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Toronto Transit Commission

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The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is a public transport authority that operates buses, streetcars, subways, and rapid transit lines in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The TTC operates 149 surface transit routes, of which 148 routes make 243 connections with a subway or rapid transit station during weekday rush hours. In 2006, the TTC carried 444,544,000 passengers, 3,229,000 passengers daily (2,033,000 revenue passengers). The TTC employed 10,930 personnel in 2006.[1]

Overview

The TTC operates the third most heavily-used urban mass transit system in North America (after New York City's New York City Transit Authority and the Mexico City Metro).[2] As of 2007, there are three subway lines and one rapid transit line (see Toronto subway and RT) with a total of 69 stations, as well as 149 connecting "surface" routes (buses and streetcars). The average daily ridership exceeds 2.46 million passengers: 1,197,000 through bus, 328,700 by streetcar, 35,300 by intermediate rail, and 901,400 by subway.[3] The TTC also provides door-to-door services for persons with physical disabilities known as WheelTrans. An approximate 4,500 trips are made through this service daily. Colloquially, the subway cars were known as "red rockets" (nickname originally given to Gloucester Subway cars painted bright red - now retired); hence the use of "Ride the Rocket" in advertising material for the TTC (which uses the phrase to advertise the entire system), and the use of the word "Rocket" in the names of some express buses. The entire system is also promoted as "The Better Way".

History

Main article: History of the Toronto Transit Commission

Privately operated transit services in Toronto began in 1849. In later years, a few routes were operated by the city, but it was 1921 when the city took over all routes and formed the Toronto Transportation Commission to operate them. During this period service was mainly provided by streetcars. In 1954, the TTC adopted its present name, opened its first subway line, and greatly expanded its service area to cover the newly formed municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (which eventually became the enlarged city of Toronto). The system has evolved to feature a wide network of bus routes with the subway lines as the backbone.

2007 budget crisis

Toronto's City Council has decided that the city will not introduce new taxes worth an estimated CAD$356 million annually.[4] In order to address the city's budget shortfall, the municipal government has indicated that every civic department needs to cut their budgets. The TTC will have to reduce the 2007 budget by CAD$30 million, and remove CAD$100 million in 2008. TTC chair Adam Giambrone called an emergency meeting on July 19, 2007 to discuss how to implement the cuts. Possible changes could include the closure of the Sheppard Subway by the beginning of 2008, and the elimination of 21 bus routes with the lowest riderships (including 26 Dupont and 67 Pharmacy). A recent campaign entitled "My TTC" has revealed a larger list of 38 bus routes to be cut, and sweeping reductions in service across the board akin to the downloading of 1996. The Sheppard subway is not to be mothballed, however parallel local bus services there and on Yonge Street are to be suspended. 100 new buses purchased recently will not be put into service, as the Ridership Growth Strategy which would have introduced massive service improvements, both inside and out of rush hour will not be put into place. The TTC met in September and voted to raise fares by 15 cents.

Past transit operators

File:1923 Toronto Queen St and Bay NW.jpg
Streetcars at Bay and Queen in 1923

Private

Public

TTC Chairs and Chief General Managers

Yonge Subway Construction 1949

Chairs

General Managers

Transit modes

The TTC currently operates an extensive network of subways, streetcars, light rail vehicles, paratransit buses and standard buses in Toronto:

Subway/RT system (1954-present)

St. George subway station, Yonge-University-Spadina platform.
Main article: Toronto subway and RT

The Toronto subway/RT system consists of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line, a U-shaped line started in 1954 and last extended in 1996; the Bloor-Danforth Line, an east-west line started in 1966 and last extended in 1980; the Scarborough RT, a partly elevated light rail line built in 1985 which continues from the Bloor-Danforth Line's eastern terminus; and the Sheppard Line, opened in 2002. The three subway lines use the same technology, while the Scarborough RT has many differences.

