[miketoronto]

I have to say that I am starting to get really dissapointed with the transit situation in Toronto. And it has to do with the little things.

Today it was cold in Toronto, and I was standing in a shelter downtown waiting for the bus. Great you say, the shelter should keep you warmer then standing out in the wind.

Well try again :) The shelters in Toronto are designed with openings in the glass wall, at the bottom of the shelter. That means each time the wind blows it comes right into the shelter and chills you up.

I arrive at my subway station and am waiting in the bus station, which is fully inclosed. Yet it was still freezingin there. Why does Toronto Transit not provide heat lamps like Ottawa, Chicago, and countless other cold cities do at their transit centres??

I would love to know who is in charge of our transit buildings and shelters, etc.

Why is it I can go to Detroit and wait at the elevated train station under a nice heat lamp, but TTC can't seem to get its act together in customer comforts?

Customer comforts are really something I think needs a whole revap in Toronto. There is no reason fully inclosed waiting areas like the bus station at Scarborough Centre can't be heated in the winter.

[vid]

Today it was cold in Toronto

OH MY GAWD NO!!! :tantrum:

and I was standing in a shelter downtown waiting for the bus. Great you say, the shelter should keep you warmer then standing out in the wind.

Well try again :) The shelters in Toronto are designed with openings in the glass wall, at the bottom of the shelter. That means each time the wind blows it comes right into the shelter and chills you up.

Well my lord! That is UN AC CEPT A BLE! They should be managing at least 20,000 heated buildings throughout the city to keep their passengers warm!! :crazy:

I arrive at my subway station and am waiting in the bus station, which is fully inclosed. Yet it was still freezingin there. Why does Toronto Transit not provide heat lamps like Ottawa, Chicago, and countless other cold cities do at their transit centres??

Lack of money? Lack of people to use them? Waste of energy?

I would love to know who is in charge of our transit buildings and shelters, etc.

Don't you work for the TTC? Wouldn't you know that?

Why is it I can go to Detroit and wait at the elevated train station under a nice heat lamp, but TTC can't seem to get its act together in customer comforts?

How long are you waiting for these buses? :koko:

Customer comforts are really something I think needs a whole revap in Toronto. There is no reason fully inclosed waiting areas like the bus station at Scarborough Centre can't be heated in the winter.

Consider yourself lucky, Mike. Here, you're lucky if the bus stop even has a fucking sign.

And it isn't 'cold'; It was minus fucking twenty this morning when I went out to get groceries, using the bus, waiting about 4 minutes before the bus got to the stop, in a bus stop that not only has gaps at both the bottom AND TOP of it's glass panels, but also has no door, just an opening! The wind goes right in! (but it keeps you dry, the primary purpose of such shelters.) and I had no problem.

You hate rich people that have attitudes? Well, this is an example of what rich people like to complain about. It's a bus stop, not a hotel. Grow a pair.

[SteelTown]

I know the bus shelters here are private, Viacom which owns CBS maintans the shelters.

I'm pretty sure Viacom also does Toronto's shelters as well. You can't miss the Viacom logo on the side of the bus shelter.

[miketoronto]

VID I work for GO TRANSIT. And GO TRANSIT builds proper shelters that do not have the bottoms open. It makes a big difference and actually keeps you warm.

Ontop of that GO TRANSIT has been installing heating at transit terminals in the bus shelters.

I see no reason why the TTC can't think about its customers a little more.

The Scarborough Centre bus terminal is very busy and full of people. Its a perfect place for heat lamps and a little more customer comforts.

One other thing I am having an issue with is overcrowding, but I know the TTC is working on that, and just waiting for the 100 buses to arrive for service increases this coming fall. But man I would love to know how many people are being turned off transit by the third world overcrowding of our transit system. I just started working 9-5 again, and the crowding in Scarborough is bad, bad, bad.

[vid]

Oh, GO TRANSIT. I'm sorry. I thought you worked for THE TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION.

Well, maybe GO TRANSIT has more money? I know for one thing that THUNDER BAY TRANSIT, whose shelters are maintained by PATERSON MEDIA INCORPORATED are, when you can find one, crap. Aside from the fact that a good 85% of them are just signs in the road.

