TRANSCRIPT AND RESEARCH NOTES
Narrator: Welcome back to YU MISSED THE BUS with Tim and Tino. In this episode Tim and Tino witness the highs and the lows of transportation to York University against the backdrop of the 1980s. From carpooling, to strikes, a little hair metal, some tear gas, a few dangers on the TTC, a couple of outstanding drivers, and one joy ride – Tim and Tino experience it all. Let’s tune in to March of 1980, where Tim and Tino discuss whether or not they should continue carpooling or perhaps walking to school as they wait for the development of the Go Bus project.
Tino: So Tim, I was reading the Globe and Mail this morning – and yes I read the Globe and Mail. I just got the 411 on some really interesting information regarding transit to campus.
Tim: Dude that’s totally ace! What’s happening?
Tino: So there was a statistic that said that 100,000 drive cars during rush hour, but only 17,000 use public transit
Tim: With the TTC can you really blame them?
Tino: Yeah and you know what Tim? I’m just gonna take the opportunity to thank you for driving me to school when you have your mom’s car. It’s been awesome.
Tim: ANYTIMEEEEE MAAAAAAAN.
Tino: And the article was saying even if gas prices double, people will still drive, so you’re still gonna drive right Tim?
Tim: RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT TOTALLYYYYYY.
Tino: Yeah and they recommended carpools, but you know what? Even if you didn’t drive, I’m just gonna start walking to school. I just got a Walkman. Do you know what a Walkman is Tim?
Tim: What the heck is a Walkman? Is that some dude named Randy?
Tino: Well I do have a guy named Randy who I walk to school with, but that’s a story for another day or year. It’s a portable cassette player and I’ve been walking around on a piece of ground in my hometown, and I’ve been listening to music, it’s been great!
Tim: That’s Pink Floyd right there.
Tino: No it’s not. But going back to the whole driving to school thing, it’s true right? Nobody really wants to fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way taking the bus when you can just drive there.
Tim: That’s Pink Floyd… again!
Tino: Uhh no! I’m pretty sure that’s me saying these things not the band with David Gilmour and Roger Waters. Why you always looking at things so negatively? You’re like looking at things from the dark side of the moon.
Tim: Dude you seriously need to stop being another brick in the wall.
Tino: Speaking of looking at things positive, they’re gonna be putting $50-60 million into the Go Bus project to Peele and Richmond Hill. That should benefit you, you live in Richmond Hill.
Tim: Yeah that sounds pretty good. I hear that they’ll be adding more in terms of buses to and from, and they’re fixing some of the dirt roads at York – it’s just gonna be better all around for commuting.
Tino: Sounds good, sounds good!
Tim: Why don’t you GO ride the bus?
Tino: Naw I prefer the company of your car Tim.
Tim: Alright then.
SOURCED FOR MARCH OF 1980
Keating, Michael. “Roads vs. Transit: Cars Still Lead Rush into Metro.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. March 4, 1980.
Narrator: Welcome back to YU MISSED THE BUS with Tim and Tino. In this episode Tim and Tino witness the highs and the lows of transportation to York University against the backdrop of the 1980s. From carpooling, to strikes, a little hair metal, some tear gas, a few dangers on the TTC, a couple of outstanding drivers, and one joy ride – Tim and Tino experience it all. Let’s tune in to March of 1980, where Tim and Tino discuss whether or not they should continue carpooling or perhaps walking to school as they wait for the development of the Go Bus project.
Tino: So Tim, I was reading the Globe and Mail this morning – and yes I read the Globe and Mail. I just got the 411 on some really interesting information regarding transit to campus.
Tim: Dude that’s totally ace! What’s happening?
Tino: So there was a statistic that said that 100,000 drive cars during rush hour, but only 17,000 use public transit
Tim: With the TTC can you really blame them?
Tino: Yeah and you know what Tim? I’m just gonna take the opportunity to thank you for driving me to school when you have your mom’s car. It’s been awesome.
Tim: ANYTIMEEEEE MAAAAAAAN.
