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Porter is adding a flight between Ottawa and Winnipeg effective May 16, 2024. The flight will operate as a round trip starting in Ottawa at 9 AM arriving in Winnipeg at 10:47 AM. Then from Winnipeg at 11:40 AM arriving in Ottawa at 3:12 PM.

Service changes effective December 24th. Only focusing on the minor changes: Route 50 Queensway: Provide service to The ROC until 1 PM upon request on-board only to the operator After 1 PM, passengers must contact the Mobility-On-Request phone number with at least 60 minutes notice to request the next available Route 50 to service The ROC Service is only provided when The ROC is open Route 90 Leslie and high school routes: Suspended from December 25th due to school holidays resuming on January 8th TTC 68B Warden: Weekday frequency adjustment noted below until January 7th when regular frequencies resume Morning rush hour – every 27 minutes Midday – every 36 minutes Afternoon rush hour – every 24 minutes First northbound trip from Warden Subway Station will depart at 5:40 a.m. instead of 5:59 a.m Route 720 Jane Express/760 Vaughan Mills/Finch: Hours of service to match opening hours for Canada's Wonderland and Vaughan Mills January 7th service changes: Viva Purple/Purple A: Sunday adjustments noted below Schedules will be adjusted First and last trips will be adjusted Viva Yellow: Viva yellow will continue to service Platform 10 at Newmarket Terminal; however, the stop number will be updated from 6426 to 9887 Route 2: Milliken: Weekday trip adjustment noted below The eastbound trip from Finch GO Bus Terminal (stop 2332) will depart at 5:57 p.m. instead of 6 p.m TTC 17A Birchmount: Weekday frequency adjustment noted below until February 17th noted below Early morning – approximately every 27 minutes Morning rush hour – approximately every 30 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 27 minutes February 18th: Afternoon rush hour frequency reduced to every half hour Route 26 Maple: Restructured to provide two way service north of Major Mackenzie terminating at Maple Go trading off midday service discontinued Morning rush hour – approximately every 42 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 48 minutes Northbound from Vaughan Metro Centre at 5:05 PM until 7:36 PM Southbound from Maple Go at 5:30 PM until 8 PM Route 40 Unionville Local: Weekday service adjustments noted below Schedules will be adjusted In addition, the last trip from Markville Mall (stop 1827) will depart at 8:27 p.m. instead of 8:19 p.m Route 50 Queensway: Weekend frequency adjustments noted below Saturday: Morning – approximately every 40 minutes Midday – approximately every 39 to 44 minutes Evening – approximately every 39 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Sunday/holiday: Morning – approximately every 53 minutes Midday – approximately every 53 to 58 minutes Evening – approximately every 53 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted TTC 68B Warden: Frequency adjustments noted below Weekday: Morning rush hour – approximately every 24 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 23 minutes Saturday: Morning – approximately every 39 minutes Route 87 Autumn Hill: Frequency adjustments noted below Morning rush hour – approximately every 75 to 90 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 88 to 96 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Route 90 Leslie: Saturday frequency adjustments noted below Morning – approximately every 43 minutes Midday – approximately every 47 minutes Evening – approximately every 42 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Route 91/91A Bayview: Weekday frequency adjustments noted below Early morning – approximately every 24 minutes Morning rush hour – approximately every 24 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 26 minutes Late evening – approximately every 42 minutes First/last trips adjusted for all Route 91 Bayview branches (91/91A/91B) Route 91E Bayview Limited Express: Rebranded as 391 Bayview Express Route 98E Yonge Express: Final trip discontinued due to low ridership along with duplication of service TTC 129A McCowan North: Frequency adjustments noted below Weekdays: Morning rush hour approximately every 16 minutes Saturdays: Early evening frequency approximately every 40 minutes Route 165/165F Weston: Route changes and frequency adjustments noted below Route 165 – Weston will be extended to Major Mackenzie West Terminal and will no longer service the Highway 400/ Major Mackenzie carpool lot. Route 165F will be discontinued; customers may continue to use Route 21 – Vellore. Weekdays: Morning rush hour – will be maintained at 15 minutes Midday – approximately every 28 to 35 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 15 to 18 minutes Evening – approximately every 40 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Saturday: Morning – approximately every 37 to 40 minutes Afternoon – approximately every 45 minutes Evening – approximately every 36 to 40 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Sunday/holiday: Morning – approximately every 36 minutes Afternoon – approximately every 40 minutes Evening – approximately every 37 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Route 300 Business Express: The afternoon trip from Commerce Valley Drive/ Highway 7 (stop 2918) at 5:09 p.m. will begin earlier at approximately 5:01 p.m. from Highway 7/ Allstate Parkway (stop 6789) to assist with passenger loads Route 361 Nashville Express: Frequency adjustments noted below Morning rush hour – approximately every 22 to 26 minutes Afternoon rush hour – approximately every 25 to 27 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Route 720 Jane Express: Rebranded as 320 Jane Express along with frequency adjustments noted below Weekday: Morning rush hour – approximately every 11 minutes Mall opening – approximately every 10 minutes Midday – approximately every 12 minutes Mall closing – approximately every 10 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Saturday: Mall opening – approximately every 14 minutes Midday – approximately every 18 minutes Mall closing – approximately every 14 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Sunday: Mall opening – approximately every 14 minutes Midday – approximately every 18 minutes Mall closing – approximately every 14 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Route 760 Vaughan Mills/Wonderland: Rebranded as 360 Vaughan Mills/Wonderland Weekday service suspended until Spring 2024 Saturday: Mall opening – approximately every 28 minutes Midday – approximately every 40 minutes Mall closing – approximately every 30 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted Sunday/holiday: Mall opening – approximately every 26 minutes Midday – approximately every 36 minutes Mall closing – approximately every 28 minutes First and last trips will be adjusted On-Request Keswick (January 2024: Exact date to be confirmed) Customers may use On-Request Keswick to travel to the Multi-use Recreation Complex (MURC) on Woodbine Avenue. Customers can travel between any address within the defined service area and the following locations: Simcoe Avenue/Metro Road (stop 4079) Glenwoods Avenue/The Queensway South (stop 4072) The Queensway South/Ravenshoe Road (stop 4060) Keswick Marketplace (stop 6740) Georgina Ice Palace (stop 4088) Multi-use Recreation Complex Span of hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:45 p.m Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m On-Request Newmarket Local Details such as stops and span of hours to be confirmed in January 2024 Final comments: The main focus is the rebranding of existing express routes (91E Bayview Limited Express/720 Jane Express/760 Vaughan Mills/Wonderland) into the 300 series to be better consistent with the existing Route 300 series routes. Back when the Route 300 series routes were more marketed as premium express via Highway 407. 98E Yonge Express was down to one trip. Only a matter of time before it was eliminated. Especially when most passengers have shifted to Viva Blue which provides more frequent service between Finch Go and Bernard/Newmarket Bus Terminal. Needing to match supply with demand.

