Commuting in Toronto and Vacouver-the moment you step out of your house!
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Location: TORONTO,CANADA, AT PRESEN
Posted on: 08-10-04 11:17:57
Dear's,
The moment one steps out of his house, one is subjected to commuting practicalities of life.
Whether you move out in a car or take the public transport system, will someone advise for especially landed immigrants as to what should be best done in the first few days post landing?
Is it economical to buy a car and drive it or how can one save on usage of public transport systems?
Are there any monthy or daily passes available for city travel by trains or buses?
Is the international driving license taekn from India valid for driving in local Toronto or Vancouver areas and valid for how long?
Any replies?
CAPRICO
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MJ
My opinion is you don't really need to buy a car, as with the cost of gas and insurance etc. it is not really worth it. Public transportation is pretty decent in most places in Canada.
But it would certainly be an advantage to have an international driver's license. I am not sure how long it is valid in Toronto or Vancouver but I know that in most places in the US you can use it for at least 6 months.
Quote:
Orginally posted by yellowknife
My opinion is you don't really need to buy a car, as with the cost of gas and insurance etc. it is not really worth it. Public transportation is pretty decent in most places in Canada.
But it would certainly be an advantage to have an international driver's license. I am not sure how long it is valid in Toronto or Vancouver but I know that in most places in the US you can use it for at least 6 months.
I do not know about your place, but anything outside of Toronto main, public transport is not that great. Just last night, my son was having a council meeting in school which went on till 9 pm, and he called me to pick him up (though he has a monthly bus pass) since he could not get full connection to home. And the nearest one would have brought him to a place about 1 km from the house - and that too in not less than 90 minutes (the distance from house to the school where he was having a meeting is about 10kms). That walk of 1 km would have been fine in yesterday's weather of 24 degrees, but the time waiting for buses (at times 45 minutes or so) and walk of 1km in minus 20 degrees and on snow filled side walks is killing!
I personally can't imagine a life without a car if I am not in Toronto main - unless I decide to work absolute regular hours of 9-5 and even grocery shopping before 7 pm (that too not on weekends - because on weekends, if you are not on main roads, the frequency of buses during the day are sometimes 1 hr)
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
In Ontario, you can use a foreign driver's license for upto 60 days from the date that you land in the province. After that, you are obliged to get an Ontario driver's license.
Commuting is a big problem.
If you live in Outskirts and work downtown, GO transit is very expensive. Driving on 401 during peak hrs is pain in behind. Car insurance is too high even if you buy a 5 yr old khatara car.
One should live close to work once he gets sort of permanant job. By the way there is no permanant job here.
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O Canada....
Quote:
Orginally posted by HotelMotelPatel
By the way there is no permanant job here.
Really?.....So how does the economy operate?