Tino: And the article was saying even if gas prices double, people will still drive, so you’re still gonna drive right Tim?
Tim: RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT TOTALLYYYYYY.
Tino: Yeah and they recommended carpools, but you know what? Even if you didn’t drive, I’m just gonna start walking to school. I just got a Walkman. Do you know what a Walkman is Tim?
Tim: What the heck is a Walkman? Is that some dude named Randy?
Tino: Well I do have a guy named Randy who I walk to school with, but that’s a story for another day or year. It’s a portable cassette player and I’ve been walking around on a piece of ground in my hometown, and I’ve been listening to music, it’s been great!
Tim: That’s Pink Floyd right there.
Tino: No it’s not. But going back to the whole driving to school thing, it’s true right? Nobody really wants to fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way taking the bus when you can just drive there.
Tim: That’s Pink Floyd… again!
Tino: Uhh no! I’m pretty sure that’s me saying these things not the band with David Gilmour and Roger Waters. Why you always looking at things so negatively? You’re like looking at things from the dark side of the moon.
Tim: Dude you seriously need to stop being another brick in the wall.
Tino: Speaking of looking at things positive, they’re gonna be putting $50-60 million into the Go Bus project to Peele and Richmond Hill. That should benefit you, you live in Richmond Hill.
Tim: Yeah that sounds pretty good. I hear that they’ll be adding more in terms of buses to and from, and they’re fixing some of the dirt roads at York – it’s just gonna be better all around for commuting.
Tino: Sounds good, sounds good!
Tim: Why don’t you GO ride the bus?
Tino: Naw I prefer the company of your car Tim.
Tim: Alright then.
SOURCED FOR MARCH OF 1980
Keating, Michael. “Roads vs. Transit: Cars Still Lead Rush into Metro.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. March 4, 1980.
Narrator: In this clip, we find out about Tim and Tino’s new majors, as well as a fresh and interesting addition to the university’s campus in October of 1981
Tim: Did you hear about the prospects for graduates this year?
Tino: Uhh no, I haven’t really thought about graduating in 15 years why?
Tim: So education graduates are in highest demand right now. We should totally change our majors.
Tino: Man I just changed my major, I’m a dance major now.
Tim: That would explain why you look so nice now.
Tino: Yeah I have a dancer’s physique. I figured since I basically danced my way all through the 70s and was very angry as well, but I danced my way with Disco Randy who right now he’s doing very well for himself. He danced his way all the way to New York and he's working in the UN. I figured I might as well go into dance, study it, and make some money with this moneymaker.
Tim: I’m also in the arts, I just started taking art history. We’re doing Hellenic Studies, I’m pretty sure you majored in that at one point didn’t you?
Tino: Oh yeah I did that 4 year degree in 5 years in the 60s, but man that’s ancient history, why did you even bring that up?
Tim: I just thought it would be relevant you know. Thought you said “that prof sent me to Hell!”
Tino: Oh yeah!!!! Right! I went to Hell! Forgot about that. Funny you mention that, I’m still there drowning in all this debt.
Tim: Speaking of money, TD just added two new machines so I mean hey at least you’ll be able to take out money from your account on campus.
Tino: Oh great! Be nice to withdraw all $5 from those ATMs.
SOURCES FOR OCTOBER OF 1981
“Strike Cuts Transit to York U.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. October 27, 1981.
Narrator: In typical York fashion, a strike from the TAs and professors disrupted the university’s regularly scheduled classes in October of 1981. While this may not have been the WORST thing in the world for Tim and Tino, future generations of York students would endure similar circumstances and many more strikes.
TINO: Tim I gotta tell you I am loving this TA and professor strike! Yesterday both of my classes got cancelled and I just chilled out all day and played Atari from noon till night.. Yars’ Revenge! Space Invaders! It was amazing. Try to beat my high score – you can’t!
TIM: It wasn’t that amazing. In all honesty you’re gonna have to make these courses up somehow and they’re fighting for things that they need like you know: job security, smaller classes, higher wages – things you need for like a quality education.
