C-Train Rant Thread

[corporatejay]

Okay, so most mornings I hate my commute to work, but every once and a while there are some things that just drive me absolutely crazy.

here are just a few from the last few days.

1. DO NOT BRING YOUR BIKE ON THE TRAIN IF IT IS RUSH HOUR!! seriously, how inconsiderate and stupid do you have to be.

2. I HATE TANK STROLLERS! When I was a kid (I'm 26) I had a "hammock" like stroller, now a days kids stroll up in a armored car that has the footprint of about 8 passengers.

3. SMOKERS SMELL! quit, it's gross, and when i'm 4 inches from your rancid body I'd rather not inhale your embedded smoke stench.


That's all I have for now, please contribute, it's good therapy.

[fredr123]

I'm fond of the fat guy who sits next to you on a seat and takes up more than his fair share of seat space. I've had a few bus rides where said big person squeezes me against the window and sweats/wheezes on me for the entire trip. Getting off the bus and having my freshly-ironed shirt wrinkled by big, hot, moist strangers pressing against me for 20 minutes is not cool.

[Barnes]

Here are some interesting stats:

Number of Calgarians commuting downtown during the morning rush:

Automobile: 44.8% (54,208), down from 56,028 in 1996

Transit: 45.1% (54,571) up from 29,808 in 1996

Walking: 7.9% (9,559), up from 4,784 in 1996

Cycling: 1.9% (2,229) up from 1,104 in 1996

City Hall really needs to make transit a priority. The system is being run at capacity. Lets get those new lines going. I hate to say this but King Ralph was very proactive when it came to public transit while he was mayor. Nothing oof any signifcance has been done since the LRT system was put in place short of reducing the time it takes residents from Cochran and Okotokes to get to a station.

[Cowboy89]

Great thread Idea. My biggest pet peeve of the LRT is that whenever it snows or gets below -5 it's horrifically late and inefficient getting downtown. Like somehow we live in California and such things as rain, snow, and cold were inconcivable by city planners back in the 80s. Train cars shut down, move slow, or just plain don't run. Even when the weather's perfect at least once a week you get the 'message of doom' over the PA explaining about how it'll take you twice as long to get where you're going. I laugh at all those signs saying it comes every 5 minutes during rush hour and every 10-15 outside of it. If that were true there would be a seat for every passenger.

[Madman]

My biggest peeve is the people that get on at the 3rd or 4th stop and feel the need to make certain you know they are standing and you are sitting - bag in your face, evil death stare, kick you feet, sign and moan, turn around often and of course the obligitory bump you if you close your eyes for one millisecond to make sure that if they can't nap, then you sure as hell can't.

Why is it my fault that I get on at the very first stop and manage to get a seat and you don't? If you really hate standing so much, figure out how to get a seat. You could move closer to the first station, ride the opposite way and then back, drive to the first station, catch an earlier/later train....frick, anything!

[mykalberta]

Count me in the 9,559 who walk

Why do I walk, I care for the environment and the affect of my carbon footprint on the worlds climate change umcoming catastrophe more than someone who drives...HAHAHA

Who am I kidding, I walk cause, well its way more convienient and I always complain about people in the burbs who live in no man's land and then have the nerve to complain about traffic and the lack of avalable services and blah blah blah and I didnt want to be one of those - not yet anyways, plus its handy.

Home->Gym->Work->Gym->Home

MYK

[octothorp]

If the C-Train is full, wait for the next one. Two days ago, I was waiting on one of the downtown platforms and a train pulls up, the doors open, and it's obviously already completely packed as there had been a long space since the previous NW train. Everyone on the platform waits, except for one guy who tries to shove his way into the train, pushing people into one another as he does so, breaking one guy's glasses in the process. Then stands there stupidly when the doors don't close, as if he's oblivious to the fact that he's the one blocking the door.

[ken0042]

When I used to take the train, I usually had a pretty good idea where a door would line up on the platform, and I would wait there. I was right about 85% of the time.

However many times when I would do that, as the train is coming to a final stop I would have the person who was waiting 5 feet beside me bump into me as they follow the door. I got to the point where I would have my shoulder partially lowered and ready for somebody trying to beat me to the door.

[Barnes]

My biggest pet peave is when people try to get on the train as soon as the door opens. LET ME OUT.

I Gordie Howe elbow people like 3 times a week.

[KAI]

Originally Posted by Barnes

My biggest pet peave is when people try to get on the train as soon as the door opens. LET ME OUT.

I Gordie Howe elbow people like 3 times a week.

And then people don't move to let you off and you miss your stop.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by KAI

And then people don't move to let you off and you miss your stop.

Of course, then you also have people who don't make an attempt to get to the doors until the train has come to a complete stop. Then get mad that it takes more than 10 seconds to move through a packed train.

[HelloHockeyFans]

nm

[HockeyPuck]

I loathe the C-train and everything about it...I only ride the C-Train once a week and that's too much for me. I ride my bike whenever I can and only take the bus when it's icy on the roads an -20 out...

[CaptainCrunch]

I avoid riding the train now because it is so unpleasant, especially during rush times.

I hate it when a pregnant woman, or an old person, or someone on crutches gets on the train and the idiots who are sitting in seats are suddenly engrossed in thier book, or drop off to a pretend seat.

I hate the rush for the doors both getting on and getting off of the train.

