HISTORY:

In 2001 when the O-train was built, an S-curve was introduced at the northern station, at Bayview. This S-curve on a hill was forced by a decision not to spend $700 to move a Hydro Pole by a former city of Ottawa "transit" planner.

This curve has caused a lot of wheel squeal as the train has to put on its brakes, go around the curve, and then applies power to climb the hill. The reverse happens when it travels south: it coasts down the hill, brakes, squeals around the curve, and then has to apply power again at the bottom.

This problem isn't just about noise: it also causes excessive wheel and track wear, and consumes fuel. A straight track on a hill would otherwise provide a perfect brake for the train. For a calculation of how much money is lost yearly by the presence of this pole, see the comment to:
http://www.friendsoftheotrain.org/node/221

At:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Stupid+Tunnel/3409731/story.html (notice URL!) we have the image:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/3128614.bin?size=620x400

What they have done is added pedestrians and masonry cladding to the
below image to make it look prettier:

http://clients2.76design.com/ottawalightrail.ca/images/slide1.jpg

But, if this is the view at Mann, where is the background? We should see half of downtown behind the tunnel entrance!

http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Train...

Friends of reliable, punctual bus service:

So, here is a brief (?) description of my travels (travails?) yesterday morning.

I rode my bike to Lincoln Fields T.W. station, and grabbed a #95 to Lebreton, arriving 7:40 a.m.

Got off, checked the schedule in the shelter, next O-Bus due at 7:45 a.m.

So, five minutes to wait, or so I thought (hoped?).

At 7:52, an O-Bus finally showed up (already 7 minutes late!) (Artic # 6395 - one of the most recent ones - this is important to note, due to what happens next.)

15 people got on, not counting me, since I am simply an "observer".

The rear door of the artic would not close.

Driver had to come back and beat on it to close it.

Arrive Preston @ Carling @ 7:57 - Five minutes from Lebreton - The O-Train would have almost reached Carleton
U in the same time.

7 get on, 1 off.

One of the things we are told regularly is how "flexible" a bus system is.
What we observe however, is how frequently it fails:

Not only is each of these buses putting out diesel (on a warm day), but each one of the buses has a driver
paid by the hour to sit there. And, each one of those buses is mostly empty (this is going into the downtown),
and there are thousands of people waiting for *their* bus to take them home.

full photo-stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ottawabusgallery/4620477288/

How Toronto plans for failure

By Christopher Hume
Urban Issues, Architecture

Published On Sat May 08 2010

Of all a city's functions, none matters more than planning. It touches every aspect of civic life - economic, social and cultural.

But as Toronto's civil service is currently organized, planning gets little respect. In fact, the department reports to a deputy city manager, who reports to the city manager, who reports to city council.

For the last three years, the deputy city manager responsible for planning has been a man named Richard Butts. His background is in garbage collection and as he readily admits, "I am not a planner."

Judging from his record, that much is obvious. The most recent example is now unfolding on the waterfront; it concerns a sports complex proposed for the Lower Don Lands. Though it would undo many years of planning, Butts has made it clear he's prepared to ride roughshod over Waterfront Toronto's award-winning scheme.