GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[dowlingm]

How much can Metrolinx upgrade the line when they don't own the tracks?

It depends on the arrangement. On some level money is going to transfer from govt to CP. I note that in Virginia some of the improvement works for rail service into DC involve purchasing 50pc of the ROW from CSX so they can own the resulting asset, as opposed to the third track VIA added on the Kingston sub which is now a CN asset. Depends on the situation and what the current owner is willing to consider.

 

[Richard White]

BlogTO is highlighting the burden caused by gig workers on GO.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2024/01/food-delivery-bike-couriers-clogging-go-trains-toronto/

 

[Mihairokov]

BlogTO is highlighting the burden caused by gig workers on GO.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2024/01/food-delivery-bike-couriers-clogging-go-trains-toronto/

This happens on Line 2 as well, although much less of an issue because of frequency. The clear solution is to either increase the frequency of the trains, build more housing where delivery drivers are working, or both!
It reminds me of the story of how Rosedale residents wanted the bike lanes on Yonge removed for whatever reason despite the fact that it was some of the busiest sections of bike lane in the city. Wonder where all those food deliveries are going!

 

[Bojaxs]

BlogTO is highlighting the burden caused by gig workers on GO.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2024/01/food-delivery-bike-couriers-clogging-go-trains-toronto/

Metrolinx should just move all their bike coaches to the Kitchener line. I always see the bike coaches on the way to Niagara. Do a lot of cyclists use the bike coaches to Niagara?

 

[johntauren]

Metrolinx should just move all their bike coaches to the Kitchener line. I always see the bike coaches on the way to Niagara. Do a lot of cyclists use the bike coaches to Niagara?

I think so in the summer at least, can't say how it is in the winter.

 

[leopetr]

Metrolinx should just move all their bike coaches to the Kitchener line. I always see the bike coaches on the way to Niagara. Do a lot of cyclists use the bike coaches to Niagara?

Recreational cyclists looking to do a chill century on a quiet country road take the Niagara train. Joe job cyclists looking to make minimum wage delivering food take the Kitchener train. Well, both can take both, but in different proportions and at different times

 

[WB62]

Metrolinx should just move all their bike coaches to the Kitchener line. I always see the bike coaches on the way to Niagara. Do a lot of cyclists use the bike coaches to Niagara?

Niagara currently isn’t using bike coaches (except for last weekend, a consist with two bike coaches was moved to Niagara, I assume there was an issue with the regular consist they use), all the bike coaches have all been moved over to the Kitchener line.
But to answer your question yes the bike coaches are extremely popular on the Niagara trains in the summer

 

[crs1026]

I'm curious about the claim made in the article that some railways in other places do offer "European style" dedicated bike cars.

My own impression is that this is an urban myth - while there are certainly bike spaces on many countries' trains, the actual bike capacity is very low and only a few bikes per carriage is the norm. It would be quite unusual to have large numbers of passengers vying for a very limited amount of space, and few if any railways offer any guarantee that there will always be room if one brings a bike.

Can anyone cite precedents for large scale bike train services?

- Paul

 

[Bordercollie]

I'm curious about the claim made in the article that some railways in other places do offer "European style" dedicated bike cars.

My own impression is that this is an urban myth - while there are certainly bike spaces on many countries' trains, the actual bike capacity is very low and only a few bikes per carriage is the norm. It would be quite unusual to have large numbers of passengers vying for a very limited amount of space, and few if any railways offer any guarantee that there will always be room if one brings a bike.

Can anyone cite precedents for large scale bike train services?

- Paul

A better solution would be to build space for them to store the bikes indoors for a small fee. It's easier than lugging it back to Brampton. The facility needs to be close to transit and be secure.
Also more enforcement of these bike couriers is required. I see wayy too many of them breaking rules cutting infront of cars and streetcars to save 5 seconds. Running red lights. And this warm weather is not helping either. Police need to ticket them to stop them from endangering pedestrians.

If they get run over by a streetcar, that's their problem. But mom's with kids don't need to get run over by a 50lb Ebike so someone can get their sushi 2 minutes faster.

 

[NodeGreen11]

A better solution would be to build space for them to store the bikes indoors for a small fee. It's easier than lugging it back to Brampton. The facility needs to be close to transit and be secure.
Also more enforcement of these bike couriers is required. I see wayy too many of them breaking rules cutting infront of cars and streetcars to save 5 seconds. Running red lights. And this warm weather is not helping either. Police need to ticket them to stop them from endangering pedestrians.

If they get run over by a streetcar, that's their problem. But mom's with kids don't need to get run over by a 50lb Ebike so someone can get their sushi 2 minutes faster.

Considering the suburban nature of Brampton it is possible that they need their bikes for the last-mile connection between their home and the GO station.

 

[allengeorge]

I'm curious about the claim made in the article that some railways in other places do offer "European style" dedicated bike cars.

My own impression is that this is an urban myth - while there are certainly bike spaces on many countries' trains, the actual bike capacity is very low and only a few bikes per carriage is the norm. It would be quite unusual to have large numbers of passengers vying for a very limited amount of space, and few if any railways offer any guarantee that there will always be room if one brings a bike.

Can anyone cite precedents for large scale bike train services?

- Paul

From recollection - at least for DSB S-tog - there are multiple bike cars per train, and they’ve plenty of space. In addition, there are a number of cars where you can park strollers. If you’re a non-rule-abiding Dane you could also use those in a pinch. In other words, there’s way, way more unencumbered space in S-tog lines than in GO, and it can comfortably fit a large number of regular (not cargo) bikes.

In North America though, the few commuter/regional lines I’ve used do not have good space for bikes. If you’re a non-delivery-cyclist you would probably be better off with a compact folding bike like a Brompton.

 

[Allandale25]

Service Related Updates

Check this page to see if there are any current delays on GO Transit.

www.gotransit.com

 

[APTA-2048]

GO Train operators can't leave a train to help someone struck on the tracks, says union

It's a traumatic workplace reality for train conductors across the country: pedestrians standing on the tracks is an all-too-common occurrence. The outcome can be life altering, for both the train operator and the person struck by the fast-moving locomotive.

www.ctvnews.ca

Worth reading the whole thing.

 

[Bordercollie]

GO Train operators can't leave a train to help someone struck on the tracks, says union

It's a traumatic workplace reality for train conductors across the country: pedestrians standing on the tracks is an all-too-common occurrence. The outcome can be life altering, for both the train operator and the person struck by the fast-moving locomotive.

www.ctvnews.ca

Worth reading the whole thing.

3 nor 7 is enough days to return to work. What is the standard for police?

This cost cutting is happening everywhere. Companies are looking to cut back and make profits where they can.

In each situation, at least 2 crew members are affected, if this happens once per day at the end of the week you wouldn't have enough operators.

More attention needs to be placed on mental health services as a whole to prevent these things from happening in the first place.

 

[T3G]

3 nor 7 is enough days to return to work. What is the standard for police?

For some it will be.

For others, they could need weeks or months before they risk getting behind the operating panel of a train again. Some will never drive one again.

The thing about traumatic situations is that everyone reacts differently. Having any kind of standard timeframe for this situation treats humans like machines instead of individuals.