TTC: Other Items (catch all)

[Northern Light]

Some interesting things he talks about:

• The TTC is the best transit system in the world
• I like to go somewhere where there is a big mess or challenge
• [When I arrived at the TTC] the stations looked like they haven't been cleaned in months
• You cannot run a transit system behind a desk
• You must back your frontline colleagues
• I will always love the people there [Toronto/TTC]
• I loved Rob ford .... outstanding councilor....got his basics right...I'm honored and proud to have met the man and I know his brother

Years (35+) of public service in transit, he wanted to do something for his wife (she kept following where he was going)...she was still in New York hence why he moved to Amtrak.

He often mentioned wanting to do something different - I get the sense he is often on the move and always wanting to try new things...He also talks about wanting to be in roles for about 3-5 years...so before you all wish he were the new CEO for the TTC, he's only been with Amtrak for just over a year and a half...some final quotes:

"It would really take me something persuasive to get me to leave Amtrak...[I want to end my career] here at Amtrak"
"It would take something very very special [to take on something else]"
"We bought a beautiful home [in Florida]"
"I'm hoping...that my last day on the job [career?] would be stepping off a Shinkansen on either Dallas or Houston..."

Andy is coming up on 60 years old.

The first thing I would say is that I just don't see Andy Byford doing true retirement. At least not unless his mind or body dictate otherwise. David Gunn, the other great former TTC CEO (then General Manager), kept his foot in the door F/T for quite awhile but then still consulted and did 'acting' stints thereafter.

I think for the true 'Go Getter', there is always a need for a challenge and to feel useful. Gunn exited Amtrak at the age of 68, then became a consultant for WMATA in 2010 at the age of 73.

Do I think we could lure Byford back for the TTC alone? Probably not. I think if we could offer Metrolinx and the TTC, a sort of transit czar position, he might raise an eyebrow; personally though, I'd love to bring him in as City Manager, we'd probably have to double the pay and expand the authority of the job, but I'd be down w/that. I think his remaking of the senior civil service would a huge benefit. That's probably not on.........but one can dream.

 

[Coolibop]

The first thing I would say is that I just don't see Andy Byford doing true retirement. At least not unless his mind or body dictate otherwise. David Gunn, the other great from TTC CEO (then General Manager), kept his foot in the door F/T for quite awhile but then still consulted and did 'acting' stints thereafter.

I think for the true 'Go Getter', there is always a need for a challenge and to feel useful. Gunn exited Amtrak at the age of 68, then became a consultant for WMATA in 2010 at the age of 73.

Do I think we could lure Byford back for the TTC alone? Probably not. I think if we could offer Metrolinx and the TTC, a sort of transit czar position, he might raise an eyebrow; personally though, I'd love to bring him in as City Manager, we'd probably have to double the pay and expand the authority of the job, but I'd be down w/that. I think his remaking of the senior civil service would a huge benefit. That's probably not on.........but one can dream.

Agree. While watching I couldn't help thinking that he should have Versters position. I feel like we'd get the communication piece right.

Maybe HxR as well...

 

[DSCToronto]

A few weeks ago I helped some puzzled tourists close to Billy Bishop Airport and emailed TTC to suggest they needed some signage saying where the TTC stops are and where the vehicles at them might take you.

I just got this reply so we will see what it looks like soon, I assume. “Thanks for your suggestion. Very recently the TTC has worked with Billy Bishop Airport and the City of Toronto to install maps inside the terminal building and directional signage at the Queens Quay and Bathurst stop. We expect these improvements will aid travelers. ”

 

[TossYourJacket]

The first thing I would say is that I just don't see Andy Byford doing true retirement. At least not unless his mind or body dictate otherwise. David Gunn, the other great former TTC CEO (then General Manager), kept his foot in the door F/T for quite awhile but then still consulted and did 'acting' stints thereafter.

I think for the true 'Go Getter', there is always a need for a challenge and to feel useful. Gunn exited Amtrak at the age of 68, then became a consultant for WMATA in 2010 at the age of 73.

Do I think we could lure Byford back for the TTC alone? Probably not. I think if we could offer Metrolinx and the TTC, a sort of transit czar position, he might raise an eyebrow; personally though, I'd love to bring him in as City Manager, we'd probably have to double the pay and expand the authority of the job, but I'd be down w/that. I think his remaking of the senior civil service would a huge benefit. That's probably not on.........but one can dream.

This is the dream tbh.

But yeah I think the TTC/Metrolinx split plus how subservient Metrolinx has been forced to be to the Minister of Transportation is really hindering our ability to get top tier talent. Like obviously Metro Vancouver is not perfect, but the mayors council and Translink is a system of governance that just makes infinitely more sense than our current mess, and maybe something like that would work better here (not that it will ever happen).

 

[Richard White]

As I was waddling up Victoria Park this afternoon, I came across an Orion V. The number was 9411.

Apparently it was the last Orion V used in service after which time it was sold to a private buyer.

 

[kotsy]

A great interview! Touches on Andy Byford's job history at various transit systems and more.

This was fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Northern Light]

Ran across this tender on Merx that I thought was worth sharing:

P25pn24275-rfsq-automated Streetcar Enforcement System (ases) Pilot - P25PN24275 | MERX

www.merx.com

From the above:

Mid-tender comment; remember to watch out for the cowboys when exiting the streetcar:

 

[generalcanada]

TTC eyes changes to fare evasion penalties

A proposed package of TTC fare evasion changes includes a different penalty structure and a crack down on child cards.

www.thestar.com

 

[Northern Light]

TTC eyes changes to fare evasion penalties

A proposed package of TTC fare evasion changes includes a different penalty structure and a crack down on child cards.

www.thestar.com

The proposed package (the piece omits some details) is good as far as it goes.

