TTC: Other Items (catch all)

[Undead]

If we're talking about the customer experience, I'm much rather the focus be on busses arriving frequently and not getting stuck in traffic. Who cares if it has a rear window or not?

 

[APTA-2048]

Thank you for the feed back. For whatever reason I assumed it went to the lowest bidder. I thought the city had a mandate that any procurement went to the lowest bidder when possible.

Well if it's been 30+ years since they done any feedback from the public, maybe it's time to reconnect with their customers and their core service. Obviously we're not expecting a custom made bus, but something that customers would like to have that's also feasible and within the scope of what bus manufacturers offer.

Another shocker is TTC not sharing info with surrounding transit agencies on bus specs and information regarding the EV buses. That was such a big deal to study EV, and for TTC to bring about a report. Yet they didn't bother sharing info with surrounding agencies. I just assumed that's what TTC did, even if it were through APTA. I'm actually surprised of the lack of information sharing. I'm sure if they worked together, they could possibly even share specs and order parts in bigger bulk. Possibly saving money?

I'm actually surprised with the way TTC has gone about this.

I do recall under Howard Moscow, he wanted more front facing seats in the upper rear section. And with the 1st Gen Orion 7s they actually made it possible. But when TTC got the 2nd generation Orions, they got rid of all front facing seats and instead changed the layout to perimeter seating. So that's probably why I assumed TTC did some kind of out reach to get feed back from passengers. But based on the response, the request for front facing seats appear to be a one off request , and not something TTC has as part of their procurement process.

Well, I guess it makes sense why customers are disappointed with the layout and ride quality of these Novas. I guess to go even further back down the supply chain, the bus manufacturers should also be doing some kind of feed back or a partnership with a transit agency to improve their product for customers.

The barriers appears to be an after thought As a result of safety in the work place. And clearly something that wasn't much thought during the design phase. An actual ergonomic issue that should be addressed during the procurement process. Or design phase of a bus model.

Obviously feedback won't address every issue, but you would think something so basic would be a no brainer as part of the process.

TTC appears to be more focused on engineering side, than the actual customer experience. Both are important, but the goal should geared towards the customer comfort and ease of travel.

Either way, good insight.

There actually is a lot of consultation and design work going into the new operator barriers. Apparently this back and forth is also why Nova Bus hasn’t delivered any more electric buses so far. The barrier design has also been shared with other agencies. You may recall the three TTC buses in Montreal last year.

The last couple of things I recall the TTC looking for feedback from passengers on was actually bus related. They asked for feedback with the one trial bus retrofitted with non upholstered seats. And when the NFI, BYD, and Proterra electric buses were new, they also looked for customer feedback. In particular, all perimeter seating in the Proterra was something they were trying out.

 

[RapidTransit]

If we're talking about the customer experience, I'm much rather the focus be on busses arriving frequently and not getting stuck in traffic. Who cares if it has a rear window or not?

Again. You don't have to get fixated on the rear window.

But many riders do appreciate a good ride quality. This conversation started off about Nova bus and the horrible ride quality. Clearly customers have made issues with it. Even operators I've talked to. And I was curious about the procurement process, and if it addresses any of this.

 

[Steve X]

Thank you for the feed back. For whatever reason I assumed it went to the lowest bidder. I thought the city had a mandate that any procurement went to the lowest bidder when possible.

Well if it's been 30+ years since they done any feedback from the public, maybe it's time to reconnect with their customers and their core service. Obviously we're not expecting a custom made bus, but something that customers would like to have that's also feasible and within the scope of what bus manufacturers offer.

Another shocker is TTC not sharing info with surrounding transit agencies on bus specs and information regarding the EV buses. That was such a big deal to study EV, and for TTC to bring about a report. Yet they didn't bother sharing info with surrounding agencies. I just assumed that's what TTC did, even if it were through APTA. I'm actually surprised of the lack of information sharing. I'm sure if they worked together, they could possibly even share specs and order parts in bigger bulk. Possibly saving money?

I'm actually surprised with the way TTC has gone about this.

I do recall under Howard Moscow, he wanted more front facing seats in the upper rear section. And with the 1st Gen Orion 7s they actually made it possible. But when TTC got the 2nd generation Orions, they got rid of all front facing seats and instead changed the layout to perimeter seating. So that's probably why I assumed TTC did some kind of out reach to get feed back from passengers. But based on the response, the request for front facing seats appear to be a one off request , and not something TTC has as part of their procurement process.

Well, I guess it makes sense why customers are disappointed with the layout and ride quality of these Novas. I guess to go even further back down the supply chain, the bus manufacturers should also be doing some kind of feed back or a partnership with a transit agency to improve their product for customers.

