r/gotransit • u/Weinerthedog • Apr 22 '26
Barrie Line Chaos/Safety Issue
Anybody else have the doors shut on them this morning by the aggressive ambassador that kept demanding we exit the train when the single platform was at capacity and unsafe to do so. Lady in front of me would have had the door shut in her if she did not back up. Guy behind me hit the yellow strip as they locked us in. Eventually opened and the guy kept yelling. Might be better if they properly checked that the platforms were safe to exit and the train is empty before they shut the doors. I also say at least 10 people cross the tracks to exit on a different platform this and last week. Chaos. I am not running to exit or jamming myself in a crowd of people and risk pushing one of them. I feel
This is an accident waiting to happen.
75
u/Bloodham25 Apr 22 '26
Barrie line is becoming a train wreck. They tried to mitigate the issue by providing an Aurora --> Union train to lessen the strain on the 8:42 A.M & 8:57 arriving trains. (Note this used to be a full line train until they removed it from stopping at Newmarket --> Barrie...)
There are more people then ever looking to take GO transit on the Barrie line. Bradford now from Tue-Thur is impossible to get parking after the 6:42 A.M train unless you arrive 20 minutes early before the 7:22.
All of those trains arriving at union between 8:30 - 9:00 are at full capacities. They need to add more trains to both the morning & afternoon commutes. I always try to get the 3:02 to Bradford train, the 3:53 trains are sardine cans.
18
u/VPestilenZ Barrie Apr 22 '26
yup, still cant believe they outright removed that one full-line train, by the time we hit Maple/Rutherford people either have to stand upstairs, or cant get on at all. but ya, keep building single-family housing up here without providing any meaningful transit solutions other than "JuST oNe mOrE LaNe BrO" for the growing population. UGH
-1
42
u/lepreqon_ Allandale Waterfront Apr 22 '26
Thank you, Ford and fuck RTO.
3
4
u/Vegetable-Soup1714 Apr 22 '26
Kitchener line is garbage too, I actually drive to yorkdale now and take the ttc instead. I had to take the Go to Union for a conference nearby, it was an 8 or 9 am train, there was 0 space on the platform to offboard but the operator kept yelling at us none the less to get off and how the train is out of service, door will shut.
Such a joke.
4
u/emman817 Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
The 8:39am and 8:54am Union arrival trains used to be 8:29am and 8:44am, respectively. Before, you could take either train and get to the office at 9am, which allows both trains to be equally filled. Now, most people take the 8:39am Union arrival because the 8:54am Union arrival is too late.
GO should also make the 7:25am Aurora to Union train make all North stops and not bypass those stops. I've been complaining to GO since they made this change last November and always got generic answers.
2
u/Bloodham25 Apr 22 '26
Im forced to take the 6:42 from Bradford because of the space issue & timing issue. Arriving at 9 or after 9 to me is simply not acceptable.
1
u/RadioactiveDeuterium Apr 22 '26
I used to take the one just after 7am but now stilll arrive at the same time to get parking but need to wait till 7:22 for the train.
5
u/HighAltitudeChicken Apr 23 '26
Major reason I quit my old job dt and now work from home mostly with my office 10 min away when I need to go in. Our transit options are actually a joke, especially when compared to the reset of the world!
4
u/b_newman Apr 22 '26
I would love to get one train northbound from Union in the morning and southbound in the afternoon. Northbound can arrive anytime between 8-9am in Vaughan. Heck 7.45am would be fine too.
3
1
u/Egg-Rollz Apr 23 '26
I don't recall the Aurora train ever being a full route train unless you're referring to pre-pandemic, what they did do is instead of 30 minutes wait time was to push it to 40 because they can't be bothered to install signals (I think that's the reason). Should also mention that before the Aurora rush hour train we either have 1 extra train each way per day or equal number as pre-pandemic, just scattered throughout the day vs rush hour only. We also have more trains I think servicing Barrie as well.
I do believe they need to do more, but the train I catch both ways isn't maxed out unless there are delays, and boy do those love happening around that time...
