tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15330987412759218612024-03-05T20:34:38.274-05:00I Heart OC TranspoCommuting is about the people travelling with you as much as it is buses and transfers and transit owls. Part photo, part blog, part "how to", all commuting life in Ottawa.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-85623082860355349452012-01-26T12:49:00.000-05:002012-01-26T12:49:20.813-05:00OC App Wishlist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:PixelsPerInch>72</o:PixelsPerInch> <o:TargetScreenSize>544x376</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Hyperlink"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><a href="http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/1075075--blackberry-transit-app-last-in-line-city">A recent news story</a> unveiled that official OC Transpo apps are just around the corner for iPhone, down the road for Android, and... eventually for Blackberry. This will give commuters an official alternative to the current go-to <a href="http://octranspo.mobi/">OCTranspo.mobi</a> site, which while nice to have, it isn't the easiest to use.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">OC Transpo's mobile website competently shows you the schedules for the stops, stations, and bus routes throughout the city. It also has fare and contact information, OC-related news releases, information on detours and cancelled trips, and a cumbersome travel planner that tells you how to get from point A to point B.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP32ve0ERrSi40B4Uwdi4r1qStnMHoaN4mdgAida0QwUfz6pMbuAgS93fBnrg7DA87WWJTYFCCiOBKXx7-6obxe4nY-1zyGnm5a6dFlobPii4rq4RTJ0zBeP40lxocdZ1_RuJo9CfjRz0/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+6+43+44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP32ve0ERrSi40B4Uwdi4r1qStnMHoaN4mdgAida0QwUfz6pMbuAgS93fBnrg7DA87WWJTYFCCiOBKXx7-6obxe4nY-1zyGnm5a6dFlobPii4rq4RTJ0zBeP40lxocdZ1_RuJo9CfjRz0/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+6+43+44+PM.png" width="213" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">How can a smartphone app improve on this? I</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">m hoping in many, many ways. Here's a wish list of sorts that will make for a better on-the-go OC Transpo experience. Do you have any ideas? Post 'em below!</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">1) MAPS</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></div><div class="Body1"><span></span></div><div class="Body1"><span></span></div><div class="Body1"><span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xe3vem1H2NZQ_c5hCbqQ6ZYFahsKTq-hGOXgzn5ufMGnrOexKojoVtsnJZOFRN8foKcjCrGbA6pzjs_kYPkBGh1Vmg-SPJog6NOVyYeYNiO8JOIFdd4KEbe7ofng7OpNHVj_Q6KEQII/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+6+51+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xe3vem1H2NZQ_c5hCbqQ6ZYFahsKTq-hGOXgzn5ufMGnrOexKojoVtsnJZOFRN8foKcjCrGbA6pzjs_kYPkBGh1Vmg-SPJog6NOVyYeYNiO8JOIFdd4KEbe7ofng7OpNHVj_Q6KEQII/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+6+51+24+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span>We all have map applications on our smartphones, I certainly use mine all the time. Maps are conspicuously absent from the .mobi site. It tells you the stops along a route, but it doesn't show you exactly where that route is, or even give you those stylized maps you see at bus stops.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span>A new app needs to highlight a route on a map of Ottawa so that you can see where it goes. Its good to know that the 87 goes from South Keys to Baseline. It's great to know the stupidlong route it takes. </span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">It goes without saying that the app needs to take a cue from Google Map's directions feature and highlight your travel plan on an actual map. </span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Bonus points if it shows which side of the street your stop is on! </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">2) GPS</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZciuNZqLV0qQfGDEFFy_EiZJmeFmtWH-CHdkHrr34O-3DoOa_Be91nyHdWpTGMiUhatRFg8_sDnCGcueBAElUQV6M8l4NQzY-dhyphenhyphenBZtY4MY7ky1UFS-GGryls0NzvUhMoxbBKPqBAos/s1600/iphone-app-like-to-use-your-current-location.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZciuNZqLV0qQfGDEFFy_EiZJmeFmtWH-CHdkHrr34O-3DoOa_Be91nyHdWpTGMiUhatRFg8_sDnCGcueBAElUQV6M8l4NQzY-dhyphenhyphenBZtY4MY7ky1UFS-GGryls0NzvUhMoxbBKPqBAos/s1600/iphone-app-like-to-use-your-current-location.jpg" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The mobile site's biggest failure is that it doesn't tell me where I am. There's no big red "you are here" dot to help me get to a bus. I want to be able to know where I am and have the app tell me where the nearest bus stop is. The travel planner should use my location as a starting point for planning my trip. It's natural and probably the most useful location I'll ever use when planning a trip.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">3) LIVE GPS SCHEDULES</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd-1_Z-_BD0n2fKWWTk47wr-6adrY-ZBPD_-p-fgYjqtwIYyyyvOlwXpQ5nHNYNUs6pk-JwK35j7HpaSr8P-wcCi4lYNWys9DgIqGxxVsZRtE_y1grqmC02iBPJSJ3MabzV_aPi1JpJ4/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+7+12+43+PMcrop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd-1_Z-_BD0n2fKWWTk47wr-6adrY-ZBPD_-p-fgYjqtwIYyyyvOlwXpQ5nHNYNUs6pk-JwK35j7HpaSr8P-wcCi4lYNWys9DgIqGxxVsZRtE_y1grqmC02iBPJSJ3MabzV_aPi1JpJ4/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+7+12+43+PMcrop.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">OC Transpo is making a huge fuss about finding ways to monetize its live bus location data </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> so much so it resisted releasing it to third party app developers to make their own OC Apps. The current 560-560 texting program is useful but unreliable in that you don't know whether it's actual GPS data or if it's the suggested timetables you can find online or printed on those little bus pamphlets. After all, not every bus currently reports this information, and it isn't always available.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The app must not only use this GPS data, but clearly indicate whether the reported times are GPS-based, or timetable-based. Users should be able to switch between the two and see whether the bus is running early or late. Bonus points if the app shows the approximate location of your bus on a map using GPS data.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">4) Countdowns</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA9fGhRFrGG7i3M6xWq6B-1Cxbi7MUUv-n_qXwKjtHop2BPN-AFjL06kBhAvkB7O9Lqxn5CK6deEdy_7HdYpsvE3xfbPxdpU85t1Jls6iLRUR2UHZbRhiO2o-dB8e_EHwSm7I552z2Cs/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+7+18+29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA9fGhRFrGG7i3M6xWq6B-1Cxbi7MUUv-n_qXwKjtHop2BPN-AFjL06kBhAvkB7O9Lqxn5CK6deEdy_7HdYpsvE3xfbPxdpU85t1Jls6iLRUR2UHZbRhiO2o-dB8e_EHwSm7I552z2Cs/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+7+18+29+PM.png" width="213" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Please tell me when a bus is going to be at my stop. Please also tell me how many minutes that away that is. I can do the math, but please save me the mental exercise! This is a simple feature that most of the currently available bus apps, including <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/busbuddy-ottawa/id492498405" target="_blank">Bus Buddy Ottawa</a>, pictured above.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">5) Travel Planner with a Memory</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUiTb9buyS-1_sA-93PUFL0QlgK4OICck7wjr17w0R5tIITKBOgIyPpTVDCMz5e5UIE-5klXXhxTx5xGGm6cyf7HUStsZ45PZltBDHlFwb6DgDVC_4_ownZ9Pg4zaJj2o9U4aDWQxr00/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+7+22+00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUiTb9buyS-1_sA-93PUFL0QlgK4OICck7wjr17w0R5tIITKBOgIyPpTVDCMz5e5UIE-5klXXhxTx5xGGm6cyf7HUStsZ45PZltBDHlFwb6DgDVC_4_ownZ9Pg4zaJj2o9U4aDWQxr00/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+7+22+00+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="Body1"></div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The one thing that makes me cringe every time I use the travel planner is that I have to enter addresses or look up landmarks every time - even though it's usually the same set of 5 or 6 addresses and landmarks. With a dedicated app, I better be able to save common addresses and favorite locations to quickly and easily look create travel itineraries. Better yet, it would be nice to use contact lists as a source for addresses.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I would also like to save commonly-used bus routes or stops as well. An OC Transpo app will be most useful if you can personalize it to your needs.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">6) Live Updates / Travel Planner 2.0</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmoXoAMZrha8h1FmkJQ3lkXX_H4MZAauXF95_chBhn9ElkT7MxTsEaqvvVlvHPOf8XaFFnneZPIxwG_RIiHq5SXBrQADi_TJu3b_xXH84R6pdtWpKOZPEMJz9wJsB86uJBKBFvq32OUU/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+7+27+53+PMcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmoXoAMZrha8h1FmkJQ3lkXX_H4MZAauXF95_chBhn9ElkT7MxTsEaqvvVlvHPOf8XaFFnneZPIxwG_RIiHq5SXBrQADi_TJu3b_xXH84R6pdtWpKOZPEMJz9wJsB86uJBKBFvq32OUU/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+7+27+53+PMcrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">My biggest fear when I went to Carleton was that I would get to Bayview only to discover that O-Train would be down, forcing me to find a new route to campus - and be late in the process. The biggest problem with the Travel Planner now is that it's easy to miss connections because of early, late, or cancelled trips. It's also a hassle to update an itinerary when you need to make a change.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A new app needs a travel planner that can notify me if I'm not going to make a connection. This should be fairly easy to do based on current live updates and GPS data. The travel planner can then update my trip to compensate for these kinds of issues. And just like that, I no longer have to say, "I should have stayed on that bus!"</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">7) contact forms</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The .mobi site has phone numbers you can use to call various OC Transpo departments. It recently added email addresses that you can tap to send an email. What it lacks are the actual forms that you can fill out on the full website. An app needs to have forms you can easily fill out for complaints and other issues that you experience on the go.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span>This could lead to more complaints being sent OC Transpo's way, but it might also give them a more realistic picture of problem spots that need addressing. </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">8) Get Off Here Notification</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXELUa-UhJ2p3b9GZ9DHcop35dVl_YlKFY_cYJwEp0BjWsX4RqcX0Gmcq8rALG4AMOcyyS1xslOk7ZEN8HiusTuUWhsE5yHAKuRN6b9R5nZ5m5HiaysJXIXHD0RrHBOM4aJQlkGrDLMeI/s1600/Photo+2012-01-25+7+27+53+PMlocnot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXELUa-UhJ2p3b9GZ9DHcop35dVl_YlKFY_cYJwEp0BjWsX4RqcX0Gmcq8rALG4AMOcyyS1xslOk7ZEN8HiusTuUWhsE5yHAKuRN6b9R5nZ5m5HiaysJXIXHD0RrHBOM4aJQlkGrDLMeI/s320/Photo+2012-01-25+7+27+53+PMlocnot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span>Wouldn't it be nice if the app told you where to get off? It would take the edge off traveling to new, exotic Ottawa locales (I'm looking at you, Kanata). It would also double as an alarm clock of sorts for those of us who end up snoozing on those longer trips around town. Missing stops because of napping? No more! </span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">9) Presto Info</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">We're eventually getting those cool smart cards that will allow us to load fare money on some plastic so that we can tap our way around town. Bus passes, photos, tickets, transfers, incorrect change... It will all a thing of the past. Someday. Hopefully this summer.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">An OC Transpo app needs to be set up off the bat to allow transit users the ability to (or at the very least, point to a place where one can) look up balances, top up balances, and the like.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><b><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">10) Clever ads</span></b></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Any app from OC Transpo had better be free. Every free app comes with one thing: ads. Really, what that means is that there will likely be obnoxious ad bars along the top or bottom of the app. Ads after all generate revenue, and OC Transpo loves revenue! Rather than seeing generic ads that I probably will never click, I would like to see the app tell me something about my destination.</span></div><div class="Body1"><br />