I mean really, be glad you don't live in Sherwood Forest (that's one of our suburbs) - none of their bus stops have shelters and it's the coldest part of town.

[Andy6]

VID I work for GO TRANSIT. And GO TRANSIT builds proper shelters that do not have the bottoms open. It makes a big difference and actually keeps you warm.

Maybe they're concerned that the shelters will be occupied by the homeless if they're too comfortable.

[Sacamano]

I thought Ottawa (which is at least 2 times colder than Toronto) got rid of the heated shelters because of a vagrant problem


anyways ... heat lamps ... what a frivilous expense ... buy a better coat

But man I would love to know how many people are being turned off transit by the third world overcrowding of our transit system.

so NYC, Tokyo, London, etc. are third world?

[arnold]

i imagine that there are a dozen good reasons to keep from closing in the bottoms of the shelters. one that springs to mind is maintenance. remember how all of the old shelters rusted out so badly after a few winters of slush and salt? i also thought that the bottoms were open to keep things like snow and trash from piling up inside, and keeping people from bedding down inside...

all i know is that when i was up at home over xmas, the shelters did a mighty fine job of keeping me dry and out of the wind. you can't expect anything more than that.

and please, you can't compare the TTC's thousands and thousands of shelters to the detroit "people mover's" ten stations... you're doing yourself a disservice making comparisons like that.

[shappy]

mike, lets be honest here... if the TTC had shelters with the bottoms to the ground, you'd find something to complain about as well.

[Taller Better]

Mike, you must be really soft. Dress warmly. This is Canada, not Florida. I guess I have little patience for people who underdress and complain that the city is not keeping them warm enough. Mr Miller is not there to hand us mittens and check to see if we are wearing long underwear. Do it yourself. ;)

[SD]

I think the TTC has bigger issues than unheated transit stops (which could be more costly than you think).

It can get busy during rush hour, but I don't think overcrowding is that big an issue.

The TTC isn't perfect by any means, but we're definitely a lot luckier than we realize. Too many people take it for granted.

[Taller Better]

I remember heated shelters in Winnipeg. They were usually disgusting, as homeless people lived in them ( and unfortunately assumed they could p*ss on the floor). And yes, they do cost a fortune to maintain in Winnipeg at least as the kids used to vandalize them constantly for some strange reason. The heaters were often broken. Toronto is not a cold enough city to worry about a huge expense like heated shelters.

[M II A II R II K]

Another issue is the deathtrap stairs to go into the subway from outside when there's all slush and snow on the top stairs.

[miketoronto]

I do dress warm. But you guys gotta look at this from a customer service point of view.

If we don't provide proper waiting areas, people with a choice are not going to take the TTC.

If we leave people standing in shelters where the wind blows in, thats not a very nice way to enourage people to take transit and leave the car at home.

I think major transit centres should be heated, and our shelters should have a better design.

I don't think its that much to ask for. Its the little things like this that make a difference to riders.

Believe me I work in customer service here at GO, and those little things are what make people happy when taking transit.

We have go to look into customer service a little more with the TTC.

[billy corgan]

Buy a car.

[Taller Better]

^^^Which will make more pollution, and help to warm up the climate! Problem solved, cuz if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!! ..... :)

Another issue is the deathtrap stairs to go into the subway from outside when there's all slush and snow on the top stairs.

That is very much a real issue. The steps at, say, University and Dundas are unbelievably slippery when icy or even wet.

[niwell]

I thought Ottawa (which is at least 2 times colder than Toronto) got rid of the heated shelters because of a vagrant problem




Yeah, we only have them at transitway stops, not average bus shelters.

[Snashcan]

I do dress warm. But you guys gotta look at this from a customer service point of view.

If we don't provide proper waiting areas, people with a choice are not going to take the TTC.

If we leave people standing in shelters where the wind blows in, thats not a very nice way to enourage people to take transit and leave the car at home.

I think major transit centres should be heated, and our shelters should have a better design.

I don't think its that much to ask for. Its the little things like this that make a difference to riders.

Believe me I work in customer service here at GO, and those little things are what make people happy when taking transit.

