Category Archives: Travels

Stranded at Bramalea GO: Metrolinx’s missed connections

Posted on August 28, 2020 by

While Metrolinx continues to build expensive new parking spaces, those who walk, bike, or take the bus to its stations can be made to feel like an afterthought. Especially when a connecting bus trip leaves without you, with the next bus not scheduled for two hours. Continue reading →

Posted in Brampton, Ontario, Transit, Travels | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A driver’s case for banning right turns on red lights

Posted on August 11, 2020 by

The reason why drivers should want to see the end of right turns on red. Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Roads, Travels | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Signs of the times in Northwestern Toronto

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

In a distant corner of Woodbine Centre’s parking lot, dozens of late model cars and trucks sit with their licence plates removed. These are all rental cars, left idle due to the collapse of demand during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ontario, Toronto, Travels | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Goin’ to Kansas City

Posted on December 9, 2019 by

Kansas City might not be at the top of many urbanists’ travel lists, it has a wonderfully restored Union Station, one of America’s few useful streetcar lines, and the world’s first shopping plaza. It’s worth a visit. Continue reading →

Posted in Transit, Travels, Urban Planning | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The long way to Pembroke

Posted on October 30, 2019 by

Layover at Barry’s Bay A few weeks ago, I went for another long-distance bus trip. I started my journey in Downtown Toronto, and continued on to Peterborough and Pembroke, before arriving in Ottawa late in the evening.  Apart from the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Ontario, Travels | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

O-Train impressions: this is what LRT looks like

Posted on October 4, 2019 by

Confederation Line train approaching Tremblay Station Last weekend, I visited Ottawa to check out the new Confederation Line LRT. Canada’s newest rapid transit line, delayed by two years, finally opened on Saturday, September 14. It is the second LRT to … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, Ontario, Transit, Travels | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Trekking across Northern Ontario

Posted on September 10, 2019 by

VIA RDC train about to depart Sudbury for White River Last month, I embarked on a journey from Toronto to Thunder Bay, a distance of over 1,300 kilometres. My journey took me nearly three days as I opted to travel … Continue reading →

Posted in Intercity Rail, Ontario, Travels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Passenger trains of Northern Ontario

Posted on July 21, 2019 by

Southbound Northlander train arriving at Gravenhurst, March 2012 In a few weeks, I will travel from Toronto to Thunder Bay by bus and by train, stopping at cities and towns like Sudbury, Chapleau, White River, Marathon, and Schreiber. I expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Intercity Rail, Ontario, Travels | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biking off to Buffalo

Posted on July 1, 2019 by

Tondawanda Rail Trail Back on Victoria Day weekend, I biked down to Toronto’s Union Station, loaded by wheels onto a GO train, and headed for Niagara. I have biked through Niagara before, and it is a very pleasant place for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling, Travels | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The streetcars of Hiroshima: a symbol of resilience

Posted on April 26, 2019 by

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (A-Bomb Dome), with modern Hiroshima rising beyond. Despite its fame, there’s so much more to the city than the memorials. My wife and I recently came back from an 18-day trip to Japan. It was my … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Transit, Travels | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment