TTC1700

Looks like the new order of 35 Orion VII EPA10's are starting to be built. Photos can be seen here:

But at the expense of losing a planned 500 LRT cars and 7 LRT lines.

10 cent fare hike and service cuts to almost 50 routes coming our way just cause Rob Ford wanted to end the war on cars.

Time to chase a Fishbowl thats not supposed to be out on a Sunday!

On Thursday, the TTC unveiled the first of the new information screens that are going to be placed just by the entrance of the station. LINK

Fleet Updates: - 2008 Orion VII NG 1517 and 1999 New Flyer D40LF 7308 have both officially been retired. Reason for retirement are Arson and Engine Fire respectively. Both are first to be retired in their series. - 71 GM New Looks remain - TRs are starting to be delivered. 5391-5396 have been delivered and are undergoing testing. They will be relieved to the public tomorrow morning at Downsview Stn at 11am.

Mayoral Candidate Rob Ford has released his Transportation Plan for the city if her were to become mayor. One thing includes scrapping streetcars and replacing them with buses. It can be seen here He seriously expects money for all this will fall from the sky. We'd have this all plus more if there was just money. I seriouslt don't know where he got his facts from. "Buses hold the same amount of people as streetcars, Subways cost the same as LRT and Streetcars pollute the city." From what I've calculated, 411 buses are gonna be needed to replace the streetcars. 2 buses for 1 CLRV and 3 buses for 1 ALRV. 411 buses replacing 247 streetcars... I don't see a cost saving in that.

The TTC Customer Service Advisory Panel has released a report on how to improve the TTC. It can be viewed here. An interesting quirk is it mentions Transit Enthusiasts as "Transit Lovers" in Section 7D (Page 51).

Most if not all of them should be gone by 2012. They are being replaced Orion VIIs. 95 are to be delivered by the time the Fishbowls retire.

Some Updates: - The Fishbowls have been dropping like flies. 15 have been retired in the past 48 hours. - 1999 New Flyer D40LF 7308 caught fire. - Noticeable construction has started for the Sheppard East LRT Line. - Station designs for TYSSE have been revealed for 4/6 stations. Sheppard West Station York University Station Highway 407 Station Vaughan Corporate Centre Station - An RFP has been issued for Open Payment - And the TTC is close to closing a deal on new Headquarters and a Transit Museum.

TTC officially launched the Next Vehicle Arrival system by Text Message for Streetcars today. Buses go active in Early 2011. Link: http://www3.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Projects_and_initiatives/Customer_Information_Initiatives/Next_vehicle_information_system/Text_Messaging.jsp

Some recent news: The St Clair ROW project is finally wrapping up and currently streetcars are running the full length of the line. All that needs to be done now is the construction of shelters at Old Weston Rd, Keele St, and Gunns Rd/Loop. The TTC also brought out a PCC to run on St Clair a couple weeks ago for a festival. TTC is also participating in today's Pride Parade by bringing out VII NG 1791 and an unknown Friendly Bus as a float.

EDIT: DOUBLE POST

IIRC, 5 sets are supposed to be delivered by the end of this year and the 1st set is due to arrive next month and be in service by fall.

Just received word that there might be a fishbowl slaughter following the G20 Summit here in Toronto. Apparently the TTC might retire the 112 remaining fishbowls including the ones that went through LEP. Looks like Calgary is gonna outlast us with their 103 fishbowls.

If you came in on the 12th-13th, you would've been able to make it in for the Bus Roadeo at Arrow Rd Garage for the Sunday.

They either were test units for the 81xx or just replacements as you said and didn't have stock @ Orion so they just sent these Ammeriviews.

One PCC will be out on the 509 on Sunday. There's gonna be around 60-90 fishbowls around depending on how much 81xx coming in. The 512 ROW might be fully opened by then but I'm not sure cause Gunns Loop reconstruction is going really slow. A good place to visit is the York U BRT. You'll see Fishbowls going upwards of 60-70km/h. Can't think of much off the top of my head but I'll post more when I can.

Looks like when our 204 Bombardier Flexity Outlooks come in, a new carhouse will be open and 133 CLRV will be spared. Too bad 62 CLRVs and all 52 ALRVs would be retired though..

6734, the last '91 Orion V has been retired.

PCC #4549, Peter Witt #2766 and CLRV #4041 seen on Queen St. for the Easter Day Parade.

One PCC will be out every Sunday on Rt 509 till Sept 5th starting May 9th.

The TTC is currently receiving the first of 120 2010 Orion VII NG Diesel buses. The first bus was delivered in mid February while the rest of the order started coming in the past week. Photos attached include 8100 on Rt 10 and 1675, one of 3 NG's currently equipped with Vapor Ammeriview doors.