We have go to look into customer service a little more with the TTC.

If Go Transit new anything about Customer service they would get faster friggin trains!!!! Go is definately no model of customer service

[Sacamano]

Buy a car.


classic

[miketoronto]

Buy a car.

Thats just what people are doing and will continue to do if we don't make our transit system more friendly with the little things.

[Taller Better]

I spoke to my mum today and I am going to get her to knit you a proper scarf! What is your favourite colour? :):)
Just a little joke...

[Boris2k7]

You guys get bus SHELTERS?!? :O

jk, we have some shelters here too. Most bus stops simply consist of a sign and, if you are lucky, a bench as well. Heating? A lot of our LRT stations don't even have that!

But seriously, just dress better. What I can't stand the most are those high-school age teens wearing t-shirts and baggy pants bitching about the cold. What stupidity...

[Sacamano]

our transit shelters and street furniture are provided by third party advertisers and I believe, CBS, won the contract and has being on quite the shelter building spree with I'd say at least 4 or more out of every 5 stops in the former city sheltered

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Mike, what has it been a week of cold weather now and you're already bitching? This is Canada, this is winter, and for January this isn't even cold.

:dunce: Buy a hat!


Also the city of Toronto has much bigger issues then yours or anybody elses chilly ankles.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/315624953_84fb188acd_o.jpg

[vid]

Might I suggest some mittens, your highness?

[zerokarma]

Has the TTC ever really been in touch with its customers?

[LordMandeep]

The TTC problem isn't because no one uses it, to many people use it for the managment and funding they have

[Sacamano]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/115/315624953_84fb188acd_o.jpg

telling picture

hopefully this boom we're about to have in subsidized housing makes a dent although much of it is replacement housing for those demolished and about to be demolished

[miketoronto]

You guys gotta look at this from a comfort stand point.

If someone has the choice, you think they are going to hop on the TTC knowing they have to stand out in the cold wind, when they can be in a car?

Its simple things like this that add up to people deciding to use transit or not.

Is the TTC mandate just to move the poor of this city, or do they really want to attract people from all walks of life to use transit?

If they really want to make this a system that serves everyone, then we have to work at making the system more comfortable for riders, etc.

American cities have seemed to understand this. METRO TRANSIT in Minneapolis for example provides heated transit centres for their riders.

To be honest with the service we are providing and uncomfortable waiting areas, I am starting to find it hard to believe that over half of TTC riders are choice riders anymore. I just can't see so many people choosing transit over the car, with the overcrowding, drafty bus shelters, uncomfortable waiting areas, etc.

We need transit to rise to the challenge. Not everything cost a ton of money. Simple things like shelters can go a long way to making a system more user friendly.

[vid]

You guys gotta look at this from a comfort stand point.

Only stuck up pansies that think they deserve to be comfortable 24/7 and have everyone bow to their needs looks at things like this from a comfort standpoint. Normal people don't plain give a fuck.

If someone has the choice, you think they are going to hop on the TTC knowing they have to stand out in the cold wind, when they can be in a car?

There is only cold wind, what, 20 days of the year at most? I don't know about Toronto but Thunder Bay isn't a very windy place. It isn't as cold as people say either. I don't see people whining about the cold and looking for their car keys. :rolleyes:


Its simple things like this that add up to people deciding to use transit or not.

No it isn't. Comfort at the bus stop has NOTHING to do with using Transit unless you're a weak ass pussy that can't stand a light breeze in winter! Most people here that have Transit fall into a few categories: 1) They do not have a working car, or have no car at all 2) they do not have a driving license 3) they cannot afford car insurance and take the bus because it is cheaper 4) they believe that using public transit is better for the environment than driving a car. I don't know ANYONE that has ever made the decision to not take the bus because it is cold and windy and the bus has no heated shelter. And this is coming from a city that DOES NOT have heated shelters, and unlike Toronto, has a real winter, with cold, snow, and even wind sometimes! If Torontonians are basing their public transit decisions on factors like that, then it's no wonder they call in the fucking army when they get a couple inches of snow. Grow a fucking pair!!

Is the TTC mandate just to move the poor of this city, or do they really want to attract people from all walks of life to use transit?