All subway lines provide service seven days a week from approx. 6:00 AM until 2:00 AM (the following day) except for Sundays in which the opening is delayed until approx. 9:00 AM. During the overnight periods the subway and its stations are closed in order for maintenance at track level and in the stations themselves. Service is provided throughout this period of time by buses operating above ground. These special overnight routes are issued numbers in the 300 series and referred to as "Blue Night Routes", indicated by a typical TTC bus stop sign with a blue band added. The Bloor-Danforth night service is designated as Route 300, the Sheppard East service is designated as Route 385 and the Yonge Street service is designated Rt. 320. The Yonge night bus is also unofficially known as the "Vomit Comet" due to the large number of incidences of drunk passengers.

Plans were made for a streetcar subway along Queen Street, which were upgraded to a full subway in 1964, from the Humber loop to Greenwood, curving north to connect to the Bloor-Danforth Subway. All that ever materialized of this line was an incomplete east-west station structure under Queen station at Yonge, which remains in existence today. The Queen Subway plan was cancelled in 1974 in favour of new lines in North York.

In the mid-1990s, work began on an Eglinton West subway line, but the project was cancelled before significant progress was made. Construction of this line is no longer a priority for the TTC, but this line was recently re-visited in the proposed expansion as part underground LRT running in the central part of the line (between Keele and Laird Rd.) with the remainder a surface LRT route which would span almost the entire length of the city from the Airport to Scarborough.

A current focus for the TTC's rapid-transit expansion is a short extension bringing the western branch of the Yonge-University-Spadina Line north-west to York University, Steeles Avenue and Vaughan Corporate Centre in York Region. The Government of Ontario announced on March 23, 2006, that it will provide $670 million for this extension, about one-third of the expected cost. Another is the eastward extension of the Sheppard Line into Scarborough. Recently, there has also been debate over the fate of the Scarborough RT. A solution is a near top priority as the line is currently overcrowded, and will soon require much investment to keep it running past 2015.

In September 2006, Toronto City Council approved a contract for 234 cars from Bombardier Transportation. There are also plans for the Yonge subway to be operated on a 24-hour basis.

Streetcars (1861-present)

A TTC streetcar on Dundas Street.
Main article: Toronto streetcar system

Toronto's streetcar system is one of the few in North America still operating along classic lines and has been operating since the mid-19th century with (horsecar service starting in 1861 and electric since 1892). Streetcar service dates back to the Toronto Street Railways horse-drawn cars and continues today with the current electric cars. New TTC routes since the 1940s have generally been operated by other modes, and the less-busy streetcar routes have also been converted. Streetcar routes are now focused on the downtown area, with none running farther north than St. Clair Avenue, about 5 km from Lake Ontario. A massive expansion of the streetcar network (as "Light Rapid Transit" on private rights-of-way) was proposed by the City of Toronto and the TTC on March 16, 2007, in the Transit City report.

Buses (1921-present) and trolley coaches (1922-1925, 1947-1993)

File:DSC01311.JPG
Orion Bus Industries Orion VII
Main article: Toronto buses and trolley buses

Buses are a large part of TTC operations today, but before about 1960, they played a minor role compared to streetcars. Buses began to operate in the city in 1921 and became necessary for areas without streetcar service. After an earlier experiment in the 1920s, trolley buses were used on a number of routes starting in 1947, but all trolley bus routes were converted to bus operation between 1991 and 1993. The TTC always used the term trolley coach to refer to its trackless electric vehicles.

Gray Coach (1927-1990)

Main article: Gray Coach

Gray Coach Lines was a suburban and regional inter-city bus operator founded in 1927 by the TTC. Gray Coach used inter-urban coaches to link Toronto to points throughout Southern Ontario. In addition, Gray Coach operated tour buses in association with Gray Line Tours. The main terminal was the Metropolitan Toronto Bus Terminal on Elizabeth Street, downtown. In 1954, Gray Coach expanded further when it acquired suburban routes from independent bus operators not merged with the TTC as it expanded to cover Metro Toronto. By the 1980s, Gray Coach faced fierce competition in the inter-urban service in the GTA. The TTC sold Gray Coach Lines in 1990.

