The Gridlock

By Jesse Winter

 

And just like that, it’s winter.

The recent snowfall across Ottawa and the province has, in typical early-winter fashion, sent drivers skidding, sliding and scrambling to any tire shop they can find to get snow tires installed.

The rush is as predictable as the first snowfall itself, but for Shaheen Kahn, that doesn’t make the pre-Christmas pressure any less manic.

“It’s 18-hour days and then you just drop,” said Khan, a manager at Ottawa Tires Direct.

“The snow made it like an avalanche. All the people who were on the fence jumped,” he said.

Right now, his shop is doing 60 to 70 snow tire installations a day between their two Ottawa locations. The wait time is about a week, but in order to pull it off, Khan said his crews are going flat out.

“We work from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day. Some shops are only open during regular business hours, so their wait times are more like two to three weeks,” he said.

At the tire shop’s Scott Street location, anxious customers pile up in the waiting area while the phones ring continuously. Khan’s desk is stacked many feet deep with work orders, and he juggles taking calls from his office phone and cell at the same time.

When a customer calls to make an appointment, the answering machine asks them to instead send Khan a text message because the shop is so swamped.

Khan’s company rented out the house next to their workshop, and converted it into a “war room.” Boxes of newly delivered rims are stacked in the living room, and the dining area has been pressed into service as a command centre where Khan’s colleagues track everything with spreadsheets. Unprocessed work orders are stuck to the walls and even the ceiling in an effort to maximize space.

The kitchen is the only space that isn’t taken over with boxes.

“It will be soon, though,” Khan said. “The real craziness hasn’t even begun yet.”

Winter tires aren’t mandatory in Ontario, but as Ottawa Police Sgt. Mark Gatien explained, the first snow of the season always takes drivers by surprise.

“One of the issues I’ve noticed, and I even saw this myself a couple of times this morning, is people taking corners like it’s still summertime,” Gatien said.

“You can watch it unfolding on the road right in front of you, watching someone go into a corner way too fast and then, whoa, all of a sudden they’re in the ditch and they can’t understand why. It happens every year, and it baffles me,” he said.

Over the past two days, Ottawa drivers have escaped relatively unscathed from the worst of the recent snow squalls. There were only 15 crashes after Monday’s flurries, but that’s about average for the city, said police spokesman Const. Marc Soucy.

Farther west, however, the province is being walloped by a winter storm that has closed roads and forced police to issue bad weather advisories. Near Huntsville, for example, the storm is so bad that the Ministry of Transportation had to pull the snowplows off the highways on Tuesday.

According to OPP spokesman Sgt. Peter Leon, bad winter weather often causes spikes in collisions and vehicles in the ditch. By 10 a.m. on Tuesday, police near Orillia were already dealing with a 200 per cent increase in calls. Near North Bay, the cops had more than two-dozen active accident scenes on their hands, and many more were expected.

“Based on what we’re seeing on the weather radar, it’s only going to get worse,” Leon said.

Back in Ottawa, Sgt. Gatien said that while the city experienced a lighter snowfall so far, that lucky streak won’t last and drivers need to be prepared.

“It’s been proven that winter tires give you better shopping distance and traction,” Gatien said.

“Sometimes people just can’t afford to have two sets of tires. We understand that, and they aren’t mandatory, but there is no question that if you can afford them they are safer for you and your family,” he said.

Even if drivers do have winter tires, Gatien cautioned that the most reliable way to stay safe on the roads is to drive according to conditions.

“We really can’t emphasize enough that you really have to slow down. Also, make sure that all the snow is off your car before you head off to work. Have a snow scraper in your car; your credit card just doesn’t cut it,” Gatien said.

By Laurène Jardin

Jack Frost nipped at Ottawa’s toes on Tuesday.

Car owners scurried to change their summer tires, cyclists changed gears on bikes, and bulldozers cleared the streets in the early hours of the morning. The one thing that united Ottawa residents was the recognition that it was time to change to winter footwear.

The Gridlock took to the streets to find out what Ottawans were wearing to keep their toes warm during the coldest day of, what is technically, fall.

THE SPECIALIST

Paul Shields has owned the Glebe Trotters shoe store since 1993. He is a boot guru, and on days like Tuesday, he is a major asset for the store.

Shields imagined that he would have a busy day set out for him after Monday night’s snowfall. Still, the biggest day was last week.

“We’ve had some pretty big days already,” he said.

“A lot of people buy boots based on the year before, especially if it’s a hard long winter,” he said.

“So we don’t even have to get snow to get the ball rolling.”

In the following clip Shields shares tips for those on hunt to buy the best boots.

THE VOLUNTEER

On Tuesday morning, Susie Peters purchased a pair of winter gloves for a homeless man.

Winter equipment like gloves and boots are important to Peters.

Peters is a volunteer at The Well in Ottawa, a day shelter that hosts women. It is organized by the Church of St. John the Evangelist.