Public Transit's main priority is, yes, to give the poor the ability to get around the city so they can have a job and get to things if they can't afford a car! IF rich people can't stand a couple minutes of cold while they wait for a bus, then fuck them. I don't want assholes like them using the buses I use.

If they really want to make this a system that serves everyone, then we have to work at making the system more comfortable for riders, etc.

It's a fucking bus! After they put in 10,000 heated stops through the city, what will you complain about next? Lack of leather recliners and a mid-travel meal?? Hole fuck! :gaah:

American cities have seemed to understand this. METRO TRANSIT in Minneapolis for example provides heated transit centres for their riders.

Metro Transit is now where near the size and complexity of TTC. They probably did that because American projects are able to secure funding better and easier than Canadian projects due to tougher tax money use laws in the US.

To be honest with the service we are providing and uncomfortable waiting areas, I am starting to find it hard to believe that over half of TTC riders are choice riders anymore. I just can't see so many people choosing transit over the car, with the overcrowding, drafty bus shelters, uncomfortable waiting areas, etc.

You know what Thunder Bay's two transit depots are like? They smell bad, they're small and ugly, you're lucky if it has a fucking clock, the heat is hit or miss and the seats are big chunks of plastic from the 1960s. And no one complains! No one says it's uncomfortable! BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY THERE FOR 10 MINUTES!

We need transit to rise to the challenge. Not everything cost a ton of money. Simple things like shelters can go a long way to making a system more user friendly.

Simple things like heated shelters CAN cost a lot of money. That's why there are so few of them! Why waste all that money and electricity for something that will be used seldom and probably end up full of homeless people pissing all over the place?

The reason our Transit Terminals are so dumpy is because they don't want people loitering in them! There are never homeless people in them, there are never pools of urine in them, and that's because they're designed to keep you out of the wind, rain and cold while you wait for the bus, which will be there in 10 minutes. NOT to keep you comfortable for three hours while you chat it up with Oprah or whoeverthefuck.

You say you don't like that attitude of rich people but you sure seem like one of them. In the dictionary, we call that hypocrisy.

And don't tell me that dressing for the weather is uncomfortable. It isn't.

[caltrane74]

Oh Noooooooooooooooo. Another miketoronto thread.

And this one makes your other threads look intelligent. For God's sake you live in Canada. Outside of of Southwestern BC, Southern Ontario has the mildest climate in Canada.

Toughen up. Marry an Inuit and go ice fishing.

[Taller Better]

Only stuck up pansies that think they deserve to be comfortable 24/7 .


On behalf of stuck up pansies everywhere, I don't see what is wrong with that.

[niwell]

Honestly, I think this all comes down to funding. If transit receive proper funding (as opposed to unfair subsidization of private automobile centred transportation) then a lot of things would be better. The TTC in particular is in a rough spot. It's sad that the transit corporation which receives the most (IIRC) back in fares of any in North America (excluding Mexico) is struggling to make ends meet.

[Sacamano]

I don't see how public transit can ever be as comfortable or as convienant as driving oneself

price point beats out level of service

monthly passes that cost significantly less than 10 commutes a week will attract many more to the system than heated shelters - also advantageous in having the cash in hand on the first of the month over accumulation thoroughout it

[SD]

You guys gotta look at this from a comfort stand point.

If someone has the choice, you think they are going to hop on the TTC knowing they have to stand out in the cold wind, when they can be in a car?

Its simple things like this that add up to people deciding to use transit or not.

Is the TTC mandate just to move the poor of this city, or do they really want to attract people from all walks of life to use transit?

If they really want to make this a system that serves everyone, then we have to work at making the system more comfortable for riders, etc.

American cities have seemed to understand this. METRO TRANSIT in Minneapolis for example provides heated transit centres for their riders.

To be honest with the service we are providing and uncomfortable waiting areas, I am starting to find it hard to believe that over half of TTC riders are choice riders anymore. I just can't see so many people choosing transit over the car, with the overcrowding, drafty bus shelters, uncomfortable waiting areas, etc.

We need transit to rise to the challenge. Not everything cost a ton of money. Simple things like shelters can go a long way to making a system more user friendly.