</div><div class="Body1"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Since there likely won't be a "no ads" option, I would rather the app suggest things that I can do along my travels. "Oh, you're going to Rideau Centre? The Source is having a sale!" or "Hey, you're planning a trip to Dow's Lake? Why not try paddle boating?" or "Visiting the Casino? check out the Fireworks competitions!" OC Transpo can really get on the local and hyper local marketing bandwagon. Maybe in the process, I can learn something about my city.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"></span></div></div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-55003031754355821392012-01-13T08:00:00.003-05:002012-01-13T08:00:16.902-05:00OC Smoking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I remember a time when Carlingwood had two-tier food court seating. The lower level was designated non-smoking while the elevated platform welcomed smokers to light up while grabbing a bite to eat. The mall hallways were lined with ashtrays, and even the mall's restaurant had a cigarette vending machine.<br />
<br />
While it hasn't been that long since Ottawa has been curbing smoking in public areas, it's been aggressive. When traveling to other cities and other countries, I get a sense that something is off when I see someone lighting up in a restaurant, when I'm asked, "smoking or non-smoking," or my hotel room has that slight, stale scent of tobacco lingering in the air. It just doesn't feel right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_FWvw_auYMuZoMZU48y2W2_HSYW5zlTn4J8uo0kMvb0_dmTFrLUC_6JdnFxio7UVMQ_U9zAHSranoSL0vWReB918sxe7pV2tFnkmx6fmSd-qlw5pJfzrWLmn00tL83zRF6yQrKwCQ6o/s1600/201110_02_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_FWvw_auYMuZoMZU48y2W2_HSYW5zlTn4J8uo0kMvb0_dmTFrLUC_6JdnFxio7UVMQ_U9zAHSranoSL0vWReB918sxe7pV2tFnkmx6fmSd-qlw5pJfzrWLmn00tL83zRF6yQrKwCQ6o/s320/201110_02_15.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A recent trip to Japan showed me outdoor cigarette vending machines. Weird.</i></div><br />
As far back as I can remember, smoking on buses has been forbidden. The same goes with bus shelters, where the blue, red, or translucent line across the glass has always indicated them to be smoke-free zones. In fact, all transit property is smoke-free. While there is some debate as to whether the city's "9-meter radius" of smoke-free zones truly applies to transit, bus stops themselves are transit property, and thus to apply to this rule.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2anjsyk0xW4afo6wewiOg4KxUX6sjrPAXrMa1lmpfK2OqJw-TWAFaGANLO36Z9ZQHdV4bFaKUDP6xt6n1z57zh_Ki43g_TulLgPbHm5pHgeyy-h2OoH4ALbimhbIpGGpixF24NR3R77U/s1600/200710_26_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2anjsyk0xW4afo6wewiOg4KxUX6sjrPAXrMa1lmpfK2OqJw-TWAFaGANLO36Z9ZQHdV4bFaKUDP6xt6n1z57zh_Ki43g_TulLgPbHm5pHgeyy-h2OoH4ALbimhbIpGGpixF24NR3R77U/s320/200710_26_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>No smoking in shelters - or at bus stops.</i></div><br />
Over the past few days, Twitter has been abuzz about <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Smoker+raises+stink+over+driver/5982460/story.html">this story</a>, where a driver had asked a woman to move from standing by the front of the bus because she smelled of cigarette smoke. She felt offended and discriminated against. Nowhere does anyone point out that she was breaking a by-law. According to city by-law, she shouldn't have been smoking at the bus stop waiting for her bus, which she admits to doing.<br />
<br />
It's a good point, but it's beside the point.<br />
<br />
As a passenger, I come across all kinds of smells. KFC. Perfume. Cologne (far too much cologne -- guys, you don't have to bathe in the stuff). New-bus smell. Cat-in-heat. BO. And yes, cigarettes. Normally I brave it out as the City of Ottawa bus ad reminds us passengers to be "considerate" and "scent-free." As much as I would love to gift some of my fellow commuters some soap or gum or a bottle of Febreeze, I'm sure there are social etiquettes against doing so. The only times where I will take action involve me locating another seat, and that's only when my allergies are already doing a number on my nose. Otherwise, I tough it out for a few stops.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-1RzJpPA-XrtG20AZ7zI6OpMw6DFJB5idEXw6sHNW145nCLyasxSCn1GpqoRTgBDHrMOBpUQrqk5zQgZz4HrAJldDe9T1ag3TogRKOtNkpI4g3LdlFFmrHfD7ciAxrHMDFTvDllvM0o/s1600/scents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-1RzJpPA-XrtG20AZ7zI6OpMw6DFJB5idEXw6sHNW145nCLyasxSCn1GpqoRTgBDHrMOBpUQrqk5zQgZz4HrAJldDe9T1ag3TogRKOtNkpI4g3LdlFFmrHfD7ciAxrHMDFTvDllvM0o/s320/scents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Drivers should have the same respect. Screenshot from octranspo1.com.</i></div><br />
However, a being driver is different. The driver needs to be focused, and quite honestly, I want my driver to be focused. There are reasons why you can't blare music on a bus or stand in the front well, or why drivers can't play with cell phones, or why the bus is dimmed at night and why the driver seat seems isolated from the bus: it's so the driver doesn't get distracted. If the driver feels distracted, he or she can ask you to simmer down your antics, or ask you to step off. It's really a bonus that relieving a distraction usually means a quieter, easier commute for everyone else on board.<br />
<br />
Distracted drivers are more prone to making mistakes, like missing your requested stop, failing to notice someone at or running to a stop, or colliding with another vehicle, a bicyclist, or a even pedestrian. If the driver is distracted, he or she should be able to try to reduce that distraction, even when it comes to smells. <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Transpo+riders+asked+move+because+they+smell+says+city/5987758/story.html?utm_source=iheartoctranspo.com">The City of Ottawa says</a> that drivers cannot ask passengers to move on the grounds of scent, but I hope they will consider the potential risks of such a distraction.<br />
<br />
<b>Other reading:</b><br />
Drives In Circles Blog: Smoker Raises Stink: <a href="http://drivesincircles.blogspot.com/2012/01/smoker-raises-stink.html">http://drivesincircles.blogspot.com/2012/01/smoker-raises-stink.html</a><br />
<br />
OpenFile Ottawa: Can OC Transpo Drivers Ask Smokers to Move to the Back of the Bus? <a href="http://ottawa.openfile.ca/blog/curator-blog/curated-news/2012/can-oc-transpo-drivers-ask-smokers-move-back-bus">http://ottawa.openfile.ca/blog/curator-blog/curated-news/2012/can-oc-transpo-drivers-ask-smokers-move-back-bus</a><br />
<br />
</div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com80Ottawa, ON, Canada45.4215296 -75.69719309999999345.1341061 -76.250852099999989 45.7089531 -75.1435341tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-50579642762231564002011-08-10T12:39:00.000-04:002011-08-10T12:39:02.534-04:00Lonley, Broken Seat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpaJArvtGT7io1rjYNH_lGZTIqzX2LY841FDJJo9jjh7bbGP9NmebEy1IYLiS_WRuF0TEUbg7cZDBpG0-rLpyAjZdIzMFNSaf-dp6sapYAoMrw503fwxZWEGk8g5aeq5Cz3qrRvzs_B8/s1600/busseat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpaJArvtGT7io1rjYNH_lGZTIqzX2LY841FDJJo9jjh7bbGP9NmebEy1IYLiS_WRuF0TEUbg7cZDBpG0-rLpyAjZdIzMFNSaf-dp6sapYAoMrw503fwxZWEGk8g5aeq5Cz3qrRvzs_B8/s320/busseat1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What a common sight on our buses, the seat cushion popping off the bench. Embarrassing. Nobody ever chooses to sit beside this seat, let alone replace the cushion. How long does it take before they're fixed?<br />
<br />
I really hate those seats that feel like they've got sealed Whoopee Cushions inside them. I hope this isn't what causes them to pop up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lFUkGCRErAv4Amg_sxz8KiiBUtP36jefhwDNZ0E-NOcAeq7BaRJZx07yc7_cStKbR1UgYtUTmXp_hRdt3CtHq7tEomFY4Hz9YIpj8Mx71KXzDNdBquFtZtkrssk6wAmNGOmojk5przY/s1600/busseat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lFUkGCRErAv4Amg_sxz8KiiBUtP36jefhwDNZ0E-NOcAeq7BaRJZx07yc7_cStKbR1UgYtUTmXp_hRdt3CtHq7tEomFY4Hz9YIpj8Mx71KXzDNdBquFtZtkrssk6wAmNGOmojk5przY/s320/busseat2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Stare deep into the well. Is there anything of value in there? How does all that garbage get there in the first place? It's not like this is all new garbage, and I doubt people force such trash between the seats...Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-56560920579124467202011-08-07T09:42:00.000-04:002011-08-07T09:42:08.757-04:00The Big Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EK8al808YRWysiTa0k_Wd3Z-rhqjPlaKWpL_0V0h5KU1mtqaWk17fzqDfJk9GZUuDzbRyoO2xs2ruDh6D5TIwnjNy01q4UQcx5T9H1wTTYTdMtso-2U_hDhM1oYy0emM9RzffqUgh4c/s1600/brokenglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9ZiNNRTlWFzLm7P3Mcq0dRdVXgDo3UbbL5OUL33QEJV-k6zNQV5rEFgWIYVsK3Ao68pSYpgjHKCMiAoaVdd63VyRH8xDASJOucOOx9aAg3fHI8atTKLL_0SilO2eht9ubLjn3MMDmTM/s1600/brokenglass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9ZiNNRTlWFzLm7P3Mcq0dRdVXgDo3UbbL5OUL33QEJV-k6zNQV5rEFgWIYVsK3Ao68pSYpgjHKCMiAoaVdd63VyRH8xDASJOucOOx9aAg3fHI8atTKLL_0SilO2eht9ubLjn3MMDmTM/s320/brokenglass2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It appears that someone is unhappy about the new route changes coming on September 4. In fact, they were so unhappy that their thoughts were able to shatter the glass showing off the route reduction. Yes, that's how it happened.<br />
<br />
I've had quite a few people strike up a conversation with me in the last little while, starting with how much they hate these changes. "They jack up the price of the passes and cut the service. It's just not fair," noted one nice lady, with bright red hair and a strong French accent. Another older woman described how she had been at the bus stop a long time because her bus hadn't come at :15 like the post says it does, though last time she took it, it came at :45. She added, "these new times are confusing, they don't even work for 5 weeks."<br />
<br />
Twitter is abuzz with the same sentiments. A fair chunk of the OC Transpo mentions out there are about the route changes being posted prematurely, and how the new changes completely ruin people's commutes.<br />
<br />
A few months back, OC Transpo did hold public meetings to discuss the proposed changes, some tweaks did com out of those meetings. I think it was really hard for a lot of people to see how their routes would actually change. There would have been a stronger response if the public could use a travel planner prior to those meetings to see how the changes would actually affect them. Also, if more people had heard that they were happening.<br />
<br />
I know why all these changes are happening. We the city of Ottawa need to make sure that our transit system be more self-sufficient. That means cutting costs. We (Ottawa) tried to do so changing the drivers' schedules to limit overtime (and failed, from what I hear), and cutting routes is next. And yes, it will cut costs.<br />
<br />
I think that the value of OC Transpo to its commuters will drop more than the costs that they will save. A lot of people have a hard time justifying $94 a month for the current level of service, let alone what it's about to become.<br />
<br />
The city will feel pressure to restore some of these routes - a few years back my local route was trimmed down, but the community fought to have night service restored, and it was.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-65590048275735519562011-07-28T08:00:00.073-04:002011-07-28T08:00:00.134-04:00OC Stations: Walkley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you're commuting day in and day out, it's easy to forget or ignore or simply not think about the stations to which you travel. They are often reduced to a name or a "point A" along your trip home or to work. Through this hyper-familiarity, the unique features of each of the stations get lost.</div><br />
This week, I want to pause at some of the OC Transpo stations (in no particular order) and really highlight what makes them unique and interesting. Perhaps next time you're out and about, you will also slow down and enjoy these features that you may otherwise not even notice.<br />
