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TTC: Other Items (catch all)

W. K. Lis said:
What about conversations with listeners, not just recordings?
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Presumably the technology used to make the "On The Rocket" program still exists and can be used. Live streaming can then take the signal fed back to the "station" without needing to have WiFi on streetcars.
 
W. K. Lis said:
I miss the "On The Rocket", back when Councillor Adam Giambrone was the TTC Chair, around 2009.


Wonder if they could use the internet to send out a new version? If they could get the WiFi to work on the streetcars first. Imagine podcasts by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, or (who ever follows) TTC CEO Rick Leary.
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Rumor is , he'll be the next CEO, replacing Rick Leary. Especially with his deep roots with the NDP and connections with Olivia chow, and the jobs and experience he's had since leaving politics. Even being TTC Chair was good experience.

I also noticed he's been more vocal on Twitter , critical of TTC management. Especially considering he's on the other side of the world. He's still deeply a Toronto boy at heart.
 
RapidTransit said:
Rumor is , he'll be the next CEO, replacing Rick Leary. Especially with his deep roots with the NDP and connections with Olivia chow, and the jobs and experience he's had since leaving politics. Even being TTC Chair was good experience.

I also noticed he's been more vocal on Twitter , critical of TTC management. Especially considering he's on the other side of the world. He's still deeply a Toronto boy at heart.
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Adam Giambrone as the next TTC CEO? If only!

From link.
Adam Giambrone is the Head of Land Mobility at the NEOM Authority, the entity that is delivering transportation for the new region of NEOM.
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Why would Adam leave Saudi Arabia for the cold summers in Toronto, and the underfunded TTC? I can imagine him presenting a transit solution and told "Sorry, it's not in the budget. Rejected." Or, "Sorry. The Transportation Service says 'no' because the automobile is number one."
 
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RapidTransit said:
Rumor is , he'll be the next CEO, replacing Rick Leary. Especially with his deep roots with the NDP and connections with Olivia chow, and the jobs and experience he's had since leaving politics. Even being TTC Chair was good experience.

I also noticed he's been more vocal on Twitter , critical of TTC management. Especially considering he's on the other side of the world. He's still deeply a Toronto boy at heart.
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Interesting rumour...........

Hmmmmm
 
RapidTransit said:
Rumor is , he'll be the next CEO, replacing Rick Leary. Especially with his deep roots with the NDP and connections with Olivia chow, and the jobs and experience he's had since leaving politics. Even being TTC Chair was good experience
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One hopes they remove all couches from TTC headquarters first
 
RapidTransit said:
Rumor is , he'll be the next CEO, replacing Rick Leary. Especially with his deep roots with the NDP and connections with Olivia chow, and the jobs and experience he's had since leaving politics. Even being TTC Chair was good experience.
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This would be very surprising, no - given the sexual misconduct that torpedoed his mayoral campaign?

Although he may have changed his behavior (I have no idea) this seems like something that would haunt any high-profile appointments he’s in?
 
Again , they're just rumors. But looking at Adam Giamborne resume is not that far fetched. And the scandal of something that happened over 10 years ago , I doubt people will make that an issue. Sure they'll bring it up, but it will soon be forgotten. But I do expect Leary to be gone by the end of this year.

With the new Board appointees, I do expect them to start searching for a CEO very soon. Looking at TTC CEO/GMs in the last 30 years, most last about 5 years. I would be in shock if they give him an extension.

If Rick Leary was smart, he'd see the writing on the wall and start packing up. If he's still under contract, might as well let them fire you and get compensated.

Only thing Olivia Chow should have done is replaced the non councilors on the Board with Steve Munro and the likes, people that actually have an interest and know the ins and outs of TTC, that would actually enjoy it. He does more with his blog than the current non councilors on the board does. I assume she's afraid of looking like a hypocrite if she uses her strong mayors power to make that change?
 
W. K. Lis said:
Adam Giambrone as the next TTC CEO? If only!

From link.