Lynx Air is based out of Calgary, Alberta.

Porter Airlines is adding three new destinations from Montreal effective Spring 2024 per this tweet attached: Here are the exact dates of the new routes: Montreal to Vancouver: April 11, 2024 Montreal to Edmonton: May 1, 2024 Montreal to Calgary: May 28, 2024 Final comments: Porter is definitely putting the investment of new Embraer E195-E2 jets to pretty good use along with an aggressive expansion plan. All three new routes will be one trip in each direction with mornings from the west coast and evening departures from Montreal. Montreal is being built as a new hub for Porter Airlines along with Ottawa. This year has been more of a foundation since Porter worked on building their domestic network along with inaugural flights before expanding into Florida starting November 2023. This is along with offering discounts that include new routes when they start service or what I call loss leader fares along with marketing the differentiation from both the major and low cost airlines. 2024 will definitely cement that foundation even further with new additional routes to the US along with rolling out additional routes to Ottawa and Montreal hubs. I know I hope to take Porter Airlines for my next trip.

Lynx Airlines is expanding to Ottawa with routes between Vancouver and Calgary effective May 17, 2024. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ultra-low-cost-lynx-air-coming-to-ottawa-this-spring-1.6672275 The Vancouver to Ottawa route will have a short stop in Calgary, but those who are continuing to Ottawa simply stay on-board the plane. Both Ottawa to Vancouver and Calgary will operate 4 days/week with Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday including return trip back to Ottawa. Final comments: Lynx is really adding more domestic coverage for an ultra-low cost airline. Especially with the competition between both Air Canada and Westjet. EDIT: No longer happening because Lynx Airlines has ceased operations effective February 25th. Original post will still be retained, but this is no longer happening.