<b>Walkley Station</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjbtLOUZLXQ1PscYOwi3r6XEh8sxD4_NXCznq04nzM69qBQmrGxUD9VA2dy0BM1ki1LKzB7k4ueuwcZAZBuRtcEbmWXClNJHEsqTjm0YZE0n092PYIVSG3Xmts-0wvanClbPMLQ2d5ic/s1600/201107_24_wa01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjbtLOUZLXQ1PscYOwi3r6XEh8sxD4_NXCznq04nzM69qBQmrGxUD9VA2dy0BM1ki1LKzB7k4ueuwcZAZBuRtcEbmWXClNJHEsqTjm0YZE0n092PYIVSG3Xmts-0wvanClbPMLQ2d5ic/s320/201107_24_wa01.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Walkley Station, with its red tube and concrete charm, is a blip on the Transitway. There is nothing extraordinary about it.<br />
<br />
Except the maps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyILSBdvK5NL8-uOK308sEr8q_4iB84koaEfIQIzwbEzd4ZA2nOk2aImxBvSkrsuBNMK3spsxACVCRyl1F5U3C57daDE-20ktYk22P9XQlGaRtarVXmesX134eWZI7yOU3IxZ7-Z_kv6c/s1600/201107_24_wa02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyILSBdvK5NL8-uOK308sEr8q_4iB84koaEfIQIzwbEzd4ZA2nOk2aImxBvSkrsuBNMK3spsxACVCRyl1F5U3C57daDE-20ktYk22P9XQlGaRtarVXmesX134eWZI7yOU3IxZ7-Z_kv6c/s320/201107_24_wa02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Six maps, etched out in stone and concrete, line the supports underneath Walkley Rd. They capture the history of the Ottawa region, travelling in time from the early European settlers through the Canal development, becoming the capital city, and eventually today (or, rather 1993 - which was almost 20 years ago. yikes!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5aYvKMfwZ6AEpy0MaBn4_tHdcQ-QhG0vbZnhcRfoJE44iQ5qPoJzy6DnXwMYEFk810e5c6YCaSx4b6ahpYgppGdqZwiCOeniUv1EUa-cVnHFLxZJrA1sPAq0eGdo5uIcRlezY47_zf0/s1600/201107_24_wa03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5aYvKMfwZ6AEpy0MaBn4_tHdcQ-QhG0vbZnhcRfoJE44iQ5qPoJzy6DnXwMYEFk810e5c6YCaSx4b6ahpYgppGdqZwiCOeniUv1EUa-cVnHFLxZJrA1sPAq0eGdo5uIcRlezY47_zf0/s320/201107_24_wa03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7GP6KQdy6W5EuoGVuHFPo5fDdHNmTM3oBqYVg4wLys7MRX-G8Za0eulv9nMN7m2WkQUtloDOr1VECBDbBlCEGGra228dYIBCdu1jgo3apZGJxWsmlV61R-FztJ1vZnR5vobcM9_UiI/s1600/201107_24_wa04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r7GP6KQdy6W5EuoGVuHFPo5fDdHNmTM3oBqYVg4wLys7MRX-G8Za0eulv9nMN7m2WkQUtloDOr1VECBDbBlCEGGra228dYIBCdu1jgo3apZGJxWsmlV61R-FztJ1vZnR5vobcM9_UiI/s320/201107_24_wa04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Each of the maps in <i>A Brief History of Ottawa</i> are a slice of time, with specific dates underneath them. 1826? That's when Canal construction began. 1855? Bytown becomes the city of Ottawa. 1993? I guess that's when suburbs took over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUffEAq5d_21KPCcnLZwXxBh0HoI5oD-Y_THoXshkncxXNUqTFv514xxP0vzWUJfbqt6pzbMWQlvanZJu8EHrkxPgwkye820y8kwF35CLCHqA2BTejfr_xIiWhkKEGgqRbzJDS_rSt-A/s1600/201107_24_wa05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUffEAq5d_21KPCcnLZwXxBh0HoI5oD-Y_THoXshkncxXNUqTFv514xxP0vzWUJfbqt6pzbMWQlvanZJu8EHrkxPgwkye820y8kwF35CLCHqA2BTejfr_xIiWhkKEGgqRbzJDS_rSt-A/s320/201107_24_wa05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To help jog everyone's memory, there are word pairs that can be found on both the northbound and southbound transit platforms. Canal : Défense. Loisir : Urban. Just a head's up, when you Google "Outaouacs", the search engine thinks you mean "Outaouais".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40_FOwvi8iTar7jnWGfL3KwaGOuL4NV6tZ1Aa8e7ZHD3-N0ajEK4kK4f1-wKLXm5Ja3T5IcPX9asz1oGKqgtGCpB9G9eX4R3RxBtAGJdfFcS6zhoJg2Sk5NHUy43JIxBpqv2d1DrYxvU/s1600/201107_24_wa06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40_FOwvi8iTar7jnWGfL3KwaGOuL4NV6tZ1Aa8e7ZHD3-N0ajEK4kK4f1-wKLXm5Ja3T5IcPX9asz1oGKqgtGCpB9G9eX4R3RxBtAGJdfFcS6zhoJg2Sk5NHUy43JIxBpqv2d1DrYxvU/s320/201107_24_wa06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT2uhc4A8kHxLHrpPiUJg8uT4FMv68NjFaxKiv6l9lv9ebIBwnCKdoXEWR5pS750f3Pkn8Hoxrfg0wuOFofv357fVL0Rryz6ZN09EI88he1n1QtU_09pcwwpWhymSYI7eBgNcbLAG1vg/s1600/201107_24_wa07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT2uhc4A8kHxLHrpPiUJg8uT4FMv68NjFaxKiv6l9lv9ebIBwnCKdoXEWR5pS750f3Pkn8Hoxrfg0wuOFofv357fVL0Rryz6ZN09EI88he1n1QtU_09pcwwpWhymSYI7eBgNcbLAG1vg/s320/201107_24_wa07.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Artist Adrian Göllner managed to take the region's history, boil it down to the most important events, and show it off in an interesting way - in an awkward space to boot!<br />
<br />
Did you know? If this were updated or created today, a map would probably be used to reflect the 2001 amalgamation, possibly the most important event to happen in the region in 20 years. Or would it show Ottawa's development as Silicon Valley North?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4AulxefwiBaH5Lorq1BinGIgX0cx-7SLbw8LObYlgPChOtO4rQr_gDjpgihd0lSNsvgtHbsNjQgSAUgD8pv05bci-OXxi37xHpDjFEcSC6Yqb5hHwV5uWJo1ljABh1ow-A8bxXl6ds/s1600/transitwaymapcropwa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4AulxefwiBaH5Lorq1BinGIgX0cx-7SLbw8LObYlgPChOtO4rQr_gDjpgihd0lSNsvgtHbsNjQgSAUgD8pv05bci-OXxi37xHpDjFEcSC6Yqb5hHwV5uWJo1ljABh1ow-A8bxXl6ds/s1600/transitwaymapcropwa.jpg" /></a></div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-6120377266691693332011-07-27T08:00:00.003-04:002011-07-28T00:46:04.803-04:00OC Stations: Carling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you're commuting day in and day out, it's easy to forget or ignore or simply not think about the stations to which you travel. They are often reduced to a name or a "point A" along your trip home or to work. Through this hyper-familiarity, the unique features of each of the stations get lost.</div><br />
This week, I want to pause at some of the OC Transpo stations (in no particular order) and really highlight what makes them unique and interesting. Perhaps next time you're out and about, you will also slow down and enjoy these features that you may otherwise not even notice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Carling Station</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTga9A5LeGftw5GauRrVspVMA3ZXPO3Bi1ShwZad_b8B5v-6m-oYsP_o9ULfOnIbTXUPy90C_G8VNRmfFqFjqhpJO-hC06MpAR3JEb3z56MCW-gVWSOertucM04YUJt8HUUaYpY0ZHhc/s320/201107_24_ca01.jpg" width="214" /></div><br />
Carling Station only serves the O-Train. It's a tiny, but important stop, as it opens up to a number of Ottawa attractions like Dow's Lake, Commissioner's Park, Little Italy, and Dow Honda. If you ever want to paddle boat, skate, see tulips, or buy a car (but not because you can't stand OC Transpo, right?), this is the place to go - it even says as much when you walk down those shallow steps:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqnMLs0sfUzvxrbAa-z5XorVbZfw135bEOgXCoxjo6tDhFxpjFnAlW9EPcRpbDQ2keTRqEwx2cgPTYRXGOkCaeDPBwZDqgTcIHfGqx5e0QYbEw3B3uf1y3arqM7lKWgO9PF8Sd-KXgM/s1600/201107_24_ca02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGqnMLs0sfUzvxrbAa-z5XorVbZfw135bEOgXCoxjo6tDhFxpjFnAlW9EPcRpbDQ2keTRqEwx2cgPTYRXGOkCaeDPBwZDqgTcIHfGqx5e0QYbEw3B3uf1y3arqM7lKWgO9PF8Sd-KXgM/s320/201107_24_ca02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In fact, that's pretty much all you see when you reach the platform. It's slightly below grade, so you don't see much - at first. After a second glance, maybe you'll notice how beautiful the area is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikQxDfi5lD5DBJMzgcz94a-ZE8sQ5nchqpY-u-D_gxN3EbcrWX-NIN08E0hNp0FKyg7NoAM0CXqHYGZzWkyOm-RaeVvdULQoNL6Qqe6FFf1Bj5rqqOJIzGEgQfpYUmLAGXn1yUp-8lfY/s1600/201107_24_ca03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikQxDfi5lD5DBJMzgcz94a-ZE8sQ5nchqpY-u-D_gxN3EbcrWX-NIN08E0hNp0FKyg7NoAM0CXqHYGZzWkyOm-RaeVvdULQoNL6Qqe6FFf1Bj5rqqOJIzGEgQfpYUmLAGXn1yUp-8lfY/s320/201107_24_ca03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A quick look up or to the right, you'll see a vast sky, vegetation, and rock - it's hard to believe that it's right in the middle of a busy part of the city. In the fall season, the oranges, yellows, and browns are a sure sight - probably one of the best views you'll have waiting for, well, the O-Train.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHfMbTUI8KH6ZlIDd3_emOROXuYvtcvI4cNZHhxYcWqU6MzmW0MIeTk8zOvw1UEwcxF9jP8GQVuO1uoWg3CJgLtSo3p16749iAltWyhxQs3k1WB21BsmUEECKQ1omFnHr9XqZKgZN_E/s1600/201107_24_ca04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfHfMbTUI8KH6ZlIDd3_emOROXuYvtcvI4cNZHhxYcWqU6MzmW0MIeTk8zOvw1UEwcxF9jP8GQVuO1uoWg3CJgLtSo3p16749iAltWyhxQs3k1WB21BsmUEECKQ1omFnHr9XqZKgZN_E/s320/201107_24_ca04.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Look around even more and you'll discover a marsh- like environment. Undisturbed grasses grow tall in a quiet everlasting puddle. This probably means mosquitoes - but the nearby birds (there are many here) aren't complaining. Can you spot the duck?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LUQRhTr4A5T_2_qcNSlpd4NAt_lTRLyzUO92sgJTa3HFykfqpJxa0OeAnIrS8HtxBr3K83qHal54WS7291hiIDQ48q5A0PCq9RoUHhZTIHNOfdnUj89dONgvQ7p9oNtO7Cq1M-gUYng/s1600/201107_24_ca07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LUQRhTr4A5T_2_qcNSlpd4NAt_lTRLyzUO92sgJTa3HFykfqpJxa0OeAnIrS8HtxBr3K83qHal54WS7291hiIDQ48q5A0PCq9RoUHhZTIHNOfdnUj89dONgvQ7p9oNtO7Cq1M-gUYng/s320/201107_24_ca07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Is that a snail's shell up on those rocks? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM9Q09sjb3UNviszy0htrRZIzmOgPk5rt-qsp-j-gjRPp97dD-bKYgjgyXBWGTh6TKBt73d4ESGzpUT36poM-AqjkpGQIaZa-rDen7PPIMco3StP4r-qchPZIMjfVA-KSptd2k5xP6OU/s1600/201107_24_ca05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZM9Q09sjb3UNviszy0htrRZIzmOgPk5rt-qsp-j-gjRPp97dD-bKYgjgyXBWGTh6TKBt73d4ESGzpUT36poM-AqjkpGQIaZa-rDen7PPIMco3StP4r-qchPZIMjfVA-KSptd2k5xP6OU/s320/201107_24_ca05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Rain water flows down the cliffs. The colour of the rock is incredible! Is it sulphur? As the weather cools and the water (and later, melting snow) drips down, massive icicles form, and eventually cover the wall with undulating layers of ice. If OC Transpo was feeling festive, they could string along some LED lights in the fall that would light up the ice wall come winter and really give people something to stare at for that quick one-minute stop between Bayview and Carleton.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaBpJDC6Fkr_SUnBkD0x1odbpFQpath1zj2m3N6WbgefxgNw34zZM1gSvbv-_AXfrm8r0lpXFemVgnI2UZcYVtixMlM-Sa7GJSbXDjMqQRuIU31TXpLgbBIS3WwZ20ZCeY4J1wrSQ5VM/s1600/201107_24_ca06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaBpJDC6Fkr_SUnBkD0x1odbpFQpath1zj2m3N6WbgefxgNw34zZM1gSvbv-_AXfrm8r0lpXFemVgnI2UZcYVtixMlM-Sa7GJSbXDjMqQRuIU31TXpLgbBIS3WwZ20ZCeY4J1wrSQ5VM/s320/201107_24_ca06.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Did you know? The O-Train passes under Dow's Lake after stopping at Carling station, before Carleton. The operator honks a horn just before entering the tunnel, probably to warn any brave explorers...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlvy6nk1uVwfrrXUZI5Jli_ALh5nqhyphenhyphenHednkqBK3ZQ_52wvRMoAT-PouDJQlMeoD-0wv57yjUStgR9heuefMxlAPGGGhpmTxzOZPQHSaYL2cxFMctzkVqIiSsQzeeZZ8dC8vdipxVO6c/s1600/transitwaymapcropca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlvy6nk1uVwfrrXUZI5Jli_ALh5nqhyphenhyphenHednkqBK3ZQ_52wvRMoAT-PouDJQlMeoD-0wv57yjUStgR9heuefMxlAPGGGhpmTxzOZPQHSaYL2cxFMctzkVqIiSsQzeeZZ8dC8vdipxVO6c/s1600/transitwaymapcropca.jpg" /></a></div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com1West Centre Town - Little Italy - Civic Hospital East, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.397535368940908 -75.70968377885128645.387491868940906 -75.720793278851289 45.407578868940909 -75.698574278851282tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-61097264641965778602011-07-26T08:00:00.106-04:002011-07-26T08:00:15.352-04:00OC Stations: Longfields<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you're commuting day in and day out, it's easy to forget or ignore or simply not think about the stations to which you travel. They are often reduced to a name or a "point A" along your trip home or to work. Through this hyper-familiarity, the unique features of each of the stations get lost.</div><br />
This week, I want to pause at some of the OC Transpo stations (in no particular order) and really highlight what makes them unique and interesting. Perhaps next time you're out and about, you will also slow down and enjoy these features that you may otherwise not even notice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Longfields Station</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXflgEdKfnZ7DtjIbpqAcDTe1HVkg2zvZqUvBUQ_Qqrfe7Bf8AAg4LXYkdYGaNS8S4G63ogMnfHKcap8bp2bV8waufGzUqplAo3eD96e_BzgevIHF6t6vOdTv4CoUt-wCCy9X5CIcGp3k/s320/201107_25_lf01.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
