One/two words to describe the new GTAA People Mover and that it is a Rollercoaster ride.
Since I had time to kill before I could catch MT #7 from the Airport on Friday, I decided to checkout the new GTAA People Mover.
Stations are large and empty at 1630. Saw no more than 20 riders at any given time on the trains I saw. Each car can sit 4-6 depending on the size of the person using the seats. I would say each car can hold 25 or 150 at crush load for the train.
Real Time info as to when a train will arrive down to the second when it gets scrolled across the display board and it is for both trains at the same time.
The first train I caught sitting in the cab unite, there was only 8 of us. 2 worked at the airport and the other 5 were flight crews.
As we left Terminal 1, we were given a jolted movement and then some tossing from side to side. One of the airport employee said "I hate rollercoast rides and this people mover feels like a rollercoaster".
I was not prepared for the jolt as the train started to move since I was kneeling on one knee prepared to take some photos to the point I had to grab hold of a grab bar to hold on. I guess that is one reason they announce to hold on to something before the train starts to move as well moving.
Calls out the stations names.
One Captain said to another Captain, "this was the worse mover he has used compare to the ones he has used around the world". The other captain agrees with him and said "I wonder how much they spent building this thing?" I couldn't pass this up by telling what the cost was and they both said "don't get much for your money these days and
what a waste".
Someone asked if the shuttle buses were still in service as they prefer to use it compare to using this people mover and was told no as we arrived at Viscount Station.
There are screen doors at the terminal station open at the same time as the car doors.
Standing at both ends terminal, you can hear the pulley whining as it builds up speeds to start pulling the train.
It is a short ride and you get a great view as you travel from end to end.
Looking at both end stations to see if the existing system can be extended, the whole system would have to be shut down for months *if* any expansion is to take place. Viscount will have to be rebuilt if it is to connect with GO at the new GO Woodbine Station *IF* Blue22 dies.
Since there are only 2 trains on the system, the waiting time will be longer at the stations *IF* any extension every take place.
I believe it is the east track that gives the rougher ride going toward Terminal 1 Station. Regardless which track or direction you travel, it is a rough ride.
Over all, it is nice for an obsolete system and not worth the money.
Will be interesting to see what the ridership is in a few months.
Some Photos:
tinylink.com/?pZMqi6UL7L
Dave