Wheelchair-accessible services (1975-present)

A Wheel-Trans Overland ELF 9777 on a scheduled stop at Dufferin Mall in Toronto, Ontario.
Main articles: Wheel-Trans and TTC accessibility

The TTC also runs Wheel-Trans, a para-transit service for the physically disabled with special low-floor buses designed to accommodate wheelchairs and to make boarding easier for ambulatory customers with limited mobility. Since the 1990s, the TTC has focused in providing accessible services on conventional bus routes, the RT and subway.

Ferry service (1927-1962)

Main article: Toronto Island Ferry Services

The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.

The city is studying plans to re-introduce ferry service by the TTC. The plan would see ferry service from Etobicoke and Scarborough into the downtown. Terminals would be located near the current city ferry docks, at Scarborough's Bluffer's Park and at Humber Bay Park. Two ferries would be required on the routes.[5]

Operations and other information

Most TTC operations are based either at the William McBrien building (TTC headquarters and MDP Office) at 1900 Yonge Street (over Davisville subway station), or at the Hillcrest complex (TTC's Transit Control office) located at Bathurst and Davenport Streets.

Connections

The TTC makes connections with other transit agencies at terminals in Toronto:

Terminals

Most TTC surface routes terminate at loops, side streets or subway station complexes. The TTC system is one of the few mass transit systems in Canada where many surface routes can be accessed inside a paid-fare zone common to other routes or subway lines. This feature allows boarding via the back doors at terminals, reduces the usage of paper transfers, and the need of operators to check for proof-of-payment. However, many bus and streetcar terminals can be easily (illegally) accessed via the street, permitting fare evasion. If TTC Special Constable Services or Toronto Police officers are able to catch offenders, they are likely to face a $500.00 fine.

There are some larger loops at terminal buildings other than subway stations:

Fares

Main article: Toronto Transit Commission fares

The TTC fare system accepts cash, tickets, tokens, and transit passes. Current adult fares are $2.75 for a single trip, or $2.25 each for five trips using tickets or tokens. Passes are available by the day, week, or month, with a 12-month subscription option. Transfers are free (for trips in one direction), and this has encouraged a grid system in changing routes is made easy for the passenger.

The provincial Minister of Transportation has announced plans to introduce the Presto card, a unified smartcard-based payment system for the entire Greater Toronto Area similar to the Octopus Card used in Hong Kong. Union station will be first station to use the card in 2007 and four other stations (Don Mills, Downsview, Finch and Islington) by 2010.

Schedules and information

Before the use of the TTC website, TTC patrons were able to obtain route information from various sources:

  • Paper schedules and system maps from drivers and collector booths
  • Fax number to obtain schedules and maps
  • TimeLine: Most stops had a phone number to obtain the schedule for the select route. This system was removed in 1998 due to Year 2000 constraints. Route information is now accessed by InfoPost, TTC Info number 416-393-INFO or online at www.ttc.ca (this replaced the old numbers 481-4252 and 481-4544 in the 1980s). Some stops now display a time schedule for the particular route.
  • "What's On" and "Rocket Rider/TTC Customer News" pamphlets located on most vehicles

Transit Information Centres:

  • TTC Head Office - Davisville Station 1900 Yonge St.
  • TTC Info Centre Bloor-Yonge Station - closed
  • Metro Toronto Convention Centre - closed

Additional TTC information is circulated by:

  • What's ON
  • polecards posted as bus and streetcar stops, as well as subway collector booth windows

Shelters

The shelters used by the systems are split between CBS Outdoor (formerly Viacom Media) (with ads) and Toronto Transportation. A total of 4,100 shelters are managed by Toronto Transportation and most from the former transportation departments of the municipalities that make up the City of Toronto.