This is the newest addition to the Transitway network - and it looks it. Maybe it's the new factor, maybe it's because I've only visited once, but this is certainly - in my opinion - the nicest station by far. If I could go and redesign every station, I would use this as my inspiration. It's curvy and bold with its use of glass and metal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZG-o3hbEgh7O8XltlNQIH_KPSRv5vmhiFaYCppScF0YgiCXShkF4iMmFBx2hXOojSof0cUav1JWZsEwkGCjBFP_lQSldTpcX32hIYzXWNaXpwMhgeZRO0HZ5XcCEZgLH2X3T8ehv2mw/s1600/201107_25_lf02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZG-o3hbEgh7O8XltlNQIH_KPSRv5vmhiFaYCppScF0YgiCXShkF4iMmFBx2hXOojSof0cUav1JWZsEwkGCjBFP_lQSldTpcX32hIYzXWNaXpwMhgeZRO0HZ5XcCEZgLH2X3T8ehv2mw/s320/201107_25_lf02.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN9zRb_ecZ8-ma7yAzbsl-bMsi_zI63h8ZKaBghlWoCnG9XNfInTlbzyAcUUXJnXxUVkucf4KjYG5Ui5eSwYxwfVUNzwNnyv-65BoprZqhpCFvPtt6TEHd68QMJfEKNl1GgCNbiz-qnI/s1600/201107_25_lf03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN9zRb_ecZ8-ma7yAzbsl-bMsi_zI63h8ZKaBghlWoCnG9XNfInTlbzyAcUUXJnXxUVkucf4KjYG5Ui5eSwYxwfVUNzwNnyv-65BoprZqhpCFvPtt6TEHd68QMJfEKNl1GgCNbiz-qnI/s320/201107_25_lf03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Longfields is clearly part of a longer term strategy for the Transitway because it doesn't seem to do very much right now. Not many buses come by, and nobody seemed to be out and about while I was there.<br />
<br />
The underpass to the other side of the station is very open. Warmly-coloured tiles and natural light from above keep it from feeling like a damp, concrete cave. You can also lock your bike to the rails underneath keeping it dry in the event of rain!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4aBfW-jxwokOpa7prrImv6ld5XdN-cprz4nGeVV6QgBeH73_IVXalP04AuUU5IfPQuSg2u11GI2cS97RUKyhr_3-jVttwKiyFwHhutsHdMH4PBs5wWw7enOrtkNFuOP_xh0a6NPVJi8/s1600/201107_25_lf06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4aBfW-jxwokOpa7prrImv6ld5XdN-cprz4nGeVV6QgBeH73_IVXalP04AuUU5IfPQuSg2u11GI2cS97RUKyhr_3-jVttwKiyFwHhutsHdMH4PBs5wWw7enOrtkNFuOP_xh0a6NPVJi8/s320/201107_25_lf06.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural light from above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What truly makes this station stand out is the care taken to reflect the farming history of the area (after all, it is called "Longfields", located near Fallowfield!). Details like the plant silhouettes on the guardrail and grass on the upper platforms really make the place stand out from other inexpensive, cookie-cutter stations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea1XiOw7eC3VLIAmPwi97uutca2swlJjE4pVUQaI2rukWdxtLn91WK87hyZ-svGzkx0k4VKmUZPCCswfhTkUn1r1wAkjkge4gNwfAq2mUsZkiwX9kpScYyHzB9sg2ki8mLbiK1S8zO94/s1600/201107_25_lf05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea1XiOw7eC3VLIAmPwi97uutca2swlJjE4pVUQaI2rukWdxtLn91WK87hyZ-svGzkx0k4VKmUZPCCswfhTkUn1r1wAkjkge4gNwfAq2mUsZkiwX9kpScYyHzB9sg2ki8mLbiK1S8zO94/s320/201107_25_lf05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And then there's the art.<br />
<br />
Titled <i>Bellwether</i>, artists Erin Robinson and Anna Williams have created lifesized sheep and a border collie to inhabit the area. It's brilliant how they've captured a sense of agricultural history, playful movement, and an animal presence in an urban environment (don't think I picked that up on my own, it's all described on the dedication plate at the station).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhiy-oO85pX9mCevQLA7SDpciWZPGP6F3eVYQX76zlI_5jrd_BvevUpoEd9ejkeXnlNWWMeWzz6j8aeJDUNcLjuPVZnY3Qro_uEuvG3shnJ2CelfimOMttJJ4DoS7UxdrIlZfhcDZxKk/s1600/201107_25_lf04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhiy-oO85pX9mCevQLA7SDpciWZPGP6F3eVYQX76zlI_5jrd_BvevUpoEd9ejkeXnlNWWMeWzz6j8aeJDUNcLjuPVZnY3Qro_uEuvG3shnJ2CelfimOMttJJ4DoS7UxdrIlZfhcDZxKk/s320/201107_25_lf04.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGpVO5kG0QK9L7vgQguF0_Ul7ykIftxu2J-S0izqaCjMVhlWJxkCzrohNQlQiZTDcVJPyOXRb9m09UweDDGK2VR3Kt0TSZu-Jc-Ww0vDtRX_YV2ttph9Sj618fSJT_XhaM29UzxbFqks/s1600/201107_25_lf08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGpVO5kG0QK9L7vgQguF0_Ul7ykIftxu2J-S0izqaCjMVhlWJxkCzrohNQlQiZTDcVJPyOXRb9m09UweDDGK2VR3Kt0TSZu-Jc-Ww0vDtRX_YV2ttph9Sj618fSJT_XhaM29UzxbFqks/s320/201107_25_lf08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately, with the exception of the unfinished sheep (above) that you'll find on the Northbound platform, the art is hard to see! You'll only catch a glimpse from the other side, if you use the elevator (who uses OC Transpo elevators unless you absolutely have to, anyway?) or from the bus window as you pull out of the station.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenuSZ_S_03vh2LQLdUxAEXSf2JLl83na8qResfFpi3uWlX1wx262wim19VKXF3EiOEq6-oLnrN5xvgYZTfhDl9Yl24PEnUwBn64_DaqAbNBx3zz26DXydULc1cdr7GjAzv-E4Wc5NVtE/s1600/201107_25_lf07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenuSZ_S_03vh2LQLdUxAEXSf2JLl83na8qResfFpi3uWlX1wx262wim19VKXF3EiOEq6-oLnrN5xvgYZTfhDl9Yl24PEnUwBn64_DaqAbNBx3zz26DXydULc1cdr7GjAzv-E4Wc5NVtE/s320/201107_25_lf07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To really get up close and personal, you have to walk around the station, defying a really big sign threatening you with a $125 fine. If you really want to get up close with some art, there are much cheaper options downtown.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZtpDB03kIV6NtP3V2izYXinEb3gVAlCOGyMABEVak_zq4Ywnoeh6AiqGNWb_d7Gg3xUC9h5yM9BrWVu7ugMwsxvgb0uazM6On8JI-ZGDhBGKI26Q4rN4b1yn6SniBGSOrHxPn4vGrto/s1600/201107_25_lf09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZtpDB03kIV6NtP3V2izYXinEb3gVAlCOGyMABEVak_zq4Ywnoeh6AiqGNWb_d7Gg3xUC9h5yM9BrWVu7ugMwsxvgb0uazM6On8JI-ZGDhBGKI26Q4rN4b1yn6SniBGSOrHxPn4vGrto/s320/201107_25_lf09.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Did you know? Border collies were bred to heard livestock, especially sheep. They are also considered to be the smartest dogs out there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fe0Sjb3qv42ql85ouqR98yt_G3tAfUrM1EL2us6dq_9Nv8pYs2crnaOAEoWIlDnigVngQ7eMOG5DIBM2dVYp4BQv0n-I7EZ4Ptuxt67rTfg2lhO5hMHGD7wPVzGOaT50BQrKvRsZ-9U/s1600/transitwaymapcroplf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fe0Sjb3qv42ql85ouqR98yt_G3tAfUrM1EL2us6dq_9Nv8pYs2crnaOAEoWIlDnigVngQ7eMOG5DIBM2dVYp4BQv0n-I7EZ4Ptuxt67rTfg2lhO5hMHGD7wPVzGOaT50BQrKvRsZ-9U/s1600/transitwaymapcroplf.jpg" /></a></div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0New Barrhaven - New Development - Stonebridge, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.285059520844513 -75.74641277246092845.233236520844514 -75.787985772460928 45.336882520844512 -75.704839772460929tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-64385777703706152712011-07-25T08:00:00.131-04:002011-07-25T08:00:05.624-04:00OC Stations: South KeysWhen you're commuting day in and day out, it's easy to forget or ignore or simply not think about the stations to which you travel. They are often reduced to a name or a "point A" along your trip home or to work. Through this hyper-familiarity, the unique features of each of the stations get lost.<br />
<br />
This week, I want to pause at some of the OC Transpo stations (in no particular order) and really highlight what makes them unique and interesting. Perhaps next time you're out and about, you will also slow down and enjoy these features that you may otherwise not even notice.<br />
<br />
<b>South Keys Station</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwgWSeqKz4azAcNOH4917M-QNFyJ5cFB7L7Aw_QmYG28nQWpWgDVSmCxJdFGHpBN7xnb_kdY4exOEHVvdjBrT2GnagynfLzuWk-pLHqLEaQZyLOWutCA1BEonbnyWWbx5YZT20ILbzX8/s1600/201107_24_sk01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwgWSeqKz4azAcNOH4917M-QNFyJ5cFB7L7Aw_QmYG28nQWpWgDVSmCxJdFGHpBN7xnb_kdY4exOEHVvdjBrT2GnagynfLzuWk-pLHqLEaQZyLOWutCA1BEonbnyWWbx5YZT20ILbzX8/s320/201107_24_sk01.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This small, unassuming station at the south end of town has a ton of detail throughout its ground-level tunnel. The designers did away with grey painted concrete and opted for colourful tiles and a matching floor. Blues, aquas, and greens adorn the walls to compliment its nature theme. When the area is clean, it's a very welcoming space (cleaning crews are in there fairly often; it's amazing how sodas from the nearby theatre end up splashed against the walls, floors, and stairs - and make the place, for lack of a better word, gross).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8Pps4sL-j7b3m5Nb_nfVsfADn5Z7YqAVGgM5hyFpxMc-COzF9DbQH4eUKf1-FUHTYDN5EUW2OtlMvROmb_6MMcuyy_c_p-1Aou7xf5TAtdIL8tGL4R9tmylXPy1Me6lclXKtrlcxGf4/s1600/201107_24_sk02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8Pps4sL-j7b3m5Nb_nfVsfADn5Z7YqAVGgM5hyFpxMc-COzF9DbQH4eUKf1-FUHTYDN5EUW2OtlMvROmb_6MMcuyy_c_p-1Aou7xf5TAtdIL8tGL4R9tmylXPy1Me6lclXKtrlcxGf4/s320/201107_24_sk02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Along both sides are stainless steel panels with words that are spelled in Braille. The massive, larger-than life raised dots spell out English and French words like "blue", "bird", "grenouille", "iris", and "nuage", all kinds of colours and objects you would find in nature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXBvK9GAtWNeevc-mKoX3sJ8Idbj-rT2LmVRSuYaa-kXArAy-ByfmtK_lJ5-uJSkNAueasBaLFTedl0AJADZ_RFXf3ZceeiHCVREJi5dX7ngQuQlx0N-0tRrE_7IjgMpveB81z1lhGJA/s1600/201107_24_sk03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXBvK9GAtWNeevc-mKoX3sJ8Idbj-rT2LmVRSuYaa-kXArAy-ByfmtK_lJ5-uJSkNAueasBaLFTedl0AJADZ_RFXf3ZceeiHCVREJi5dX7ngQuQlx0N-0tRrE_7IjgMpveB81z1lhGJA/s320/201107_24_sk03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLIO7xmIyXUynopQ9mJ4oXR7ckSjdlbz53CXAatPeX6xMhy_WmUJPfCmzl4Tm27yVO8c8xcS-tB0iCwpbWubIZDRxYvzgIwSeIt5hTu7sKgn1-FSuGwnS72-fsFsBcAM9Q3MqtNa0mHA/s1600/201107_24_sk04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLIO7xmIyXUynopQ9mJ4oXR7ckSjdlbz53CXAatPeX6xMhy_WmUJPfCmzl4Tm27yVO8c8xcS-tB0iCwpbWubIZDRxYvzgIwSeIt5hTu7sKgn1-FSuGwnS72-fsFsBcAM9Q3MqtNa0mHA/s320/201107_24_sk04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> For everyone that can't read Braille (admittedly I can't read it, but I do have an app that can help), there are etchings on the wall that translate with words and pictures. I'm fairly certain these are more recent additions, but it's entirely possible they've been there a long time and I didn't notice them right away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u0ccBNcr-Izm81VLYpjuhz4nN0TbtjpQd1ZhK53RIFFHI6j6x32Sw1ev02XKRVDlBJ5_wUYBh40dN1WSsk-qOnT0U82TFl3dNVZElCi17dkVQoc4Pkuh0ZGtClkLjgrH3_kvTo1ocaE/s1600/201107_24_sk05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u0ccBNcr-Izm81VLYpjuhz4nN0TbtjpQd1ZhK53RIFFHI6j6x32Sw1ev02XKRVDlBJ5_wUYBh40dN1WSsk-qOnT0U82TFl3dNVZElCi17dkVQoc4Pkuh0ZGtClkLjgrH3_kvTo1ocaE/s320/201107_24_sk05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkFhKj1nULn8JVoyGR75t92VmWELFJtWYj4hi9-d62lRK3YN_KE8AUyy3o3smFmnuIVIkFWGqQnYFphcM9xcWf077mcOG6RxXGckU0J5gdnK1KYRgqlVQp2Otvd_mPmghgZYST8Z3zmw/s1600/201107_24_sk07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkFhKj1nULn8JVoyGR75t92VmWELFJtWYj4hi9-d62lRK3YN_KE8AUyy3o3smFmnuIVIkFWGqQnYFphcM9xcWf077mcOG6RxXGckU0J5gdnK1KYRgqlVQp2Otvd_mPmghgZYST8Z3zmw/s320/201107_24_sk07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNdIWdLWnW9m5C__bjJ5LL5L5m4UkSxyjEL6wFSkZmqkaaGwhfCYuOvAcWsSxywq0dxHoztMg0dJo4CNScYggIlXU-_r5Shh9UQez5IeMqarhTOTyjmXB3Du3yvbGWZ6cr-7fLZ5Ob3c/s1600/201107_24_sk06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNdIWdLWnW9m5C__bjJ5LL5L5m4UkSxyjEL6wFSkZmqkaaGwhfCYuOvAcWsSxywq0dxHoztMg0dJo4CNScYggIlXU-_r5Shh9UQez5IeMqarhTOTyjmXB3Du3yvbGWZ6cr-7fLZ5Ob3c/s320/201107_24_sk06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next time you're at South Keys and have a few minutes between buses, take a gander and try to figure out what they mean. If there are and Geocachers out there, try <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCQYMH">this cache</a> that uses the Braille dots as a clue to finding its location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did you know? South Keys station opened in 2006. It turned 15 years old in June!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YoZekDx1cuO9WyrDqGOdZJrgcPmqSibYpSJzSZl3BNF6ypUh8GpP_ynoNX52kLlOolZm8xIozrIpxEvi3W0WYWMfd2tlCxxrVfk_dYaAOdGcGkeSdxO2Fre3XNZV1p7TxGpMoDV6qLs/s1600/transitwaymapsk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YoZekDx1cuO9WyrDqGOdZJrgcPmqSibYpSJzSZl3BNF6ypUh8GpP_ynoNX52kLlOolZm8xIozrIpxEvi3W0WYWMfd2tlCxxrVfk_dYaAOdGcGkeSdxO2Fre3XNZV1p7TxGpMoDV6qLs/s1600/transitwaymapsk.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0South Keys, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.353457305461831 -75.65510131665803345.336672305461832 -75.673354816658033 45.370242305461829 -75.636847816658033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-23675998700343806042011-07-24T20:42:00.000-04:002011-07-24T20:42:29.361-04:00O-Train Banners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sJw59Bvs9XrZGgLwVGTZOCI1gMI2_8SLmeOr1N-Qgxmy9_ifOQgF4_tdAT1_8mUMl-8y0CGb7fTYLmL3BxEA6KvwRiS04WymE60SbMAZi1Z2qUaoFGCfQheQJ0yqf34_Ried2oi38tM/s1600/otrainbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sJw59Bvs9XrZGgLwVGTZOCI1gMI2_8SLmeOr1N-Qgxmy9_ifOQgF4_tdAT1_8mUMl-8y0CGb7fTYLmL3BxEA6KvwRiS04WymE60SbMAZi1Z2qUaoFGCfQheQJ0yqf34_Ried2oi38tM/s400/otrainbanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I remember nearly 10 years ago, these banners on Carling were fresh. At the time, I also didn't understand how to easily get to the O-Train from the other side of the street (the answer is now simple, jaywalk). A look today show that they are staring to show their age. Perhaps we could get some new ones when the O-Train gets expanded?Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com14Civic Hospital - Experimental Farm - Central Park, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.396812137407458 -75.70927608308102245.37692563740746 -75.732512583081018 45.416698637407457 -75.686039583081026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-85944280531468169482011-07-22T13:05:00.001-04:002011-07-22T13:11:04.913-04:00OC AppsA while ago, there was a <a href="http://apps4ottawa.ca/">competition for app developers in Ottawa</a> to create applications to benefit our city. During this time, there was a slew of OC Transpo apps in development that used the city's open GPS bus data to let users know exactly where their bus was. Suddenly it was possible to see if you've missed an early bus, or if your bus is running late. Knowing these little nuances could lead you to take an alternate bus or to take some time to grab a coffee.<br />