Even worse the lack of common courtesy, the swearing, the not letting you get off first.

Hey its my book, if you want to read it buy your own and keep your crusty stinky breath away from my ear.

No just because your grinding your junk into me dosen't make us a couple so that you can stand right behind me. Besides, I'm a guy and no junk shall pass.

You stink, its called soap and laundry detergent.

Hey thanks for spilling your coffee on my laptop bag.

Can someone open the window, I can't breath in a methane based atmosphere.

Can you shup your friggen kid up.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Although the train does have some definite draw-backs, I prefer it to driving in and out of downtown every day. I would much rather deal with a few pushy people on the train than sit in traffic with all of the idiots behind the wheel these days...not to mention downtown road construction... I get on the train, plug in my headphones (sound level on low), pull out my book and pretty much only look up when I hear "End of Line..."

[JD]

I'm a bus rider, but the same things apply...

My favourite guy is the "backpack full of books guy". Seriously, that thing takes up more space than two people.... take it off and put it down at your feet!

I love the summer months when bus patronage is a LOT lighter and I can occasionally get a seat.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

I've been removed from Calgary for a while now... is the C-Train as chaotic as the TTC (subway) in Toronto? Cuz the TTC here is un-freaking-believable with the crowds and the pushing and the general unpleasantness.

I've rode both.

The C-Train seems worse. I think it is largely because the trains don't/can't keep on schedule. The above ground level crossings downtown were an altogether bad idea. That screws with the schedules, so people get even more testy. Then, as mentioned, there seem to be regular breakdowns of trains to further irritate the users. Regular users can't trust the system, so every irritation in addition is just magnified.

The TTC it is crazy just with the volume. But at least the underground lines and stations seem to allow for more fluid commuting. When you are heading to union station you have a pretty good idea how long it will take. You don't get stuck at any stoplights.

[Regorium]

The TTC is much much much better than the C-train.

Being underground and always on time helps a lot. Also I find that the platforms at the major stations are much bigger, and feels less crowded even when there's a billion people waiting during rush hour.

I haven't been in Calgary for a couple years and don't take the train much, so I don't have as much recent experience as some people here.

[Scrambler]

I have to say I'm a big fan of the Skytrain out here in Vancouver. It goes into the far reaching suburbs like Surrey, Coquitlam, New West and soon Richmond/Airport.

Also, it's fast and doesn't stop at intersections and for traffic. I always hate whren the Ctrain enters downtown and has to wait at red lights for traffic after having taken eons to get around the corners into downtown.

Frequency is another good thing with the Skytrain, during rush hour, it literally feels like there is one every minute. I guess they have to or they would all be sardine cans.

[gottabekd]

I take the C-Train every day because I find it more convenient than driving. Just getting that out of the way. It isn't THAT bad.

But rant away...(copied from previous ranting

• Waiting for the train: You don't have to walk quickly beside the train to catch up with the door as it pulls in to the station. You see, there is another door further down. Yep, down there...where you were standing.
• Doors: They don't close if you are in the doorway. Kind of like how the front door on your house won't close if you standing in the frame, and how you can't get your car door shut if you leg is still poking out. Yea, like that.
• The advertisements with a little pad of "please take one" sheets. Just an all around bad idea. Nevermind the fact that they are out of reach of those standing in the aisle, and the people in the seats can't see or reach them...they just blow around in the ing wind! BAD idea.
• Even if you are from out of town, and don't know which side of the train stops are at...when you pull up to a stop and are pressing the button to get out the door, on the WRONG SIDE, you can't play the "I'm from out of town" excuse. You see that sheet of glass dividing the inside of the train from the outside? The window? You notice how if you look outside...there is no platform? WRONG SIDE.
• Perfume: In general, I find perfume unpleasant. Maybe not so bad as I gently brush your hair away with a deft movement of my hand, and softly kissing your neck as the light scent tantilizes my nose. But when you are on the other ing side of the train and I smell your ty old lady perfume, just...die.
• Buttons: If you press it, and it doesn't open the door, you didn't press hard enough. It doesn't mean it is broken and you have to frantically pound the door for someone inside to let you on the train.
• PC(ish): Mentally Handicapped people: Do they really know which stop to get off at? Well, at least they can figure out how to press the button.
• Junior/High school kids: Just...shut...up. Can't you have a normal conversation with your friends, without YELLING! And you know...the bars and poles are for holding on to, not swinging from. It's called a playground, and go find one if you want to act like you are 6.
• Random people starting conversations: In general, I'm not going to complain about it. The train can be impersonal, and if you strike up a conversation...no biggie. But can you do me a favor, and not TALK LOUDLY when I am right in front of you. Not everyone on the train needs to hear.
• To the preacher lady: Burn in hell.
• Groups of people walking across bridges: Make some room. For others. To walk by.
• Escalators: If you are walking towards it, and notice it isn't moving, you don't have to back up and and go walk up the stairs. If you look closely at an "out of order" escalator, it closely resembles stairs.
• When the train 'announcer' announces the wrong stop: Don't try and make a joke. It happens every day. Not that out of the ordinary.
• More about doors: You know how if you want to open a door, and you have to move out of the way? The same thing with doors on the train.
• Heat: In the winter, people wear jackets. Therefore, cranking up the heat means the train is uncomfortably warm. Is it just me? I take off my jacket in the winter and am sweating away in my t-shirt.