Why would Adam leave Saudi Arabia for the cold summers in Toronto, and the underfunded TTC? I can imagine him presenting a transit solution and told "Sorry, it's not in the budget. Rejected." Or, "Sorry. The Transportation Service says 'no' because the automobile is number one."
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I know plenty of ppl that left hot beautiful countries to come and work in Canada. I believe his family is still in Toronto as well, and he'd rather raise his children here than over there. He was even recently working from home in Toronto, despite the company being in Saudi Arabia during COVID. It's obvious he wants to be back in Toronto.
Like I said, just a rumor, but I believe there's a lot of weight behind this rumor, but that's just me. Only time will tell.
 
Debit and credit payment on the TTC starts tomorrow

August 14, 2023

The TTC is reminding customers that starting tomorrow, Tues., Aug. 15, adult single use fares can be paid for at subway station fare gates, and on board all streetcars, buses and Wheel-Trans vehicles, with the tap of a debit or credit card, including with cards on a smartphone or smartwatch.

More than 8,700 PRESTO card readers have been upgraded to accept debit and credit cards, giving customers more choice and convenience when they travel. Already, more than 59,000 rides have been paid for with a debit or credit card, after PRESTO card readers at fare gates and on some surface vehicles began accepting contactless payments last week.

The debit and credit card fare is $3.30, the same as an adult single use PRESTO fare. A two-hour free transfer period also applies, provided the same card is tapped during the two-hour window.

Customers who tap-on with a debit, credit or PRESTO card do not need a paper transfer. The same card used to tap-on should be presented to a TTC Fare Inspector when asked for proof-of-payment.

Those who qualify for concession fares should continue using a PRESTO card that has been set to deduct a youth, senior or Fair Pass Discount Program fare. As always, children 12 years of age or younger ride for free.

For more information on using debit and credit cards on the TTC, customers can visit https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/Updates/Pay-your-fare-with-your-debit-or-credit-card, or speak to a TTC customer service agent.

The TTC is committed to keeping customers informed about work and events that impact service and about alternate routes. For the most up-to-date information, follow @TTCNotices on Twitter or sign up for eAlerts.
 
Used to be that the TTC employed its own people to take care of it. However, for "efficiencies" purposes, they turned to "staffing agencies" to fill them. Many of them are part-timers, but splitting the former full-time positions between them. (2 people working 4 hours each, instead of 1 person working 8 hours, for example.) Of course, the owners or shareholders would end up making the big bucks over the back of those who do the real work.

From link.

Confusion over breaks. No personal washroom keys. A temp worker at TTC alleges unfair conditions​

A TTC worker who was hired through a staffing agency says temporary employees aren't being treated fairly compared to those brought on directly by the transit agency, and that its reliance on third-party companies for some staffing has created an environment ripe for abuse.

CBC Toronto is protecting the worker's identity as they fear they could lose their job for speaking out about their alleged working conditions.

"We provide such a crucial service to the TTC and yet we're being treated less than any other position," said the TTC customer service representative, who works in various subway stations to help riders navigate the system.

The worker said they decided to speak about their concerns after they received an email on June 30 from TalentWorld, the staffing and recruitment agency who hired them and placed them at the TTC, updating employees on break rules.
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email-from-talentworld-to-employees.jpg

In this email from TalentWorld to its TTC temporary workers, the staffing agency explains the break structure. TalentWorld's parent agency, GardaWorld, has since told CBC the 15-minute break is a "miscommunication". (CBC)

The email, viewed by CBC Toronto, says a 15-minute paid break will be given to those who work anywhere from five hours to seven hours and 59 minutes. Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, all workers, regardless of status, are entitled to one 30-minute unpaid break for a shift of that length — not 15 minutes.

TalentWorld notes in the email that the break structure "comes directly from the TTC."
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'We just feel undervalued': worker​

The worker said for the last month, they and their co-workers have been operating under the impression they are only entitled to a 15-minute break for five to eight hours of work.

