tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2378672631151711766.post6701698273863062406..comments2015-05-28T11:46:26.430-04:00Comments on Toronto My Way: Scarborough RT service is deplorableDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09781924305051169635noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2378672631151711766.post-19539222398400019982012-09-21T21:12:08.870-04:002012-09-21T21:12:08.870-04:00Hey "Anonymous at 6:24pm",
Thanks for t...Hey "Anonymous at 6:24pm",<br /><br />Thanks for the thought. Please visit often, I appreciate constructive, thoughtful dialogue. <br /><br />There's a funny video on Youtube of how conductors in Japan go Flintstones style and two and three of them literally have to push and jam people in, in order to close the door, like packing a suitcase beyond its capacity and then sitting on it to get it closed! Perhaps we're heading in that direction...?<br /><br />I've thought about longer cars, more frequency, double-decker...but ripping out the seats and going standing-room only would probably be the quickest and cheapest way to increase capacity...<br /><br />However, I've already argued that Scarborough is under-served nay neglected; turning the RT into a cattle-car would be a gross indignity.<br /><br />If you're in Toronto, you've already been riding the new trains on the Yonge-University-Spadina line - any reason why the new trains haven't graced the Bloor-Danforth yet?<br /><br />And, yes, TTC managers riding along in buses and interacting with the public would be incredible. As I said, unfortunately, all-too-often the only "representatives" are unionized operators who have their own priority and have been positioned (exposed? left to twist?) to function at arms-length from TTC proper. TTC-union relations are a whole other conversation that needs to be had; it is, for example, why buying fare is so limited, in order to ensure fare collectors' jobs are protected by ensuring they must remain involved in the fare-selling transaction (why aren't there machines to dispense tokens outside the turnstyles at every station in the system?)<br /><br />DAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09781924305051169635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2378672631151711766.post-90290542919196344972012-09-21T18:24:36.615-04:002012-09-21T18:24:36.615-04:00The diversity argument is a good one (though I don...The diversity argument is a good one (though I don't think race has anything to do with it...). More analysis of the diversity of routes, transfers and ridership is certainly key to improving service. Rather than standing around with a clipboard and maroon jacket, the TTC managers need to ride along in the buses and interact with the public.<br /><br />As for the overcrowding on the SRT, my guess is that this comes down to the sheepish attitude Torontonians have towards their fellow citizens. Everyone's afraid to open their mouths. For whatever reason, we need a person of authority to tell us what to do, which comes back to the TTC conductors and managers. One thing I loved about the LIRR in New York was that their conductors didn't give a f*#@ - they call out anyone on the train without a second thought.<br /><br />Hopefully it'll get better with the new LRT line. In the meantime, I think the SRT needs to go cattle-car style and rip out all the seats.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com