What's up T.O
Now let me set the scene, you head out, it's 5:30pm and 0 degrees but with the wind chill it's really -14. You check your watch: "ok five minutes". Maybe you have a friend with you, so you are chatting away passing the time. But suddenly the weirdest thing happens... The wind chill has successfully frozen your fingers and toes; and for some reason lips are so stiff words can barely come out... and remember your 5 minutes...well it has turned into 15. Then you finally get hit with that only to familiar realization: "wait a minute ...the bus isn't here". Now you could wait... but the bus might never come or you could walk, but the bus might pass you leaving you stranded.
This scene is only too common for Toronto’s masses and the Toronto's unionized TTC. Now I don’t think I ask for much when all I want is to get from point A to point B. So what's the problem? Shoot I'm paying enough for it. What do I have to do to get some real service around here?
And have you ever wondered why they call it "the Rocket" I mean it's not that fast; the fastest thing on the TTC is how fast they close the subway doors after it's reached a stop.
Here's the problem as I see it. The TTC is too busy trying to please its "stop…drop ...and strike" bus drivers and personnel and has forgotten that they are a service and ultimately at the end of the day they work for you and me. So simple things like showing up and picking people up so they can get home or work; or answering simple questions without giving attitude or ignoring you all together; or taking their sweet ass time when they are already late to leave the station seems to be beside the point. A job behind the wheel of the TTC bus is virtually now to get paid $25 to $30 to sit, read books, oh and occasionally drive the bus...
And don't bother complaining about it to them. Well at least not past 5:00pm, cause according to the TTC nothing happens between the hours of 5pm and midnight.
So what’s the solution? I dunno.. I have none...this is just going to be one of those things in life where you take it and hope for the best; or at least in this case that the bus shows. So in the meantime... it's cold...so bundle up, get comfy, maybe find a good book...cause you might be camping out there till you see that big red and white box on wheels.
That's my Real Talk... Toronto...see you on the bus
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1 comment:
Oh Didi, how true this is. I was hoping however for a turning point in your rant where you would find the solution, and then it hit a dead end, lol.
But seriously, as you pointed out the TTC are unionized so they're protected. Whether they're late, take an extra long break, or don't even show up to work for no reason, they're protected. It's sickening to think of.
The TTC in particular need comptetion. If this were the case, then they would have to step it up. Anyways, let's continue to write letters and complain. For now it's the only thing we can do.
-James
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