Peters’ attitude was so positive that it was very difficult to tell that she had a disability. Winter is not the biggest issue for Peters.

“I’m on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), and when my friends whine about how little money we have, I have to remind them how lucky we are to live in a country that supports the disabled,” said Peters.

Peters is passionate about her volunteering position. She understands how difficult it can be to find winter equipment. Boots and winter wear in general are not easy to come by for many in Ottawa.

 HAPPY FEET

 As Ottawans bundled up in scarves, coats and mitts, Shawn McLaughlin sat in front of the Quickie on Bank and Gilmour Street. He was sporting a thin jacket, faded jeans and running shoes.

McLaughlin said that cold weather didn’t really bother him. To him, covering up was not as important as feeling free.

“I need to move,” laughed McLaughlin, as he performed a little dance.

McLaughlin explained that he sits in front of the convenience store almost every morning.

Even on a chilly Tuesday morning, McLaughlin, a die-hard hockey fan, managed to smile. He shared his energy with those who walked by shouting, “Have a great day sir!” or “Keep smiling!”

McLaughlin says he doesn’t need boots to get through the winter. He likes to keep light on his feet to make travelling, among other daily activities, easier.

THE CROSSING GUARD

 Charles Glennie has been a crossing guard for the last eight years.

“It’s a great way to start the day,” said Glennie, as he rushed off to cross a child who waved at him across the street.

On Tuesday, Glennie braved the cold in what he described to be “amazing boots.”

Glennie said that a pair of good boots was important to him because of his line of work. He said that he could stand outside for several hours at a time.

Glennie vividly remembered buying his last pair of boots: a purchase that he was quite pleased with.

THE KING OF RECESS

Grade 1 student, Louis Jacques, takes pride in his winter boots. He loves that they are warm and allow him to play happily at recess.

“I get to run really fast in the schoolyard,” he said.

Snow is no issue for Jacques. He enjoys winter very much.

Jacques moved to Ottawa from Vancouver a year ago. According to Jacques, snow in Vancouver does not stand up to its Ottawa competition.

“It’s only this high,” said Jacques, holding his gloved hand an inch away from the ground.

 

 

By Eddie Ameh

 

Algonquin College students are voting in a week-long referendum to accept or reject the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) system.

If they vote to accept it, students will pay a one-time discounted transit fare at the beginning of every school year.

“After seeing it positively affect students of Carleton, U-Ottawa, St. Paul University and even universities in Manitoba and British Columbia, the Universal Transit Pass system would be a great way to provide affordable and accessible transportation to our full-time students,” said Mackenzie Campbell, vice-president of the students’ association.

 

 

Campbell said that two years ago OC Transpo put an age cap on student monthly passes, so students over 18 no longer qualified for student passes.

Since then Algonquin students over 18 pay almost $100 a month for a bus pass, almost twice the cost of a U-Pass. “The students who take the bus on a regular basis will be getting about 50 per cent discount average from the regular adult monthly pass,” Campbell said.

In the first 24 hours of the week-long vote more than 25 per cent of students had already voted — a figure Campbell said is very encouraging.

Kyle Waddell, a first-year student, said he voted in favour of the U-Pass because it will help him save a lot more money. “With the U-Pass, you pay at the beginning and you just show your pass. And it’s cheaper.”

Student Marleigh Cheaney said the U-Pass would help students because they have other expenses including rent and books. “I think this would be a great opportunity to help students save a little extra money,” she said.

Emily Langan, a first-year student, said a U-Pass will be more convenient and cheaper, especially as it comes with the tuition fees. She also said that public transit is her only means of transportation.

“I think it helps me because I don’t have a licence to drive,” she said. “I think it will save me money because Presto passes are almost a $100.”

Campbell said he expects an overwhelming endorsement of the U-Pass. The student’s association embarked on massive publicity, decorating the student common area with fliers and posters.

“We usually have six TVs in our student common building, which usually have our events and everything on them. But this week, it’s all about the referendum and votes, and it seems to be working so far,” Campbell said.

He said there were groups such as the Revolution Students Union, who are on a ‘yes’ campaign, urging students to vote.

The referendum will continue until Nov. 21. If students vote yes, the U-Pass won’t be available until the fall of 2015.

 

 

By Nicole Rutherford

To combat the cold, Carleton’s students are starting to head underground into the labyrinth of tunnels that connect the campus—but for some students warmth often takes priority over safety.

“I don’t feel safe, and as a matter of fact I found myself looking for cameras,” said June Cummings, a frequent tunnel traveller. “We’ve always commented about being alone as women.”

In the several kilometres of underground pathways, there are only seven security cameras and other minimal security features. This was revealed after July’s incident of an unidentified man posting a video to YouTube riding a motorcycle through the tunnels. At the time of publication, the university’s director of security, Allan Burns, had not confirmed whether the culprit had ever been identified.