TINO: Yeah you're right and the TTC is inconvenienced because my other class the other day wasn’t cancelled and the TTC stopped at the picket line and I had to make quite a trek. Eh kind of an inconvenience but I hope they don’t do this several more times.
SOURCES FOR OCTOBER OF 1981
Unknown, “Education grads are in High Demand”, Excalibur (Toronto, ON), Oct. 15, 1981.
Unknown, “TD installs 2 Green Machines”, Excalibur (Toronto, ON), Oct. 15, 1981.
Narrator: Unfortunately for Tim and Tino, our beloved broke university students, the TTC increased subway fares in December of 1981 which really cramped their style. While Tino sees this as a disadvantage, new friends are introduced and the possibility of this being a positive change crosses Tim’s mind.
TINO: Tim! Did you hear about the TTC increase of the subway tickets?
TIM: No but I’m not surprised.
TINO: Yeah they’re increasing the prices by 7.2% this really sucks for me personally because I’m always going downtown these days.
TIM: Why are you going downtown?
TINO: Oh I didn’t tell you about my new friend!
TIM: Let me take a wild guess this friend just happens to be named Randy.
TINO: Woah Tim are you in art history or are you in psychic class?
TIM: *FACEPALM* UGHHHHHHHHH.
TINO: Yeah his name is Hair Metal Randy. He’s got this really rocking band called Randy and the Rattlesnakes and they’re like this hair metal band, they’re like Guns N’ Roses. They’re awesome. He’s got this drummer named Shreddin Shinedle – really great band and I’m their official roadie so they need me to be on that subway going downtown for their gigs. Oh and speak of the devil! Here’s Hair Metal Randy right now!
Hair Metal Randy: HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY YO BOYS HOW’S IT GOIN?
TINO: This is Hair Metal Randy.
TIM: Hi nice to uh nice to meet you.
Hair Metal Randy: Rockin boy! How’s it goin?
TINO: Yeah I was just telling Tim about the fare increases for the subway, how much is that gonna suck for us?!
Hair Metal Randy: Oh that’s totally gonna blow man. Listen it’s gonna cost us way more to get to our gigs now.
TINO: Yeah and even me the official roadie right?
TIM: Official roadie? Wow! You’ve moved so far from that Iron Man thing we joked about.
Hair Metal Randy: Heh… he just carries our stuff really.
TINO: Shreddin Shinedle how’s it going? So what do you think about this whole fare increase?
Shreddin Shinedle: *DRUMMING* Bad.
TINO: ………. Yeah.
TIM: To be fair most of this extra money they’re charging for is going to go towards making service better. You know more buses, better subway – gonna be more convenient for a lot of people. I mean it’s gonna be individual, it’s gonna cost more but like overall it’s gonna be a better system.
TINO: Ohh thinking of the bigger picture. What are you some sort of communist?? Why don’t you go ride the subway to Russia?!
Socialist Randy: You don’t speak bad about the Soviet Union. Go to the gulags!
TINO: Ugh that’s my friend. I don’t really like him that much. He’s Socialist Randy, he’s in my poli-sci class.
TIM: How many…… just…. just how many Randy’s do you know?
TINO: Nevermind! You know what? I don’t care about the environment. Who gives a care?!
TIM: It’s getting warmer and that’s probably not good.
TINO: Why’s getting warmer bad? I wanna walk around in a Hawaiian shirt in the winter.
TIM: I want you to imagine polar bears sitting there. Now imagine them drowning because they have no ice. IS THAT THE FUTURE YOU WANT?
TINO: Oh I guess not.. I didn’t really think about that. You know what?! That’d make a really good Coca Cola ad though right?
SOURCES FOR DECEMBER OF 1981
Borins, Sandford F. “Weighing the Merits of TTC Fare Increases.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. December 11, 1981.
