Recently, I outlined my hopes for the TTC this year, and asked
readers to do the same. Their comments filled three columns, which
you can read at www.metronews.ca. Now it’s the turn of TTC
commissioners to reveal their resolutions for 2005. I sent an email
to each of the Toronto city councillors who sit on the board that
oversees TTC operations. Here are the responses from the
commissioners who replied.
Councillor Joe
Mihevc listed his four key priorities -- the first is “development
of a light rail transit (LRT) master plan for the TTC.” Next on his
wish list is beginning the process of buying new articulated
low-floor LRT vehicles. Third, he looks forward to “developing the
2005-2006 plan for ridership growth.” Lastly, Mihevc is intent on
“making sure that the province and federal government are on board
with funding commitments.”
Councillor
Brian Ashton writes, “For 2005, I would like to see a final, firm
provincial commitment to building the York University subway. This
will be a watershed decision that demonstrates government commitment
to building transit for the future.”
Councillor Adam
Giambrone replied to In Transit this way: “The TTC continues to work
on providing better communication with our riders. I hope that the
TTC will... build on some of the improvements to (its website)
www.ttc.ca that were achieved in
2004.” He wants the transit system to provide “up-to-the-minute
information on schedules, service, closures and maintenance.”
He also reports
“I have been working with the TTC and the Toronto Cycling Committee
on launching a pilot project that will introduce bicycle racks to
buses, encouraging and facilitating the use of public transit for
cyclists in the City.” Lastly, Giambrone writes, “In an effort to
ensure that current bus services meet the needs and demands of
transit riders, I will work to review night services for TTC bus
routes.” In fact, this aim was partly achieved after the councillor
sent me his list. At last week’s monthly meeting, the TTC voted to
expand its overnight bus network.
Howard Moscoe,
the chair of the transit commission, spoke to me recently about his
top resolution for 2005. He says, “I want TTC customers to love the
TTC. I want the TTC to become customer-friendly.” Moscoe
acknowledges that riders are at times “crowded like sardines onto
buses and streetcars”, and he has not been shy in the past about
demanding the provincial and federal government provide greater
financial assistance to Canada’s largest transit system.
He says he
wants customers “to know that the TTC values their opinions -- and
seeks out their opinions -- and I want them to take ownership of the
system. That’s whether or not we have all the money that we want.
The way to do that is to open the lines of communication, and begin
dialoguing with our customers, and taking their ideas seriously.”
You won’t find
me disagreeing with this intention -- so the question is, how best
to communicate? Funding woes seem to constrain the TTC from putting
more transit vehicles on the road, or doing many of the things
riders are asking for. Some communication would involve explaining
clearly to riders what can and cannot be improved right now. Also,
increasing the outreach to patrons may require more TTC staff to
take phone calls, reply to emails, and to follow through on the
comments given. Yet improving “customer-friendliness” is about more
than money -- it means reinforcing a certain attitude. That’s a
considerable task for any large organization. With this aim in mind,
if you have some constructive suggestions for the TTC chair, write
me at
transit@eddrass.com.