Comments for Simon South

Comment on Four Good Things from the York Region Transit Strike by Simon

Simon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:44:43 +0000

@Tracy: That’s a nice list. How did I miss mentioning that I learned so much about the transit system? Like you, before this whole thing started I really didn’t know anything about contractors or public-private models or anything like that. It’s been very enlightening.

Its funny how losing the buses actually helped us see more of York Region, isn’t it? Perhaps now with no fares for two months we’ll see even more of it.

Keep in touch, Tracy. I’ll look forward to seeing you over at the new place.

Comment on Four Good Things from the York Region Transit Strike by Tracy Smith

Tracy Smith — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:35:57 +0000

Simon, it’s always great to look on the positive side of things–and here’s the list I promised of good things that have come out of the strike for me. (Somehow, I couldn’t cram this all into a tweet.)

1. More exercise–during particular moments when I wasn’t seeking exercise, but just looking to get to work as soon as possible. I got off an alternate YRT route a brisk 17-minute walk away from the office (which made me lucky compared with some riders for whom alternate routes weren’t available). Then there was the week in December when I was so distressed by the picketing that I chose to avoid YRT altogether and walk north to work from a TTC stop at Don Mills and Steeles–for a whole 50 minutes. (What was I thinking?) However, overall, I’m not sure whether I got more exercise during the strike’s three months because I tend to walk a lot anyway.

2. Better knowledge of the transit system’s providers. YRT service is contracted to multiple companies by a municipal government body that’s headed by some guy named Fisch. Who knew? All this time I thought I was just getting on some big blue vehicles that conveniently stopped by my office. (Okay, so this wasn’t necessarily a benefit of the strike for me; it was just interesting to read about who’s running the system.)

3. A chance to check out new neighbourhoods. If it weren’t for the strike, I probably never would have seen idyllic Willowbrook Road and Green Lane, never would have explored a picturesque neighbourhood just south of Highway 7 and never would have noticed the panoramic views along Leslie between Steeles and Green. Though inconvenient, it was somewhat refreshing to shake up my morning commute and experience sights and routines I otherwise wouldn’t have.

4. The people I got to know better. Several generous colleagues often gave me rides home from work (or to a transit route that I could take home), and one colleague was so thoughtful and helpful that I felt compelled to buy her a nice gift afterward (in lieu of paying the car-pooling fees she declined). I’m grateful for the deep, insightful conversations I had with co-workers and the chance to build relationships.

Thanks for covering the strike for us, Simon! I’ll check out your new blog.

- Tracy

Comment on Two Months’ Free Travel on York Region Transit by Simon South » Four Good Things from the York Region Transit Strike

Simon South » Four Good Things from the York Region Transit Strike — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:20:33 +0000

[...] an effort to make up for the inconvenience and expense to residents over the last three months, the Region is allowing riders to board the YRT free-of-charge from tomorrow until the end of March. Not everyone is happy with this, though. Some people are [...]

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike is Over by Simon South » Two Months’ Free Travel on York Region Transit

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:47:40 +0000

[...] after I published my last blog post speculating about it, the Region finally revealed their plan for providing free transit service now [...]

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike is Over by Simon

Simon — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:14:32 +0000

@Chief: Let’s hope! The greater fear is that the drivers’ antics during the strike will have turned too many people off transit altogether.

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike is Over by Chief

Chief — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:48:02 +0000

While free service is a good gesture, I wonder if something different could have been done to “give back” to the riders? Many of the routes before the strike had capacity issues, Express routes and main routes are a big part of that. Offering free service I can guarantee some buses and routes will be overcapacity and waiting passengers will be bypassed and not accommodated until a later bus.

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike Nears its End by Simon South » The York Region Transit Strike is Over

Simon South » The York Region Transit Strike is Over — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:20:33 +0000

[...] already been sold and most services won’t be running for at least a few more days. Despite what I speculated earlier I doubt it’ll start mid-month, either; that’d just be too confusing for people. So [...]

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike Nears its End by Simon

Simon — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:39:49 +0000

@Alyssa: Yeah, there were actually a few upsides to the strike, despite the huge inconvenience. Watch for my “silver lining” post later this week.

@Daniel: I wouldn’t get your hopes up; the union exists to be at odds with its employers, so that’s a fight that won’t be going away. Here’s some good news: It looks like I was wrong about the Veolia contracts lining up (the union was hoping for a three-year contract for this reason, and got a four-year one instead), and considering Local 1587 also says it didn’t want the five-year term it got we’re probably spared from seeing a strike like this one again any time soon.

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike Nears its End by Daniel G

Daniel G — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:48:35 +0000

I’d love to be that 300 bus.

I’m happy that service is back, but I sure hope we won’t be facing this disruption again. Hopefully, both sides will have learned their lesson.

Comment on The York Region Transit Strike Nears its End by Alyssa

Alyssa — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:47:52 +0000

Hey, so my rump is looking forward to the bus, what can I say?
Interestingly enough, a windfall of the strike was that my activity level increased an extra 30 minutes a day, which has helped my running pace;
On the downside, seeing as we got more rain than snow this year, there were some soggy days as well that nearly ruined my laptop.

45 free bus days would be ideal (though I’d take more if given) – one free day of service for every two days of incomplete service during the strike.