TTC takes a bath and comes up looking like $1 million

You won't need sunglasses to protect your eyes from the dazzling tiles and ceiling slats, but if the subway looks a little brighter lately, it's not your imagination or another break in the tunnel.

The TTC is on a cleaning binge attempting to muck out all 69 stations by the end of the year with the help of some temporary workers.

"We're getting into the nooks and crannies as best we can," said TTC spokesperson Brad Ross.

Cleanliness plays into customer service, said outgoing TTC vice-chair Joe Mihevc.

The TTC has hired 32 temporary workers, who operate in teams of four or five, cleaning mostly the exterior of the stations in the afternoon and moving inside after the evening rush.

The $1 million bath is money that's in the budget, said Ross.

"Customers are actually coming up to our crews and saying, 'This looks great,'" he said.