Notebook
McLeod on Rogers 13
As a new resident in London I tend to watch the local community cable channel Rogers 13 quite a bit. It’s an invaluable resource for discovering events in the area and learning more about the politics, people, and culture of the city.
The other day I happened to land in the middle of a program I hadn’t seen before, and since they were talking about London Transit I decided to watch it, as transit is something I’ve become interested in as of late.
Larry Ducharme was talking about a BRT or Bus Rapid Transit and the branding that would be needed to inform and encourage people to use the service. It’s interesting he was discussing branding as the show he was on suffered from confusing info graphics and a brand that appeared to be straight out of the 80’s.
The first issue I encountered was a confusing “bug” displaying the name of the show, which was troublesome becuase I happened to land on the show when Mr. Ducharme was in focus causing me to think his name was actually McLeod. The bug is far too active to not be confused as some point or another sitting higher then the Rogers bug and being in full colour drop shadows and all. Only latter did I realize that is was the shows name and not the guests after they displayed a graphic showing his acctual name and title in place of the show bug.
Secondly the logo behind the host seemingly changes between camera shifts from a rogers promotion to the shows name. Which is kind of unnecessary as the Rogers bug is omnipresent in the lower right.
Having been an associate producer on a television show in the past, I don’t have any misconceptions that this isn’t low budget mostly volunteer work, but still, these issues seem glaring to myself and worth pointing out as no one else seems to have. I’ve submitted an application to volunteer and maybe help them out, but haven’t received a call as of yet.
McLeod airs Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on Rogers 13 in London Ontario.
Just watched a repeat..came home late..
I thought the guest was extremely vague as to what this ‘blt’ was all about. Is it rail trains? Is it hover craft? More modern bus’s? He never really says..
But one thing he keeps emphasizing is that it’ll be cheaper than building more roads..
We need roads..we need a ring road. Just like any other modern city in Southwestern Ontario..the congestion in this city last few years is a metaphor of the way this cities growth is being choked by the small minds at city hall.
Why the hell do we have a railway running through the heart of the city anyways?
Why don’t we just tell CN to build some more bridges if they want to continue their use and maybe save a life or two as well as keep people on their way to work to be late at least 3 times a month. Apparently, that’s an acceptable loss compared to the cost of proper throughway’s.
I don’t know but judging from the more than few experiences on London transit as well as numerous other cities through out the country that the whole London City Transit is a Total Mess.
From their idiotic non grid like bus routes tha make no sense what so ever except to maybe get you downtown..but not past Hydepark , Clarkesideroad or any other new subdivision that has been under construction over the last few years.
Buss’s are rarely on time..most of the drivers are rude. (Not all, there are a few good ones ) but for the most part they are generally indifferent and callous in their treatment of the people their supposed to serve.
I can’t count on how many off time buses I’ve ran for (with kids as well in tow) which were either too late or too early to no avail.
We have such a sophisticated system that the buses times aren’t even synchronized?
Anyone can look at there cell and see, Like I did one day when me and my boys ran across Cheapside to catch the Huron Heights bus home.
He slammed on the brakes just before he hit us.
He was talking to some girl that obviously caught his fancy.
Which is clearly written behind his seat that is an infraction.
The driver must not be distracted, and no one is to stand besides the driver.
I asked the bus driver how he couldn’t see us and he called me a dummy and if I didn’t shut up I’d have to walk.
Needless to say I shut up but with two kids in tow and groceries I felt I should.
There has to be something really wrong with an organization that produces these outcomes on a daily basis.I can’t count the stories I’ve heard and even the LAWSUITS that the LTC (London Transit Commission) has lost from hurting people from their mostly careless and unqualified drivers. What are the guidelines that bus drivers are hired? Do they even have a Z licience? Have they ever had any customer service training and awareness.
I bet the real answers to those questions would be in at the least disconcerting to anyone that had a decent amount of common sense..
If they only paid attention..