But I will once again come back to the idea that I would like to eliminate all fare concessions (12 and under free, should be 3 and under (if a parent can carry you / you're in a stroller, you're free), but otherwise everyone pays the same fare.....)

But the savings from a vastly simpler system, no seniors passes, no youth passes, no student passes, no low income pass, no cash fare (debit permitted) etc. could be reinvested as a lower fare.

$3 per ride for everyone, 40 ride cap per month, so $120 per month max (below the current senior/student/youth and low-income pass rates, and a huge cut for adult riders). All that plus a 3-hour trip window for the simplicity of matching GO.

 

[generalcanada]

The proposed package (the piece omits some details) is good as far as it goes.

But I will once again come back to the idea that I would like to eliminate all fare concessions (12 and under free, should be 3 and under (if a parent can carry you / you're in a stroller, you're free), but otherwise everyone pays the same fare.....)

But the savings from a vastly simpler system, no seniors passes, no youth passes, no student passes, no low income pass, no cash fare (debit permitted) etc. could be reinvested as a lower fare.

$3 per ride for everyone, 40 ride cap per month, so $120 per month max (below the current senior/student/youth and low-income pass rates, and a huge cut for adult riders). All that plus a 3-hour trip window for the simplicity of matching GO.

Even if that was politically feasible which is really isn't, the ttc needs to drastically increase fares, does anyone else think about that $40 billion hole in the ttc state of good repair and capital upgrades as often as I do?

Also both Seniors and low-income people would be very much loudly opposed to it. it would never happen

 

[Amare]

Ran across this tender on Merx that I thought was worth sharing:

P25pn24275-rfsq-automated Streetcar Enforcement System (ases) Pilot - P25PN24275 | MERX

www.merx.com

From the above:

View attachment 594970

Mid-tender comment; remember to watch out for the cowboys when exiting the streetcar:

View attachment 594971

It's about damn time. It only took 5 years after the Jaye Robinson (RIP) introduced the motion, and 3 years after the PC government made the legislation for this to happen.

Why the hell does it take so long to get any meaningful, obvious, beneficial change implemented? Other countries can build subways in the amount of time it take us to get simple legislation passed and implemented, this is pathetic.

Cameras to capture drivers who blow past open streetcar doors could be coming to the TTC

Provincial legislation will allow the transit agency to install automatic enforcement cameras on all its streetcars.

www.thestar.com

 

[evandyk]

Charging full fare for elementary school kids would probably be a big loser politically. It would also drive a lot of family trips to cars rather than TTC since all of a sudden it becomes a lot more expensive than parking.

 

[Northern Light]

Even if that was politically feasible which is really isn't, the ttc needs to drastically increase fares, does anyone else think about that $40 billion hole in the ttc state of good repair and capital upgrades as often as I do?

Capital is not funded from fares and never will be.

Also both Seniors and low-income people would be very much loudly opposed to it. it would never happen

Seniors and low income people would oppose getting cheaper passes than they currently have? Are you sure?

Yes, single rides for those groups would be higher, but if you're not in pass territory, (ie. significantly below 40 rides a month) then the impact isn't that substantial, given my proposal lowers the adult fare.

An occasional rider senior pays $2.25 per ride, so my proposal adds .75c, if they take 4 rides per week, or 16 per month, their increase is $12; but for frequent ride senior (40'ish or more rides) my proposal saves $8 per month, and adds 3-hour ride windows as well.

I don't think the challenge is as daunting as you make it seem.

 

[generalcanada]

Capital is not funded from fares and never will be.



Seniors and low income people would oppose getting cheaper passes than they currently have? Are you sure?

Yes, single rides for those groups would be higher, but if you're not in pass territory, (ie. significantly below 40 rides a month) then the impact isn't that substantial, given my proposal lowers the adult fare.

An occasional rider senior pays $2.25 per ride, so my proposal adds .75c, if they take 4 rides per week, or 16 per month, their increase is $12; but for frequent ride senior (40'ish or more rides) my proposal saves $8 per month, and adds 3-hour ride windows as well.

I don't think the challenge is as daunting as you make it seem.

You really think people are that smart?
The carbon tax exists and people literally make money from it (me included). But when have you ever heard of someone doing the math?
Remember the homeownership rate of seniors is 70%. They're usually the loudest when it comes to anything tax related

excluding the capital projects, the SOGR is $8 billion. That definitely is funded from fares.

 

[duffo]

Seniors and low income people would oppose getting cheaper passes than they currently have? Are you sure?

Yes, single rides for those groups would be higher, but if you're not in pass territory, (ie. significantly below 40 rides a month) then the impact isn't that substantial, given my proposal lowers the adult fare.

An occasional rider senior pays $2.25 per ride, so my proposal adds .75c, if they take 4 rides per week, or 16 per month, their increase is $12; but for frequent ride senior (40'ish or more rides) my proposal saves $8 per month, and adds 3-hour ride windows as well.

I don't think the challenge is as daunting as you make it seem.

There are way fewer seniors riding 40+ rides a month than you think. This would be a massive fare increase for the vast majority of seniors. You can argue whether or not that they deserve that.

I also massively disagree with the removal of the low income pass program, which in reality should be greatly expanded to justify some degree of clawbacks to youth and senior fare discounts. Adding ridership by lowering the cost barrier for low-income riders reduces fare evasion and brings more funding to the TTC via the Gas Tax. It's possible that these two factors would offset the revenue loss due to the fare reduction.