The barriers appears to be an after thought As a result of safety in the work place. And clearly something that wasn't much thought during the design phase. An actual ergonomic issue that should be addressed during the procurement process. Or design phase of a bus model.

Obviously feedback won't address every issue, but you would think something so basic would be a no brainer as part of the process.

TTC appears to be more focused on engineering side, than the actual customer experience. Both are important, but the goal should geared towards the customer comfort and ease of travel.

Either way, good insight.

If they just did that, we would have a whole bunch of lemons from BYD or similar competitors.

 

[nfitz]

If we're talking about the customer experience, I'm much rather the focus be on busses arriving frequently and not getting stuck in traffic. Who cares if it has a rear window or not?

Someone who wants to change buses, and wants to make sure the bus behind is stopping, rather than just zooming past?

 

[Undead]

Nice strawman lol

 

[nfitz]

Nice strawman lol

Strachan? I've lived it on more than one commute.

 

[evandyk]

Normal service has been restored as of this morning rush hour.

Maybe, but I waited for a train for 10 minutes at King station heading north at 3 p.m.

 

[smallspy]

The last couple of things I recall the TTC looking for feedback from passengers on was actually bus related. They asked for feedback with the one trial bus retrofitted with non upholstered seats. And when the NFI, BYD, and Proterra electric buses were new, they also looked for customer feedback. In particular, all perimeter seating in the Proterra was something they were trying out.

You're absolutely right, I'd forgotten about those questionnaires - although I haven't really noticed any change to the seating configuration of the new fleets, other than the use of flip-up seats on the closed side. And the testing of the e-buses has led to some other spec changes going forward, such as the use of alloy wheels, flush-mounted windows, etc.

Dan

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

On some buses, have a tall adult try to sit on a rear seat and look out the window. They have to either slouch or raise their head to see over or under the window's bar.

 

[turbanplanner]

The new GO coaches have a lot of seats facing blank walls too.

What is in the water on this continent??? If they turned the seats to face inwards (I think the LFS artics are like this) you could at least look around the interior...

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The saving grace for me is travelling with a dog and that awkwardly long gap is a perfect place to let them lay down

 

[drum118]

April 11
Was on a number of LRV's that keep calling out CODE 3 for my travels on them and the first time I have heard this for the old fleet.

Two fare enforcers at Spadina Station and were overwhelmed by the pack ridership LRV I just got off. Did not get a chance to checkout the east end platform work taking place to to the ridership.

Based on what I was seeing for the 510, headway needs to be reduced.

Lots of ties and material at Vincent Yard for work there on the mainline this weekend. Traveling a different route this weekend to not have to deal with shuttle service.

 

[Mind_the_gap]

I don't think 311 could've done a worse job... I reported a missing stop pole at my intersection, and it took them ~25 minutes to tell me that it's not the City's responsibilty, instead referring me to the TTC (393-INFO).

How infuriating...

The stop pole in question is the SB one at Leslie/Nymark that contractors ripped up when they were installing tactile strips and audible pedestrian buttons at the intersection.

They installed this where the old one was:

In the City's defence, it does say: "TTC 2024".

Still pissed about being given the runaround...

UPDATE 14 April:

Dealing with the TTC was a much better experience. Within five minutes two work orders were issued - one for a temporary stop marker, the other for a permanent stop pole.

UPDATE 25 April:

The City came by yesterday and installed a permanent stop pole.

This issue has now been resolved.

 

[APTA-2048]

The fate of the TTC heritage fleet is often raised here. This in the April CEO Report is somewhat hopeful...
TTC’s vintage streetcars moved during Hillcrest construction.

As the TTC begins to ramp up construction activity at Hillcrest Complex to allow for the storage and maintenance of new accessible streetcars, staff have temporarily relocated our six legacy streetcars to Halton County Railway Museum for safekeeping. he TTC’s six legacy streetcars include one Peter Witt, two PCCs, two CLRVs, and one ALRV. With the TTC modernization of the overhead catenary system, the trolley pole on our legacy streetcars is no longer compatible with the new system. The TTC is exploring options to convert the trolley pole to a pantograph, with the aim to retrofit the vintage vehicles before returning home after Hillcrest upgrades are completed.

The remaining two CLRVs that weren’t sent to Halton are being taken away. They are not part of the heritage fleet, so word is they will not be returning.

 

[81-717]

The remaining two CLRVs that weren’t sent to Halton are being taken away. They are not part of the heritage fleet, so word is they will not be returning.

I'm confused. Are those 2 CLRVs different than the ones preserved by the TTC (which were presumably sent to HCRR)? If so, are those 2 CLRVs work cars? Or were there 2 CLRVs kept by the TTC in total (preservation or other purpose), and now no CLRVs are left on TTC property? If they're not part of the heritage fleet, are they going to HCRR or somewhere else?