Transit fan has dreams come true

Seven-year-old gets opportunity to make GO train announcements, have behind-the-scenes look

- ANDY TAKAGI

Nicco Di Mauro, 7, is a huge transit fan, knows all the TTC stops by heart and monitors nearly daily to see if there are interruptions on the GO or TTC lines.

The GO train to Barrie thrums along the tracks as it pulls into Maple Station. A chime rings and a voice comes on — though not one passengers might expect.

The voice is young, high-pitched and unsure in its delivery, but resolutely confident in its message.

“Attention all passengers in Coach 257,” the boy says into the microphone, the words pulled from his memory as if he has done this for decades. “Coach 257 will not open at Maple, Maple is our next station.”

He’s confident now, his voice clearer and stronger.

“And once again, if you are located in Coach 257, and wish exiting at Maple, please make your way through the train in the opposite direction the train is travelling. Once again, Maple is next.”