Just before
Christmas, I asked readers to describe what improvements they would
like to see in public transit service. I received enough responses
to fill several columns, and here are a few:
Bill Gibson of
North York writes, “The level of service on the TTC has declined
enough over the years that this once-dedicated Metropass user now
heads downtown each morning on the GO train. This is despite the
fact that GO costs more than the TTC. I know there are many fine and
dedicated TTC staff, but more often than not, the staff on the buses
and in subway ticket booths are unfriendly or rude.
“GO staff have
almost always been friendly and helpful, and tend to communicate
problems in a much quicker fashion. All forms of transportation
provide us with problems and frustrations, but (the manner in which)
these difficulties are dealt with can make or break your level of
satisfaction as a customer. Maybe it's a training issue.
“Customer
satisfaction is created by good overall service, which includes
staff attitude as well as routes, schedules and ticket prices. My
transit wish list includes more co-ordination between TTC and GO
services, much like the co-operation between VIA Rail and GO
Transit.”
Here’s what
Kerwin Leong would like to see in 2005: “The first thing is a
reduction in the ridiculously overpriced Metropass. The average
person rides the TTC twice a day, five days a week -- I don’t see
much of a benefit with the Metropass. You’re only saving a few
dollars.
“The second
thing I would like to see is an extension of the Yonge subway line
to Highway 7. It probably won’t happen, but I believe it would be
very useful and practical. For one, an extension would reduce the
clutter of traffic at Yonge and Finch -- during rush hour, that
place is a disaster. It would also reduce traffic along Yonge St.
With the population increasing in Richmond Hill, Maple, Vaughan, and
Thornhill, it will definitely be beneficial to have a subway station
closer (than Finch).”
Reader Judy
Moore sent this before the holiday: “My preference is to purchase my
Metropass by Visa rather than carrying $100 around in my pocket.
This I can only do at certain subway stations and inevitably I'm in
the wrong line-up. (For example,) I'm on the northbound side and
passes are only available on the southbound side -- or vice versa.
“I was totally
amazed when I went to purchase two January Metropasses on Saturday,
December 18 -- one for a Christmas gift and one for me. Because of
the way Christmas falls this year, anyone on holiday could quite
conceivably arrive back in town in January. I was told Metropasses
were not available until the 25th of the month. Guess what I'll be
doing on the 25th of the month! Can't the TTC be a little more
forward thinking than this? I've never seen a business that makes it
so difficult to buy their product as the TTC.”
Delores Rowe
writes, “I would like to see TTC extend the subway west (along)
Finch Ave. In August of this year, I moved to the Finch and Weston
Rd. area, and I work downtown. It takes me one hour and half each
way to get to work. I do not think that TTC customer should have to
spend such a long time riding on the bus to reach a subway station.
“I would like
to invite someone from TTC headquarters to visit Finch subway
station on a workday evening, and have a look at how bad it is out
there, with long line-ups in the cold, waiting for a Finch West
bus.”
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com.
Include address and phone number.