Narrator: Safety for both TTC drivers and York students was a major concern for the public transportation agency and the university during March of 1983. Criminal activity and incidents were on the rise, which provoked TTC drivers to threaten a walk off. In this clip, Tim and Tino discuss the matter at hand, as well as come up with an idea for a possible blockbuster movie.
TINO: Holy Moly Tim! Have you been hearing about all these assaults on the TTC drivers? It’s getting so bad that they’re threatening a strike if this doesn’t stop, it’s crazy!
TIM: Yeah I mean it’s not their fault. I think that the only people who hate the TTC more than we do is the actual drivers for the TTC.
TINO: Yeah they’re not to blame for the TTC’s bad service. They’re doing the best that they can with what they’re given. What people watch Rocky one too many times and wanna fight everybody? “AYO ADRIAN LET’S FIGHT THE BUS DRIVERS.” That’s so dumb.
TIM: It’s an attack on these people and the city at large cause if they stop, the TTC stops, that’s gonna hurt us a lot.
TINO: Oh yeah. There was an attack at York University and even a hijacking of a Finch Avenue bus. Imagine that, hijacking a bus like they’re gonna get their faster. You know what? You know what would be a good idea for a movie? Imagine like a guy hijacks a bus and says like there’s a bomb on the bus and you gotta go a certain speed or else it explodes.
TIM: That’d make a pretty good movie, but what would you call it like “Bus Speed”?
TINO: “SPEED BUS”!
SOURCES FOR MARCH OF 1983
Baker, Alden. “TTC Threatened with Strikes over Assaults, Pact Dispute.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. May 4, 1983, sec. Ontario.
Narrator: Chaos and panic erupted on campus in February of 1984 as tear gas was set off outside of a classroom in one of the Ross buildings. Let’s listen to our very own recount the terrifying and gruesome aftermaths of the tear gas attack.
TINO: Oh Tim thanks for visiting me in the hospital.
TIM: Dude I heard about the tear gas attack.
TINO: *COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH* Well I was just in Ross South outside class just talking to Hair Metal Randy and Shreddin Shinedle and oh my god the vapor it spread in a matter of seconds! My skin was burning, then I woke up in the hospital and I heard that 100 of us were rushed here right after the attack. And like where do you even get tear gas? The prohibited weapons store? Ah I swear like Walmart must have everything these days! Oh man, Hair Metal Randy how’s he doing? Have you spoken to him?
TIM: Yeah I just saw him in the room over. He said if he couldn’t sing anymore that was it, his life was over.
Hair Metal Randy: OHHHH NOOOOOOOO!
TINO: How about Shreddin Shinedle? How’s she doing?
Shreddin Shinedle: *DRUMMING* Baaaad.
TINO: Oh my god. Do they have any idea about who did it?
TIM: I heard that the culprits were brother and sister.
TINO: Oh it better not have been Socialist Randy and his sister Soviet Shinedle, I swear to God!
TIM: No they were in their 30s, it definitely wasn’t them.
TINO: Oh man they call it tear gas cause you cry after.
TIM: Dude that was weak even for you.
TINO: Well so am I.
SOURCES FOR FEBRUARY OF 1984
McLaren, Christie, and ROBERT MacLEOD. “Two Held after Tear Gas Causes Campus Chaos.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. February 24, 1984, sec. Ontario.
Narrator: York University considered making residence available to students during the summer. As summer was approaching, Tim tells Tino in March of 1984 that the university wanted to test out full year residence in Winters College, however it doesn’t go over very well with the recovering patient.
TIM: So I hear that the university wants to make it so that people stay on campus all year round in like res, but it’ll be like housing, like an apartment at the school.
TINO: Hey man, I don’t wanna talk about this thing on campus. I’m still pretty, pretty messed up by from that tear gas attack.
TIM: Dude it’s been a month, get over it already.
TINO: IT WAS TEAR GAS MAN!
SOURCES FOR MARCH OF 1984
Lily Contento, “Summer Housing at Winters”, Excalibur (Toronto, ON), Mar. 29, 1984.