Burns responded to questions by email about security measures and why there are only seven cameras in the tunnels. “We are constantly assessing our physical security requirements to ensure we are meeting the needs of the community and are reviewing camera requirements in the tunnels as part of the assessment.”

Other security features in the tunnels include mirrors for going around corners and assistant telephones—free phones located throughout the tunnels that call campus security.

Carleton student Mack Holliday feels that these phones are more than enough to feel safe. “They’re more secure. I’m usually with a friend in the tunnel. I’m also a bigger guy, so I’m not really that worried.”

In general, female students were not so certain.

“It would probably make me feel more at ease if you would see a security guard come by every once in a while, especially when 9 o’clock classes let out,” said student Jessica Ranieri.

In his email, Burns wrote that security “officers patrol the tunnels on a regular basis and we’ve increased the number of patrols in the last year.”

This increase may be due to the campus’s sexual assault history: in 2011, there was a string of sexual assaults on campus from November to February; this past September, a 26-year-old man was banned from campus on three accounts of sexual assault.

Some students interviewed said another hazard in the tunnels is the maintenance carts that workers use to get around.

“The carts go pretty fast. When I have my headphones in and I’m walking, they come pretty close when they’re flying by you,” said post-graduate student Paden Shorey. “A lot of the time they will honk their horn, but if they don’t it’s kind of scary.”

“It’s all about the mutual respect,” said Kevin Gallinger, assistant director of maintenance services at Carleton. He said that cart drivers need to slow down and students need to move to the right to let them pass.

Everything from the lighting, heating and cleaning of the tunnels is also maintained. The school has done studies on these features in order to improve the safety of the tunnels, Gallinger said.

“I would deem them to be safe,” said Gallinger. “We’re conscious of the lighting levels, we’re conscious of what’s down there.”

While some students have safety concerns about the tunnels, they all seem to appreciate the shelter they provide against the winter weather.

Jean Yen, a post-graduate student who admitted to being less comfortable in the tunnels when they weren’t busy, said she appreciated the tunnels when there’s a lot of snow outside.

“When you want to stay inside and stay dry, the tunnels are really good.”

For more interviews and a virtual tour of the Carleton University tunnel system, please see below.

By Hayley Chazan

Click on the tags to find out more about how Uber works.

If you’ve ever been stuck waiting for a cab, you know just how frustrating the taxi system can be.

The problem is often worse on weekends and holidays. On New Year’s Eve, it is nearly impossible to hail down a cab, let alone reach the taxi company by phone.

Blueline Taxi, Ottawa’s leading cab company, accounts for 80% of the taxi market in the city, meaning limited competition and few choices for consumers.

On Oct.1, all of this changed with the appearance in Ottawa of the controversial, and quite possibly illegal, ridesharing service Uber, which has spread rapidly through the United States and Europe as well as Canada.

Uber brands itself as a technological company with its business model relying on smartphone apps. It presents consumers with an alternative to taxis and operates as a low-cost ridesharing service.

Its low cost is its most attractive feature, according to Ottawa resident Delaney Hoeppner. “Taking a taxi from my apartment downtown to the airport normally costs close to $50. With Uber, depending on the traffic, the fare can often be as low as $30,” she said.

Uber has gained a large following on Twitter, with many users actively supporting the ridesharing service. John Baird, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, tweeted about Uber, expressing his frustration about an old-fashioned cab that never arrived. He said there is a need for greater competition in the industry.

But Uber attracts criticism, even hostility, everywhere it goes. One concern is that Uber drivers are not licensed. Anyone can sign up to work for Uber if they have a car that is less than 10 years old and can pass a criminal record check.

The licensing issue has created problems for city officials. They say the company is violating taxi regulations by operating without a broker’s license and by failing to hire accredited drivers.

The city has already started fining drivers up to $850 if they cannot show proof of a taxi licence.

This dispute is not unique to Ottawa. According to the Toronto Star, the city of Toronto filed an application for an injunction in Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon. If granted, Uber would be forced to shut down there.

There have been allegations in the United States that poor vetting of Uber drivers has resulted in sexual assaults.

But some customers don’t seem worried by the controversy.

They like the fact that when you take an Uber cab, no cash is exchanged.

Customers sign up to Uber online and provide their credit card information. Then, they are prompted to download an app that can be used to hail an Uber car from their smartphone.

Once the driver is en route, customers are able to track the car using the map that Uber provides. A picture of the driver, their contact information and the type of car are also provided upon request.

Should any problems arise, the customer can simply send a text to the driver.

Once they arrive at the destination, the money is automatically deposited into the driver’s account via smartphone.

In recent days, Uber has been in the news for its aggressive media relations practices. According to a Buzzfeed article published on Monday, Uber senior executive Emil Michael suggested that the company hire a team of opposition researchers. Their job is to find personal information on reporters who have been critical of the rideshare company.

For now, the future of Uber in Ottawa remains unclear. Increasing enforcement and regulation may drive Uber out of the market, despite passenger demand for greater competition.