Does the cost of heating shelters, etc. justify the expected increase in ridership? Could the money be better used in other areas?

[miketoronto]

Who says the TTC has to pay the cost of heating?

I am sure for example that the TTC could get a sponser to pay for heating the Scarborough Centre Station.

There are different ways to get things paid.

I am not saying every bus shelter needs a heater. I am not saying my bus stop needs a heater. I am saying the main transit terminals.

I have been in a GO TRANSIT heated shelter and it was nice.

If we are going to make transit a more viable option we have got to make it more comfortable.

People today for the most part are not captive to transit. And transit systems have to work at attracting people to ride.

[Taller Better]

I don't see how public transit can ever be as comfortable or as convienant as driving oneself

price point beats out level of service

monthly passes that cost significantly less than 10 commutes a week will attract many more to the system than heated shelters - also advantageous in having the cash in hand on the first of the month over accumulation thoroughout it

Driving may be more comfortable and convenient, but it costs one hell of a lot more no matter how a person rationalises/spins it to themselves. If someone frets that 90 bucks a month is too expensive for a fully transferable Metropass, then operates a car (gas/insurance/upkeep/initial investment) they are doing so strictly for the convenience and perceived comfort. I personally like taking the subway as I pass the time reading. That is dangerous to do if I were driving. Also I don't have to park.

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

So this morning it was bit messy thanks to the snow last night and I decided to leave my bike at home and TTC it in to work. After getting off my streetcar at Bathurst I proceeded to the next stop to catch the exhibition streetcar. It was at this point I realized, damn I don't even have a shelter, and gee how friggin cold it was. Why can't the TTC provide us with heated shelters everywhere? Perhaps with plasma TV’s and lazy boys. And until they upgrade why I ask aren't they handing out hot cocoa at these ghetto stops that myself and Mike have to endure?:shrug:

[Mister F]

If we don't provide proper waiting areas, people with a choice are not going to take the TTC.
Aren't you the one who posted that thread that nobody replied to about the TTC not having enough drivers because ridership was skyrocketing??

American cities have seemed to understand this. METRO TRANSIT in Minneapolis for example provides heated transit centres for their riders.
Yup, Toronto should be more like (insert random American/Australian city here whose website mike saw recently, got dazzled by some flashy adspeak, and is now convinced they're the model we should follow. This week.). Never mind that Toronto has the most successful transit system on the continent - it's obviously not hurting for riders.

I have been in a GO TRANSIT heated shelter and it was nice.
Reminds me of the stories I wrote for school in grade 2 after going on a vacation. "We went go-karting. It was fun. We went to the park. It was nice. We went to THE BAY QUEEN STREET. It wasn't world class enough so we're going shopping in the suburbs instead."

[Taller Better]

Perhaps with plasma TV’s and lazy boys. :

Not one of those cheap plasma ones, either. And not just any LazyBoy(tm), either. I want the "George Constanza" model with the small beer fridge on the side where I can reach down and pull out a frosty to slake my thirst caused by the shelter heating! I'm seeing white sand for a floor, too...

[miketoronto]

Make all the fun you want, but if a transit system does not update itself its not going to keep riders.

There is nothing wrong with making waiting areas nicer for riders.

You guys should hear the complaints I get from riders at GO TRANSIT.

One lady said we should not have a bus stop unless there is a park & ride attached to it, because now she can't park her car to access the bus.

Its not like I asking for a park and ride at each stop :). I am just asking for a little more thought to go into our waiting areas.

The problem is the people who design and make the decisions for us transit riders, are people who have not stepped foot on a bus in 30 years.

[caltrane74]

The funniest thing about this thread is that this has been the warmest winter ever. Winter didn't start till the 3rd week of January this year. and the coldest it has been is -8. I'm a guy thats not use to a January without at least a couple -20 degree days.

Mike that container ship with all the sombreros that brought you here accidentally, wants its ukulele player back.

[Taller Better]

One lady said we should not have a bus stop unless there is a park & ride attached to it, because now she can't park her car to access the bus.
.


I can think of two choice words for her... the first starts with "F", and the second starts with... "O". :notacrook:

[Tony]

Enough of this rubbish.