Transit

Two men sent to jail for assaulting TTC employees #ttc

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Two men received jail sentences in connection with two separate assaults on TTC employees.

On April 17, a TTC Route Supervisor was performing her duties at Bathurst and Lakeshore, when a male approached her and spat in her face and mouth for an unknown reason.  Toronto Police were called to the scene, and the suspect was arrested.

Ian Merkley, 59, had been charged 18 times previously for violating TTC By-Law No. 1. On April 25, Merkley was sentenced to six days in jail on top of nine days already served, for a total of 15 days.  He also received 18 months probation that includes a total ban from all TTC vehicles and premises.

In the second case, Arthur Ballard, 36, was sentenced to a total of 19 days in jail for an incident on April 17 in which a TTC streetcar driver was spat upon. Ballard was arrested by Toronto Police and was found to have four previous convictions for fare evasion under TTC By-Law No. 1.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys  to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assaulting TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.

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Assault incidents lead to jail time for two accused

A man has been jailed for a second time in two months for threatening to kill a TTC employee. On April 4, following 20 days in custody for an incident in February at Broadview Station, Ryan Boyle, 26, pleaded guilty to threatening a TTC operator on March 26 at Victoria Park Station. Boyle received an additional 10 days in custody for the second incident, as well as two years probation. Conditions of his probation include not being on TTC vehicles or property while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs

On April 5, Ricky Mann, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in Old City Hall court. On March 20, outside Dupont Station, Mann boarded a TTC bus and demanded a free ride. When refused, he spat on the operator and grabbed his arm. A customer stepped in and attempted to assist the driver. He was also spat on. During his bail hearing, Mann pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and received 30 days in jail.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys and the Courts to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assault or threats against TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.

Historic TTC streetcars to take part in Easter parade

Two of the TTC’s most popular streetcars from the past will be on the streetcar tracks for the annual Toronto Beaches Easter Parade, which takes place this Sunday, April 8, beginning at 2 p.m.

The parade runs along Queen Street East from Neville Loop to Woodbine Avenue.

The Peter Witt streetcar served the citizens of Toronto from 1921 until 1963.  The PCC streetcar was the backbone of the TTC’s surface fleet for many decades, and was a popular sight in Toronto from 1938 until 1995.  At one time, Toronto owned the largest fleet of PCC’s in the world – 745 cars.  Two cars remain in the TTC fleet and are available for charters.

Due to the parade, the 501 Queen streetcar will turn back at Kingston Road at 1 p.m.  The 64 Main and 92 Woodbine South will also be on diversion for the duration of the parade.

Enjoy the holiday weekend with a TTC Family/Group Pass. For $10.50 a day, a TTC Family/Group pass provides unlimited one day travel for a group of up to six people, maximum two adults and not more than four children/youths 19 years of age or under.  The pass is valid from the start of service until 5:30 a.m. the next morning.

7km of Transit distance #TTC #TOpoli

So the 512. St. Clair West streetcar is 7km in length.

I was thinking…How long would it take to run 7km using a streetcar, subway and bus.

According to the Google Maps Gods:

7km with Streetcar

Route used: 512 St. Clair West (St. Clair Station to Gunn’s Loop)

28 minutes

7km with Subway

Route used: Yonge-University-Spadina (Lawrence Station to Wellesley Station)

13 minutes

7km with Bus

Route used: 54 Lawrence East (Brimley and Lawrence to Valia and Lawrence)

22 minutes

So what is better to travel the same SCROW distance?…The streetcar failed miserably.

That is all. Something short and sweet.

Kiss my arse Joe Mihevc

TTC Town Hall @ York University #ttc

We will be covering the event tonight.

TTC Customer Liaison Panel Members

Peter Ashton

Peter is a graduate student at York University, a university of 51,000 students and a key destination for TTC customers.  The Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension, due to open in 2015, will dramatically transform transit to York University.  Peter’s background makes him passionate about using evidence based and responsive processes to help improve the TTC experience.

Eric Augustin

Eric is a daily commuter from Scarborough to Toronto’s financial district.  His work in both information analysis and sales and customer support will bring valuable technical and analytical skills to the Panel.  His time as a summer student at the TTC (2000/2001) means that Eric has experienced the TTC both as a customer and as an employee.

Luis Calhau

Luis is the Senior Manager, Customer Experience for a transportation company where he is responsible for on all onboard activities to ensure customer service is consistently delivered to the highest standard.  His background in operations at a variety of Toronto hotels, and his experiences as a LEAN Six Sigma Coach, make him an ideal candidate to reflect the voice of the customer within the TTC

Justin Kozuch

Justin is a passionate advocate for public transit with strong skills in digital marketing and social media.  He is passionate about customers and is well regarded and active member in Toronto’s technology community.   He is interested in helping the TTC use technology and social media to improve its community outreach.