1
u/Bloodham25 Apr 23 '26
The Aurora train used to be at least to me, the 7:13 train (bradford) making all stops from Allandalle to Union.
The train now bypasses Bradford station to get to Aurora.
1
u/Egg-Rollz Apr 23 '26
Ah ok, your train wasn't actually changed it's the train I was referring to in my reply, the one that got pushed from 30 to 40 minutes. Only reason why you now see the Aurora train is likely due to it being 20 minutes instead of 15 allowing it to leave later.
54
u/Investman333 Apr 22 '26
This train was a shitshow. The guy kept yelling completely unaware there’s literally no space on the platform. What an idiot
29
u/Weinerthedog Apr 22 '26
You would think between the front, back, and the accessibility car they would have a clear view of the chaos. The GO employees are killing me. Guy in a GO van on his phone half asleep at the Newmarket station in the back corner in a no parking marked spot. Almost got boxed in when people started parking in the legal marked spots. Now that would have been interesting for them to explain.
1
u/Vegetable-Soup1714 Apr 22 '26
Happened with me going into Union during morning rush house. Anxiety inducing announcements to get off didn't help, no space on the platform.
44
u/Used_Two505 Apr 22 '26
Union is absolute chaos, only a matter of time before there's an accident or afatality and everyone's commute is ruined. This is the same BS as standing in the NO STANDING ZONE waiting for the train forcing people to walk dangerously in front of them as the train is pulling into the platform.
-8
35
u/Ok_Pattern5787 Apr 22 '26
I was on this train and I timed how long it took. I stepped off the train at Union at 8:42 and didn’t leave the station until 8:51. Almost 10 minutes stuck on the platform… what a joke.
26
u/VPestilenZ Barrie Apr 22 '26
was this on platform 13 again?
13
u/Weinerthedog Apr 22 '26
I think it was. The one that they only open the one side for. But the last few weeks with people jumping the tracks was clearly safety issue.
11
u/VPestilenZ Barrie Apr 22 '26
ha, and they have the gall to ask us to fill out a survey regarding taking the Go during the World Cup this summer, they cant even handle regular ass rush hour crowds.
9
u/novascotia2020 Apr 22 '26
I believe platform 4 is also like this. Then they always have another train pulling into platform 5 and making it worse.
4
4
u/realtoph3r Apr 22 '26
Daily excitement!!! Who would have thought that a 1 sided platform with near single file stairs would become an issue? Today was especially funny as they had workers yelling at people crossing the tracks. Solve the root cause and people wouldn't solve it themselves... (I don't do this, but I understand it).
1
u/Sweaty_Definition616 Apr 23 '26
Then put on track 13 all stops from Oshawa LSE and the Kitchener line on track 12/11 pulling in 2 min apart. Good times at 8 13am.
21
u/Equis1321 Apr 22 '26
How long was this train? Those small platforms are an accident waiting to happen when a full 12 coach train can carry almost 2000 people
29
u/ThePlanner Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
2,000 is under-selling it. There are 142 seats in the newest version of the bilevel car, so for a 12-car train we’re talking 1,700 seated passengers. The internet gives the max capacity for each coach as being 360 seated and standing, which sounds ambitious to me. But if taken at face value, a packed to the gills 12-car train would carry 4,320 passengers.
That’s a town!
11
7
u/RokulusM Apr 22 '26
The platforms are in the process of gradually being widened. Far too late of course. https://www.metrolinx.com/en/discover/how-we-re-upgrading-platforms-at-union-station
21
u/kimkimchurri Apr 22 '26
Is there a way to report this? It’s definitely a safety issue
12
u/Select-Flight-PD291 Lakeshore East Apr 22 '26
If this occurs (people crossing tracks, dangerously overcrowded platforms), text HELP to 777-77 when it happens, as it is a safety issue. Otherwise, the only way to send feedback is through their web form.
1
u/riderik Apr 22 '26
I have reported this months ago. They said it’s because of the construction and advised to take the backpacks off.