<br />
Then somewhere along the way, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/02/16/ottawa-bus-data-216.html">the city removed developer's access to bus GPS data</a>. 'you can't trust them!' OC Transpo and the city said, 'that data isn't meant for the public!' Then, in the middle of their explanation, they snuck in a little, 'plus, it'll compete with our own applications that'll have city advertising opportunities.'<br />
<br />
There is is. A popular OC Transpo application for the city means a possible revenue stream. Since the live data has been pulled, the app scene has stalled somewhat. Some of the apps are no longer available, while others that relied on live data are using schedule data to keep going.<br />
<br />
This new official GPS application with live data may be on its way soon. In a <a href="http://drivesincircles.blogspot.com/2011/07/optimization-is-getting-closer.html" target="_blank">Drives in Circles blog</a>, it is mentioned that "a new piece of equipment that is being installed to read smart cards and provide new GPS functions. (I'm really happy about this, as the system actually has functions to provide YOU with information, YAY!)" This development may be what commuters have been longing for, but it isn't here yet.<br />
<br />
Until then, there are a few ways for commuters to find out route information and when their bus is coming. Here are a few official and alternative applications that are out there:<br />
<br />
<b>560-1000</b><br />
It's an oldie, but a goodie! Before smartphones and 3G, and even before cell phone ubiquety, there was 560-1000. You could call this number with any bus stop number to find out when buses will arrive. Even today, you can call and find out when buses will come by anytime within the next week.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://octranspo.mobi/"> <b></b></a><b><a href="http://octranspo.mobi/">OCTranspo.mobi</a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjf8kDatLmuYbMyuCeOdFupg-atKErLvlF-B6jgob-kDC8Qnw_p-EGE9W6uGF_RGNS2wV0zyRAiP8aFILLG4QmoQ6TgNsP2Kav6O-FHCR8yX1IOsCiRN1YpQCv6FiF9XXXLW64XE6PC8/s1600/IMG_1279.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjf8kDatLmuYbMyuCeOdFupg-atKErLvlF-B6jgob-kDC8Qnw_p-EGE9W6uGF_RGNS2wV0zyRAiP8aFILLG4QmoQ6TgNsP2Kav6O-FHCR8yX1IOsCiRN1YpQCv6FiF9XXXLW64XE6PC8/s200/IMG_1279.PNG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
OC Transpo recently revamped their mobile website. It's now easier to use the Travel Planner, see detours and cancellations, and get stop and route schedules from a mobile browser. They also added a tool that explains all the route changes that are part of the September Route Optimization plan.<br />
<br />
<b>Google Maps</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpnF3_v-s8V-Xfnb-V2g20QinLY7ZB_57Y-QR2BdknnAJXec_HO3aHdaYWT6vFKGfZ3quydBvOYf7uCb9Gm-r4Pq8IfJAEcpXSShVagdOf1m8Tghk4hd8hf1ZNTqBi_PTNboLYEDGgqw/s1600/IMG_1280.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpnF3_v-s8V-Xfnb-V2g20QinLY7ZB_57Y-QR2BdknnAJXec_HO3aHdaYWT6vFKGfZ3quydBvOYf7uCb9Gm-r4Pq8IfJAEcpXSShVagdOf1m8Tghk4hd8hf1ZNTqBi_PTNboLYEDGgqw/s200/IMG_1280.PNG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
The official Travel Planner is really helpful to get you from point A to point B, but sometimes it's difficult to use or generates inefficient routes. Google Maps is easy to use and can be relied upon to come up with the best route more often than the Travel Planner. With the Google Maps app or through the website, you can route a trip from any point (even your current location) to any destination and get instructions on how to get around with OC Transpo. It can also be used to find walking, driving, and biking instructions in Ottawa.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://octranspo.net/"><b>OCTranspo.net</b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-3MPyDQ9VHAkZ3EiUjybz9JahQuzkQxQGZY9V1eizE-AVRmR5R5Hj1teUJ6QjVEs62PD3whUyeYs2VKMkzrju7GCNkJhTPz8Wt9UnukYwTE5hX-AEhXkCk35z-at53_qx64EDz7Wfpc/s1600/IMG_1281.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-3MPyDQ9VHAkZ3EiUjybz9JahQuzkQxQGZY9V1eizE-AVRmR5R5Hj1teUJ6QjVEs62PD3whUyeYs2VKMkzrju7GCNkJhTPz8Wt9UnukYwTE5hX-AEhXkCk35z-at53_qx64EDz7Wfpc/s200/IMG_1281.PNG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
You know those old school television screens that tell you when buses will arrive at the older bus stations? This app is much like that, but slick and works for every bus stop in the city. You can see when buses scheduled to arrive, as well as see upcoming stops along a bus' route, and how long it will take. It's simpler and easier to use than the official .mobi site, though has less information. Bonus points to its developer for snagging <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/octranspo">@OCTranspo</a> on Twitter for this app.<br />
<br />
<b> <a href="http://oc1.ca/geo">OCTranspo Geolocation</a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TtC5vGZWrMvjnfglgXpwqlzs3k2ZVNHddzbXebVL36aBCgdikja4xZ_ar3d97rl8Up-9kyJK6srSBeXQM2Wkcb2jKOjjQeZ6obzfBvuegFV31NgaOp6W_JDCF4uDCFptWVt3xVc34IA/s1600/IMG_1282.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TtC5vGZWrMvjnfglgXpwqlzs3k2ZVNHddzbXebVL36aBCgdikja4xZ_ar3d97rl8Up-9kyJK6srSBeXQM2Wkcb2jKOjjQeZ6obzfBvuegFV31NgaOp6W_JDCF4uDCFptWVt3xVc34IA/s200/IMG_1282.PNG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
This app uses your GPS location to automatically find nearby bus stops, placing your location and the location of those stops on a Google map. It relays when buses are to arrive at those stops, and counts down how many minutes until it arrives. If you want to know info for a stop further away, you can look up data of any stop with the 4-digit bus stop number.<a href="http://whereismybus.ca/"><b></b></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.appbrain.com/app/my-oc-transpo/com.alywa.oc.transpo"><b>My OC Transpo</b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A1eVLIucYyjpXbzb_frbCeftJ1tnqM4KaXA3VPzgDj8xhey7omHAuVJiBmfw9DEOXlnAniYK-4LM_KJ3Qy6yLIGUjlcQhZXDFDRG0n-f0OGIAVdoD05umx61iwLBR44p-5GInayTlo4/s1600/myocapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A1eVLIucYyjpXbzb_frbCeftJ1tnqM4KaXA3VPzgDj8xhey7omHAuVJiBmfw9DEOXlnAniYK-4LM_KJ3Qy6yLIGUjlcQhZXDFDRG0n-f0OGIAVdoD05umx61iwLBR44p-5GInayTlo4/s200/myocapp.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><br />
This Android app let's you view bus routes, stop arrival times, plan trips, and use Google Maps to find nearby stops and view routes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wheresmybus.ca/" target="_blank"> <b></b></a><b><a href="http://wheresmybus.ca/">wheresmybus.ca</a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcz5q2lI6LdhcI5qEN1hlPp63FAlgcQxwIPU0xEdHm-bQJu7TiG5DiS1R4U2EgIyDcWx473g9EeTkrFmgaurHmQOPdgF3rK9ZuGwXPI0rYvsrHxjHVwqVk3wqNpndIaraYJkl7HV5dcI/s1600/IMG_1284.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcz5q2lI6LdhcI5qEN1hlPp63FAlgcQxwIPU0xEdHm-bQJu7TiG5DiS1R4U2EgIyDcWx473g9EeTkrFmgaurHmQOPdgF3rK9ZuGwXPI0rYvsrHxjHVwqVk3wqNpndIaraYJkl7HV5dcI/s200/IMG_1284.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
This companion to Twitter's <a href="http://www.twitter.com/octranspoalerts">@OCTranspoAlerts</a> has more stats than you would ever need about cancelled buses. It keeps a log of cancelled trips, and shares the data in several ways. Most cancelled route? 95 by far. Most common weather conditions? Cloudy (did you think it was snow? That's second-most common). Thursdays and rush hours the most common days and times for cancelled trips. Who knew?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://whereismybus.ca/"><b>Where is my bus?</b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGNBZl7DsopRru4EweEmw_CZRmwAW5kGfM65K7_r0b8kvHvHfBPqRaKmoBnxxzgGn-XhdEJfVXkM8wDS1N8CmHQXdD9Kuu9TM9tseVfPYRPQVKX72PsDVRJFM4CUApWKU2zVeuOUYSJA/s1600/IMG_1283.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGNBZl7DsopRru4EweEmw_CZRmwAW5kGfM65K7_r0b8kvHvHfBPqRaKmoBnxxzgGn-XhdEJfVXkM8wDS1N8CmHQXdD9Kuu9TM9tseVfPYRPQVKX72PsDVRJFM4CUApWKU2zVeuOUYSJA/s200/IMG_1283.PNG" width="133" /></a></div><br />
This was a great app that let you know where your bus is. Once GPS data was pulled, it used the time schedules to approximate where your bus should be. According to the app developer, @titanous, it's on the back burner until live data is made available again.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-57285360851417498422011-07-21T22:56:00.001-04:002011-07-21T23:05:11.246-04:00Waiting for the O-Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52BnU2qX22lUARHat3vpBv8l3UpSkUKy03k6kbM_F-9tSFjZkFZnzynjNnJ6s1W7PFQtgpM4BmEuJ8dnlaaVcPX7YrcYMvWvFcGKYxJEysrWafcl41zR3ZOFbXWlUQ6PLGPjYQ2SqQy8/s1600/otrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52BnU2qX22lUARHat3vpBv8l3UpSkUKy03k6kbM_F-9tSFjZkFZnzynjNnJ6s1W7PFQtgpM4BmEuJ8dnlaaVcPX7YrcYMvWvFcGKYxJEysrWafcl41zR3ZOFbXWlUQ6PLGPjYQ2SqQy8/s320/otrain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggttUczcJz651dl2d_U5X7Hwd3wQ_5a0vwf6a7J0ThsrYtTk4xNzqS0qPQMXO0apzHwiOWTe4y4wo_tjNW3s8s6EugJ1PhV5gORAnHqUbkTwB3OQvFKmk0gk7E19ybyfEHeI8LXP3fCz0/s1600/otrain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggttUczcJz651dl2d_U5X7Hwd3wQ_5a0vwf6a7J0ThsrYtTk4xNzqS0qPQMXO0apzHwiOWTe4y4wo_tjNW3s8s6EugJ1PhV5gORAnHqUbkTwB3OQvFKmk0gk7E19ybyfEHeI8LXP3fCz0/s320/otrain2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Fortunately on this crazy hot day, the wait was only a few minutes. Some time this afternoon, though, the O-Train's AC died. Engineers had the windows open... those things NEVER open!Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Riverside Park, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.377107243058333 -75.685479911834745.365897743058333 -75.702223411834709 45.388316743058333 -75.6687364118347tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-36665942594031350792011-07-20T08:00:00.145-04:002011-07-20T08:00:00.963-04:00OC Twitter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgylXp9H8Ja0pcJE6_b1jXkqK09x7zS5towHTmgWNqztE7T0moAszyAEU2SS04V6BIveKkDuiPJMCCJHcwdco3cg2_eFdsE0QiI4_7iLOF6KYOrpS6aQNvJeWlwKOdLvXOWC9q3kJ5eNw/s1600/twitter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgylXp9H8Ja0pcJE6_b1jXkqK09x7zS5towHTmgWNqztE7T0moAszyAEU2SS04V6BIveKkDuiPJMCCJHcwdco3cg2_eFdsE0QiI4_7iLOF6KYOrpS6aQNvJeWlwKOdLvXOWC9q3kJ5eNw/s320/twitter.png" width="244" /></a></div><br />
Last week, in a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/07/14/ottawa-transpo-twitter.html">CBC news story</a>, OC Transpo denounced any OC Transpo-related Twitter account, saying that you, me, and everyone else should only resort to official sources for information. Nobody else is to be trusted. Believe it or not, the city's transit service does not have a Twitter (or Facebook, or anything for that matter) account. A few months ago, I sent them a question about this, and I got a quick reply:<br />
<blockquote>Regrettably we do not have a Facebook account or a Twitter account. However, the City of Ottawa does have a twitter account and often release Public Service Announcements [sic] with regards to OC Transpo as we are a department of the city.</blockquote>The General Manager of OC, Alain Mercier, does intend to join the Twitterverse sometime next year.<br />
<br />
Next year?!<br />
<br />