Air Canada is better improving their tracking process for checked baggage. That is assuming if the employee scans it into the database. https://media.aircanada.com/2023-12-01-Air-Canada-Customers-Can-Now-Track-their-Baggage-and-Mobility-Aids-while-Travelling-in-Canada Right now, it is only within Canada. It will be rolled out to US flights next year and select international destinations after. Final comments: Air Canada can say they have a high reliability rate of delivering checked baggage on-time. Though, I think they are simply being more proactive to avoid dealing frequently asked questions regarding if checked baggage reaches the final destination for pickup or needing to retrieve it between flights. Considering that some passengers are using AirTags or similar items to track their checked baggage. For me, I always stick to the one carry-on item and earlier boarding zone if possible. I personally don't like checked baggage. Always prefer my carry-on close to me so I can see where it is at all times.

The request for proposals shortlist for the Yonge North subway extension (Finch to Richmond Hill Centre) for the tunnelling contract. CrossTransit Group Applicant Leads: VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Ferrovial Construction Canada Inc. Design Prime Team Member: SENER SES Canada Inc. Construction Prime Team Members: Ferrovial Construction Canada Inc., Janin Atlas Inc North End Connectors Applicant Leads: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Ghella Canada Ltd. Design Prime Team Members: EXP Services Inc., TYPSA Inc. Construction Prime Team Members: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Ghella Canada Ltd. Toronto-York Tunnel Connectors Applicant Leads: Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Bouygues Construction Canada Design Prime Team Members: Hatch Ltd., Parsons Inc. Construction Prime Team Members: Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., Bouygues Construction Canada Contract for tunnelling is expected to be awarded in late 2024. Link to the shortlist: https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/news-and-media/news/advance-tunnel-yonge-north-subway-extension/rfp-to-shortlisted-teams-for-the-yonge-north-subway-extension-tunnelling/

Reading the 2024 City of Brampton budget, here is the takeaway: 136 new transit operators to be hired and 108,500 additional new service hours added $78.4 million dollars set aside for refurbishment and purchase of new buses Zum service expansion to Bramalea Rd corridor ($3.8 million dollars) Page 16 is the transit summary. Page 429 is where Brampton Transit budget starts. https://www1.brampton.ca/EN/City-Hall/Budget/Documents/2024 Proposed Budget.pdf Final comments: A pretty massive investment if approved of course. Especially working to refurbish existing buses along with the purchase of new ones to handle expanded service increases.

Porter Airlines is exercising the right to purchase 25 additional Embraer E195-E2 for a total of 75 firm orders. An option for 25 additional Embraer E195-E2 jets are still available at the volume price discount if Porter decides to exercise those options. Right now, 24 Embraer E195-E2 jets have been delivered so far. https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/about-porter/media-centre/news-details?title=Porter+Airlines+Orders+25+Embraer+E195E2s+2023+11 Final comments: Nice to see the positive experience and strong demand considering it is a risk for Porter Airlines to expand beyond Toronto Island Airport. At the same time, focusing more on being different from both the major and low cost airlines in Canada such as operating with a different kind of fleet along with redesigning the passenger experience. Versus trying to rush in with an expansion plan without differentiation other than maybe cost or loss leader fares. The original order was 50 firm orders with an option for an additional 50 units at the volume discount price if demand warrants those extras.

No announcement was given. Only noticed when checking the website to purchase e-ticket passes, the weekend pass option was removed and only the one day option exists. Go Transit claims that there was lower uptake for the weekend pass with most people buying the one day option. I do agree that it gave a lot more flexibility for an overnight in Niagara Falls for example. Long weekends gave an additional day which gives more time to travel around without needing to purchase another day pass. Weekend ridership is a lot higher than pre-pandemic with the weekend pass products from the weekend pass products. Paying a fixed rate to travel anywhere along the Go Transit network depending on where you are looking to go.

Reminds me of Betty White and Bob Barker who also passed away at 99 years old and pretty close to reaching their 100th birthday.

Go Transit has eliminated the weekend pass which was $15 and covered both Saturday and Sunday. For long weekends where the holiday falls on Friday or Monday, then it would cover the additional day. If the weekend pass still existed until the end of the year, it would have covered from 3 AM December 23rd until 3 AM December 27th or technically 4 days for $15. The weekend day pass for $10 valid on Saturday, Sunday and holidays is still available. Final comments: Go Transit did shift a few months ago instead of passes expiring a year after purchase, it shifted to one week after purchase. Usually, most people would buy on the day they need it and activate it before boarding a bus or train accounting for the 5 minute activation timer. Plus most people prefer opting for one-day in case they don't need to use it for the second day for an additional $5. Both passes and the weekday group pass products are good systemwide. You only have to provide a start and end destination since Go Transit is fare by distance.

