Comments for Metronauts

Comment on Gauge Opinion by WMS

WMS — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:34:25 +0000

Converting existing system for tires may bring us advantages and disadvantages. Before we move on further to this new venture, let us at least weigh facts in our hands. It might be costly but in the long run gives us better service and ultimately saves us monre money or it could be the other way around. Yes, there will be adjustment and awkwardness to the new system but it has to start form somewhere before we can appreciate the wonderful things it brings. Just like the new technologies in the net. it takes time for us to adjust to the system but eventually we did. And look at what it does to us now. Just like the WMS http://www.chess.uk.com“>WMS, this is a new system I’ve been working on for past months of my business, it corroboratively increase productivity to my business. There is no harm in giving this track gauge option a chance to prove success to their innovations.

Comment on Photojunkie: Gridlocked by Jess

Jess — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:10:10 +0000

Actually traffic is akin to internet bandwidth, as any traffic engineer would tell you. The problem is that Toronto has several bottlenecks. These bottlenecks are where traffic jams begin and spiral out from. A few big ones come to mind:
Under Highway 427, where the 401 goes from 12 lanes to 8, and then to 18.
Allen Expressway’s diamond interchanges. A flyover to give direct access to eastbound Eglinton would fix this, but thanks to political donkeys, can’t be done.
Highway 404 southbound to DVP, where 8 lanes (4 of them from Hwy 404) converge into 3.
And soon an uninterrupted flow of traffic between Jarvis and the DVP will be stopped by traffic lights. Why? Because bicycles aren’t allowed on the Gardiner?

Comment on Presto: Big changes, little card by Warren

Warren — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:34:55 +0000

By what date do they think that all subway stops will accept this payment type?

Comment on Presto: Big changes, little card by Andrae Griffith

Andrae Griffith — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:06:37 +0000

It is complicated to the rider, but the numbers check out. Here’s the data.

I’m sure most people won’t care how they get to the end value, as long as the end value is at or about what they are paying today or less – and I think they’ve done that for local transit riders and for everyone but heavy-hitting GO riders.

Comment on Presto: Big changes, little card by luke

luke — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:25:21 +0000

Did they really have to choose the most complicated discount scheme imaginable? I have a feeling there are going to be “mistakes” when my statement arrives, and I’ll have to go through it with a calculator to verify them all…

Comment on Toronto may fast-track new downtown subway line (and is looking for a name) by RyanM

RyanM — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:42:17 +0000

Run it down Don Mills, then along King street… it can be called the ‘Don King’ line.

Comment on What’s Your Sign? by Drew

Drew — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:34:47 +0000

Aside from creatively renaming Wychwood as “Oakwood” I otherwise support the idea of using community names for GO stations and intersecting street names for LRT/ROW.

There WILL be a STATION at Eglinton/Bathurst, there will be a FARSIDE PLATFORM at Finch/Bathurst. HUGE difference.

Concern about DRL/Eglinton (Underground) naming convention is especially noteworthy, however our City of Neighbourhoods will be able to fill in the gaps so that we can avoid Dundas West West West or Don Mills, Don Mills South.

Comment on Gauge Opinion by Drew

Drew — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:31:28 +0000

As a proud (may be read as arrogant) Torontonian, and legendary TTC-nimbyist:

It is ludicrous to suggest that LRTs from Mississauga or York in whatever form would continue inside the TTCs fare zone. Boundary “stations” on the proposed Transit City lines (where they meet boundaries outside the city) would be appropriate, some form of carefully allocated double-loop where TTC gauge enters and returns, while (other party) standard-gauge enters and returns in the opposite direction.

Currently Mississauga Transit buses are being moved towards Kipling (in a dual-mode make over) permitting people working in Mississauga to have (somewhat unnecessary, duplicated (via GO) service) access to the subway.

Toronto’s transportation needs exceed those of many other municipalities, that fact alone should suggest that those municipalities who are considering LRT would be (encouraged) to use Standard Gauge to lessen the cost of what would be (initially) an orphan line or series of lines.

It’s called TTC gauge because it’s for the TTC.

Comment on Where do we GO? (East Side) by Drew

Drew — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:25:09 +0000

* also, providing additional track and grade separation along the Stouffville corridor.

Comment on Where do we GO? (East Side) by Drew

Drew — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:04:48 +0000

Great posts (GO East/West/North)!
The Uxbridge sub is close to my heart as it’s relatively close to my hometown/community of Scugog.

