Go+Transit



=Research Statement:=

The public space I have decided to focus on is the **GO Bus**. Providing for more than 50 million passengers every year, commuting to school or to work with the bus, helps save gas and reduce pollution, avoiding the hassle of driving in general...but is it really worth it?

For this project, I'd like to explore the commuting experience of the Go Transit bus, to better understand if this encounter is truly benefiting to one's life; in which my established results will be presented visually.

=Background/Observations:=

A very busy public space, providing mostly for workers and students, the GO bus carries roughly 50 passengers. An inter-city coach design, the bus features seats which recline, moving arm rests, overhead storage, air vents, individual lights per seat, among other amenities. The bus service also includes operation on highway 401, 407 and 403. In April 2008, GO transit released the double-decker coach buses, due to high volume of passengers.

From riding the GO bus almost everyday, I have observed numerous issues with this space. These are a few:
 * temperatures always differ (too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter)
 * loud music coming from people's mp3s or iPods
 * people talking loudly (to each other or on cell phones)
 * squeaking seats
 * seats that don't adjust
 * cups and papers roll around on the floor
 * creaking windows
 * foot rests missing
 * water dripping overhead from air vents
 * not enough leg room

=Critical Position:=

While being beneficial to the environment by commuting with the GO bus, is this experience worth it? I have come to realize that with modification to the vehicle and the rules and regulations, the GO bus ride experience could possibly be a more positive one; however, the overall commuting experience is indeed intolerable, slow, and costly, which is not very appealing.

=Data Collection & Analysis:=


 * GO Transit History
 * ** GO Transit Official Site **

= flick r = media type="flickr" key="43101990@N07" ARG0="&lang=en-us&format=rss_200" width="500" height="500"

//Rough Panoramas//




=Opportunities:=

Future directions that this topic can take are ideas of how to make the GO bus experience more worthy for one's serenity, finances, and most importantly, their time, which cannot be recaptured. Being a student who uses this service and space for a total of 12 trips per week, I believe it is very important to investigate and explore the different needs and concerns for the commuters, so that their overall experience can be a positive one.

=Resources:=
 * Articles/Blogs**

General: Project for Public Spaces- Transportation Spacing Toronto- Commuting

Specific: The GO Transit Experience Three Approaches to Commuting GO Transit News Releases Commuting by Bus Transit to the Rescue Transit-Friendly Streets Car-Free Day in T.O

I found this of someone on the GO Bus recording the scenery and interior of the bus. media type="youtube" key="KwIg6f1BRsw" height="344" width="425"
 * Video**

Taking the GO Bus: An explanation of how it all works. (While somewhat helpful for commuters, I found this video to be quite bias, only describing the pros...some of which are inaccurate... of using this public service and space). media type="youtube" key="OS2On_XzeNs" height="340" width="560"