turbo and all his friends at The Royal Agricultural Fair! You can buy your ticket to the fair at select GO Stations (list is available at http://gotransit.com/public/en/news/gonews.aspx) and ride with us on our Lakeshore West line right to the Exhibition GO.
From GO Transit:
The Lakeshore West line will be welcoming a very special rider tomorrow morning as Turbo the Goat will be aboard one of our trains to Union.
He is in town for the Royal Agricultural Fair at Exhibition Place from November 6th to 15th and is heading into downtown Toronto for some sightseeing. If you spot the #RoyalGoat and share your picture on Twitter, you will be entered to win tickets to the Fair.
GO makes it easy to see Turbo and all his friends at The Royal Agricultural Fair! You can buy your ticket to the fair at select GO Stations (list is available at http://gotransit.com/public/en/news/gonews.aspx) and ride with us on our Lakeshore West line right to the Exhibition GO.
An update about my embarrassing addiction
In March I admitted to being addicted to nasal sprays for 15 years. I also learned this kind of addiction is called rhinitis medicamentosa and I wasn't alone.
Through Google searches I was contacted by people worldwide who were also suffering and spending close to $600 a year on over the counter products designed to give the immediate relief we were all looking for.
Cold turkey didn't work for me. I gave up after 16 hours. I took the advice of one person to use Tylenol Cold & Sinus which I nearly overdosed on (Tylenol and I have never been friends). But I do credit that product for helping me get to the 18-hour mark before needing to shove something up my nose so I could sleep. After 90 days of using an oral decongestant, I got to the point where I only needed nasal spray at night. Recent blood tests show I've done no damage to my liver. Thank God.
Seven days ago I went spray-free for the first time and I haven't needed any since.
My biggest fear is getting a cold. It will be so easy to go down this path again.
I want to thank the people who wrote in to support me and encourage me. I also want others to know while it's truly horrible at first, it does improve. You can do it!
Through Google searches I was contacted by people worldwide who were also suffering and spending close to $600 a year on over the counter products designed to give the immediate relief we were all looking for.
Cold turkey didn't work for me. I gave up after 16 hours. I took the advice of one person to use Tylenol Cold & Sinus which I nearly overdosed on (Tylenol and I have never been friends). But I do credit that product for helping me get to the 18-hour mark before needing to shove something up my nose so I could sleep. After 90 days of using an oral decongestant, I got to the point where I only needed nasal spray at night. Recent blood tests show I've done no damage to my liver. Thank God.
Seven days ago I went spray-free for the first time and I haven't needed any since.
My biggest fear is getting a cold. It will be so easy to go down this path again.
I want to thank the people who wrote in to support me and encourage me. I also want others to know while it's truly horrible at first, it does improve. You can do it!
I did this once. On a shirt.
Someone's wearing brand new jeans today. #gotrain #gochro pic.twitter.com/MHfqCy1TxW
— Jonny Palmateer (@Palmateer29) October 30, 2015Halloween was Saturday ...
The GO train has never felt more like a rocket ship. pic.twitter.com/jJ7YHrPQS8
— Stacey Lambert (@staceyourface) November 1, 2015I wonder how many people bought his story?
| from: | DH | ||
| to: | "Cindy (Cj) Smith" | ||
| date: | Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 4:51 PM | ||
| subject: | Scammed |
Dude going up the length of 4:30 LSE milk run asking people for money to make an $80 fare to
Ottawa, or some sob story.
Wonder how many times he's done that in this line. Heard any similar stories?
| from: | Cindy (Cj) Smith cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| to: | DH | ||
| date: | Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 5:08 PM | ||
| subject: | Re: Scammed |
Yep. This is a common one. I once offered to walk over to a ticket counter with a guy to buy him a ticket since I had no cash on me and suddenly he didn't want to inconvenience me. I told him he said he needed to get home so I'd get him home. He then bailed.
Don't trust these jerks
Don't trust these jerks
GO ahead. Push it.
No one will say hello.
We truly are alone.
@ThisCrazyTrain This particular system is inoperable and is no longer used, if an emergency exists the yellow strip is the best option ^KG
— GO Transit (@GOtransit) November 4, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Monday, November 2, 2015
I've got squatters!
A black kitten and his mama showed up in our backyard Friday and quickly discovered the heater of our portable hot tub. They also discovered that our deck provides shelter, the birds provide food and the grass makes a nice snack. They both bolt if you approach them but meow for attention. Jerks.
WHY MOVE ON, RIGHT?
WHY MOVE ON, RIGHT?
Are you sure about the pants?
| from: | R F | ||
| to: | "cj@thiscrazytrain.com" | ||
| date: | Mon, Oct 26, 2015 at 11:06 AM | ||
| subject: | love your site |
Found your site this morning looking up GO bus stories and I wanted to share this picture I took heading home form Wonderland this past summer.
I did not know him.
He was hot.
He is wearing pants.
