Our system, our fault?

There's a recurring theme at some of the TTC customer service talks that have been sponsored by the transit workers' union and the independent customer service advisory panel around town lately.

The TTC could certainly do better, according to many who have offered up comments. But so too could their fellow riders.

People with disabilities, and even the able-bodied, complain they are battered by backpacks worn on busy buses and subways. Priority seating isn't available for seniors because less weary bones are lounging there and the courtesy that's supposed to be quintessentially Canadian is frequently missing in our collective comportment once we've swiped our Metropasses.

A trip to the TTC's offices at Davisville yesterday provided a case in point.

At the Queen's Quay underground streetcar station a screen or at least the caracas of what appears to be an electronic sign, has been decaying for months. It's an unsightly eyesore that brings the already dank atmosphere down another notch without providing any information to riders.

The service there, however, is pretty good. Any time of the day you'll probably get subway-like frequency on the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina cars.

Tough not to notice, however, that rather than moving over to sit beside the windows, four riders in a row decided to share their double-seats with their baggage while others stood in the aisle.

Comments

[tabernac]

Who wants to share space with the unwashed masses? The people hate the fact they have to take the subway to begin with so why should they commune with others? Face it, Canada is getting more impolite and discourteous with each passing generation.

[anon]

Tess, do you never ride the TTC? Riders routinely take two seats for themselves? Why not comment on the wetness of water or the joys of motherhood?