Riders air grievances at TTC town hall meeting

TORONTO, Ont. – Customer service and service cuts were hot button issues at the TTC’s first-ever town hall meeting held Thursday.

The meeting stems from a 2010 TTC customer service advisory panel, which recommended 78 things the TTC could do to improve overall service.

During the two hour meeting, riders voiced concerns over customer service, station and vehicle cleanliness, delays and service cuts directly to TTC management during the town hall, which was held at City Hall council chambers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, customer service officer Chris Upfold said that all of the questions asked, as well as those left on comment cards, will be answered publicly on the TTC website.

Those who added contact information to their question will also be contacted individually.

680News spoke to TTC riders at Queen and Yonge streets to get their thoughts.

Violet thinks the subway service is excellent, except for one thing.

“The fare is a little bit high, in my opinion. I lived in San Francisco — it’s very cheap and accessible,” she said.

Ryan said he loves the new Toronto rocket subway train with the quieter brakes, which he’s heard riders complain about.

Andrea would like to see expanded service in one area.

“I think it should go a little later at night, so it doesn’t promote drinking and driving,” she said.

Friendlier staff and better streetcar scheduling are also on riders’ minds.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, the union representing TTC workers, held their first ever town hall meeting in April in 2011, where riders had the chance to tell the union how they thought they could improve service.