Advertising

Advertising is commonplace and prominent in all TTC vehicles and locations. In fact, some subway stops are periodically entirely "repainted" on the inside using large plastic decals, to the wishes of a paying corporate advertiser; this is also done with individual buses and all cars in a particular subway train. In 2005, the TTC began installing video screens in subway stations to display advertising, news, weather, and safety information. This project is run by Toronto based ONESTOP Media Group. The agency contracted to post ads on the TTC is CBS Outdoor. However, the amount of money the TTC receives for allowing advertising on its property is very small. For the year ending 2003, the TTC received 2.3% of its revenue from advertising, or almost $17 million.

The TTC sells a line of merchandise through Legacy Sportswear, which is available online or at their store "TTC Transit Stuff" at the Union subway station. When Matt Blackett, publisher of Spacing Magazine, approached the TTC in 2005 with an idea to sell buttons, each of which represented the colour scheme and design of a particular subway station, the TTC declined. Blackett went on to manufacture the buttons himself. Dubbed "the civic pride fashion statement of the year" by the National Post, the buttons were a success, selling tens of thousands.

Communications

The TTC utilizes several types of voice and data communications. There are three main systems. The first is the system used by Operations, Security and Maintenance. This system operates on five UHF conventional frequencies. Channels 1, 3, 4 and 5 are used for day to day operations, while Channel 2 is reserved for the Wheel-Trans service.

Buses and streetcars use the CIS (Communications and Information System) system. This system is spread out city wide with transmit facilities throughout the city. Each bus and streetcar has a TRUMP set onboard. This is attached to a transponder receiver which allows CIS operators to track the location of the vehicle using Signposts. The TRUMP also allows the operators and CIS operators to send and receive text messages for such things as short turns and route adjustments. There is also the option of voice communications between the operator and the CIS operator. There is also a built in emergency option, whereby a vehicle operator presses a red alarm. This instantly notifies the CIS operator and enables a "hot mic", which allows the CIS operator to monitor all the activity on the bus. The CIS system was conceived in the late 1970s and was fully implemented in 1991.

The third system is used by the subway system. This is called the Wayside system. Replacing the old devices which communicated by the third rail are new UHF MPT-1327 Trunking radio sets. The Subway system is divided into 3 separate systems, each representing it's respective subway line. This new trunking system allows Transit Control to communicate directly with a single train, a zone encompassing several trains, or the entire line. The Scarborough RT is not included in this system. They continue to use a single channel UHF system, much the same as the system used by operations staff.

All of these systems can be monitored by a scanner capable of the UHF Low band (406-430MHz).[6] Numeric codes are also announced through the radio and/or the overhead paging system.[7]

Safety systems

Safety features provided by the TTC include:

  • Request Stop Program on surface routes (9 p.m.-5 a.m.) (excluding streetcar routes); female passengers travelling alone can request the driver to stop at points between bus stops (no such service is currently offered for male passengers). The program was started in 1991, due largely in part to the activities of serial killer Paul Bernardo (also known as "the Scarborough Rapist").
  • Designated Waiting Areas (DWA) on subway and RT platforms; these are well lit, have intercoms, and are at the location where the guard car stops
  • Yellow Passenger Assistance Alarm strips on subway and RT cars since the early 1980s
  • Approximately 800 cameras monitoring activities on the subway system and several cameras on some buses.
  • TTC Special Constables
  • Underground Alert messages displayed on the subway platform video screens to notify passengers about criminals.

Auctions

Each year the TTC auctions off items left on vehicles and not claimed. They are sold in lots, rather than individually. In 2005, the TTC launched an online auction via eBay Canada and Rite Auction Services.