Narrator: Talks of constructing a new student centre at the University began in August of 1984. As the student population continued to steadily rise over the years, York had to devise a way to accommodate their needs. This was great news for our Tim and Tino, except when they find out about the financial repercussions attached to the building. Let’s listen in.
TIM: Did you hear about the new student center?
TINO: Student center? What is that?
TIM: So they wanna add about 50,000 feet of space just to the school, for you know like clubs and people to hang out, stuff like that. So it’s gonna be really really cool.
TINO: That sounds awesome!
TIM: Maybeeee, maybe hold out on awesome cause they’re bumping tuition between $20 and $40 to cover this thing.
TINO: Yeah there’s always gotta be something Tim. Do ya really wanna hurt me or do ya really wanna make me cry? Answer that question!
TIM: Culture Club really?
TINO: Boy George, I love him.
SOURCES FOR AUGUST OF 1984
Graham Thompson, “Student Center Talks Underway”, Excalibur (Toronto, ON), August, 1984.
Narrator: Halloween of 1984 was an exciting time for York University students to dress up in costumes and pig out on some on candy. However, this was not the case for one poor fellow who had an unfortunate accident due to the negligence of the TTC.
TINO: Sup Hair Metal Randy, Shreddin Shine?! What are you guys gonna be for Halloween?
Hair Metal Randy: Oh we’re gonna be juice, we’re gonna be KISS!
TINO: KISS again?! You guys have been KISS for like 3 years. Anyway, I’m thinking of either being Jason Voorhees or like Michael Meyers – both like good slashers am I right? But let’s just slash the conversation for a second and consider something serious. My buddy in my ballet class, Angelo, he’s blind but for a blind guy he really can pirouette, but anyway he was at Wilson Station waiting for the subway. He heard the doors open, and he thought the subway was there obviously, and he fell onto the tracks because the train didn’t go far enough, and they paid him $150 in compensation so that he wouldn’t sue them.
Hair Metal Randy: Haha lame. Bet he didn’t see that one coming.
TINO: HEY HEY MAN WHAT?
Shreddin Shinedle: *DRUMMING* Guess there was more than meets the eye.
TINO: WOW! You guys are being snakes!!
Hair Metal Randy and Shreddin Shinedle: HEYYYY! COME ON!
SOURCES FOR OCTOBER OF 1984
MacLEOD, ROBERT. “TTC Suspends Two Employees after Blind Passenger’s Fall.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. October 6, 1984, sec. Metro.
Narrator: In August of 1988, the Negative Nancies.. I mean Tim and Tino are nowhere to be found. Instead, Shreddin Shinedle and Hair Metal Randy take over this next clip, in which they discuss the good Samaritans of the TTC.
Shreddin Shinedle: *DRUMMING* Hey Hair Metal Randy!
Hair Metal Randy: Aye Shreddin Shine, how’s it goin?
Shreddin Shinedle: Good good. So usually Tim and Tino are talking smack about the TTC but there’s actually been some good things happening lately.
Hair Metal Randy: Ohh! What’s been up?
Shreddin Shinedle: Well one story that I heard was that there 5 women from York University who always left in the afternoon at the same time, but they could never catch the bus, and one of the bus drivers Dominic noticed this, and he decided to make it a point to wait for them every single day. So because of that, these women got to go where they had to go, and he was actually rewarded $50!
Hair Metal Randy: Righteous! Girls girls girls! So actually, I also heard another story as well. Basically a TTC driver recently broke into a young woman’s car in broad daylight, and he actually pulled the entire bus over just to do this right, it was a really hot summer day or whatever pretty much to save the young kid’s life. It was totally righteous.
Shreddin Shinedle: Wow that’s awesome! Hey have you seen Tim and Tino?
Hair Metal Randy: Ohh I didn’t see them in class today actually. Word on the street is they watched that new hit movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and I didn’t see them in class today at all. The prof kept calling them “Tino….Tino….Tino….Tino….” and they weren’t there.
Shreddin Shinedle: Ohhh that’s interesting. Did you just see that Ferrari drive by?!
