State of Good Repair

I just got off the phone with Vic. She has just completed her first week with a MetroPass in a very long time. She recently had her car totalled. She's decided not to replace it until her schedule picks up in the Fall.

"It's hard going back on the bus, isn't it?" I asked her.

I don't drive. I don't see the need to carry the expense. In fact, I am sans license. It has become very trendy these days for folks to declare publicly they take the bus for the sake of the environment. From a Carbon Credit point of view, my non-ownership of a vehicle allows me to throw Mookie's food cans into the regular garbage without guilt.

I have had periods of time in my life where a car came with the relationship. So I know how hard it is to go back on the system.

The most noticeable thing Vic noticed was the increase in new buses with air conditioning. And how things still don't work on the Sheppard Line. The escalators are a particular nightmare with the same ones either not working or closed for overhaul for months on end. And automatic doors that never worked right since the line was opened.

Of course I know this is because of lack of funding. With a dash of flat out poor workmanship and a measure of stupidity.

So I was pleased to come across this:



This is the_mkt's shot of automatic sliding doors that were 'recently' installed at St Clair station. Taken on April 9th, this is Day 166 of his flickr account of how long it takes the TTC to install an automatic door. Today is day 223, for your information.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

I'll leave you with a tip from Vic: In the morning, if you want to go South from Sheppard station, go North instead. You're guaranteed to get a seat once you get to Finch and will only cost you a few minutes.

Categories: Transit, Links