TTC, "The Better Way"....well kind of.

A transit system that connects the city with accessible, low cost and reliable service is a great headline in a TTC brochure. We know that the reality of ridership with the TTC tells a much different tale. As a former commuter recently reintroduced to the tunnels of Toronto’s fabled rocket trolleys I have some suggestions for consideration. I have the utmost confidence that the cities brave citizens have had these same thoughts and maybe even attempted to relay them to little avail. Instead, I look at this article as an exercise of racing away from the bare minimum instead of toward it as we have become accustomed to our overworked transit system. If we collaborate and draw on the expertise of the supremely talented people who are confined for hours to the subway 5-6 days a week, there may be some viable and cost effective solutions. Please note that I do not think the TTC is a completely broken example of what modern public transit should embody but rather hold dear a glimmer of hope that they are truly trying to help transport Torontonians effectively.

The Lucky 6 to consider and help stop transit suffering.

1 Automated Messages:                                                                                      Consider aligning the message of the automated “train delay’, ‘emergency at ___ station’ , ‘reduced speeds ahead’ and the others. These messages are clearly relayed by the prerecorded announcer and do not need to be repeated by the untrained voices of the train operator. Our morning rush hour ears are sensitive to the garbled shouting of madmen operating the tunnel slug. *Addition: announcement in cars of messages that have occurred in directionally unrelated stations create unnecessary alarm (ie delay on Eglinton while the train moves toward Yonge and Bloor).

2 Time Display:
This is very simple, display the time inside the cars. We are all anxious about our travels through time and how our feudal lords may react if we dare be late to the days duties.

3 Human Traffic:
Traffic needs to be directed and human traffic is no different. Masses of people transferring concourse levels consistently run into each other or attempt to use their contortion skills to squeeze up the stairs of oncoming hordes of commuters. Consider creating a Sheppard/Bloor line level transfer system that is based on time and rider rates. Designate stairs for traffic upward and those for movement downwards during rush hour and let the free for all resume during off-peak hours.

4. Smart Alerts:
In the event of occurrences such as emergencies, reduced speed zones in every zone, acts of god and general supernatural track ghosts that seem to constantly attack the TTC, it would be great to alert employers. Reception is rare underground and employers are perpetually skeptical of tardiness. Create an opt-in for simple alerts that an office timekeeper (manager, boss, team lead etc) can use should they choose to be aware of productivity delays. Just send the words SNAFU, from the TTC and that should suffice!

5. Arrival Time:
When the train is arriving while waiting on the platform there is a display of the estimated time of arrival. It is comforting to see that the frequency is one of the highlights we can actually enjoy. That being said put the same time display inside the train car. In case the designers have never ridden inside a train car you can only look at those sad advertisements and strangers faces for so long. Bright, useful displays are a thing of beauty when done properly. Consider a news ticker with just positive news blurbs from across the globe.

6. The Power of Propaganda Posters:                                                                   There is an abundance of creativity in Toronto and some artists are part of the "sketching the line" poster series which often depict an old cartoonish man sleeping. Which is accurate but instead, I propose creating WWII era style propaganda posters to create better rider behavior, the power of imagery and pungent words leave quite the impression on us. They were effective in uniting a nation and preventing the spread of a venereal disease which means their efficacy in creating a better transit experience is worth some consideration. I imagine some of these types of slogans could helpful ‘become a cluster buster! Find openings down the car as stationary clusters make it hard for people to move on and off!” OR the instant classic “Sitting? Don’t throw a fit when it's your stop let those standing exit first!”

I hope that this transit opinion piece has some tasty taters of information that we can all digest and ponder on our respective commutes. Please feel free to share you feedback/ideas as I would be interested to hear different perspectives. If the power compels you, feel free to share the article and help bolster better ideas on how we can battle the commute smarter, faster and together. If you are riding the TTC just remember SNAFU!