Underground Alert system

On June 12 2007, the TTC in partnership with the Toronto Crime Stoppers and ONESTOP Media Group have launched a new Underground Alert system at the Toronto Police Headquarters. The new Underground Alert system will post pictures and details of wanted suspects on the screens in stations throughout the subway system. Subway passengers will be encouraged to call police if they have any information.[8][9][10]

Amber Alert system

In addition to the new Underground Alert system, the TTC already airs the Amber Alert messages on approximately 100 subway platform video screens at over 60 subway stations along with Amber Alert messages heard on the public address systems in subway trains and subway platforms and displayed on TTC buses. When an Amber Alert is activated, all TTC operators are notified by their C.B. radio, and make an announcement that an Amber Alert has been activated, and put up the Amber Alert signs on TTC buses. New subway trains coming out in 2009 will have Amber Alert messages displayed on the ticker and on the public address systems.

Support fleet

Main article: TTC Support Fleet

Current routes

Subway routes:

For bus routes, see TTC bus routes.
For streetcar routes, see Toronto streetcar system.
For further information about the subway system, see Toronto subway and RT

Personnel

Most of the Toronto Transit Commission's staff are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. Total membership (2005) is approximately 8,000 members.

Unionized transit workers in Toronto began with:

  • Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America in 1892
  • Division 30 of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Railway Employees of America in 1893
  • Division 113 Chartered - Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America in 1899
  • Amalgamated Association of Street and Railway Employees of America in 1903
  • Amalgamated Transit Union in 1964
  • Local 113 of the Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employees of America in 1952

Other than drivers and supervisors, the TTC also employs support staff to keep the system running:

  • cleaners to keep stations, bus shelters and other TTC property clean
  • garbage staff to pick up trash on vehicles and in stations
  • clearing TTC roadways during winter months
  • engineers and support staff inspecting subway systems
  • mechanics that maintain all the commission vehicles
  • blacksmiths to make special parts of the TTC

Memorial

TTC employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty:

  • ? ? - maintenance worker hit by train while working on tracks at Summerhill station, 1982
  • Jimmy Trajceski - ticket collector stabbed to death at Victoria Park station, 1995
  • Tony Almeida - maintenance worker hit by unsecured scaffolding while removing asbestos from a tunnel south of Lawrence station, 2007-04-23

TTC strikes

TTC strikes have affected TTC service on various occasions: [1]

  • 1952: Strike shuts down TTC service for 19 days
  • 1970: Strike, 12 days
  • 1974: Strike, 23 days
  • 1978: Strike, 8 days
  • 1989: Labour disruption, 41 days. [While technically not a strike, service was significantly disrupted during this period.]
  • 1991: Strike, 8 days
  • 19 April 1999: Strike closed TTC service for two days, ending when a labour agreement was reached. [2]
  • May 29, 2006: The TTC was shut down for one day as a result of a labour dispute. Unionized workers began picketing TTC sites on the morning of May 29 in response to a dispute over shift changes for unionized TTC employees due to the unionized workers feeling that management had broken the Collective Agreement between the management and the union. The TTC shut down transit services. The TTC called it an illegal strike, but the union said it was a lockout. The Ontario Labour Relations Board declared it an illegal strike and ordered employees back to work. The union agreed to have its employees return to work and services began to resume at 3 p.m. on May 29, 2006. It was later made public that only the support staff had walked out; TTC management had requested that the drivers and collectors not cross the picket lines to avoid disputes.

Uniforms

TTC Operators and Subway Station Collectors wear uniforms consisting of a light blue shirt with TTC crest (long and short sleeves) and grey slacks. Other garments include maroon windbreakers and winter parkas with grey accents (an attempt to introduce blue jackets in place of the familiar maroon ones in the 1990s failed), dark navy blue blazers with TTC crest, dark navy blue sweaters and sweater vests, dark navy blue golf-style shirts with TTC crest, and grey shorts are worn according to weather. Hats are generally worn by senior staff, namely supervisors, these hats are similar to those worn by police officers or salvation army members. Some vehicle operators tend to wear dark navy blue toques with TTC lettering during the winter months. Some vehicle operators wear a blue baseball cap with white TTC crest. Some of the maintenance staff wear dark blue or green coveralls with TTC crest along with an orange fluorescent jacket with a large yellow X with the "TTC" lettering on the back.