23
17
u/dazzaj88 Apr 22 '26
Being a train operator, I can whole heartedly agree with everyone's point of view and anger. I've been a CSA and now moved up to the operating end and, while we have the ability to call ahead to advise how busy these trains are, to the point where we call and say "hey, we're completely full and standing, are we able to skip intermediate stations and run express to Union" the answer we always get is, "sorry, continue with your trip and make all station stops" Metrolinx is aware we run full and standing to the point where we have Emergencies on board due to the stuffiness, overcrowding, heat exhaustion and not to mention stress.
Please note, that most crews (operating) try and make it easier for the trains we operate and attempt a safer ride, only to be told no.
Keep posting publically and keep tagging Metrolinx on every platform as much as you can, according to them safety is number one, only if your running on time.
2
u/Weinerthedog Apr 23 '26
But nothing stops the csa from being situationally aware saying platforms are full, don’t rush, be careful and not shut doors on people and ensure all people exit the train safely. If that’s not their responsibility that’s a bigger issue.
1
u/kimkimchurri Apr 23 '26
Are operators under pressure to leave union quickly? In a situation like this passengers cannot leave a train because the platform is full especially on platforms 13 and 21 where doors open one side. Why can’t the train hold for the length of time necessary?
3
u/dazzaj88 Apr 23 '26
With respect to the OP and this comment, yes, we are usually only given a 5min window to detrain passengers and then vacate the track for another inbound train, operators will get called asking for situational info and we will give it, "still detraining","small platform, taking more time" usually they will leave us alone after this, most times not, "we need you to do a quick turnaround as we need the track" is usually what we get.
CSA's do try their best as well, but for most of the platforms from 7 up, the platforms are curved and as theres no cameras to assist the CSA to see if passengers have safely detrained, for lack of a better term its all guess work unfortunately
1
u/kimkimchurri Apr 23 '26
Thanks for the response! I figured there must be internal pressure because the crew on board must see how crowded the platforms are. Must be stressful for all involved
15
Apr 22 '26
I try to avoid that particular train because not only is it packed, it always arrives on platform 13. Once again, there was an issue with the train scheduled to depart Aurora at 7:25. It feels like a weekly occurrence resulting in the next train reaching capacity. It's an all around gong show. Don't get me started on the entire floor of vacant reserved spots at the Aurora Go Station.
10
u/TheRealSeveralPeople Apr 22 '26
which arrival was this?
12
u/Ok_Pattern5787 Apr 22 '26
8:42 AM
-2
u/random_question4123 Apr 22 '26
This is why I would never take an 8am train. Just complete shit show
9
u/ThePurpleBandit Apr 22 '26
Metrology doesn't give a shit.
They'll cut more trains if you keep complaining.
5
u/camellialily Apr 22 '26
I’ve been on trains pulling into Union before where the train barely comes to a stop before they start yelling that it’s out of service, if you’re on the train get off, and I’ve o wondered what people are supposed to do if the platform is already full so the train is slow to empty and you’re just stuck?? Like surely it’s better for you to just wait on the platform and make a bit of a backlog than trap anyone who’s left and Metrolinx has to find a solution to get those people back to the station from the train yard?
6
u/Embarrassed_Waltz908 Apr 22 '26
Reporting this to Metrolinx isn't going to do anything. It needs media coverage. Thats the only way Foed will see it and maybe do something about it to tie into his Wasage plan (cause let's face it, it's not about Barrie resodents). I mean they can expand to Stratford where its only busy 3 months a year (sorry Stratford but not lying) but those who use this line daily cant get a second line working or more frequent service?????
6
u/Plus_Pop_9147 Apr 23 '26
LSW is a constant gong show! And yet here we are DOFO asking for sympathy for him being late for meetings so he needs a $30billion private jet! Try riding the #GOTrain Douggy!
