The Pan Am Games Are Causing a HUGE Raucous Around The GTA--Here's How You Can Avoid It

Getting around the GTA is a nightmare during the Pan Am Games--but it's nothing that we haven't been given fair warning of over the past number of months. As we've covered off about HOV lanes, driver rage is a growing issue as commuters sit while a minority of cars with 3+ passengers whisk by. 

So what can you do to stay cool during the games? Here are a few tips:

1. Provide vacation days: Employers are allowing their employees vacation days during the games to alleviate commuting times and frustration. It's good for company morale when you extend grace to people who would otherwise be facing a 2 hour commute, one-way, into work. If you're an employer, look into this trend, and offer it if feasible. If not feasible, consider flex-time hours.

2. Consider remote agreement: With technology what it is today, there's no real reason to be at a centralized location everyday. If you're an employer, consider a remote work agreement for the time of the Games. If you're an employee and have a good track record of responsible work, talk to your manager or employer about a remote agreement.

3. Carpool: This was suggested in my HOV post, and is one of the best ways to beat the HOV lanes during the games. If you and a couple of other guys can hook up at a carpool location, you can burn down the HOV lane to work. Check out the Metrolinx Smart Commute program.

4. Get out of town: Some people are making plans to live with relatives or friends to get out of the city and avoid gridlocked roads and tourists. According to the Toronto Star, A total of 7,500 athletes, 23,000 volunteers, 4,000 members of the media and 1.4-million spectators are expected to be in town for the Pan Am Games. If you can get away, do it. And, again, if you need to get back into town, you can use the Metrolinx Smart Commute program.

5. Use Trip Planner tools: There are a couple of trip planner tools that will be important for you as you're planning your commute, visit to the Games, and just plain getting around the city. Check out the Toronto 2015 Games Trip Planner, and Triplinx for commutes in Toronto and Hamilton.

6. Exercise patience: Just think, it's only a few weeks of mess and hassle. If you need to go somewhere, take some people with you and enjoy the HOV lanes. If you have to travel, do it wisely and use the tools mentioned above. And remember, such driving hassles are all part of living in and around one the greatest cities in the world.