If there are any updates about OC Transpo - say a bus is cancelled or an accident is backing up traffic, it isn't enough for OC Transpo to throw an update on their website. I don't visit it at all for such updates, and I doubt many of you do either. Twitter, a service that lets you send a 140-character message to your followers, is really the perfect platform for Transit and commuters to communicate. It's instant, it's open, and best of all, it's easy to access and update on the go - especially while on a bus (or stuck waiting for one). Every day, there are a few dozen tweets from Ottawans about the bus service they love (or hate) so much.<br />
<br />
Is someone from OC Transpo reading them in any official capacity? Probably not. but that doesn't stop anyone from writing anyway, whether it's venting frustration (trust me, there is lots of that), sharing a great experience (it does happen on occasion), and everything in between.<br />
<br />
Despite a huge gap in any official OC Socializing, there are a number of resourceful and fun Twitterers out there fighting the good fight. These are run by people so passionate about commuting in Ottawa that they are using their own time and resources to reach out to us all. So who should anyone that commutes, with smartphone in hand, be checking out on Twitter? Note all of these (except the City of Ottawa account) are 100% unofficial and may may lead you astray. But they most probably won't.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>The informative accounts:</b><br />
<ul><li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ottawacity">@OttawaCity</a>: The official Ottawa Twitter account, Those PSAs mentioned above come through here.</li>
<li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OC_Transpo">@OC_Transpo</a>: This OC Transpo employee is stepping up by turning what his or her bosses won't do (until 2012) into an after hours gig. You'll find important OC-related updates, advice, and replies to some OC Tweets out there. It really is the closest thing to an 'official' Twitter.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OCTranspoBus">@OCTranspoBus</a>: another Twitter feed, possibly maintained by another OC employee, that tweets updates with the service and asks for feedback. </li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OCTranspoAlerts">@OCTranspoAlerts</a>: this automated feed gives trip detours and cancellations that are posted to OC Transpo's official website, as well as any other info that may affect your commute.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OCRidersAlerts">@OCRidersAlerts</a>: This Twitter account will automatically retweet anything with the #ocalert hashtag. Use it to find out from other transit users (or let other fellow commuters know) about any delays, detours, or cancellations.</li>
<li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/PTIO">@PTIO</a>: Public Transit in Ottawa is the Twitter account for <a href="http://www.transitottawa.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.transitottawa.ca</a>. You'll find news stories and insightful commentary on transit issues in Ottawa.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OTTTransitGuy">@OTTTransitGuy</a>: As the force behind a couple of the the Twitter accounts on this list and a writer at <a href="http://www.transitottawa.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.transitottawa.ca</a>, Wes is definitely someone to watch as he comments on and blogs about everything OC Transpo.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DianeDeans">@DianeDeans</a>: She the city councillor for Gloucester-Southgate and the Chair of the city's transit commission. She's probably the most powerful person linked to OC Transpo that is on Twitter.<br />
</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTKTs6TfXn_BrPJU2GmjjwSGm0Oa-VKeX5_DrGK5n-jnRR8-YdaRkk5Mov6_f0zwKK01whgrYm2bHUqAYLC2k_liqYDZSNj_L2trxar8tkeGn4cdeqck9QmxhdXRV1JFvzl0oEWHG8SI/s1600/OTTTransitGuy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTKTs6TfXn_BrPJU2GmjjwSGm0Oa-VKeX5_DrGK5n-jnRR8-YdaRkk5Mov6_f0zwKK01whgrYm2bHUqAYLC2k_liqYDZSNj_L2trxar8tkeGn4cdeqck9QmxhdXRV1JFvzl0oEWHG8SI/s1600/OTTTransitGuy.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dYo8TVO4VJ8FrdNcjqfqckdwPeNkK8f_ZbyRkj-pVTz-YtJ7_6ZBvkG2JB4hF1VR-sik6LIX59T6CF1QSRLRkQflBp7Yt3BxBAdixar6uCo-b85uvH82ELSl9oQmmNkuSgiD7dHuuDo/s1600/OttawaCity.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dYo8TVO4VJ8FrdNcjqfqckdwPeNkK8f_ZbyRkj-pVTz-YtJ7_6ZBvkG2JB4hF1VR-sik6LIX59T6CF1QSRLRkQflBp7Yt3BxBAdixar6uCo-b85uvH82ELSl9oQmmNkuSgiD7dHuuDo/s1600/OttawaCity.gif" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv842JUtmwigojS5_qu8pDQtgp1nUku9WmzUeh5a6KVZdaulmRWheMQPgLO1tnxYUx21BDnqIzT9LFJhyYQctby8uzy4qOnzkgKXQjlsFOIXULgdcE7fwfJPWokL5TRBpY6icpXLCch7Y/s1600/OCTranspoAlerts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv842JUtmwigojS5_qu8pDQtgp1nUku9WmzUeh5a6KVZdaulmRWheMQPgLO1tnxYUx21BDnqIzT9LFJhyYQctby8uzy4qOnzkgKXQjlsFOIXULgdcE7fwfJPWokL5TRBpY6icpXLCch7Y/s1600/OCTranspoAlerts.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>The fun side of OC Transpo on Twitter: </b><br />
<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/IHeartOCTranspo">@IHeartOCTranspo</a>: that's me! Through the companion Twitter account for this blog, I'll tweet the occasional photo or comment, retweet quirky or positive OC Transpo tweets out there, and (naturally) link to this blog whenever there are new updates. I'd be remiss not to mention it.</li>
<li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/IHateOCTranspo">@IHateOCTranspo</a>: Are you having a day because of OC Transpo? Ever wonder if anyone else is? IHateOCTranspo retweets all those OC horror stories, as well as the occasional love note for good measure. It's one of the funniest Twitter feeds out there and is a must read for commuters and non-commuters alike.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OCTranspoLJ">@OCTranspoLJ</a>: this feed shares posts that people leave over at the OC Transpo community on LiveJournal. It's an interesting place where a few drivers give their perspective at things from OC Transpo. </li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/DrivesInCircles">@DrivesInCircles</a>: An OC Transpo operator who occasionally tweets and blogs about life behind the big wheel.</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/TranspoPics">@TranspoPics</a>: This feed shares photos that people have taken (for personal use) on or about OC Transpo.</li>
<li> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/OttawaStart">@OttawaStart</a>: while not necessarily OC Transpo-related, This account for OttawaStart.com is a must for anyone in Ottawa for all kinds of news, events, and quirky happenings in is small city of ours. A few do end up being OC-related. The Ottawa Start site also has a <a href="http://ottawastart.com/octranspo.php">guide to OC Transpo</a>!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVquV9ekU2XzihygCpwIp9qztLKVwuKHGE7kuuxVUjZmGXRcqnkWYt7ruXmrj3aUNhmJpkYNxx49meFOmEvhxwqJtJR-Tf7lxz4-l1iUWvLPH33BPDkKq9foKzHg534B2ZvK3Ywr0gFwY/s1600/ihateoctranspo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVquV9ekU2XzihygCpwIp9qztLKVwuKHGE7kuuxVUjZmGXRcqnkWYt7ruXmrj3aUNhmJpkYNxx49meFOmEvhxwqJtJR-Tf7lxz4-l1iUWvLPH33BPDkKq9foKzHg534B2ZvK3Ywr0gFwY/s1600/ihateoctranspo.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnKP5kMc6fzHtjOwsl76X8qN8-sulqnFn5O5agFCwgbEnuZ3ZcrvJZtjnu-PyVSzajXGX4MBmLN55ADnBTkuOOj7X_6M0IwOk9wqMX0SHttEmZC7-ZS48ZItcCQh5aYosvPlnrNy4Dm0/s1600/iheartoctranspotwittericon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnKP5kMc6fzHtjOwsl76X8qN8-sulqnFn5O5agFCwgbEnuZ3ZcrvJZtjnu-PyVSzajXGX4MBmLN55ADnBTkuOOj7X_6M0IwOk9wqMX0SHttEmZC7-ZS48ZItcCQh5aYosvPlnrNy4Dm0/s1600/iheartoctranspotwittericon.png" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1kN5O9XYVgR6sfMCWL1C60mnB3Jnewk0CUvzNxCczu3zJvIJzdDEeCvd6hEJ1064agBjgCJ7McEnXWQALWUuSnWeW2T3qG4gLz5BtjS2-ZmEjv05Nm8nrx_pequUN6a8Lhguem5Y9mI/s1600/OttawaStart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1kN5O9XYVgR6sfMCWL1C60mnB3Jnewk0CUvzNxCczu3zJvIJzdDEeCvd6hEJ1064agBjgCJ7McEnXWQALWUuSnWeW2T3qG4gLz5BtjS2-ZmEjv05Nm8nrx_pequUN6a8Lhguem5Y9mI/s1600/OttawaStart.gif" /></a></div><br />
You can follow these Twitter accounts, and a few others, with my <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/iheartoctranspo/ottawa-transit">OC Transpo List</a>. Do you have any OC Transpo - related Tweeters that you follow and should be added to the list? Let us know!Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-13197456706915835802011-07-18T08:00:00.005-04:002011-07-18T10:39:53.438-04:00OC Foursquare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcsoUvR1dT-C4IyDfDBlR7CxLQ1stpqU30odiHb_1ZvpU8bovmno393Y9F8vBSA7Y6eyBUs5QWQtnFfEaIV6s1RcjoHFaX0-RDeoxsFHo6BrSuPdnjgugwbg3dOhLwZpI5AKLYeKm-qQ/s1600/foursquare_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcsoUvR1dT-C4IyDfDBlR7CxLQ1stpqU30odiHb_1ZvpU8bovmno393Y9F8vBSA7Y6eyBUs5QWQtnFfEaIV6s1RcjoHFaX0-RDeoxsFHo6BrSuPdnjgugwbg3dOhLwZpI5AKLYeKm-qQ/s320/foursquare_logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
One of the first applications I downloaded when I got an iPhone last fall was Foursquare. I knew that it, along with geocaching, were two must have with the newly-acquired smartphone GPS abilities. Foursquare, for the uninitiated, is a location-based game where you can check into the venues around town that you visit. If you check in more than anyone else, you become mayor of that location. Being mayor does have its perks — mostly in the form of special discounts and privileges at certain locations. Unfortunately, there isn't any fare discounts for mayors - yet.<br />
<br />
Throughout the day, you are able to use Foursquare to check into bus stops, bus stations, Park & Rides, and bus routes along your commute. While not every stop or route is on there (anyone could create the ones that are missing, though), OC Transpo is well represented throughout Ottawa. One of the little joys of my daily commutes is checking into the stations I use and seeing how much closer I am to becoming it's mayor - or seeing that I am still mayor of said station. It's real motivation trying to win back the mayorships from which you've been ousted.<br />
<br />
Foursquare is a true location-based game that really does add to the OC Transpo experience, so jump in if you haven't already!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqyiM44Zk6FWedGp1vrkzgBEYSKIBCZN0asIDM2ttFJ_RGa_4w0fSMMem1QYHSj0oZYHGU1rbwdVYLPxrmYasOkYNJTJhnsPvdZa46rDONv7UtxVG5YPSSA_1hsuXDKsQqEfD8zOdmkY/s1600/4sqscreenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqyiM44Zk6FWedGp1vrkzgBEYSKIBCZN0asIDM2ttFJ_RGa_4w0fSMMem1QYHSj0oZYHGU1rbwdVYLPxrmYasOkYNJTJhnsPvdZa46rDONv7UtxVG5YPSSA_1hsuXDKsQqEfD8zOdmkY/s320/4sqscreenshot.png" width="222" /></a></div><br />
<br />
OC Transpo's website states that there are 34 stations along the Transitway and other travel corridors, but their system map shows 59 of them, including the newest Longfields station in Barrhaven. So who exactly are Ottawa's Transitway mayors? Note these mayorships are accurate as of July 18, 2011 at 1AM. They can change any time (which, after all, is part of the excitement):<br />
<br />
<b>Kanata</b><br />
<ul><li> Teron: Robbie B.</li>
<li> Terry Fox: Mike G.</li>
<li> Eagleson: Steven V.</li>
</ul><b> Barrhaven</b><br />
<ul><li> Marketplace: Amanda M.</li>
<li> Stranheard: Housemuzik</li>
<li> Longfields: Ross B.</li>
<li> Fallowfield: Stuart F.</li>
</ul><b> Ottawa West</b><br />
<ul><li> Bayshore: Nick T.</li>
<li> Pinecrest: Fleur_de_lotus</li>
<li> Baseline: Kris J.</li>
<li> Iris: Dierk S.</li>
<li> Queensway: James B.</li>
<li> Lincoln Fields: Justin B.</li>
<li> Dominion: Patrick G.</li>
<li> Westboro: Miriam G.</li>
<li> Tunney's Pasture: Peter R.</li>
<li> Bayview: Ben W.</li>
</ul><b>Ottawa Centre</b><br />
<ul><li> Lebreton: Andrew B.</li>
<li> Mackenzie King: Kristy-Ann M.</li>
<li> Laurier: Martin R.</li>
<li> Campus: Wasif A. / Dustin G.</li>
<li> Lees: Jeff R.</li>
<li> Hurdman: Guillaume B.</li>
<li> Lycée Claudel: Martin R.</li>
<li> Smyth: Michael R.</li>
<li> Pleasant Park: Gary</li>
<li> Billings Bridge: Phil W.</li>
<li> Heron: Ignacio S.</li>
<li> Walkley: Natasha B.</li>
<li> Greenboro: Ben W.</li>
<li>South Keys: Ben W. </li>
</ul><b>O-Train</b><br />
<ul><li> Greenboro Platform: Ben W.</li>
<li> Confederation: Ben W.</li>
<li> Carleton: Kaisha</li>
<li> Carling: Dan A.</li>
<li> Bayview Platform: Ben W.</li>
</ul><b>Ottawa East</b><br />
<ul><li> Train: no mayor</li>
<li> St. Laurent: Andre C.</li>
<li> Cyrville: Emily S.</li>
<li> Blair: Stephanie B.</li>
<li> Elmvale: Justyne C.</li>
</ul><b>Downtown</b><br />
<ul><li> Bay: Claude B.</li>
<li> Kent: Andrew B.</li>
<li> Bank: Zac</li>
<li> Metcalfe: Sarah B.</li>
</ul><b> Orleans</b><br />
<ul><li> Jeanne d'Arc: Steve D. / Tomas / Lindsay M.</li>
<li> Place d'Orleans: Riley K.</li>
