Miscellaneous TTC Discussion & Questions

[Shaun]

2 hours ago, Xtrazsteve said:

It’s gonna get worse not better. That’s the sad part

But as the service gets worse less people will take it. Reducing ridership even more. They need to make it more attractive to use transit.

[Xtrazsteve]

7 minutes ago, Shaun said:

But as the service gets worse less people will take it. Reducing ridership even more. They need to make it more attractive to use transit.

Exactly but the idiots who made the decisions don't see it that way. The leader just messes around, gets his way and take off. 

[CJ.]

Does anybody know why at terminal stations such as Kennedy on Line 2, in a random train car, an orange vest employee will leave a (seemingly unoccupied) train cab and just walk right out of the station upstairs. Its not the guard. Its not a driver either. I seen this happen so much and I am just left confused. Im usually just shocked when what I think is an empty cab and an employee suddenly steps out as the train approaches the terminal station, shuts the door, and just walks away...As far as I know trains on Line 2 are just a two man operation. Anyone else notice this? 

Similarly on Line 3, sometimes there will be three employees that will exit from the cab once its at Kennedy Station. Operator, and two (maintenance?) orange vest employees. This is also not just a one time sighting, I've seen it happen many times in the past few months. At least for Line 3 I can see what they are doing because they do some checking at the lights and walk to the other end of the train. I understand Line 3 is on its last leg, so that might be why, but something similar happens on Line 2 as well, so I don't even know anymore

[Kelvin3157]

2 hours ago, CJ. said:

Does anybody know why at terminal stations such as Kennedy on Line 2, in a random train car, an orange vest employee will leave a (seemingly unoccupied) train cab and just walk right out of the station upstairs. Its not the guard. Its not a driver either. I seen this happen so much and I am just left confused. Im usually just shocked when what I think is an empty cab and an employee suddenly steps out as the train approaches the terminal station, shuts the door, and just walks away...As far as I know trains on Line 2 are just a two man operation. Anyone else notice this? 

Similarly on Line 3, sometimes there will be three employees that will exit from the cab once its at Kennedy Station. Operator, and two (maintenance?) orange vest employees. This is also not just a one time sighting, I've seen it happen many times in the past few months. At least for Line 3 I can see what they are doing because they do some checking at the lights and walk to the other end of the train. I understand Line 3 is on its last leg, so that might be why, but something similar happens on Line 2 as well, so I don't even know anymore

Some employees with a train key can enter a cab and just sit in there for the ride, so don’t have to sit with the public. Could also be various employees as well, such as line mechanics, carhouse operators, etc.

[CJ.]

16 hours ago, Kelvin3157 said:

Some employees with a train key can enter a cab and just sit in there for the ride, so don’t have to sit with the public. Could also be various employees as well, such as line mechanics, carhouse operators, etc.

So was it always like this? Or is it a response to the violence to employees in the system recently?

[Kelvin3157]

1 hour ago, CJ. said:

So was it always like this? Or is it a response to the violence to employees in the system recently?

It was always like this.

Even some guards close themselves in after serving a side platform station when the next one is an island platform.

[MK78]

On 2/21/2023 at 4:22 PM, CJ. said:

So was it always like this? Or is it a response to the violence to employees in the system recently?

It was always like this, but I'm sure it's a lot more now due to the alarming increase of assaults on staff in the past couple years. If they have a safer spot, they'll should take it.

[Humulator1]

Are there any differences between the 7900-7979 and 8000-8099 or are they identical? 

[Bus_Medic]

1 hour ago, Humulator1 said:

Are there any differences between the 7900-7979 and 8000-8099 or are they identical? 

Just the exhaust system. Otherwise identical.

[Shaun]

On 3/12/2023 at 7:54 PM, Bus_Medic said:

Just the exhaust system. Otherwise identical.

So they have the same EPA rating?

[Ed T.]

16 hours ago, Shaun said:

So they have the same EPA rating?

Because exhausts are part of a vehicle's emission control system, I would not assume this. I read here, years ago, that the difference between 7900 and 8000 was "exhaust treatment". No, I don't know what exactly that means.

[Bus_Medic]

1 hour ago, Ed T. said:

Because exhausts are part of a vehicle's emission control system, I would not assume this. I read here, years ago, that the difference between 7900 and 8000 was "exhaust treatment". No, I don't know what exactly that means.

The particulate filter clamped inline on the 8000s is a passive aftermarket unit, and doesn’t interface with the Cummins ECU.

[Xtrazsteve]

2 hours ago, Bus_Medic said:

The particulate filter clamped inline on the 8000s is a passive aftermarket unit, and doesn’t interface with the Cummins ECU.

Could they clamp the same filters onto the 7900s and make it identical to the 8000s?

[OC Transpo/STO Fan]

2 hours ago, Xtrazsteve said:

Could they clamp the same filters onto the 7900s and make it identical to the 8000s?

7924 had that modification done as a test bus before the 8000s came. It was identifiable because it had a 8000 style tail pipe and the passenger side panel beside the last rear window was changed out for the one on the 8000s. I'm not sure if it's still in service like that today or if they reverted to the old 7900 exhaust setup on it.

[Bus_Medic]

2 hours ago, Xtrazsteve said:

Could they clamp the same filters onto the 7900s and make it identical to the 8000s?

Sure, if you want a make work project.

[blue.bird.fan]

Why are the streetcars today using paper signs with the route and run number? Is it connected to the issues with announcement’s earlier today?