"TTC committed to customer service excellence Toronto Transit Commission Chair Adam Giambrone, today, announced several measures the TTC will begin immediate work on in its renewed commitment to excellence in customer service. Last week, the Commission approved the formation of an advisory panel. Panelists will be named in the next week. This panel will have representation from customers, the private sector, TTC employees and the public transit industry. The panel will review and approve a terms of reference then begin the work of assessing existing plans to improve customer service, advise on where the TTC should seek outside expertise to achieve its objective, conduct public consultations, and draft a customer charter or “bill of rights.” It is intended that the advisory panel will publicly report its recommendations by June 30. “The Toronto Transit Commission must be committed to service excellence. Its customers want and deserve a safe, reliable and courteous TTC experience,” said TTC Chair Adam Giambrone. “I have clearly heard and understand the frustration customers have shared with us, particularly in the wake of several high-profile customer service problems in the last few months. By reaching out and listening to customers, and through a comprehensive review of hiring, training, and technology, we can and will improve the TTC experience.” The panel is one of several new or expedited initiatives aimed at dramatically improving customer service for TTC customers. Next week, the TTC will unveil the first phase of its Trip Planner. Customer feedback will be sought as the trip planner continues through development, including a mobile application. The TTC will make its data available to organizations, like Google – at no charge – so they can develop applications that may be useful to TTC customers. This year the TTC will install up to an additional 50 pass vending machines across the system, allowing customers to purchase Metropasses. The TTC continues to work with the province of Ontario on a smart card and automatic fare payment system. The TTC will improve its plans to assist customers and employees during major subway delays, including the use of emergency transfers and bus shuttles. The advisory panel’s input will be critical in ensuring the right information, from the right people, at the right time is delivered in a way that is helpful to customers. In July, all 800 streetcar stops will have SMS capability whereby customers can send a text message to the TTC and get an immediate response about when the next streetcar will arrive at that particular stop. Select shelters and subway stations serviced by streetcars will also have LED readouts with next vehicle arrival information Bus stops will have the same capability in 2011 as the TTC upgrades the GPS units aboard all the buses in its fleet. To help frontline employees and customers alike during subway disruptions, the TTC will install video screens at station entrances or at collector booths with system status information. As well, direct communication with collectors and supervisors from Transit Control will be implemented to ensure employees have the latest information to help them do their jobs effectively. The TTC has a number of initiatives already under way, or in the planning stage, to improve the customer experience on the TTC. When a delay on the subway occurs that is greater than 15 minutes during rush hour periods and 30 minutes at all other times, the TTC’s website is updated, e-alerts are issued and platform video screens carry text advising customers of any delay. Customers are notified of significant surface route disruptions in the same way. The TTC also makes use of social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook. While technology is an important component of customer service and customer information, the TTC recognizes it can, and must, do better in its interactions with customers. “We don’t want our customers to wonder what their next trip on the TTC might be like,” said TTC Chief General Manager Gary Webster. “We want them to look forward to a reliable, safe and courteous trip. Each of us at the TTC needs to think about how we are doing our jobs and how we interact with our customers. As public servants, we have a unique and important responsibility to meet, if not exceed, customer expectations. The vast majority of our employees are courteous; we need to achieve 100 per cent.” With the assistance of the advisory panel, the TTC will begin a thorough and comprehensive review of its training curriculum – for new employees, as well as those going through recertification training. A renewed focus on customer service will be at the core of all training. The TTC will also ask the panel to advise on its plan to ensure all new hires, as well as all internal applicants, have a measurable aptitude for customer service excellence. To ensure service excellence is not only achieved, but sustained, quality assurance standards will be developed, as will the use of “secret shoppers” and comprehensive supervision. The TTC will seek the panel’s input and advice on the need to retain consultant-support to help develop and guide the TTC through this process. The TTC has a summer program called TTC Ambassadors. Used primarily at special events, the TTC will seek input from the panel on expanding this program into a full-time program whereby customers can get information or assistance from an ambassador at its busiest subway stations, or during major disruptions. The TTC will also undertake a review of its uniforms and dress code for frontline workers. Finally, the TTC will establish a 24/7 hotline for TTC information or for filing a complaint. It will also seek advice from the panel and customers on its complaints process. Greater public accountability and transparency for complaints will be reviewed and routine public reporting of complaints and resolutions will be studied to ensure performance excellence is measured. The TTC has heard much from its customers about how it can improve. The advisory panel will greatly assist the TTC in ensuring it focuses on the most important aspects of customer service while it consults with riders, and reviews processes and plans already in place. "

The TTC has agreed that the rail gauge on the Transit City lines will be standard, and not the unique TTC gauge. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/article/746626--transit-city-measures-up-to-international-standard