Today we planned to visit Down Town. Why it is called by this name is not clear. In reality, it is a hub center of financial and commercial activities. My daughter was with us to guide. We were to return with our son-in-law who was to join us there while coming back from his office.
We were going by metro. This is called TTC - Toronto Transit Commission. It has a network of 4 lines. Line 1 is the yellow line also known as Yonge-University line has 32 stations. It runs from Finch station to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre in a "U" shaped curve. It has four interchange stations, three at Green Line and one at Magenta Line. It crosses Green Line at Bloor Yonge, St George Bay and Spadina stations and Magenta Line at Sheppard Yonge station. Line 2 of this network is Green Line with 31 stations which runs from Kennedy Station to Kipling Station. Line 3 is the blue line which takes you from McCowan Station to Kennedy Station from where you can change to Green Line. It has just 6 stations. Then the last Line 4 i.e. Magenta Line runs between Don Mills to Sheppard Yonge Stations connecting you to Yellow Line. It has 4 stations.
We walked to Scarborough Centre, which was the second station at Blue Line. As we entered, we found that ticket window was closed for some renovation work. While my daughter had Presto Card - a type of smart card, we two were required to buy tokens. The guard standing there came forward to help us. He asked us to travel up to Kennedy Station without buying tokens and advised to buy tokens there. We took three "transfer" a type of proof of payment - POP from the dispensing machine and boarded the train. The machines dispensing "transfer" tickets are installed in paid area and normally, you cannot dispense the "transfer" tickets without having paid for the journey; either by Presto Card or buying tokens. But in our case, we were allowed as the ticket window was not functioning.
The system of ticketing is different here. It runs on trust. Most of the passengers have Presto Card. They punch it before entering in the system and dispense a "transfer" ticket through a separately installed machine. It has no relation with the gate-opening. Gates remain in open mode. There is one flat fare of $ 3.25 for travelling in one direction. It is valid in buses, streetcars, and metros run by TTC. While going out of the system, no punching is required. If you want to change the mode of transport, same "transfer" ticket remains valid in that direction. Even if you travel for one station, same fare is applicable. In Indian rupees, it is equivalent to ₹ 162.
So we boarded the train by dispensing "transfer" tickets without paying any money. The train was old and of four coaches of blue color. It made lot of rattling sound as it run on the track. The metro system here runs on "Third rail" 650 v DC instead of over head electricity. The sky line is, therefore,clear and gives a clutter free view.
We reached at Kennedy Station and changed to Green Line that took us to Bloor-Yonge Station.
As we were travelling ,a group of students was enjoying and shouting. One of them came towards us . He was holding a sheet of paper on which "Free Hug" was written. A young girl was sitting in front of us. He asked her if she would like to have a free hug. She readily agreed and stood up. Both of them hugged each other. Then he turned to my wife and offered a free hug. She hesitantly looked at me. Seeing her hesitation, he said that both of you come together. We obliged him and hugged. The fellow students clapped while my daughter took a photo. It demonstrates the happy-go-lucky way of life style, these people lead.
At the next station the group alighted. From here, we took Yellow Line and reached at Union Station. Here we paid for our journey, and used Streetcar to reach Bay St.
As we alighted, we found yourselves in the middle of Down Town. Here sun sets early. It was just 5:00 PM but it looked as if it were 8:00 PM. The place was full of skyscrapers, all lighted and illuminated. Traffic was average on the roads. Unlike India, here pedestrian have first right-of-the way. Traffic stops if the driver has the slightest idea that you are to cross the road. You feel like king when they stop in your honor and allow you to go ahead. On the other hand pedestrian also equally respect the traffic signal and wait patiently till the lights turn green for them to cross the road. It is a mutual respect that both have for each other. I did not find any traffic police to stand there managing traffic.
We walked to nearby water front also known as Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. It was deserted. No ferries were plying. It was extremely cold there. We took some photographs and returned.
Soon my son-in-law joined us. He took us along and showed my daughter's office building as well as his earlier office. We were amazed at the height of CN Tower as we saw it. It was well illuminated and changing colors. We saw a couple of Christmas Trees fully decorated with tiny bulbs. There were statues of bulls in front of the Exchange Building.
We entered in the Mall and spent some time there. Then we came out and go to nearby "GO" station.
GO Transit is a network of train and bus lines that keeps people moving around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. It connects with many different local transit networks. Unlike TTC, it's fare is distance based. It is double Decker train system that connects nearby towns. We took GO train and reached Eglinton Station. Here my son-in-law's car was parked. We took the car and returned home. The snow had started falling.
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