The TTC continues to fall down all over itself this week – and like some bullied little child in the school yard, I almost feel sorry for it. It’s getting nearly embarrassing to watch screw-up after screw-up with no thought to public optics.
First we had fare hikes, then an unforeseen accident shut down a major section for a night, then there was token “hoarding,” followed by the brilliant answer – time sensitive tickets (except they don’t have enough tickets, so in the meantime we’re still using tokens). Who’s ever in charge of controlling the message they’re doing a lousy job.
So imagine the frustration riders must have felt at Bloor/Yonge station today when they were herded like cattle down towards the end of the platform in an attempt to stop people congesting the end where the entrance is.
In theory, this isn’t a bad idea. The first 3 train cars are always smashed and loading and unloading times add valuable seconds to the trip. But were 30 or 40 TTC employees and security guards needed? Were endless signs and barriers necessary? Did they really need to be shouting at us like prison guards?
The TTC reminds me of some over-the-top sitcom character where – no matter how good their intentions – the execution is always disastrous.
The thing that really irks me is that this whole debacle has forced me to do something I never thought I could – agree with Toronto city councillor Denzil Minnan Wong. Talking about the token shortage Wong was quoted as saying:
“A billion-dollar corporation should be able to plan and anticipate events such as these,”
That would be sensible and contrite – traits sorely lacking from the TTC.