Prior to the current design, the uniform consisted of a light brown shirt and medium brown slacks and blazers.

Honour Guard

The TTC Honour Guard represents the TTC at city ceremonies and police funerals. Members wear caps, white shirts, blue blazers with Honour Guard crests and grey pants. The unit was formed in 1994 from TTC Operations supervisory ranks following the funeral for Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis. The unit had 19 members as of 2001.

Special Constables

A contingent of over 88 Special Constables patrol TTC properties. They have the same powers as the Toronto Police Service to enforce:

In addition, they can also issue fines to persons in violation of TTC By-Law 1.

Constables have three designations:

  • Subway Patrol
  • Mobile Patrol
  • Criminal Investigations.

Subway Patrol members are visible in the subway system: they mostly patrol on foot, while the Mobile Patrol members are visible on TTC vehicles and TTC property. They wear uniforms distinct from the standard TTC or Toronto Police uniforms. This consists of a black jacket and powder blue shirt with a special constables crest on both shoulders and black cargo pants. They are armed with batons and oleoresin capsicum foam, wear body armour and carry portable radios.

TTC Mobile Constables also drive in the white unmarked and marked cruisers (blue stripes with crest) Ford Crown Victoria, similar to the ones used by the Toronto Police Service.

TTC Criminal Investigators unit drive in the unmarked black cars Ford Crown Victoria. Similar to the ones used by Toronto Police.

Recruits must undergo 11 weeks of in-class training and are partnered with a Coach Officer for six months after their graduation. Coach Officers are all graduates of the Ontario Police College - Coach Officer Program.

The Constables patrol within the region served by the TTC.

Rank

  • Constable
  • Sergeant
  • Staff Sergeant
  • Superintendent
  • Deputy Chief
  • Chief
  • Chief General Manager

Special vehicles

References

  • The TTC Story by Mike Filey
  • Not A One Horse Town by Mike Filey
  • Reflections & Recollections Transfer Points January 2005
  • Independents Take Over - TTC Goes Metro Wide Transfer Points August-September 2004
  • Toronto Transit Commission Goes Metro Wide Transfer Point December 2004
  • TTC Archives
  • TTC Special Constables - Official link
  • Legacy Sportswear
  • ATU 113 History
  • Honour Guard shows TTC's true colours Coupler February 2001
  • TTC Honour Guard
  • Subway and RT Route Map - TTC - September 1998
  • TTC Ride Guide April 1982
  • TTC Ride Guide June 1982
  • TTC Ride Guide May 1984
  • TTC Ride Guide January 1987
  • TTC Ride Guide January 1988
  • TTC Ride Guide January 1990
  • Toronto Transit Ride Guide June 1998
  • Numerical list of routes, with route direction and operating division - TTC February 1999
  • TTC Special Constables - Your Community and Safety Partners 2006
  1. ^ "TTC Operating Statistics" (PDF). TTC. 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  2. ^ "Toronto transit chief says searches unlikely". 2005-07-24. Retrieved 2007-02-03. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Unknown parameter |Last= ignored (|last= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ APTA Transit Ridership Report (PDF). American Public Transit Association. 2006. p. 33.
  4. ^ Byers, Jim (2007-07-19). "Cuts, fare hikes menace TTC". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  5. ^ Gerson, Jen (2007-07-05). "TTC looks at speedy ferries". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  6. ^ Lennox, John (2006-11-10). "TTC radio - some background information". Transit Toronto. Retrieved 2007-07-21. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  7. ^ "Subway/RT P.A. Code Numbers". Transit Toronto. 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  8. ^ "Toronto Crime Stoppers Launches 'UNDERGROUND ALERT'". Toronto Crime Stoppers. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  9. ^ "Toronto Crime Stoppers". YouTube. 2007-01-29. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
  10. ^ "Wanted Criminals To Show Up On Subway Monitors". CityNews.ca. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-07-21.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toronto Transit Commission.

Multimedia

Websites

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