December 2023 is the final month that York Region Transit will be selling monthly passes. December 14th is the final day for December 2023 monthly passes. Effective January 1, 2024, fare capping will instead be utilized to ensure that passengers don't pay more than a monthly pass only available via Presto card either physical or digital card will count towards the fare cap. Breakdown for monthly capping: Adult: 40 one-way trips Youth: 39 one-way trips Seniors/Child: 28 one-way trips Transfers within the two hour period, companion fares along with coming from trips that don't start at York Region Transit first will not count towards the cap. Only trips that start on-board a YRT/Viva bus will count with the exception for TTC buses that operate north of Steeles Avenue. Link here: https://www.yrt.ca/en/fares-and-passes/fare-capping-program.aspx Final comments: I think it is difficult for some people to purchase a $156 adult monthly pass considering that you don't know how much or little you will use. Since travel patterns do change from month to month such as December if being on break during the holidays. Versus fare caps paying only when you use it. Transit Assistance Program or TAP for short has been piloting the fare cap system with free rides after 40 one-way trips. The difference with TAP is only a limited amount of participants who meet the program requirements along with agreeing to take part in surveys from time to time. The fare discount is 50 percent off adult fares with a Presto card which the Presto card loaded with the concession is provided.

Charlie Munger, Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffet's right hand man for several decades has passed away at the age of 99 today (November 28/23).

Billy Bishop Airport in downtown Toronto will need to address the issue of more runway space in-order to meet federal requirements. Especially when the agreement was originally written in 1983 and set to expire in 2033. The agreement was between the City of Toronto, Billy Bishop operator Ports Toronto and the federal government which is for 40 years. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/portstoronto-says-more-runway-space-needed-at-billy-bishop-airport-to-comply-with-federal-regulations-1.6653017 Final comments: This isn't the first time that the runway space has come up for dispute. It has been disputed back in 2014 before the Trudeau government rejected the runway expansion plan in 2015. The expansion of the runway is required to operate jets out of Billy Bishop Airport and ensure enough operating space to takeoff and land safely which right now, Billy Bishop Airport is only designed for turboprop aircraft of a limited capacity.

I hate change especially when they feel the need to change the algorithms just to try and make more money. Having to relearn the new design hoping it doesn't change in another few months. I don't blame you on self-centred people. Especially when some people are demanding or makes excuses for their poor behaviour or decisions. I mean, the world doesn't revolve around one person.

Page 43 of the document attached has noted that streetcar routes 301 Queen, 304 King, 306 Carlton and 310 Spadina will temporarily operate every 20 minutes to minimize the amount of streetcars in the yard overnight. Taking delivery of 60 additional streetcars over the next few years needing to manage available yard capacity. Looking at the document, there are plans to increase overnight streetcar service indicated on Page 44 with the map. This is also part of an opportunity to trial services to new areas that otherwise wouldn't be covered in the normal schedule. The proposed changes are: 301 Queen to operate between Sunnyside and Neville Park 507 Queen equivalent to operate between Long Branch and Bingham Loop via King Street downtown 505 Dundas equivalent operating overnight to close the gap between the final trip and first trip of the next service day 306 Carlton to terminate at High Park loop 511 Bathurst equivalent operating between Bathurst and Union via Queens Quay 512 St. Clair streetcar operating between Gunns Loop and St. Clair subway station during the overnight hours Final comments: The current bus routes along 307 Bathurst and 312 St. Clair would simply be adjusted to terminate and connect with the streetcar to avoid duplication of services. 307 Bathurst would terminate at Bathurst Station and passengers continuing beyond Bloor Street in either direction would need to change vehicles. It would also be the same case with 312 St. Clair where passengers continuing beyond Gunns Loop in either direction would also need to also change vehicles along with retaining a transfer. 505 Dundas overnight service, it is more to close the gap between 1:30 AM and service resuming approximately 4 AM to 5 AM depending on direction. Having the generators such as employment areas and night-time activity during the overnight hours. A long time ago, the reasons I have heard why Dundas was not added to Blue Night network is alternative routes nearby to not enough ridership. At least the TTC is open to testing out expanding service leveraging the opportunity when needing to fulfill another need of reducing streetcars in the yard during the overnight periods.

