Here's the real problem. The TTC is a system built for a city of a million and it is dealing with a city of double or triple that. TTC workers become disheartened because they face an impossible task -- riders become unhappy because the system doesn't move them reliably with a modicum of comfort. So everyone snaps at each other like scorpions in a bottle.
What we need it to increase the density of subway lines so that using the subway is practical everywhere in Toronto. But that's not feasible financially (it was possible in the 1960s but that's history). So what is to be done? Bike lanes isn't the answer. More buses won't work -- the streets are too crowded anyway. Streetcars are problematic -- look at the mess on St Clair.
The best I can think of is to try to move, long term, towards residential/business hubs. In North York, for example, the burst of condominiums on Yonge coincide with office towers and employment -- many workers can walk to work.
Over a twenty year period this can help but for now all we can do is suffer the harm caused by a lack of foresight and urban planning 40 years ago.
TTC complaints reveal a culture of disdain
April 19, 2010
Robyn Doolittle
Urban Affairs Bureau
A driver who refuses to move the bus because a baby is crying on board. A streetcar operator referred to by at least one rider as the "Blonde Dragon." A toll collector who calls a customer "brain dead" when asked for change.
On Monday, the TTC released hundreds of customer complaints to the Star through a freedom of information request.
Page after page, the stories are similar: Drivers throwing tantrums when people don't shuffle to the back fast enough. Collectors doing crosswords while ignoring customer questions. Drivers shouting at riders and swearing at passing cars.
It seems poor people skills, not delays or fare disputes, are the main concern for transit customers.
Riders say they are verbally abused and harassed by TTC staff on a daily basis. In the most extreme of allegations, some claim to have been victims of sexual advances and racism.
1 comment:
It's worth thinking back 40 years ago, or even 30 years ago, when people who were calling for more transit were called "hippies" and deemed impractical and worse. Agitators up to no good.
Now you just throw up your hands and say, oh well, the problem can't be solved. It can be solved, but it will involved converting some of your precious roads to light rail corridors. You can't just expect people to stay out in their enclaves of North York or Richmond Hill. That's not how a modern society works.
Of course, the people calling for the conversion of roads are called "hippies" and deemed impractical and worse. Agitators up to no good.
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