Commission Report Considers Platform Screen Doors

Commissioners received a report on platform screen doors, identifying that the TTC will continue to work with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on developing best practices for suicide prevention and the treatment of employees who have experienced emotional trauma caused by a suicide; continue to investigate the installation of platform screen doors, the most effective means of suicide prevention; and include barriers in its 2011-2015 Capital Budget submission.
    
Platform screen doors improve operating efficiency and prevent combustible debris from collecting at track level, in addition to preventing unauthorized people from descending, or unintentionally falling, to track level. TTC staff is scheduled to complete its analysis, preliminary design and costing of platform screen doors this spring.

TTC Customer E-Initiatives Update

TTC staff made a presentation on the status on the its electronic customer service initiatives, which included a website trip planner, Next Vehicle Arrival System (NVAS), Customer Service Disruption Notifications (CSDN), Next Train Arrival System (NTAS) and Narrowcasting system. Here’s an update:

  • Internet trip planner: has received nearly one million page views since it was introduced last February (represents 10 per cent of the total traffic to ttc.ca). A customer consultation survey is scheduled for completion in April.
  • NVAS: TTC is testing LED displays at seven shelters on the 505, 504/508 and 501 streetcar routes; 52 streetcar shelters and five subway station bay locations are scheduled to be equipped in 2010. Text messaging for streetcars is expected to be completed by mid year.
  • CSDN: will be expanded to bus and streetcar notifications.
  • Narrowcasting: TTC is exploring a digital-video information system for operating staff locations (garages and carhouses) and Collector Booths.
  • NTAS: All remaining stations are scheduled to be equipped with platform digital-video screens in 2010. SRT stations will be equipped following Transit City redevelopment of the line.

2009 TTC Special Constable Annual Report

Commissioners received for information the 2009 Special Constable Annual Report. One of the most significant changes in transit policing that occurred last year was the addition of 38 Toronto Police Officers dedicated to subway transit patrol. Transit Special Constables continued to focus their activities on fare enforcement, TTC bylaw enforcement, asset protection and customer and employee safety and security.

A separate report received by Commissioners indicated that there were seven incidents on the system that involved the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper) foam.

Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Contract Awarded

Commissioners approved the award of a contract worth $40 million for construction management services for the Spadina Subway Extension.