nov 25 - dec 1, 2021
op-ed
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
14
Those who brave the elements
Appreciating those who keep the city functioning through snowstorms If I mention to you the snowstorm that took place on Tuesday November 16, I’m sure you’ll know exactly what day I’m talking about. You’ll probably have your own set of stories about not being able to get out of your driveway or street, seeing countless vehicles stuck in various places across the city, or about the snow day that schools got. No matter where you were or what time you experienced it at, there was no way for any of us to avoid that storm. But what about those who don’t have the luxury of complaining about the storm from the comfort of their own home, those who are forced to go out and brave the elements? I’m talking about more than just the first responders who were out there. I’m talking about the tow truck drivers, all the crews that were removing snow, and the electricians restoring heat and power to our homes, among many others. We sing the praises of our first responders often and we should, as the work they do certainly warrants it, but we cannot forget about those who are the foundation of our cities during these types of storms. Without these unsung heroes, we wouldn’t be going anywhere. Think for a moment about anytime that you’ve been forced to stand outside when it’s cold and blustery. Maybe that’s been a few minutes while you wait for your parents to unlock the front door to your home, or maybe it’s curled up in an ice-skating shack trying to thaw your fin-
gers and toes after hours on the rink. Now, I want you to think about being that cold, or even a little bit colder, and being required to continue to be outside, trying to maneuver through piles of snow all while dealing with a distressed stranger. Welcome to being a tow truck driver. How about any time you’ve panicked as the car you’re in, or possibly operating,
hits a patch of ice and your back end fishtails behind you? If you think that’s hard while driving through streets that have already been cleared, try being the person clearing them, not knowing how much ice might be underneath all off the freshly fallen snow. It is easy for us to sit back in our warm homes and complain about the storm rag-
Wikipedia Commons
You better be coming back for those snow ridges you have caused.
ing outside through the night. It is another thing to be one of the people who must brave the elements and pray that they can do the job that is required before the world wakes up and keeps going. The world would cease to move if it weren’t for these brave souls going out and doing the work that the rest of us would be incapable of performing, ensuring that main roads are cleared, that sidewalks and parking lots have been shovelled, and setting down salt and sand to ensure that we have traction for both our cars and feet. I would never be able to go out in the middle of the night and begin that process without being terrified, knowing that someone may lose control on a patch of ice or not slow down when passing me stopped on the side of the road. Going to work and knowing that the biggest workplace hazards are the unknown things brought forth by mother nature and the other individuals who are doing whatever they can do to also return to their nice, warm beds must be terrifying. For those who put themselves in the way of the elements to ensure that the rest of us can keep moving forward with our day to day lives, I commend and appreciate everything you do.
sarah nakonechny op-ed editor
Commuting without a vehicle
Options for getting around Regina when owning a car isn’t one It’s that time of the year again – the white winter landscape that starts to develop sometime around early to mid-October and stays till about the end of April each season. Winter brings with it numerous activities such as skiing, curling, and ice fishing along with a variety of celebrations like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years for those who choose to celebrate. To embrace winter, staying warm and commuting are two essential survival techniques to master. Here are useful options for commuting both within and outside the city during the winter months. Public transit can be the most consistent and reliable form of transportation within the city. Public transit requires passengers to have a bus pass or bus fare in lieu of individually commuting between different locations. University of Regina students have access to subsidized bus passes available each semester which is highly
beneficial during the winter. The website of the public transit in Regina called TransitLive provides real time information to commuters about bus timings and routes. The map also includes the locations where roads are blocked due to construction or other mishaps if there are any. The public transit system has also included on-demand bus stops at specific locations. It is interesting to know that if a person is unable to get to a designated bus stop due to bad weather conditions, a palm-out hand waving signal is all it takes to stop an upcoming bus, regardless of whether the spot is a bus stop. Carpooling is another option for those looking for something other than public transit. The extent of carpooling options depend on the networking circle of a person. Various workplaces, culture clubs, or social media groups like Regina Rides allow people to request or reply to carpooling options for any transportation require-
ments. The degree to which carpooling options are viable depends on the level of trust and reliability people share amongst themselves. Sometimes generous strangers agree to offer a ride to a person waiting for transport on a cold winter evening. An easy-to-access commute alternative is cabs that are available at the click of button on your cell phone. Uber, which is one of the highly used transportation apps, arrived in Regina in 2019. Other cab service companies include Co-Op Taxi, Regina Cabs, and Capital Cabs to name a few. These cabs can be easily booked with a phone call, and on most occasions offer great service. Cabs are pricier than public transit and carpooling options, but nevertheless serve as a handy way to get around the city in winter. Some people also travel back and forth outside the city for work or pleasure during the winter. On such occasions intercity
bus and shuttle services are useful. Rider Express is an intercity bus service provider that allows users to book rides to cities like Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Winnipeg among other locations. Bookings can be made by calling their office or through apps like Busbud. For commuting between different cities, it is advisable to book in advance and follow up with the service provider to know about any changes in schedule or route. Winter can be tough without a personal vehicle - but on the flipside, with the options explored above, commuting either alone or in a group can turn out to be an exciting and adventurous journey.
sonali currie contributor
Sonali Currie
Won’t have to worry about that expired meter if you take the bus.
