The message below was sent to TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) customers
this morning. It is a good example of clear, concise and timely
information.
Why can't all Public Benefit Organizations (the ones that receive public
funding and provide services to the community) be this diligent?
Add to this the following initiatives:
-- a new official TTC live Twitter feed
-- live LCD info Screen in every station (airport style)
-- updates every 15 mins on 24-7 on News Radio
-- 20 mins updates on NewsTV before and during the rush hours
-- a new Smart Phone App connected to GPS information on transmitted
from buses on the most heavily used Bus Routes
-- .pdf route maps available of your phone or tablet
-- accurate scheduling and next-bus information by phone-into-computer
with voice-response for individually labeled bus stops (..all stops are
now labeled)
-- daily service reports on the web
http://www.ttc.ca/Customer_Service/Daily_Customer_Service_Report/index.jsp
-- regular Town Hall style meetings
-- Response to complaints on and via socal media streams (they actually
do this)
-- extra Info Staff (mostly local student) during large events
-- free WiFi roll out on train platforms so you can access the info via
your phone
Commuters in Toronto have been fighting for more and regular updates for
some time. This is an on going battle for most cities.
We are starting to see a real culture shift here.
The TTC Communication Office is not huge, but its wired into the system
well. The stats it collects and the feedback it receives, also
provides upper-level management the kind of accurate and timely
information it needs to better determine if the system is working, where
it is breaking down, and what are better course corrections.
AP
----message follows--
Message from TTC - November 5, 2014
System problems this morning illustrate the scale of our challenge
Dear TTC Customers,
This morning saw two major system failures on the subway. Here is what
happened and here’s what the TTC is doing about it.
Line 1
At 6:00 a.m. this morning, the signals at St George Station failed – the
cause is still under investigation. We are limited to where we can
reverse trains up or down the line when there is a problem. St George
Station is one of those stations with cross-over track that allow us to
reverse trains. But because the problem this morning was near St George
Station itself, the next northern point with cross-over tracks is St
Clair West Station; to the south, it’s Union Station.
We implemented a shuttle bus service while crews worked to make
necessary repairs. Service was restored on Line 1 about 90 minutes later.
Line 2
Around 7:00 a.m., the system that detects a train’s presence on the
tracks failed near Broadview Station. The system actually detected a
train’s presence when there wasn’t one there. As a result, the signal
fails safe to red, preventing any train from passing through the area.
To overcome this until the problem is fixed, operators “key-by” – a
process where the operator approaches the signal at 3-5 kph and observes
the train stop on the track go down. If we don’t do this, the train is
thrown into emergency stop, compounding the delay. TTC procedure
dictates that the train must then operate at less than 15 kph to the
next signal to ensure safety. The problem we had this morning resulted
in us having to do this procedure on three consecutive signals (two
entering Broadview Station and one leaving) making it incredibly slow
across the entire line.
The knock-on effect of such a delay, however, is the activation, then,
of emergency alarms due to overheating and crowding on trains, as the
entire line is affected by trains needing to move slowly through just
one area. An emergency alarm can take anywhere from two to 20 minutes to
clear, depending on the nature of the emergency.
Here’s what we’re doing
For two years now, the TTC has been closing portions of Line 1 for
“signal upgrade” work. The existing signal system is 60-years-old in
many places and should have been replaced 20 years ago. This work,
though, takes time, but to replace the entire signal system with a
modern, reliable system that is computer-based, and does not rely on
fuses and relay switches, is about five years away from completion.
Signal replacement for Line 2 is something we must also do and is part
of the TTC’s 10-year capital budget program. Renewal of transit
infrastructure is critical to keeping the system operating safely and
effectively.
We thank you for your patience as we continue to make upgrading the
system a priority – and to continually improve all aspects of your
transit system.
---end---
--
Albert Peres
afpe...@3129.ca
416.660.0847 cell
