Better TTC

It should be said that there are some very polite and helpful TTC bus / streetcar drivers. I used to live in Europe, where many of the bus drivers were in the country I was living in were exceptionally rude. They would often literally wait until a running passenger reached the doors, and then would slam the doors shut in the person(s)'s face and drive off. They would also shout at passengers for no ral reason. I've rarely encoutered this here, so in some respects we are fortunate!

However, I have also witnessed incidents where TTC bus/streetcar drivers have been very rude, unhelpful and arrogant to passengers. The passengers I've witnessed being spoken to in a rude way were often asking for a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer, or some uncomplicated assistance about where to get off the bus. They were almost never impolite to the driver. Sad to say, this has often been noted in the case of local drivers, when the passengers aren't Canadian born or have a non-Canadian accent. I've seen their attitude switch to being very unhelpful and unpleasant to the people seeking assistance.

I think this reflects very badly on the TTC. It should be made clear to the TTC drivers that they should not adjust their attitude, politeness level or responses depending on a person's background.

It reflects badly on the TTC and city as a whole if people are told that Canadian society does not discriminate or treat people differently because of their background, but then they come to Canada (either as tourists or residents) and then see or experience this type of treatment. Imagine the type of idea that they go away with once they are treated like that. This creates a poor image of Canada abroad when people tell stories like this, which people often remember. The TTC should be polite to customers unless the passengers behave in a rude manner or are abusive.

It would be nice if TTC passengers would stick up for each other more if a TTC driver is unhelpful or unfriendly. If people helped each other more and spoke up for each other, it would show the TTC driver that this is unacceptable. However, I've rarely seen this, if ever. For example, if a TTC driver is rude to a passenger for no reason, it would be a magnanimous gesture if another passenger would have the courage to say tell the driver that it's not acceptable to speak to passengers in that way or, say something like: "Come on, don't speak to the lady so rudely, she's just asking where to get off...". I guess everyone is afraid or does not have the courage to speak up for another person, which is a shame.

Anyway, the point is that unfortunately there is a small number of TTC drivers who need to be trained how to speak to passengers with decency. I know it is a tough job and they have to endure many impolite, aggressive or threatening passengers, which is not pleasant, but they should save their arrogant, unhelpful or impolite remarks for the trouble-makers and undesirable passengers, not the average passenger who just wants to get to his/her destination safely.

Don't forget to note down the bus number, route and time if you experience poor treatment at the hands of the TTC. It's better to take a few minutes to write, email, or call and complain about the incident, rather than just complain without doing anything about it. At least if there are sufficient complaints about specific routes, issues or drivers, the TTC will note a pattern and gradually there is hope that something will be done about it. It's easy to develop a defeatest attitude and feel that the complaints don't help, but they do monitor their passengers' feedback and if we pass on these concerns, there is hope for change and improvement. The details can be found on their website, I find the quickest way for those pushed for time is just to email over a quick complaint.

Great website, by the way! I was thrilled to discover it.