Ryan J. Allen » transit

Karlsruhe Tram Collides with Police Car

Ryan J. Allen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:55:04 +0000

Hot on the heals of an accident between two trams in Karlsruhe comes another tram accident–this one involving an on-duty police car and a tram. I read that the police car took the full impact of the tram on the driver’s side door. The police officer did not survive the crash.

Headphones on Transit

Ryan J. Allen — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:54:16 +0000

I take note of the headphones that people are wearing while they are listening to music while riding public transit. For the most part I do not judge people based on the headphones they are using, though I admit that I often confirm my judgements based on them. Occasionally I am surprised by the headphones that someone is wearing, causing me to flip my judgement of them. Perhaps I am more guilty of judging than I thought.

I would estimate that roughly 9/10 people use terrible headphones. It is a shame.

Currently you will catch me using AKG K 370 headphones on my commute.

Karlsruhe Tram Accident

Ryan J. Allen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:31:56 +0000

Whilst some might argue that there is larger, more devestating things to worry about at the moment, I have just read some news that hits close to home (to me): two trams have collided in downtown Karlsruhe. Reports indicate that 27 people have been injured, some severely, and one report suggests that up to two people have died. The pictures are unpleasant.

Downtown Ottawa – the new Bus Depot

Ryan J. Allen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:36:21 +0000

Since returning from Germany I have happily returned to using OC Transpo to get around the city. I remember the very first day I returned to work via OC Transpo I was impressed–the bus was fast. Eventually my honeymoon with transit wore off and the reality of riding the bus kicked in. Don’t get me wrong–it’s not bad, it’s just not consistently fast.

I am a seasoned transit rider. I understand the variance of transit, the extra time spent, etc. I think it’s awesome that I can use my mobile phone while travelling on the bus (unlike drivers in Ontario–ha!), but I pay for that in time. I don’t usually complain about the bus.

Usually. But getting through downtown at rush hour is brutal. I remember it being bad before–taking 15 minutes to go 4 stops–but it is currently at least twice as bad. There is some construction happening on the Mackenzie King bridge and this holds up busses significantly. I’ve sat on a bus through red lights (plural) without moving. The bus I took today was on-time when we hit Bay station, but 18 minutes late at Laurier station. And this bus hit downtown after 6 p.m.

Last week I left work to play squash with Adam J. In the perfect world I would have been on campus by 17:30, maybe 17:35. I barely made it to the gym for our 18:10 squash time.

Yesterday I got off before Kent station and walked to Bank St. for a transfer. I got on my second bus before my first bus even got to Bank. Brutal.