Niru Kumar

A resident of Toronto and graduate of McGill University, Niru is a lawyer and mother of two. Niru brings her critical thinking skills and professional drive together with the profound understanding of the important role that the TTC plays in the lives of Toronto.

Eric Martin

Eric has a passion for customers and has worked a variety of jobs that involved the delivery of front line customer service.  He has a passion for social engagement and the desire and drive to work with the TTC on improving customer service now and in the future.

Wayne McEachern

In 2010 Wayne retired from the City of Vaughan Policy Planning and Urban Design Department where he was the manager.  Close to 40 years experience in transportation planning and land use policy makes Wayne a valuable technical addition to the Customer Panel.  Wayne is a life long resident of the city of Toronto and his transit pedigree is impeccable with his grandfather a former long time TTC employee.

Kathleen McGinnis

Kathleen is a market relations consultant with the Independent Electricity System Operator.  She and her family rely on public transit on a daily basis from getting to work, running errands to leisure activities and enjoyment. As a former journalist and public affairs consultant, Kathleen’s experience in communications and stakeholder relations and her busy working mom’s perspective, make her a valuable member of the Panel.

Howard Muchnick

Howard is an Assistant Professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management.  In addition to his extensive experience in the theory and practice of customer service excellence, he was formerly the President of the CN Tower and the General Manager of Casa Loma.  Howard’s further insights as a small business owner who owned and operated 14 bakery cafes across Southern Ontario will be an additional benefit to the TTC.

Adrian Ryans

Originally an Engineer Adrian has spent his career as a professor of strategy at leading business schools in the United States (Stanford), Canada (Ivey) and Switzerland (IMD).  Adrian offers both impeccable academic credentials and wide ranging experience as a customer on a wide variety of international transit systems.  Adrian’s passion to help improve the TTC and his personal background make him an important part of bring the voice of the customer closer to the TTC’s decision points.

Linda Wild

Linda’s speciality is in customer segmentation and positioning of products to ensure they meet the customer’s requirements.  She considers herself the customers advocate in all she does.  Linda has served on community service boards in the past and has the skills and passion to make a valuable contribution to the Panel.

TTC names Customer Liaison Panel

The Toronto Transit Commission today announced the makeup of its first Customer Liaison Panel (CLP). Eleven TTC customers were selected from more than 250 applications. The panel members will sit on the CLP for two years, and be chaired by the Chair of the TTC. The terms of reference for the CLP are below.

The formation of a customer advisory group was one of 78 recommendations of the Customer Service Advisory Panel in its August 2010 report, chaired by Steve O’Brien, General Manager of One King West Hotel and Residence. Mr. O’Brien has agreed to sit on the CLP has an advisor. The TTC’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Chris Upfold, and TTC CEO Andy Byford will also sit on the CLP, in addition to Mazin Aribi from the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit. Its first public meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Members have been invited to attend the TTC’s next town hall on March 29 at York University and the next Commission meeting on March 30.

Updated: Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown #TTC #TOpoli

Legend:

Blue Line: Pearson to Toronto Zoo via Dorset Park and Malvern

View Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown as Subway in a larger map

Subway closure at midnight

The TTC will be constructing a new double cross-over section of subway track at King Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina line. The new cross-over is being constructed to provide more efficient and reliable service, allowing subway trains to terminate at King Station in the event of an emergency.

In order to undertake this work, the TTC will close the Yonge line from Union Station to Bloor Station starting Friday, March 23 at midnight to Sunday, March 25.

Regular subway service will resume on Monday, March 26 at 6 a.m.
Two additional weekend closures will occur over the next several months.

All trains on the University-Spadina line will terminate southbound at Union Station. All trains on the Yonge line will terminate southbound at Bloor Station. A frequent, accessible bus service will operate between Bloor and Union Stations. Buses will stop at Bloor Street, Wellesley Street, College Street/Carlton Street, Dundas Street, Queen Street, King Street and at Front and Bay Streets.

As well, customers can access Yonge Street, south of Bloor, by utilizing east/west streetcar or bus service from stations on the University subway line, including the 506 Carlton streetcar from Queen’s Park Station, the 505 Dundas streetcar from St. Patrick Station, the 501 Queen streetcar from Osgoode Station or the 504 King streetcar from St. Andrew Station.

The 94 Wellesley bus can be accessed just south of Museum Station at Hoskin Avenue and Queen’s Park Crescent to travel east to Yonge Street.

Customers on the Bloor-Danforth line can access Yonge Street, south of Bloor, on the 504 King from Dundas West or Broadview Stations, or the 6 Bay bus from Bay Station.

Pearson-Downtown-Don Mills

Here you go:

View Pearson-Downtown-Don Mills in a larger map