I read about how Bad Boy furniture has declared bankruptcy considering the long turnaround times to receive products. I know my brother ordered a stove a few months ago and Bad Boy was dragging out the delivery timelines. Considering that they don't allow refunds and having to pay upfront to receive the products along with back and forth. To be honest, I don't think that is really how they could run a business. Especially with the flak of how furniture and appliance stores run. Trying to push a more expensive product versus the cheapest and basic for the customer's needs. Plus hoping that it can be delivered in a timely manner once the full payment is received. Feels like some businesses are really thin margin and willing to do fancy marketing tricks or deep discounts to get customers into the door. Despite how actually delivering on those promises is a different story.

Years ago, I know Ottawa's OC Transpo was one of the most expensive major transit agencies to take transit for cash fares. Though Brampton Transit gotten brave and increased the cash fare from $4 to $4.50 effective May 1, 2023 due to increased costs related to higher ridership. Something that you won't see in Ottawa because of the limit city council imposed regarding increasing fares to 2.5 percent maximum over the last few years.

OC Transpo proposing to increase fares (cash and monthly passes) by 2.5 percent in 2024. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/here-s-how-oc-transpo-fares-compare-to-other-transit-systems-in-canada-1.6640323 Cash fare going up to $3.85 from $3.75 and an adult monthly pass going up to $128.75 from $125.50. Community and Equipass are unaffected by fare increases. Community pass is geared for those on ODSP and Equipass is geared to income. Final comments: There are some transit agencies that charge $4.50 which is Gainteau STO in 2024 if approved, right now it is $4.25 cash fare. Brampton Transit and York Region Transit are the two transit agencies I know off-hand that charge $4.50 cash fare. TTC charges $156 for a monthly pass which of course, there is a lot more available service. York Region Transit not far behind at $154 for an adult monthly pass. Especially when OC Transpo is preparing for a route revamp in 2024 to better modernize the route network based on travel patterns.

Via Reddit: Presto on Google Wallet available November 14th. With other platforms coming soon. Final comments: It does save the hassle of trying to obtain a replacement physical card or finding it especially with the cost of replacement cards and the transfer process.

Forgot to share earlier. York Region Transit is opting into the provincial fare integration program between YRT and TTC. Lasting two years which is written until March 31, 2026 to coincide with the provincial budget cycle. Along with a budgeted amount of losses that will be covered between $8 million to $9 million dollars annually. At the time of writing, there is no start date yet other than early 2024. Link attached here: https://yorkpublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=41493 If there is a problem with the link, I have also attached the report for reference. Final comments: York Region Transit has co-fare agreements with other 905 transit agencies as long as there is time remaining on the transfer along with Go Transit. Allowing transfers between 905 system and Go Transit at no additional charge especially with the shift to Presto to receive the discount. I can see the fare integration beneficial especially if transferring from the subway station to continue north of Steeles Avenue or Highway 7 if on the Vaughan side of Line 1. Provincial Fare Integration Program.pdf

They did come from the city councillor plus they do include the draft routing too. I am not able to attach the files unfortunately due to size limitations. It does give time to prepare and market the new changes. Especially trying to revamp the transit network to reflect changing travel patterns to today instead of focusing on a network that is oriented for downtown travel. The route changes may sound good on paper, but the real test would be once implemented how it works out. Trying not to break the system or adjusting to new routing. I can't imagine for those that are used to the old routing not realizing the terminus is changed and having to rejig their planning to account for that change.

Via-Rail is implementing a new reservation system effective November 18th. https://www.viarail.ca/en/new-reservation-system Our goal is to make trip planning as stress-free as possible for everyone. Flexible and simplified for your convenience, here are some of the features of the new system that you won't want to miss! Online trip modifications at your fingertips; Seat selection will (finally!) be available in the Corridor; Compare our lowest fares on a calendar view; A more intuitive interface for passengers with specific needs and accessibility requests; Pre-pay for additional baggage during the booking process; Get quick access to your profile and all your travel information (including your VIA Préférence points balance); Ability to save your boarding pass on your smartphone’s Wallet app (Apple and Android); Virtual gift cards, and much more! There will also be luggage changes noted per this tweet below: Final comments: Really revamping the online reservation system to better adapt to today. The mobile app will be decommissioned on November 17th which won't work with the new system. At the same time, there is a trade-off regarding luggage which will impact the size of carry-on along with the type of ticket purchased per direction. Not sure how tightly enforced the carry-on bags will be. I know airlines are more hardball on it now than in the past to ensure that it is balanced for all passengers. Train travel being a lot different, but never had a staff member check my bag yet.

Right now, the train car impacted will be out of service due to major smoke damage along the car and windows needing to be smashed out to ventilate and control the fire.