Year in review 2011
January 17: The TTC took delivery of the first of four tunnel boring machines for the Spadina subway extension.
January 24-27: The TTC holds a series of public meetings to provide information regarding proposed route changes and re-allocations.
January 31: The TTC improved its e-alert service with a filtering feature that allows customers to select specific subway lines or surface routes that they prefer to follow.
February 1: Transit Special Constables transitioned to their new role as Transit Enforcement Officers.
March 31: Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor Rob Ford were at Wilson Carhouse to announce a new $8.4-billion deal on a revised Toronto transit plan.
April: Preliminary construction began on the Ashbridges Bay Maintenance and Storage Facility on Lakeshore Boulevard East.
May 8: Major service reductions were introduced on 41 bus routes, affecting 147 time periods (decreased from the originally proposed 215 time periods on 48 routes). The reductions were approved by Commissioners on Feb. 2.
May 11: The TTC announced the introduction of summertime Station Ambassadors at key downtown stations.
May 30: The new Chief Customer Service Officer, Chris Upfold, joined the TTC.
June 8: The Commission approved the conditional adoption of the Metrolinx PRESTO Farecard System.
June 12: Roadeo winners: Arrow Road Division’s Bruce Reid, Wheel-Trans’ Stephen Brumpton, Malvern/Duncan’s Mike Lynch, Thomas Tzirtziganis and Peter Kirwin and Arrow Road Garage’s Dave Kirby.
June 16: The TTC, in partnership with Distress Centres of Toronto and Bell Canada, introduced Crisis Link, a new initiative to help prevent suicides in the subway system.
June 17: Officials from the province, Toronto, York Region and the TTC officially launched the first tunnel boring machine (TBM), nicknamed Holey, on the Spadina subway extension. It started boring the next day.
June 21: Birchmount Operator Sherry Newton was named Transit Community Watcher of the Year (2010) for her role in helping a young assault victim.
July 6: The Commission officially welcomed back TTC reservist Phil Horgan from voluntary military service in Afghanistan.
July 11: The TTC activated the Next Vehicle Arrival System for the bus network.
July 19: Automated External Defibrillators became available at all 69 subway/rt stations.
July 21: The TTC officially launched the first Toronto Rocket subway train into revenue service.
September 1: The TTC marked its 90th anniversary as a public service in the city of Toronto.
September 19: Many non-unionized employees were given notice of job eliminations and voluntary separation packages in an effort to help balance the 2012 Operating Budget.
September 30: The TTC achieved its highest-ever single-day ridership carrying 1,746,391 customers (excluding 2002 World Youth Days/Papal Visit).
October 13: The TTC announced the establishment of a Customer Liaison Panel and a series of regular town hall meetings to hear directly TTC customers.
October 15: The TTC carried its 28 billionth customer since its inception in 1921.
November 1: The new Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief General Manager, Andy Byford, joined the TTC.
November 1: A redesigned Metropass with a clipped edge at the top-left corner of the pass is introduced.
November 2: TBM nicknamed Moley began boring tunnels south of the future station at Finch/Keele.
November 5-9: The TTC co-hosted CUTA’s Fall Conference in downtown Toronto.
November 12-15: The TTC hosted a public open house to preview a mock-up of the 100-per-cent, low-floor accessible streetcar of the future.
November 16: CGM Gary Webster addressed the House of Commons’ Standing Committee of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities during hearings into a proposed National Transit Strategy.
November 24: The TTC held its first Town Hall on Customer Service in the Council Chamber at Toronto City Hall.
November 29: TBM nicknamed Yorkie began boring tunnels north of the future station at Finch/Keele.
December 11: Scott Blakey became General Manager – Employee and Development Branch; Dave Dixon became General Manager – Operations; Jim Teeple became Deputy General Manager – Rail.
December 14: The Commission approved the TTC Budgets, including a 10-cent fare increase effective Jan. 1, 2012.
December 14: The Commission approved a report that establishes the criteria for the return of public/citizen representation on the TTC Board.
December 16: The last of the GM “New Look” buses made their final scheduled run on the 52 Lawrence West route; Mount Dennis Operator Derrick Sinclair drives last one.
December 19: With the introduction of Orion VII low-floor buses on the 52/352 Lawrence West route, the entire bus network became fully accessible.
December 31/January 1, 2012: The TTC offered free New Year’s Eve rides and extended service in the subway and on most surface routes.