*VROOOOOOOOOOOOM*
Hair Metal Randy: WOAH RIGHTEOUS!!
SOURCES FOR AUGUST OF 1988
George Gamester. “Driver always waited for York U regulars.” Toronto Daily Star (Toronto, ON), August 30, 1988.
Narrator: A couple of big victories occurred in September of 1988 as Tim and Tino talk about the extension of the bus service hours at night amidst the increase of crime on campus, as well as the addition of a pub for students to enjoy in the new student center.
TINO: Hey Tim did you hear about the bus service they’re adding during the off hours?
TIM: No I didn’t. What’s that all about?
TINO: Okay to be serious for a second – and this is serious cause I am never serious and you know that. Since the buses stop at a certain point late at night, and the campus is pretty poorly lit and barren, there has been an increase in sexual assaults and even one abduction because of this. Even lesser than this, my friend DJ Shine, you know DJ Shine right?
TIM: No.
TINO: But anyway, my friend DJ Shine, she’s a DJ, and she dropped all her records because it’s so poorly lit on that walk back from the club. There’s records scattered all over the place. This morning I saw a cracked Depeche Mode record, what’s the deal with that?
TIM: Now I gotta be serious for a minute here.
TINO: Yeah?
TIM: Aside from me…….. do you know anyone not named Randy, Shinedle or Shine?
TINO: Man it’s just a coincidence! There’s some more serious things at hand! They’re saying that because the bus stops at 12:45 AM there’s been an increase in drinking and driving, so I guess that’s the solution right we’re just gonna drink and drive!
TIM: WOAAAAHHHH.
TINO: I’ll just drink and drive.
TIM: No……….No………
TINO: K maybe I won’t drink and drive. Good thing is that they’re extending the 106 to Wilson bus to 2:30 AM and the Steeles bus, the 60B, they’re gonna extend that all night, which is great.
TIM: Maybe people living on res won’t even have to. The student centers’ coming and I hear they’re gonna be adding a pub, it’s gonna be able to sit like 600 people.
TINO: Woah! 600 people? That’s a lot to be in a pub, that’s like classic YorkU overcrowding. You know I like the show Cheers a bar where everybody knows my name. I don’t think 600 people are gonna know my name. I don’t think they’re gonna go “AY TINO” when I walk into the bar, only people named Randy, Shine or Shinedle I guess, but anyways I digress. I was reading the paper today in my contemporary dance class. We learned all about the effect of Dirty Dancing, and how Dirty Dancing has had an affect on contemporary dance – call me Patrick Swayze, but anyway I’m really having the time of my life in that course I’ll tell ya. But I just read that people are gonna spend so much on drinks I guess that it’ll pay off the mortgage of the school.
TIM: Speaking of spending, man that Top Gun movie – soooo good.
TINO: Yeah, I’ll let Tom Cruise fly me in a play any day.
TIM: Dude you can be my wing man anytime, just don’t get in my car drunk or I’ll kill you.
TINO: HEY MAN NOBODY PUTS TINO IN A CORNER!
SOURCES FOR SEPTEMBER OF 1988
ROBERT MacLEOD. “Late Bus Service to Be Tried at York.” The Globe and Mail (1936-Current); Toronto, Ont. September 21, 1988, sec. Metro.
Narrator: There you have it, Tim and Tino getting to York in the 1980s – through carpools, strikes, hair metal, tear gas, assaults, and a joy ride in a Ferrari. This has been YU MISSED THE BUS. Thank you very much for listening. YU MISSED THE BUS has been voiced acted by Michael Primiani, Joseph Gurrieri, Randy Ochoa, and Shinedle Sia. This episode was narrated and edited by Shinedle Sia. YU MISSED THE BUS is a digital history project for the class Digital History 4085 under Professor Sean Kheraj. For the transcript, citations, and more information about what was talked about in today’s episode, please visit us on the web at www.yumissedthebus.weebly.com. Whether it’s the morning, afternoon, or night – have a good one and we hope you didn’t miss the bus!