The Next Big Idea with the TTC

 

So, the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) wants to subsidized transit passes to low income users.  Additionally, they don't want to raise prices for typical (non subsidized) passengers.  In theory this sounds good.

However, I have a few concerns.  If the same people who are in charge of handing out the disabled parking stickers are in charge of this, there will likely be a lot of fraud involved in this.  I know that sounds bad, but you have to understand where I am coming from.  I have seen lots of people (and even talked to some of them) who are using another family member's parking pass to park in designated disabled spots.  They figure the pass is fair game for anyone who has it.  I can't disagree more.  If you're parking in a disabled spot when you don't need to, you're potentially blocking someone who really needs to be in that spot.

But I digress.

I am all for helping people out with transit.  I use it every day myself.  I still don't know why it is so expensive, or why it costs more when more people use it (I call this mismanagement--perhaps they are paying too much overtime).

I guess the problem that I have is that I don't believe that the people who really need the financial discount will get it, and people who have no need for a discount will somehow find themselves in possession of a discount pass--I am thinking of city councillors who already get a free pass, and then never use it.

Only time will tell if this plan works out.

A Harangue Against the Lazy

The kind of laziness I really hate.

 

Why are people so lazy?  I know, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.  Yes, I admit I am lazy, but not about everything.  Lazy cook?  Yes.  Study Japanese lazy?  Yes, sometimes.  I could write down a long list of things I am lazy about.  Walking is not one of them.

Before you get scared and roll your eyes, this is not a harangue about people who drive their cars when they could walk.  This isn't even a harangue about people who park illegally in disable parking (they should be shot, even if they have a sticker they "borrowed" from a family member).  This is a different harangue altogether.

There are two types of lazy people that bother me the most.  The people who take the elevator one floor, and the people who use the automatic door open button.  Let's take them one at a time.

Taking the elevator one floor is wrong.  No wonder North America has a weight problem.  If you've never been to the building, and don't know where the stairwell is (despite clear signs directing you to it) perhaps you have a reason for your sad, pathetic behaviour.  However, after multiple visits and guided tours, you're just pissing the rest of us off.  When I take the elevator up to the twentieth floor, I don't expect or want to stop at every floor.  I'm not in a Japanese department store.

As for using the automatic door opener..... if you're a child, I won't blame you.  An automatic door is cool.  I will blame your parents though if you continue to do this into your teen years.  What's wrong with you?  Is the door too heavy?  Are you unable to read which way it opens, and therefore need to press that button to stop you from looking stupid? (By the way, it doesn't work that way.  Pressing the button makes you look stupid and feeble.)  You're in the way, and you're taking too long to get through the door.