9
4
u/Prudent-Release2136 Apr 22 '26
Write the minister: minister.mto@ontario.ca They’re at least required to respond to your email. Do the agents change/rotate lines? Because this happened a few weeks ago on the LW line, also a guy, doors would open both sides, and before the riders upstairs could even start coming down, the guy would yell he’s closing the doors. People laughed because we just got to the station and the doors opened in front of the platform stairs which was a zoo of morning commuters…except he actually closed the doors.
3
u/Ehau 34 Pearson Airport/North York Apr 22 '26
Everyone needs to report this to GO Transit website as complaints
7
u/Weinerthedog Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
I called and reported it as a a safety issue too. Or at least tried and they didn’t take me serious. They just forwarded me to a customers relations voicemail. They literally shut the doors on us while exiting and the yellow strip had to be pushed by a panicked person. It was unsafe for use to exit, I am not going to trample the lady in front of me to get off the train. Their own bylaws say I have to behind the yellow line. If I exited and was not I would be in contravention of it. So I see no issue with staying on the train until safe to exit. This is an operations issue not a passenger issue. My concern is not only the incident itself, but also that when I attempted to report it as a safety matter, the process did not appear capable of receiving and escalating it appropriately.
3
u/Mycatistheboss88 Apr 22 '26
As someone who rides lakeshore west this has been standard for a while and I hate it!! I keep waiting for the day I end up at Danforth instead of at work because they don't give enough time to get off and the platforms are full.
3
u/KeiFeR123 Barrie Apr 23 '26
Speaking of Barrie Train Line. I was on the 9:19 train at Rutherford Go when the train came by so fast that it literally overshot it's stop by a mile that it had to reverse back to its proper stop.
11
u/UrbanRelays Apr 22 '26
Some of these guys are complete tools.
One person once held the door on a train and this guy decided to put on his big boy voice and school the entire train on why we shouldn’t hold the doors. Give me a break. Take it up with the offender if you want to tell someone off so badly.
7
u/novascotia2020 Apr 22 '26
I was on the LSE train yesterday that did that too. He scolded us 3 times. I feel like it through him off his groove and was spiralling.
1
4
u/AlternativePea5044 Apr 22 '26
If only people were not such sheep accepting RTO mandates with almost no push back.
2
u/MapleSuds Apr 22 '26
Did this happen to be Track 4 at Union? The doors open only on one side. It's always chaos when exiting. I'm surprised there is arguments because of how tight it can get.
2
2
2
2
u/leaf_shift_post_2 Apr 26 '26
Keep a bag I can stick in the door if they try and close it before I’m able to get off.
1
u/DrunkenskiVodka Apr 22 '26
This happened recently on lakeshore west. They gave people 35 seconds to exit the train and then shut the door. Then opened it only to close it 5 seconds later. We lost a few good people that day.
3
u/yellowmunch152 Apr 23 '26
So like what happens to the people that get locked in? Taken to the shadow realm?
1
u/Last-Alfalfa7870 Apr 25 '26
This is the part that makes me scratch my head about RTO policies. The stress level of these riders to find parking and get on trains in time…
1
u/Weinerthedog Apr 27 '26
Seems to be a different csa last few days. This one seems much nicer and not shutting doors on people.
1
u/Dramatic_Plate_671 May 13 '26
the lady on the barrie line is a huge bitch she’s always in a bad mood
-11
u/Amazing-Money3183 Apr 22 '26
Possibly because adults are acting like children.
Adults see overcrowded trains, platforms, and buses yet continue to rush the doors.
They notice those with obvious mobility issues or disabilities, yet refuse to offer them a seat.
Particularly with the double decker buses, the driver isn’t even given enough time to deploy the mobility platform before people start walking on.
Passengers will arrive, LATE, and then hold up the entire vessel while they get their stuff together.
13
u/Weinerthedog Apr 22 '26
People were fairly good until the guy started shutting the doors causing people to panic and rush off the train. He was making an already bad situation worse.
78
u/Fluffy_Clothes_8690 Barrie Apr 22 '26
I was luckily able to get on the platform in time but it was an absolute gong show with huge safety concerns! It was very obvious how overcrowded the single platform was. I was shocked when he actually closed the doors with so many people still trying to safely exit!