I agree with all that you’ve written about the underserved corridors (Barrie, Richmond Hill, Stouffville) I had no idea that GO owned significant portions of these lines’ infrastructure.

I agree that the Oshawa GO station is inadequate to meet the needs of Oshawa, and while Whitby is well established (virtually every DRT bus in Whitby makes a stop there– it seems) there is no need for additional city-stops in Durham.

If there is to be a Peterborough GO line, surely a Pickering/Ajax/Whitby/Oshawa North series’ of stations would be appropriate.

As for Stouffville, the connection at Scarborough GO has always been quite a nuisance, with the built forms in the area, I’ve envisioned some sort of dramatic trench to plow the line below grade before Danforth, moving the actual platforms slightly west of their current location to allow for the necessary switches to be placed)

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Andrae Griffith

Andrae Griffith — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:28:01 +0000

Perhaps better service on the 97 Yonge and a new Bloor-Danforth bus then for people with bikes to use during the peak hours? Perhaps bike sharing stations at the suburbs for people like Sasha to ride to the station on a rented bike then complete the journey on another rented bike (cost could be included in the transit pass maybe)?

The rush hour is a barrier, but we should be looking for opportunities to overcome the barrier.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Justin Bernard

Justin Bernard — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:51:52 +0000

Absolutely no bikes on the subway during rush hour. That is total madness, even if the trains may be “less packed” further down the line.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Andrae Griffith

Andrae Griffith — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:57:51 +0000

You could always a few dozen blocks out of the city and board where the trains are less crowded.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Triceratops

Triceratops — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:54:19 +0000

You wouldn’t be very popular if you tried pushing your bike through the packed subway stations at rush hour.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by sasha

sasha — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:30:23 +0000

I live and work in the city and it would be very beneficial for me if I could take my bike on the subway … during rush-hour. I know the subway is already packed during rush-hour but on the days when I could use the subway to aid in my cycling commute I just decide to drive.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Andrae Griffith

Andrae Griffith — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:16:16 +0000

The rumour is that they once allowed bikes below but there was an incident with a greasy chain on someone else’s luggage. But, perhaps it is time to reconsider, as a bike slip cover is less than $10 on ebay.

I’m planning an excursion to Hamilton this summer with (hopefully) a large group and I’m anticipating a challenge getting back to Toronto if we’re too tired to ride back to Aldershot for this very reason.

Oh! Bike rack service starts on Mississauga Transit on June 19th.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Triceratops

Triceratops — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:11:08 +0000

Go Transit needs to start allowing regular bikes into the luggage compartment of the bus.

When I want to go somewhere with more than 1 friend, the Go bus simply won’t allow a 3rd bike.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by Mike

Mike — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:33:08 +0000

I’ve got a folding bike too (a Miele) which I’ve taken folded on the subway & buses at rush hour, GO Transit, and Via Rail w/ no hassles at all. I’ve also used the bus bike rack which is even quicker & easier than the 10 seconds it takes to fold my bike up. In London’s Tube, some Tube stations specifically mention that folding commuter bikes are allowed on board.

The folding bike may be a bit big for airline carry on tho.

I had thought of buying a hardshell case for my bike, but the case’d cost more than the bike, and it’d make the unit much harder to move around. Just folded up, I roll it along on the rear wheel & steer it by the seat.

Comment on Adventures on a folder – A year on 20-inch wheels by DCumming

DCumming — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:36:32 +0000

Not a comment, but a question.
Have not seen anyone comment on this point.
Who is responsible if the bike falls off? Damage can be done to the bike, the bus, other motorists and pedestrians. I am not against the bike racks. They are needed. The only law in place I know of states the driver of the vehicle is responsible for the safety of their load. Yet the driver does not leave their seat when the load is tied down on the front of the bus. It is the passenger that loads and ties the load (hooks in).

Comment on PRAXIS Projects Address TTC Needs by Andrae Griffith

Andrae Griffith — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:03:27 +0000

I’ve been very fortunate to be in a university program that gives us the opportunity to solve real world problems for real world clients. There’s no substitute for this kind of applied learning, and I’m sure that these students will become better engineers for having participated in the program.

Who needs high-priced consultants when you can have eager students solve problems for course credit? Of course, I say this until I graduate and hopefully become one of those high-priced consultants…