TTC introduces Chair of Customer Service Advisory Panel

Commissioners welcomed Steve O’Brien as the volunteer Chair of the TTC’s Customer Service Advisory Panel. He is the General Manager of One King West Hotel & Residence, in downtown Toronto. Mr. O’Brien has 30 years experience in the Toronto hotel industry, and has been an integral part of the opening team for four Toronto hotels. He has also served on several high-level hotel brand and customer service councils.

Commissioners also approved a customer service report that outlines short-, medium- and long-term actions to re-establish the proud reputation of the TTC.

System accessibility status report

Commissioners received a status report on the TTC’s Accessible Transit Services Plan. Currently, 91 percent of bus routes (or 153 of 168) are accessible, and that will grow to 95 percent by the fall with the arrival of 155 new, accessible buses through 2010 and 2011. All bus routes are expected to be accessible next year. In the subway, four more stations are expected to have new elevators in service (Lawrence West, Victoria Park, St. Andrew and Pape) bringing the total number of accessible stations to 33. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, requires that all public facilities and services be accessible by 2025.

Eglinton Crosstown LRT next step

Commissioners received and endorsed a report on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Transit Project Assessment. TTC staff was directed to submit the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Environmental Project Report to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment no later than March 12. Public consultation meetings were held between Nov. 23, 2009 and Jan. 14, 2010.

TTC prepares public consultation on future LRVs

Commissioners received a presentation by TTC staff outlining the public consultation process now underway for the 204 new, accessible, low-floor light rail vehicles (LFLRVs), which are currently in the technical conceptual design phase. March will see the launch of a public consultation campaign through an interactive website. Public meetings will be held in April and July. A further public meeting and presentation of a half-vehicle mock-up is scheduled for January 2011. The TTC and Bombardier entered a contract through a competitive process for the design and supply of 100% low-floor LRVs on June 26, 2009.

TTC to proceed with rooftop solar panels

Commissioners voted in favour of working with Toronto Hydro for a pilot installation of a roof-mounted photovoltaic panel system to support the City’s Sustainable Energy Strategy and the TTC’s Environmental Plan. The Commission also approved that solar panels continue to be installed on all TTC buildings.

TTC to pilot station master concept

Commissioners voted in favour of conducting a station democratization pilot at one station. Station operations will be the responsibility of a sole employee, or station master. The pilot could be under way as early as June.

TTC employees receive merit awards

Commissioners congratulated four employees for meritorious actions: Operator Nazih Kanaan prevented a distraught woman from jumping off a bridge on his route; and Design Draftsperson Balvinder Budwal and Collectors Chander Bhatta and Edward Yasney all played a role in preventing a distraught woman from committing suicide at a subway station.