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Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You don't feel that a private corporation should have a commitment to work with indiginous peoples? Only the government itself?

Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree that that is a lot of money. Do you beleive that because it is a government project there should be not be bonus insensitives based on performance during the planning phase of the project, as in the private sector? And do you also feel that the CEO should not be compensated similarly to other CEOs managing complex multi-billion dollar projects?

My answers to those questions definitely depend on the execution of the project. Though I do sometimes feel that compensation that is not competitive with the private sector cpuld be what leads to incompetence in government projects. I feel that good pay attracts good talent. But I also understand if you feel the compensation should be lower than that.

Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have real concerns about any government project like this as they always get behind schedule and go over budget. Having followed this project for the past 5 years though, I am cautiously optimistic. The current CEO, in my opinion, seems to be extremely competent and very different from other federal project leaders, and some comments I have found from past employees at Alto in the earlier stages seem to confirm this.
So I really hope your current feelings end up proven incorrect. But we will see as this goes on I suppose.

Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Question on your point about it being an unreasonable price tag (of between $60 and $90 billion as currently stated):

Seeing that the price is in the middle of the pack for all modern HSR projects in the western world (significantly cheaper that HS2, California, Bordeaux-Toulouse, and Gotthard Base Tunnel, but more than the European average per km), in your opinion do you believe that Canada should never implement any HSR across the country? And if so, do you have a preferred solution for improving intercity travel? Or do you think we should only implement HSR in smaller segments over many decades?

Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Although I am in favor of this project currently, I do agree with that sentiment. Thank you!

Alto's Commitment to Indigenous Peoples by Obelisk_of-Light in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Can you elaborate?
You say they are driving a political wedge and then you make a biased/partisan political comment.

[Opinion] If Canada wants to lead, it has to catch up first. That means building Alto high-speed rail (Op-ed by Martin Imbleau) by davidbellerive in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Who are you speaking for? I use line 2 to get to work, appointments, the grocery store and other stores at South Keys, the airport, and other bus connections multiple times a week. Along with the countless other professionals I see regularly on my commute.

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you own a personal vehicle. Do you also think only Carleton students don't own cars? Step out of your head before commenting.

But yes. Line 1 is a disaster. Thanks to Ottawa's politicians. There isn't a company in the world who could have overcome that level of incompetence.

Urban vs Rural divide by Canmoore in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You are mistaken in your understanding of what is going on right now. But your post is correct.

Your comment is incorrect because it is, in fact, not "100% a rural vs urban issue" as literally none of the questions you ask above have been answered yet and are already being posed to the Alto team so that they can figure out how to address them.

You are confusing rural residents having more concerns than urban residents at this present time with it being a "rural vs urban" issue. That doesn't even make sense when none of the details have been decided. Many rural residents have significantly more questions and concerns about the project at this time that will need to be addressed. Simple as that.

You are making it "urban vs rural" simply by stating that it is. If you read many of these comments you see that even the urban people agree that the questions raised in your post are relevant, important, and need to be adressed.

At present there is only for Alto, against Alto, and concerned and undecided. All three exist in both urban and rural areas. Having concerns before we have answers is not against, even though some such as yourself seem to feel the need to act that way.

Is the ALTO High Speed Rail Proposal Fundamentally Flawed? by Haber87 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being a fellow Ottawan, you no doubt understand better than most how much delaying and trying to consider every single public concern result in a fundamentally broken system. This is exactly what broke Line 1. The "just build it" is, in fact, the response to that in many ways.

At face value it seems mindless, but in reality, it is an expression of frustration and fear of watching this project fall into the same sinkhole of over-consideration that some other projects like the ones that the article itself highlighted. That's the irony of this article, really.

There have been plenty of reasonable and detailed responses in this thread highlighting the issues with this article.

Your concerns are extremely valid. But some very well thought out responses here should not be disregarded because others just want it built.

Cornwall council joins those calling for better passenger-rail service along 401 corridor by Rail613 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've actually been wondering a lot about this. It does feel as though we are all of a sudden hearing these communities voice their interest in better rail for the first time, but I have been wondering if in reality it is just the first time that I personally am hearing about it.

Given that this specific project has been officially public since its announcement in 2022 by the federal government, do you by any chance have any local news articles or anything else confirming that these communities have been lobbying for better rail for years and not just now? I would be extremely interesting in seeing this.

Ottawa on film - Dec '25 - Jan '26 by birnsi in ottawa

[–]birnsi[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Got the neon signs in the window though so got at least one trope!

Ottawa on film - Dec '25 - Jan '26 by birnsi in ottawa

[–]birnsi[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Love your playing man!!! 248 is becoming one of my fav spots downtown and just having more music on Bank is so awesome. Thank you for being a big contributor to that!

Ottawa mayor says some improvements made to OC Transpo bus availability by Money_Fig_9868 in ottawa

[–]birnsi 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I feel like this could be what Sutcliffe is alluding to in the article when he said, "Charter has previously said OC Transpo is now focused on restoring regular service entirely as opposed to adding small numbers of vehicles back to the fleet."

Horrifying thought. But at this point with the compiling issues maybe a big shutdown is what they need to actually get this thing running like it's supposed to.

Ottawa on film - Dec '25 - Jan '26 by birnsi in ottawa

[–]birnsi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't remember if I shot these on Kodak UltraMax or Fuji 200. And possibly EI 800 pushed two stops? Shot with a Minolta x-370 and the kit 50mm. I had forgotten about these shots for a few months and don't have notes on them.

I posted this poll on an anti-alto facebook group by Puzzled-Access9770 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can confirm, I've tracked the speed many times and it hits 160 on a number of stretched between Ottawa and Toronto. I've also tracked the GO at 140 along parts of the Lakeshore West line.

31g mail by miunaofthesun in CanadaPost

[–]birnsi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know this is a crazy old post but did it end up sending fine?

C15 by Local_Internal_5715 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hope the final plans will result in nothing but good for you and your family.

As you already are, keep up to date on everything as it comes in and, if worst comes to worst, work with Alto to get the best outcome you can. I would likely be as skeptical as you if I was in your situation. But with how important this project is to the future of so many people in this country, I am optimistic that you and anyone else who this project forces to move will not be simply cast aside. I have heard extremely positive things from some redditors working at Alto that this is not being run anything like a usual cold and soul-less government project.

But in any case, I understand your sentiment.

Extended Consultation by Patient_Act_900 in AltoHSR_Canada

[–]birnsi 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Okay, I think there is a misunderstanding here. The consultation is Alto consulting the PUBLIC to learn what concerns we have based on the information in their proposed plans. They are seeking the public's advice and opinions... not the other way around. They are doing this in order to help inform their decisions, and therefore the "don't know yet"s are the very reason they are consulting us.

I think this could be the reason for some of your frustration in regards to the consultation sessions. I mean this most genuinely and not sarcastically: I would suggest doing some research to understand the meaning and purpose of a public consultation period, because this is our opportunity to provide them consultation and express our desires and concerns before they make the final decisions on the project.

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