[7749]

7 hours ago, OC Transpo/STO Fan said:

7924 had that modification done as a test bus before the 8000s came. It was identifiable because it had a 8000 style tail pipe and the passenger side panel beside the last rear window was changed out for the one on the 8000s. I'm not sure if it's still in service like that today or if they reverted to the old 7900 exhaust setup on it.

It's still like this. Saw it today.

On that note, are the 79/80s actually Cummins ISL 8.9L? I've seen a maintenance sheet today that lists them as having Cummins ISC 8.3L. I've seen a similar document at Davenport as well that listed these as 8.3L as well, and at least to my knowledge i've never heard of a Cummins ISL 8.3L. So is it possible these actually have Cummins ISC?

[Doppelkupplung]

12 hours ago, 7749 said:

It's still like this. Saw it today.

On that note, are the 79/80s actually Cummins ISL 8.9L? I've seen a maintenance sheet today that lists them as having Cummins ISC 8.3L. I've seen a similar document at Davenport as well that listed these as 8.3L as well, and at least to my knowledge i've never heard of a Cummins ISL 8.3L. So is it possible these actually have Cummins ISC?

They are definitely ISLs. ISC was an 8.3 liter unit, ISL/L9 is an 8.9. 

[Orion V]

With the full Line 1 running with ATC, how come they cannot do single track operations during weekends (when they have to do maintenance like they do with the Vaughan extension section) and have to close the whole section down like the upcoming April 1-2 weekend?

[smallspy]

12 hours ago, Orion V said:

With the full Line 1 running with ATC, how come they cannot do single track operations during weekends (when they have to do maintenance like they do with the Vaughan extension section) and have to close the whole section down like the upcoming April 1-2 weekend?

They can, but only on certain areas.

 

In cut-and-cover tunnels and open-cut sections, there is no way to keep people away from the still operating track, thus they won't single-track those areas.

 

Dan

[Turtle]

2 hours ago, smallspy said:

They can, but only on certain areas.

 

In cut-and-cover tunnels and open-cut sections, there is no way to keep people away from the still operating track, thus they won't single-track those areas.

 

Dan

You mean there isn't anything they could set up? Like a major work zone or something? (rhetorical/sarcasm)

 

Fine, there isn't a bi-directional major work zone set up (green lights to mark the ends of the work zone would be confusing), and if they are doing work that requires traction power to be shut off, or the signal system to be disabled ... and the distance between crossovers may make single track operation worse than shuttle service.

[smallspy]

3 hours ago, Turtle said:

You mean there isn't anything they could set up? Like a major work zone or something? (rhetorical/sarcasm)

 

Fine, there isn't a bi-directional major work zone set up (green lights to mark the ends of the work zone would be confusing), and if they are doing work that requires traction power to be shut off, or the signal system to be disabled ... and the distance between crossovers may make single track operation worse than shuttle service.

Hey, you're the one who supposedly works there. I'm sure that you can find the memo for yourself if you don't believe me.

 

Dan

[Turtle]

3 hours ago, smallspy said:

Hey, you're the one who supposedly works there. I'm sure that you can find the memo for yourself if you don't believe me.

 

Dan

No, I quit a long time ago, took a commuted pension.

 

What memo about what? That they can't run service past a major/impassible work zone on the opposite track? Why?

 

The only reason why they couldn't is if the work was such that it required a traction power cut (likely), or if the signal system had to be shut down in that section, or if the work/equipment being done/used went into the clearance of the opposite direction. 

[Turtle]

15 hours ago, smallspy said:

They can, but only on certain areas.

 

In cut-and-cover tunnels and open-cut sections, there is no way to keep people away from the still operating track, thus they won't single-track those areas.

 

Dan

Sorry for re quoting you, but how is that any different from a major or minor work zone in the same area? They manage to keep workers safe from trains on the adjacent track, using a bunch of signalling devices, common sense, and procedures in work zones every day. Why would you think it wouldn't work for a planned closure?

 

To repeat, the real reasons would or could be:

-scope of the work, typically it involves a traction power cut, so trains could not move through there anyways

-work may interfere physically with the adjacent track

-the new fancy signal system may not be set up to allow reverse traffic operation in that section, despite what Howard Moscoe promised a decade ago

-the distance between crossovers may make frequency of single tracked service crazy bad or really hard for transit control to manage

-confusion for customers waiting on the platform, which direction is the train headed? Buses are easier

[raptorjays]

Do you think free fare for those 12 and under may go down as a history once the new mayor is elected?

I think it was John Tory who suddenly brought that forward.. while breaking his promise to freeze the fare. 

However, I think we should lower the threshold to those before the elementary school. 

 

Let's see the other jurisdictions.

It is free for those 12 and under in Vancouver, but they do have a condition that a fare paying passenger (either their parents or guardians) should be accompanied. 

In New York, it is a bit tricky but up to 3 kids who are under 44 inches tall shall ride for free. 

 

In London England, those under 10 is free.. and a unique part is that they do have a maximum daily cap which the fare isn't charged after certain amount per day (which Toronto should seriously consider rather than selling overpriced metropass) 

When you go to Seoul, South Korea.. it is only those 6 and under who are free. (Those before elementary school) 

 

If I were a mayor, I would rather discount fare further for seniors over 65. I think a fare for senior is just a bit high here.. 

In New York, it is half of the regular adult fare. 

In London England, it is free for those over 60, but only for those who lives in 33 boroughs in London. (Moreover, the free fare doesn't apply during the morning rush) 

While I think free fare for senior may cost more than those 12 and under, I think New York's model would be nice (half of the adult fare)