Ridership Update Points to Potential for New All-Time Record

Commissioners received the TTC Chief General Manager’s Report indicating that TTC ridership is experiencing a very favourable performance so far this year. The TTC is on pace for a third consecutive record-breaking year with a year-end projection of 476 million trips. That total represents a three-per-cent increase (or 14 million rides) over the budgeted level of 462 million.

Responding to Customer Service Advisory Recommendations

Commissioners received TTC management’s initial response to the recommendations contained in the Customer Service Advisory Panel’s final report of Aug. 30 entitled, Improving the TTC Experience: Laying the Tracks for a New Era of Customer Service.

TTC management agrees with many of the panel recommendations. Some will require further study. Internal responsibility has been assigned to begin immediate implementation of some recommendations, or to conduct feasibility and cost reviews on others. Management will provide a progress report to the board every six months.

Open Payments Fare System

Commissioners voted to direct TTC staff to bring forward a report to its Dec. 15, 2010 meeting after the completion of the multi-phase, bid process for the open-payments fare system. TTC staff will identify a successful proponent and be directed to seek agreement with the Province on an implementation plan.

Chair’s Report for Moving Transit Forward

Commissioners received for information the Chair’s Report entitled, Moving Transit Forward. The 122-page report was tabled by Chair Adam Giambrone as a road map of how the TTC can continue to improve service and meet the transit needs of the residents of Toronto.

Among its key recommendations are to advocate the provincial government to commit to funding transit operating costs, encourage all three levels of government to pursue new levels of revenue sources for capital costs and advocate for a national transit strategy.

Business Case for Platform Edge Doors

Commissioners approved the recommendations in a report for a business case to install platform edge doors in the subway system. The project will be considered in the 2011-2015 Capital Program.

Last September, the TTC conducted a feasibility study for the installation of platform edge doors and recommended partially segregated, full-height edge doors for the subway system. Platform edge doors improve operating efficiency, prevent combustible debris from collecting at track level and prevent unauthorized persons from descending, or unintentionally falling, to track level. Platform edge doors are also an effective means of suicide prevention.

Artwork and Finishes Approved for Finch West Station

Commissioners approved the art and finishes for Finch West Station on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension.

A public art selection process resulted in the selection of Bruce McLean as the public artist. He has worked very closely with the architectural design team to develop a concept of public art being fully integrated with the architecture and the structure so that it is woven into the very fabric of the station, physically supporting it to form a unified aesthetic language of design.