Tonya and the TTC

Looks like Adam Giambrone will be running for mayor...Not sure if it's related...but the TTC seems to be stepping up to answer their critics.

They came out with a list of promised improvements that include:
• Improved customer assistance and more emergency transfers when there are major subway delays.
• More TTC ambassadors at stations to help direct riders.
• A comprehensive review of customer service training for new employees and recertification for older staff. All 12,000 TTC employees, from the front line to management, will be evaluated on customer service performance, said TTC chair Adam Giambrone.
• A review of uniforms and dress code for frontline TTC workers.
• More use of "secret shoppers" to test courtesy across the system.
• A 24/7 hotline for TTC information and complaints.
• 50 new vending machines to dispense Metropasses. There are currently 10.
• Video screens at collector booths and stations to update system status information.
• Text messages for next-vehicle arrival at 800 streetcar stops by July and for all bus stops by the end of 2011.
• LED screens at select shelters and subway stations that have streetcar stops with next vehicle arrival information.
• New microphones in collector booths so employees and customers don't have to yell.
• Online trip planner to be unveiled next week.
• Possible expansion of program that trains summer students to direct riders at busy stations.

I'm looking forward to being able to text to find out when the next street car is coming.

TTC

The poor TTC. Getting beat up for raising fares. Trying to fill in a $106M gap next year. The 25 cent increase it expected to bring in $45M. What are they supposed to do? They just can't win. Even with increasing ridership over the recession, they're losing money.

I was surprised to learn that the TTC provides the most rides per capita in North America yet it has one of the lowest subsidies among North American transit systems.
Apparently New York's transit system gets a US$1.71 subsidy per ride compared to CAN$ 0.59 per TTC ride. (A ride on NY subway is US$2).

I stumbled upon this fascinating report written in 1958 looking at the problem NY had with their transit system because they originally had a mandate to be self-sustaining.

"...The Authority is currently losing over $2,000,000 a month...the 15-cent fare cannot possible be continued...This imminent fare increase will accelerate the continuing downslide in riding of subways and buses. In fact, the drop in riding from the increase alone will be so sharp that it will immediately wipe out close to half the additional revenues the higher fare should bring in...[U]nder the rule of the self-sustaining fare, there will be another hike to 25 cents and then to 30 cents in a few more years, with even greater declines in riding."

TTC Buses

I got a peak at a TTC garage last week.





I like how these buses look like a sinusoid...



Someone wrote on this bus...