<li>Trim: Emily S.</li>
<li>Millennium: Laineykins</li>
</ul>While the following stops are on the Transitway map, they are either tough to find on Foursquare (I didn't try too hard) or not actual stations along the Transitway: Kanata North, Stittsville, Barrhaven Centre, Woodroffe, Moodie, Riverside, Montréal, Blackburn Hamlet, Riverview, Leitrim, Airport, and Hawthorne.<br />
<br />
It would take far too long to rustle a list of route and bus stop mayors. I did notice there aren't very many multi-station mayors - most mayors are only mayor of one station. With so many regular users checking in daily, it may seem hard to earn (steal?) a mayorship, but it isn't impossible if you are diligent, and carry a bus pass. After all, it is hard for mayors to maintain their mayorships, especially as the prevalence of smartphones and number of Foursquare users continues to increase. Give it a try!Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-85253700775582243912011-07-15T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-15T20:22:39.746-04:00OC Seating III<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who knew something as simple as taking a seat could end up being so complicated? To top it off, there are a few seat-related offences that could get you a ticket (and here you though tickets were only for jumping on a bus without paying?). Here are a couple of seat-related tips that'll make commuting on OC Transpo:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Do's</span><br />
<ul><li> Sit. The seats are there to be used. They are also safer. Unless you are only on for a stop or two, then please take a seat.</li>
<li>Move towards the back. Leave the cooperative seating for others that may need it more. Also, you could get <a href="http://www.octranspo1.com/images/files/safety_security/Set_Fines_-_OC_Transpo_-_Public_Transit__2007-268_-_appro.pdf">fined $125</a> for not surrendering such a seat. If you need it, then please by all means...</li>
<li>Make it easy for someone seated next to you to disembark. It may mean getting up for a few seconds, but it's very much appreciated. </li>
<li>Fill the window seat first so that others can easily seat themselves as the bus fills.</li>
<li>Offer someone else the window seat if you are dead set against looking outside or just like being close to the centre of the bus. Who knows, you may make a friend... </li>
<li>Keep your hands to yourself, <a href="http://brownfoot.blogspot.com/2011/02/mostly-harmless.html">unless otherwise instructed</a>...</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGIKLHT9xdOLloPtEMjSVtl4R_MJLr36w-HHYSCdgYILoyTxJzJbVfZ8X_YsB1RNA9uV6Lw3SHEz8bT4YUWxY2_vymIqu5EOD6FYOviTurcsQIJLzBKTZRwebow4_1bXZe4fYrXVy9O8/s1600/200311_07_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGIKLHT9xdOLloPtEMjSVtl4R_MJLr36w-HHYSCdgYILoyTxJzJbVfZ8X_YsB1RNA9uV6Lw3SHEz8bT4YUWxY2_vymIqu5EOD6FYOviTurcsQIJLzBKTZRwebow4_1bXZe4fYrXVy9O8/s320/200311_07_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Don'ts</span><br />
<ul><li> Your bag does not get a seat as the bus fills up. If people are standing and your handbag or backpack has a seat, you can bet they don't like you very much.</li>
<li>Don't sit in the aisle seat. Again, people won't like you very much as you guard an empty window seat.</li>
<li>Don't sit beside a fellow commuter on an empty bus. They will get creeped out and probably move to another seat. Or tweet about you to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#%21/ihateoctranspo">@IHateOCTranspo</a>.</li>
<li>Don't play musical chairs. Firstly, there is no music. Secondly, there is no winning or losing. Thirdly, I just find it annoying.</li>
<li>Don't put your feet up on another seat. Not only does it make the seats (and as a result, the bus) dirty, you can get <a href="http://www.octranspo1.com/images/files/safety_security/Set_Fines_-_OC_Transpo_-_Public_Transit__2007-268_-_appro.pdf">fined $125</a> for doing so.</li>
<li>Don't drive the bus, unless you are an OC Transpo operator. <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/drivesincircles">@DrivesInCircles</a> does admit the driver's seat is the best seat in the house, but you're looking at a $500 fine if you aren't authorized - even if you have your B license!</li>
</ul>Do you have any other seating advice? Share your thoughts below!<br />
<br />
Read <a href="http://www.iheartoctranspo.com/2011/07/oc-seating.html">OC Seating I</a> and <a href="http://www.iheartoctranspo.com/2011/07/oc-seating-ii.html">OC Seating II</a><br />
<ul></ul>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.411572 -75.69819445.1241485 -76.251853 45.6989955 -75.144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-62973570894376234782011-07-13T08:00:00.001-04:002011-07-13T08:00:09.375-04:00OC Seating IIIn science, Hund's rule states that an electron will occupy each of the orbitals of a subshell before occupying any orbital as a pair. More simply, an electron will choose an empty orbit and be alone before it joins another electron already in an orbit. If this sounds familiar, it's because it is the same natural human instinct that can be seen day in and day out on OC Transpo: people will choose any empty seat row before sitting beside someone else.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeXTbIWHYE2ioaI-_65qn-ttsq7fKd1GYJFeWZnlLvp-y2Ay8KRnCTB5HPoXzpJKHPLehfDvfjCtGxxcwIJYkeXEy91CmxqBxh5kwps0FVERbFQlpra3wQwTuB_aZUygQTbkKn1xpL4o/s1600/200609_29_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeXTbIWHYE2ioaI-_65qn-ttsq7fKd1GYJFeWZnlLvp-y2Ay8KRnCTB5HPoXzpJKHPLehfDvfjCtGxxcwIJYkeXEy91CmxqBxh5kwps0FVERbFQlpra3wQwTuB_aZUygQTbkKn1xpL4o/s320/200609_29_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A human Hund's Rule</i></div><br />
There was one time, however, where one woman sat right beside me on a near-empty bus. For context, I was sitting by the window in the first row of forward-facing seats. Her son had taken a seat in front of me, on one of the inward-facing seats. I was a little surprised when she came to sit beside me, instead of by her son. He was even more surprised — embarrassed even — and asked, "mom, why are you sitting there?" She responded, "I can't sit sideways, I'll get sick!" glancing at me, she asked, "you don't mind, do you?" This broke the ice and segued into a bit of a conversation about ourselves that lasted until my stop a few minutes later.<br />
<br />
Once most of the benches have someone using a seat, people will start filling them up, sitting beside someone that they may have never seen before. Mama might have told you not to talk or take candy from strangers, but she certainly said nothing about sitting beside them! So what happens when you've paired up, but the bus starts to empty out?<br />
<br />
Despite my many years of experience riding OC Transpo, I never quite picked up on the etiquette of what to do as bus seats empty out. Do you stay in your seat beside a stranger? Do you get up and move to an empty bench? Turns that confusion is shared by others. I asked a couple of online communities what they would do in this scenario, and the answers varied wildly. Some will get up at the first opportunity, others won't move for fear of insulting their seat buddy. The generally agreed upon reaction, however, is to stay seated if your trip isn't much longer, but switch to an empty seat if you've got a ways to go — or if your seat buddy stinks.<br />
<br />
What is your seating strategy?Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com3Ottawa, ON, Canada45.411572 -75.69819445.1241485 -76.251853 45.6989955 -75.144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-22800906622653461922011-07-11T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-11T08:00:09.598-04:00OC Seating<div style="font-family: inherit;">Congratulations! You've embarked on an urban adventure by boarding on a local bus near the start of it's route on a sunny afternoon. Chances are, after popping your new purple and red and white bus tickets into the fare box and grabbing a POP transfer for good measure, you have 38 seating possibilities to choose from. You can sit at the back like a cool kid, or up in co-operative seating without any worries, or that one regular seat you love using but can't always. The only thing that can top it is being the only person on a 95 — so rare an event that when it happens, you wonder if it's the right bus at all.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps you went downtown for the Canada Day fireworks and chose to take advantage to the free service to get home. After pushing your way from the Hill to the Transitway, and pushing your way onto the fifth or sixth 9X that has left in the last few minutes, you are lucky to have any seat. Chances are, however, that you've been relegated to the standing space and isn't a bar helping you keep your balance, but rather the cushion of people crowded in your personal space that is keeping you up, all of whom simultaneously apologize to one another with every jerk and turn of the bus.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHGQqEgB82UB9weoRPnNqUQ7uOyn8q3yvwvHQfWB_QbRmKXNgwc7niVEJxoC09pF_KXILUZE3mUzskKr0qFoNd9JtqFJ52FRfEgq576EZPSvTnqUJlOKttQiz4uQqu8FXvvScpHvd3Ow/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHGQqEgB82UB9weoRPnNqUQ7uOyn8q3yvwvHQfWB_QbRmKXNgwc7niVEJxoC09pF_KXILUZE3mUzskKr0qFoNd9JtqFJ52FRfEgq576EZPSvTnqUJlOKttQiz4uQqu8FXvvScpHvd3Ow/s320/IMG_1164.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> <i>This is pretty roomy, compared to the free ride at night</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Riding OC Transpo in Ottawa is usually in between these extremes. Getting to the mall is more like the former, traveling rush hour to/from downtown or from a Sens game is more like the latter. In most instances, finding an empty seat is, while not guaranteed, usually a probability. As Rebecca Black might ask, which seat do you take?</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPoZKmlc_4yr8QC-5kqFRTB64jt7sMRbzs4X7hwlNzuLO7cZMtmjGsymczTCBb-DRD9A-ENwVuDLQVhiWMDArQW-xelTMUcpqwCcX0d8J3B6ztmTFZyh50Ssp7vPhR_CdwXvIhLCZHO0/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPoZKmlc_4yr8QC-5kqFRTB64jt7sMRbzs4X7hwlNzuLO7cZMtmjGsymczTCBb-DRD9A-ENwVuDLQVhiWMDArQW-xelTMUcpqwCcX0d8J3B6ztmTFZyh50Ssp7vPhR_CdwXvIhLCZHO0/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>That split-second decision on where to sit can be disorientating</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">I have seen (and used) many different strategies in this regard. There's the favorite seat, the seat closest to the driver, closest to the back door, in the back where nobody can see you, close to someone, away from someone, aisle, window, the first available seat, sunny seat, shady seat, an "accordion" seat... Then there are the standers who prefer to stand in the back door well or cling to the front-most pole over taking a seat, even when the bus has very few passengers. That lot confuses me the most. But that's another topic...</div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.411572 -75.69819445.1241485 -76.251853 45.6989955 -75.144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-14123115684199461922011-07-11T01:09:00.000-04:002011-07-11T01:09:01.760-04:00Biking off the O-Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hLpksHc8e9JtZWhKo5uTW7SbBTrlZFGAnznnhxQ_YKEehKUWPcR52LgqMiRTHCLpK4s7g-xPov937zRm8Y6jWfDosVBv0qj71qx11uVYEZdtmHPl1PNpnY93Newb2dp75diW7YCsovI/s1600/ocblogbiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hLpksHc8e9JtZWhKo5uTW7SbBTrlZFGAnznnhxQ_YKEehKUWPcR52LgqMiRTHCLpK4s7g-xPov937zRm8Y6jWfDosVBv0qj71qx11uVYEZdtmHPl1PNpnY93Newb2dp75diW7YCsovI/s320/ocblogbiking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It can't be easy to bike through so many people getting off and on the O-Train, but three young gentlemen managed to do just that the other day...Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0South Keys - Heron Gate - Greenboro West, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.359744927896941 -75.65891745773313945.342959927896942 -75.677170957733139 45.376529927896939 -75.640663957733139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-73942561502823697582011-07-08T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-08T08:00:09.547-04:00OC Eating IIIPersonally, I try not to eat while commuting. I'm less concerned about making a mess than I am having people watch me while I eat, counting the number of gummi worms I pop or criticizing the size or frequency of my bites. That said I am an occasional OC eater that has a sense of what can be safely eaten when you simply can't wait until you reach your destination. <br />
<br />
