Best Tips from my Holistic GO Experience.
I have been a daily GO train commuter for the past few months. This is my first time using public transportation on a daily basis. I travel 11 stops back and forth on Lakeshore West every day at rush hours. So I have observed and learned like a newborn, and I want to share my experience with you to help you along your own journey.
After using GO for some time, I have gotten used to it; I have even started to enjoy it. Sitting beside a totally stranger person and engaging in a small conversation has became more and more exciting, sometimes interesting. Although it is a crowded journey, most of the times everything runs smoothly with the help of mostly good commuters and GO staff. Just follow my tips to make it even smoother...
On the way to Union
Most important step… Catch the Train…
If you are the type of person who always gets to places well in advance, you can skip to the next section. If you are somewhat time challenged, or let’s say just-in-time person like me read on.
Going to GO station
Most probably you are getting to the GO station with your car.
Careful with super safe school bus drivers. To be on the safe side avoid school bus routes.
This can easily ruin your “just in time” plan...
Also avoid construction zones. One unskilled truck driver getting in or out that zone can cost you 10 minutes of valuable driving time.
At the station
Okay. You arrived at the GO station and you are looking for a closer parking spot. Well don’t. Just park in the first available spot. After trying to get closer to the station you may end up going in circles and losing that first spot. Even worse, you may hear the approaching train while you are circling.
If you think you might miss the train don’t lose your hope. Just run. You never know; trains never leave early, but they might be late.
2. On the train…
Optimize your coach & seat…
Choose the second coach if you are going to use the TTC after Union. Please read the next section for the reason.
There are three decks on every coach. Choose the lower deck. Disembarking from the upper deck may cost you 10 minutes.
The middle deck is the worst. When you are disembarking, you will get bogged down at the stairs by people coming from the upper deck.
The middle deck jam...
Also, try to find a seat near to north side doors, because they will open first. Seats are in combinations of 2, 3 or 4. Try to sit in a 2-seater; otherwise, you need to find a spot to stare at all the way other than at a person who sits 30 inches in front of you.
Hope you won’t come to this point...
Don’t try to read… Listen something from your headphone…
Well here is the math. 11 stops, approximately 6 minutes between each stop 2 of those 6 minutes go for announcements. So, in a journey almost 65 minutes, you will hear 20 to 25 minutes announcements***. For example:
Next stop is this.
Where the disabled coach is.
Some safety rules.
Boat show at Toronto at this date. --They are broadcasting ads for upcoming events, and you can’t skip them.
Oakville station East disabled elevator is under construction from this date to that date. --They have literally been making this announcement for the last 3 weeks at every stop, which is weird because Union has been completely under construction for a long time.
Please come and find me if you have any safety questions.
Quiet zone is under effect on the second floor of this train.
We are arriving to this stop
Some of these announcements are also repeated in French.
So long story short, you won’t able to concentrate on reading unless it’s a light fiction. Listen to something with your headphone.
***Actually depends on Customer Service Ambassador. Sometimes they are lazy if you are lucky. Sometimes they love their job.
3. Last step… Getting out of Union...
Your journey won’t finish by arriving at Union if you are not working at Union station.
Getting out of Union, wherever you go TTC or an any address, is a challenge. You need to find the right stairs to the right exit. Just a quick note, Union station was built in 6 years, but it is under renovation for 9 years. It is a total mess. Don’t try to understand it. Find your entrance and exit doors, memorize them, and get the heck out of there.
You need to get ready when the last announcements start. Position yourself close to the nearest door. The second coach’s first door is the nearest to the stairs leading out of the platform. Other coaches except the first coach are close to other stairs but these stairs lead you inside of Union station. Going inside the station may cost you an extra 7 minutes.
Choosing the right exit door is vital...
The second coach stops in front of the stairs that lead you to a tunnel to the TTC.
When you arrive at the tunnel never go inside the tunnel; there is also a walkway outside of it.
Not a Walking Dead scene...
Walking inside of it may cost you 5 minutes, because your walking speed slows to nearly 3 metres/minute.
On the way back Home…
Set your alarm…
You can sit at the upper deck; any coach is okay. Just try not to sleep over.
Please wait for my TTC experience. Actually, Ellie Goulding summarizes it perfectly below, but I’m going to give details soon.
SullyMe
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