The employee also alleges that temp workers do not have their own keys to TTC staff bathrooms and must use public washrooms if full-time TTC staff are not around to unlock the door for them.

"Those bathrooms are for TTC staff and the public cannot access them, they said. "If we're at downtown stations, we're told to use the Eaton Centre."

Sometimes, they also have to pay to enter a subway station if an attendant isn't present because temporary staff aren't given an all-access Presto card to enter their workplaces like full-time staff are, the worker said.

"We willingly stand for upwards of 12 hours at times and we want to provide such a great service to the residents of Toronto who have to deal with disruptions to the commutes," they said. "And we just feel undervalued."
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TTC says email doesn't reflect requirements​

In emailed statements to CBC News, a spokesperson for the TTC said the email from TalentWorld regarding a 15-minute break "does not accurately reflect the contract requirements between the TTC and TalentWorld."

Stuart Green, senior communication specialist for the TTC, said the transit agency does provide a 30-minute break for those who work five to eight hours.

"The information you have is not reflective of TTC contractual requirements. We are confident that the contractors are in fact meeting their obligations," said Green. "However, in view of your email, we are reminding them of this in the event there is miscommunication circulating."
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Green said the TTC exceeds what's required under the Employment Standards Act by paying temporary employees for 15 minutes of their 30-minute break.

When it comes to the staff washrooms, Green said temporary workers "don't have keys but would be given access" by TTC employees. He also said no worker, including temporary workers, have to pay to enter the stations to work.

"All stations have collectors or TTC staff [customer service agents] to let them in," said Green.

But the employee who spoke to CBC Toronto said that's not always the case. Temporary workers sometimes have to pay to enter stations when an attendant isn't present, they said.

CBC News reviewed the worker's Presto card history and shift history and observed they occasionally paid a fare at the start of shifts at stations they were assigned to.
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Staffing agency says miscommunication 'rectified'​

In a statement to CBC Toronto, GardaWorld, a security firm that owns TalentWorld, said that the staffing agency's email about breaks was "the result of a miscommunication which has since been rectified."

As for washroom keys, GardaWorld said "keys are centralized at each station to ensure access control" and that employees have access to washrooms at "all times."
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But it added that "in the rare and unlikely instance where they are not able to access a station facility, they are directed to available public washrooms."

Regardless of whether a communication issue occurred around breaks, agencies like TalentWorld have a role to play in advocating for employees, the worker who spoke to CBC Toronto said.
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TTC 'should be setting a high bar': lawyer​

Ella Bedard, a lawyer and organizer with the Workers' Action Centre, an advocacy agency for employee rights, agrees.

Both the TTC and TalentWorld have a responsibility to "pay close attention" to what's occurring in the workplace, said Bedard.

"[It] is particularly upsetting to hear that it's happening at the TTC because the TTC is a public service," she added.

For the TTC, using temporary employees provides it with flexibility, its spokesperson said.

"Using contracted temporary [customer service representatives] allows us flexibility to only bring in staff as needed for short-term closures. Direct hires would be more expensive when salaries and benefits are factored in and we would not have as much flexibility to bring in more people as needed," said Green.

But Bedard said the centre has received calls from TTC temporary employees over the past few years with concerns over scheduling and not being given enough hours.
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"[The TTC] should be setting a high bar for employment standards, not allowing the bar to be lowered and slipped below what's supposed to be just the minimum floor of entitlements for all workers," she said.

The union representing TTC workers meanwhile says the transit agency hiring people through staffing organizations prevents the union from advocating for those employees.

"That is why going around a union does not protect workers," said Marvin Alfred, president of ATU Local 113.

"We would like for the people that are populating transit worker positions to be local, unionized labour because I think that is the best way to deliver that service reliably to the public."

Relying on any third-party staffing is a concern, said Bedard and Alfred, as it can mean less accountability for an employer and less oversight over the working conditions of some employees.

Neither the TTC nor TalentWorld would say how many temporary workers are employed by the TTC.
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