Whatever you eat, and wherever you eat it, please, please, please take your trash, cans, bottles, wrappers, peels, and the like with you — or at the very least, use the little white garbage can on each bus!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMLp1WSNp_XDCN-QWS_Lm8uJCqY3Y5K6c_eHb8M0NokBRJNXbYIqtHRg7Had7x2nmij10_lCm1qJeksrwgvp7CVbn6osf2WH2EY_-kwcaSwv_tdRRHqLOtwoAG5c8ngy1glb9gSudoSw/s1600/oceating3-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMLp1WSNp_XDCN-QWS_Lm8uJCqY3Y5K6c_eHb8M0NokBRJNXbYIqtHRg7Had7x2nmij10_lCm1qJeksrwgvp7CVbn6osf2WH2EY_-kwcaSwv_tdRRHqLOtwoAG5c8ngy1glb9gSudoSw/s320/oceating3-01.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sometimes I break my own guidelines. They are guidelines, after all...</i></div><br />
<b>The Don'ts of OC Eating</b><br />
<ul><li>Never eat standing up. One sudden movement and your Skittles can end up nestled in someone's hair. From someone that can lose things in his hair for days at a time, it isn't appreciated.</li>
<li>No cutlery! No forks, no spoons, no chopsticks. Period.</li>
<li>Avoid foods with strong odours. Keep fish and egg salad sealed at all times! Even KFC and McDonald's will fill the bus with a smell that will make half of your fellow commuters salivate and curse you, and the other half gag and curse you.</li>
<li>Don't eat anything that needs two hands. Pizza, corn on the cob, shawarma, etc.</li>
<li>No snack foods that are eaten by the handful. I'm talking popcorn, sunflower seeds, trail mix, and anything where half of it is liable to end up on the floor and seats.</li>
<li>Nothing greasy, powdery, or sticky by nature. Not even if you have a pant leg for a wipe.</li>
<li>No hot beverages, unless you have a strong travel mug with lid, and you sip only while stopped.</li>
</ul><b>Approved for OC Eating</b><br />
<ul><li>Sandwiches. Just remember, the bigger it is, the riskier it becomes. Your homemade turkey sandwich (cut into diagonal quarters, crust optional) is probably ok, but your Subway sandwich is a no-go.</li>
<li>Fruit and vegetables that can be held, sectioned, or sliced easily are ok. I'm talking apples, bananas, and strawberries, not pineapples, melons, nor blueberries. Take your peels with you!</li>
<li>Larger bar-shaped snack foods or bite-sized snacks: crackers, granola bars, and the like.</li>
<li>Bagels, muffins, and other single-serving baked goods, provided they are contained or are not crumby.</li>
<li>Anything "to go". After all, it's designed to go!</li>
</ul> Read <a href="http://www.iheartoctranspo.com/2011/07/oc-eating.html">Part I</a> and <a href="http://www.iheartoctranspo.com/2011/07/oc-eating-ii.html">Part II</a><br />
<ul></ul>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.411572 -75.69819445.1241485 -76.251853 45.6989955 -75.144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-26710333894935590332011-07-07T02:05:00.000-04:002011-07-07T02:05:52.551-04:00Barriers to Bluesfest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT8-obz0gq7G7vS4_93HI83zoByOjMjauDLxQ7dWbd5p75zZ1vl8TQzp5eUULEOwjpbcBnK_-vsuyyuXL-6WSJEO4Nw422rDpmr1n6-IdpNQ3I5FhkqSYf3iq61XEsKqGTBT1fWD7kWU/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT8-obz0gq7G7vS4_93HI83zoByOjMjauDLxQ7dWbd5p75zZ1vl8TQzp5eUULEOwjpbcBnK_-vsuyyuXL-6WSJEO4Nw422rDpmr1n6-IdpNQ3I5FhkqSYf3iq61XEsKqGTBT1fWD7kWU/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkGaOlUPFfT3eb-lTbg1ZJfzqk2ElkknhdYYs1fM8gnoUAk4hvCyCbnhYz30_mrS3_t2L20urePfD6o4e2ekYkcaQ3J92HqijXiNG9TNrpO0_CfUb_HmkcfnupYNKRZTfHM9MvuW-8oU/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkGaOlUPFfT3eb-lTbg1ZJfzqk2ElkknhdYYs1fM8gnoUAk4hvCyCbnhYz30_mrS3_t2L20urePfD6o4e2ekYkcaQ3J92HqijXiNG9TNrpO0_CfUb_HmkcfnupYNKRZTfHM9MvuW-8oU/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I'm sure these are some sort of Bluesfest crowd control, but the bright red and $125 fine signs didn't stop too many people from walking the Transitway from Bayview to Bluesfest at Lebreton Flats. Those who erred on the side of caution (but couldn't wait for any bus to show up) follow the detour.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't mind keeping one or two around after the festival, if only for the colour.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Lebreton Development, Ottawa, ON, Canada45.409056310269527 -75.722022431579645.403478810269526 -75.7308299315796 45.414633810269528 -75.7132149315796tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-8956666408828721602011-07-06T08:00:00.001-04:002011-07-06T08:00:19.951-04:00OC Eating IIOne of my first memories of OC Transpo was from the late 80s. Back then, you were not allowed to eat on the bus. It was forbidden. The sign at the front of the pink-and-white buses said as much. One of the passengers that night not only brought a pizza on board, he was eating it right from the box, in direct defiance of the "no food" icon. He left the (hopefully) empty pizza box on the seat when he disembarked, and that's the moment when 4-year old me made the connection: eating on buses is not allowed because then buses get messy. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlR9I3YHYfYwkVX7s82dpRKHDvEvyRkTtHIJqh3lhIpm5T1XHfyJAUMng5SRkHM7-UKBjo2eLC494NSRiZifn4-BhiEduy8IhXZi0HU6qyAGU-9iMRF5WRqdfm1xm8NCG0CaTRo8Dw0k/s1600/oceating2-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlR9I3YHYfYwkVX7s82dpRKHDvEvyRkTtHIJqh3lhIpm5T1XHfyJAUMng5SRkHM7-UKBjo2eLC494NSRiZifn4-BhiEduy8IhXZi0HU6qyAGU-9iMRF5WRqdfm1xm8NCG0CaTRo8Dw0k/s320/oceating2-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The bus in question is not unlike this one, only with more pizza boxes</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktUBkpV1BRWXIxjr3EwieRZnQrscTbdKwU0pyxshsu5W6W867VsAluZekjSRmox8eQb3nOYGTNvpVROoTR5uF6h_MHfIGsjbUn2T2iqtH2UXmXwxaVBMZgv3wMdE9gqIGEJXS9mg4coY/s1600/oceating2-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Since then, the food ban has been lifted, probably since people tended to ignore it. More common than pizza boxes are crumbs on the seat, raisins on the floor (and yes, they do stick to your shoe), wrappers of all types tumbling from stem to stern, and half bags of chips and pretzels and Fuzzy Peaches that have fallen from the clutches of small hands. These, along with the coffee spills and ketchup stains that greet you throughout the daily commute are the marks of poor bus eaters.<br />
<br />
Despite being gross to deal with, these are the best-case kinds of messes. Most of the time, sweeping away crackers or half eaten bagels and avoiding seats with smears of (what I hope is) ketchup or cream cheese is usually pretty simple. It's the food-related messes that you don't see that are cause for alarm.<br />
<br />
One time, I witnessed a man eating from a large bag of chips while standing on the 95. They must have been so delicious that, after a couple of handfuls, he would lick his hand of the simulated ketchup flavour. As the bus braked sharply, he took his sticky, saliva-loaded hand and grabbed the pole for support! Once the bus was fully stopped, he took that same hand and fished out another handful of chips from his bag. This cycle (hand licking included) repeated until he disembarked, leaving me — and I'm sure anyone else that was hypnotized by his egregious display — thoroughly disgusted. If I were the Adrian Monk-type, I would definitely go and disinfect that pole, or flat out replace it, but instead I just made sure not to touch it. Doesn't do much for the next guy, though...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktUBkpV1BRWXIxjr3EwieRZnQrscTbdKwU0pyxshsu5W6W867VsAluZekjSRmox8eQb3nOYGTNvpVROoTR5uF6h_MHfIGsjbUn2T2iqtH2UXmXwxaVBMZgv3wMdE9gqIGEJXS9mg4coY/s1600/oceating2-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktUBkpV1BRWXIxjr3EwieRZnQrscTbdKwU0pyxshsu5W6W867VsAluZekjSRmox8eQb3nOYGTNvpVROoTR5uF6h_MHfIGsjbUn2T2iqtH2UXmXwxaVBMZgv3wMdE9gqIGEJXS9mg4coY/s320/oceating2-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Gum is terribly disgusting, but at least you can see it</i></div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com1Ottawa, ON, Canada45.411572 -75.69819445.1241485 -76.251853 45.6989955 -75.144535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-794978428843951722011-07-04T08:09:00.000-04:002011-07-04T08:09:18.559-04:00OC EatingLiving at the mercy of Ottawa's transportation system usually means that you don't have much time to dedicate to some of the day's little tasks. I've seen countless OC Transpo passengers working on laptops and iPads, emailing on Blackberry devices, reading textbooks, making and reviewing notes, napping, changing outfits, and applying makeup. These people aren't simply trying to pass the time, they are trying to squeeze every productive minute of their days, time that would otherwise be spent staring at school ads and Ontario PSAs.<br />
<br />
From personal experience, I know that when you're running around in the morning to beat the bus to your stop, the last thing you have time for is breakfast. If you are lucky, you will grab some food on the way out the door — something you can hold onto by the literal skin of your teeth as you fix your jacket, lock the door, and dash to the nearest bus stop. This leads to one of the most difficult of productive Tasks: eating while commuting.<br />
<br />
What exactly do people eat when they commute? You name it, it's been done. Some talented people have managed to eat containers of spaghetti, salad, and yogurt, spilling nary a spoonful. Then there are other not-so talented individuals that struggle with the sudden and constant braking of a city bus. I recently walked onto the O-Train to discover that someone had tried to eat Pogos (corn dogs on a stick), but failed miserably, leaving behind bits of hot dog, batter, and sticks all over the floor and seats. Somehow the mess didn't dissuade someone from casually taking a seat right beside the remnants of what must have been an epic fight with lunch.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1-P4fUiglx4fFxaAM6qc-AEI4MdvVj2SY3V0SSAzilMnpRDC0KCzxd7KBHRO5S6x7w3UvtS-0BNIIQf_A9qda81uMEHu_4HHs_vQ7CIgGQNDmHDFcoxj6tx2l76Jxwmk8kPe2FSpN30/s1600/oceating1-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1-P4fUiglx4fFxaAM6qc-AEI4MdvVj2SY3V0SSAzilMnpRDC0KCzxd7KBHRO5S6x7w3UvtS-0BNIIQf_A9qda81uMEHu_4HHs_vQ7CIgGQNDmHDFcoxj6tx2l76Jxwmk8kPe2FSpN30/s320/oceating1-01.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This looks more like an epic fight with breakfast</i></div><br />
There are many variables to consider before having a meal à la OC Transpo. Will there be enough time to eat before disembarking? Could you eat if a passenger sits or stands beside you? Would they mind? Is the food loud, messy, and or strongly odorous? I truly believe that one's commuting experience is shaped by his or her co-commuters as much as it is the system itself. You can make or break Jane Doe's day just as easily as she can make or break yours.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0Ottawa, ON, Canada45.379161119816324 -75.73288001367188845.091737619816321 -76.286539013671884 45.666584619816327 -75.179221013671892tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-78374623505945247362011-07-03T23:37:00.000-04:002011-07-03T23:37:36.709-04:00Someone is happy being on the bus...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePCffVcGktGIip992iWJXA4vaRsrlVznI9Qgg1YQeMGhdK0UJ8NgnarrB4V3suI8D6mW5eBeTfOe06rHLpvvHmZhC7N4RrBWxlsFQ0EcX1P6sHFDKGRwL4HA3sR9B72FIEYEeWLkgGXM/s1600/Photo+11-07-02+7+04+08+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePCffVcGktGIip992iWJXA4vaRsrlVznI9Qgg1YQeMGhdK0UJ8NgnarrB4V3suI8D6mW5eBeTfOe06rHLpvvHmZhC7N4RrBWxlsFQ0EcX1P6sHFDKGRwL4HA3sR9B72FIEYEeWLkgGXM/s320/Photo+11-07-02+7+04+08+PM.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>If only he'd stop staring at me...Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-5633270336309822692011-06-23T23:40:00.000-04:002011-06-23T23:40:02.305-04:00Monocle<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myutopian/5865016805/" title="201106_23_01 - Monocle by bnjmnwood, on Flickr"><img alt="201106_23_01 - Monocle" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5865016805_301d72292a.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br />
I must say that a moustache and a monocle fo add an air of sophistication to any bus stop.Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1533098741275921861.post-38101682787245730412011-06-18T21:20:00.000-04:002011-06-18T21:24:53.081-04:00The panes of being in between<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myutopian/5844426658/" title="201106_17_02 - Between the Glass by bnjmnwood, on Flickr"><img alt="201106_17_02 - Between the Glass" height="333" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/5844426658_16e9273e04.jpg" width="500" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Someone managed to get a piece of paper between the window and its plexi protector. Now it is trapped, never to be recycled. </div>Ben Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647778045078808340noreply@blogger.com0