Tag Archives: TTC

TTC Gets an A for Effort on ‘Personal Car’ April 1st Video

Many companies and celebrities had fun with this year’s April Fool’s Day, including the TTC – Toronto Transit Commission.  I watched the above video, knowing it was a gag, and felt smug knowing I don’t break any social rules while in transit.  I see plenty of people who do.  I hate their actions.  I don’t hate them as a person, but I hate what they seemingly represent – a nameless member of a crowd who can do anything they want to and they know no one will call them on it – at least in Toronto (because ‘everyone is weird here anyway’, right?)

I give the TTC an A for effort with this video, but a B at best for performance.  No worries – it wasn’t supposed to be an expensive training video – just a gag with a point.  And I love their point.

We as riders love to complain about the TTC staff (drivers and operators) and sometimes they deserve it, but I love the fact that this video illustrates the more pervasive issue on the transit, and that is customer behaviour.   I almost wish (almost…) that TTC employed ‘social police’ that would come around the trains and give out warnings and tickets for fines to the people who listen loudly to their music on their phones (with no head phones), who put their bags all over the floor or in the seat next to them, who stand broadly in front of the doors that people need to exit and board from, who pig out loudly and messily, and those that have inappropriate loud conversations with friends in person or over the phone.  I’ve heard hard-core cursing, racism, sexism and general craziness during my rides over the years!  I’ve seen a dude roll a joint in a busy car at rush hour without a care in the world.  I’ve seen scam artists try to persuade others to give them money.

I’ve also seen kindness, tolerance, patience and happiness, and that is what I mostly see every day.

I am glad to know that I am one of the many positive contributors to a better way on the TTC.  I hope this video helps to create more.  Good job TTC!

It’s Like TTC is Reading My Mind! (Or This Blog?!?)

I was so pleasantly surprised Wednesday evening!  I was on the subway, heading westbound to Jane, when at approx 6:11pm the train stopped at Dundas West station for a couple minutes.  I was expecting to hear nothing about the delay, which would leave everyone wondering how long the delay would last.  And what do you think happened next?  A calm and clear voice belonging to the TTC operator announced in a very professional way that all trains were stopped due to a burning odour at St. George station, and that they were waiting to get permission to continue.  He told us he would update us again soon as progress was made.  WOW!  Fantastic.  That is a huge improvement on the usual “tell nothing” attitude.  This guy understood our feelings and kept us in the loop.  Kudos!!!

The train began to move again shortly and there were no more disruptions to my ride.  I just wanted to post that here to say THANK YOU to that operator, and to encourage all TTC operators to do the same thing;  speak to us in a calm, clear manner, and inform us of why we are being delayed and approx. how long it will last.  Is it that hard to do?  I think not.

TTC Recorded Voice vs. Live Person

If you take the TTC as often as I do, then you have heard both their recorded customer service announcements and you have also heard impromptu voices from the drivers of the trains.  The recorded voices are professional, calm and informative.  The loud speaker system doesn’t always work well unfortunately, but at least the voices are clear.

On the other hand, I would say that 90% of the drivers who make announcements over the loud speaker should not be doing so, in the best interest of the company brand.  Why?  Because – simply put – they sound aggressive, and sometimes annoyed.  (On a side note – I wonder if they receive any type of public speaking training?)

I bet they are annoyed at all the stupid questions they have to constantly and repeatedly answer all day, every day.  I bet they have heard the same questions hundreds of times, and are tired of people asking.  I bet they struggle with ESL issues on top of that.  I bet they are annoyed at all the people who stay on a train or try to enter one even after the driver has repeated him/herself 10 times “This train is out of service.  Please do not board this train.  Once again this train is out of service – do not board this train.”  Under those circumstances, not to mention normal stress from the job,  you often have yourself a short-fuse.

That is what I hear in their announcements.  I hear aggression, anger, annoyance and frustration.  So if I’m even half correct in my assumptions, then why would any company want an employee making announcements to the general public?

I know budgets are tight and the TTC is old.  It takes a lot of resources and time to upgrade.  I just want to tell them that almost every time I hear an announcement from a live operator on TTC, I feel sorry for them personally (job stress) and I feel that the TTC will have an even harder time of improving their image as a caring, friendly way of travel.

TTC – Toronto Transit Commission

Oh yes…one of the favourite topics of the average Torontonian…especially those of us that frequently use the transit system.  I get the feeling that there will be many posts on this topic, but to start off I would like to say that I have been living in Toronto more or less since 1996, and I am used to the current level of blah customer service provided by the TTC.  From my experience I am happy to report though that I have never had a bad experience with a TTC employee.  As a matter of fact the vast majority of times that I have had to ask a question or get directions etc. I have found the employees to be very nice and accommodating.  I realize that is not the experience of everybody, but hey – it’s my blog!

The issues I have are with the SYSTEM (policies and procedures) of TTC.   For example, I’m on the subway (or bus or streetcar) and we have a delay for some reason.  The vehicle is not moving.  Everyone is looking around.  It’s rush hour.  We want to get to work.  We wonder why we are not moving.  We wonder if it is something serious.  We wonder if we should get off now and walk/take a taxi or wait it out.  People are shuffling.  People are grumbling.  People are sweating.  People are getting angry.  People start bitching about the TTC to strangers.

The solution is soooo simple!  TELL US WHAT’S UP!

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are unfortunately going to be delayed approximately for another 5 minutes due to (blah blah).   We apologize for any inconvenience we have caused and will get going as soon as possible.”
There – now everyone can relax, go back to sleep, or if they choose, leave.

If you communicate with your passengers they will respect you.  And if the driver/operator doesn’t know exactly what is going on, as in the case where he/she has been ordered to wait, then simply just announce that the train will be waiting at this station for approx. 5 minutes and we apologize for the inconvenience.  When there is communication people can relax and stay positive.

Fun Fact:  In Japan the subway trains are timed to the minute.  If the train is going to be delayed even for a minute, a live voice goes out over the speakers notifying people of the delay and apologizing for it.  To some that may sound like overkill, but to others, it is excellent customer service.