TTC: Other Items (catch all)

[Northern Light]

The Globe had a piece out today on the spiraling costs of transit projects in Canada.

Nothing I haven't reported before, indeed, less specificity on causes than some of what I've had to say.......

Still, good to see it out there:

Canadian transit projects, mired in delays and cost overruns, force a rethink on what’s gone wrong

Political micromanagement and public-private partnerships each play a role in ill-fated projects that planners are now using as cautionary tales

www.theglobeandmail.com

 

[Richard White]

Just some observations from Warden this morning..

• There is insufficient space for the number of buses in the rush hour
• Some buses such as the 17 Birchmount have to wait on the street while their colleagues lay-over at the platform
• Buses are laying over on the Southbound curb lanes of Warden Avenue
• There is a dedicated entrance and exit at Warden Station

Previously at Warden Station, the platforms could fit 3 buses. Routes like the 102 and 17 which had branches arriving in close succession could fit comfortably in each bay while the drivers laid over. Now the platforms fit only 1 bus with no space for additional buses.

There is no dedicated unloading or staging area for buses which makes things a tad more difficult.

Drivers who have their breaks, layovers, etc have nowhere to do so other than at the platforms.

God help us if we have Plans A through F occur at the same time or if we have a Priority One at Warden. Emergency vehicles, plus shuttles is going to be a fun situation.

 

[Northern Light]

The Mayor and the TTC Chair have a presser tomorrow morning at Wilson Yard.

As the TTC budget is overdue (on the agenda of a Commission meeting this Friday), I expect it will concern that; presumably there will be goodies if there is a presser.

I will review the details for UT when I have them.

 

[duffo]

The Mayor and the TTC Chair have a presser tomorrow morning at Wilson Yard.

As the TTC budget is overdue (on the agenda of a Commission meeting this Friday), I expect it will concern that; presumably there will be goodies if there is a presser.

I will review the details for UT when I have them.

Expect an update on this....

5-Year Fare Policy and 10-Year Fare Collection Outlook

The following are for City of Toronto locations only:

www.ttc.ca

 

[81-717]

Expect an update on this....

Is that all? Just fares? No more news about line 2?

 

[nfitz]

Is that all? Just fares? No more news about line 2?

What would the Mayor and Chair be saying about Line 2? Construction is being done by Metrolinx.

Besides, if it was about Line 2, it wouldn't be at Wilson.

It's surely the budget; the report is up for debate Friday, and should have been published late last week.

Good news I'd assume, if they are doing a presser for it, rather than hiding.

 

[nfitz]

The Mayor and the TTC Chair have a presser tomorrow morning at Wilson Yard.

What time? I don't see anything about it online.

 

[Northern Light]

What time? I don't see anything about it online.

10:30am I believe.

And lots of things I know about you can't find online, LOL

 

[Northern Light]

Budget Docs are now up (for TTC)

https://cdn.ttc.ca/-/media/Project/TTC/DevProto/Documents/Home/Public-Meetings/Board/2025/January-10/1Recommended2025TTCOperatingBudget20252034-CapitalBudgetandPlan15YearCIPandREIPUpdate.pdf?rev=cb5b3ca4fa9d4a239ba2ba48a7bbaa4f&hash=134666338112DF7C0369A8AE0B328698

I haven't gotten through the details yet.....but here's your snapshot:

Capital Budget Highlights:

 

[Northern Light]

Continuing the above............here are some specific on better subway and streetcar service:

****

Note that there will be enhanced intervention to reach out to the homeless........but this will be funded from the Shelter and Support budget, not the TTC:

 

[evandyk]

Improving the quality of the PA system in the subway seems like such an easy win that they should have taken years ago.

Looks like some nice improvements to service.

 

[T3G]

TTC special constables to wear bodycams starting on Monday

The TTC’s special constables will be wearing body-worn cameras starting on Monday, followed by the fare inspectors by the end of February, the service told CP24.

www.cp24.com

A strange caveat:

However, the cameras are “not intended” for 24-hour use, the TTC said.

Why, exactly, would they not be? Is there a specific timeframe of the day where they believe special constables are not required to be accountable for their actions?

 

[drum118]

TTC special constables to wear bodycams starting on Monday

The TTC’s special constables will be wearing body-worn cameras starting on Monday, followed by the fare inspectors by the end of February, the service told CP24.

www.cp24.com

A strange caveat:



Why, exactly, would they not be? Is there a specific timeframe of the day where they believe special constables are not required to be accountable for their actions?

They should be on for the officer shift at all times other than washroom breaks and lunch. To turn them on when X happens is leaving the door open to missing things that lead up to X happening as well forgetting to turn it on. Not turning it on outside these time window is to prevent showing officers not doing their job and doing things on TTC time for themselves.

 

[nfitz]

A strange caveat:



Why, exactly, would they not be? Is there a specific timeframe of the day where they believe special constables are not required to be accountable for their actions?

Urination? Personal phone calls? Lunch? You can't just have them on 24/7. Or 8/5!

 

[T3G]

Urination? Personal phone calls? Lunch? You can't just have them on 24/7. Or 8/5!

If that's what they were referring to, it would have been nice if whoever it was that said it had specified that rather than choosing the vague and unhelpful version.