tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post908070112051787176..comments2024-03-09T05:03:54.979-05:00Comments on Public Transit in Ottawa: Ottawa Transit Commission results from a series of baffling decisionsPeter Raaymakershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10883553886241429786noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-12517472686223023212011-03-25T16:07:05.475-04:002011-03-25T16:07:05.475-04:00How many of these people actually ride the bus on ...How many of these people actually ride the bus on a regular basis?<br /><br />Long ago my Dad said that the meetings should take place at random places and times in the city and all representatives should get there by bus.<br /><br />I still think that's a good idea.gawpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-13443072175432675612011-03-25T11:17:45.696-04:002011-03-25T11:17:45.696-04:00@RG
That was the only positive/potential reasoning...@RG<br />That was the only positive/potential reasoning I could find in the selection as well.<br />However, there is still a significant imbalance between urban vs. suburban/rural Ottawa on that Commission and (referencing Ben's point) how helpful is this increased urban representation if the public members don't use the transit system? <br />I'm actually completely baffled. I can't see how this Commission can possibly make any informed decisions about transit and, like Peter, I don't have much hope for its success.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-13972472736249746372011-03-24T21:02:08.118-04:002011-03-24T21:02:08.118-04:00The only good thing about the selection (their abi...The only good thing about the selection (their abilities pending) is that three of them are from downtown/central area. That helps to balance out the mostly suburban representation of councillors on Transit Commission.<br /><br />Of course, living downtown is just a demographic, and not a predictor of how well they'll perform (on behalf of downtown residents or in general).<br /><br />- RG>RealGrouchyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09531673943200546692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-72050413860674800652011-03-24T16:40:20.164-04:002011-03-24T16:40:20.164-04:00I just wanted to point out that the double-decker ...I just wanted to point out that the double-decker bus purchase is not a done deal. There will be a detailed business plan presented to the commission and then council, likely next month.<br /><br />I'm fairly sure there will be some rigourous debate around the issue -- a few councillors are quite against them.Joanne Chianellonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-38646135754071274662011-03-24T15:29:11.626-04:002011-03-24T15:29:11.626-04:00Bus drivers don't get breaks or lunches. Some ...Bus drivers don't get breaks or lunches. Some go all day without a suitable break. Sometimes nature calls in the middle of a route. Should a driver have to stand up and announce to the whole bus "I have diarrhea, I'll be back in 3-6 minutes, if that's ok?" Bus drivers in all cities around the world jump out for a couple of minutes from time to time, get over it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7218149071529011844.post-26943970385596490602011-03-24T10:23:51.206-04:002011-03-24T10:23:51.206-04:00It's important to ask these questions, Peter.
...It's important to ask these questions, Peter.<br /><br />I think the only criteria for the public reps (aside: aren't councillors supposed to represent the public?) should have been "Rides the bus on a regular basis".<br /><br />It's not meant as a slight, but these sound like well-paid people. I would rather have a grocery-bagger or student on the commission than a lawyer - people who understand what it's like to spend 40 minutes on a crowded bus, or know what it's like to be inexplicably abandoned for 5 minutes while a driver gets coffee.Ben Myershttp://www.benkmyers.comnoreply@blogger.com