Rewards and Recognition Spring 2023

Customer Service Award Winners

Ryan Brooks, Operator - Bus Transportation
In March of this year, Ryan came across a customer who was distraught because she was diabetic and her blood-sugar levels were low. Ryan calmly asked the customer what she needed, and helped by offering her a soft drink. He made sure to stay by the customer’s side until she was feeling better and offered her emotional support.

Louise Gallotta, Dispatcher - Transit Control and Samantha Haffner, Operator - Bus Transportation
Louise and Samantha worked together to help save a customer’s life. Louise took a call at Transit Control regarding a customer that was in medical distress. She promptly called Emergency Services and relayed their instructions to the Operator on duty, Samantha. Samantha without hesitation, performed life-saving first aid, and together, they saved the customer’s life.

Sajid Maqbool, Operator - Streetcar Transportation and Jeffrey Matheson, Operator - Streetcar Transportation
During a snowstorm in February, Divisional Trainer Sajid Maqbool was conducting a follow-up ride with Operator Jeff Matheson on Jeff's streetcar when it got stuck and two customers with mobility devices were unable to exit the vehicle because of the snow. Sajid and Jeffrey kept both customers calm and offered them food. Once the snow was cleared, they made sure the customers made it home safely. Without Sajid’s and Jeffrey’s help, the customers would have been stranded in the snow late at night.

Safety Award Winners

Ben Kirton, Operations Supervisor - Subway Transportation
In December 2022 and January of this year, Ben performed life-saving first aid on two separate occasions: once when a customer was having a seizure, and once when a customer’s small child was choking. Ben also makes himself visible and available to customers who might need his help. He demonstrates a strong commitment to safety. To help improve safety for his peers, as well as customers, he’s joined the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Moganaraj Rajathurai, Operator - Bus Transportation
Moganaraj was doing the regular rail crossing procedure when he saw a car stuck in the snow on the railway track. He immediately went over to ask the people in the car to get out of the vehicle, helping two people who couldn’t get out on their own. A train hit the car before police could respond, but Moganaraj’s efforts ensured that everyone got to safety in time.

Robert Sorrenti, Operator - Bus Transportation
While operating his bus, Robert spotted a small child along on the curb outside of a daycare centre. He stopped the bus to investigate, and the child darted out into oncoming traffic. He ran out of the bus and risked his life to get the child out of harm’s way. Robert is always ready to help others and has been commended for his exemplary service.

Innovation and Creativity Award Winners

Stephen Cartaciano, Special Events and Program Specialist - Marketing and Customer Experience
Stephen thinks of innovative ways to improve the delivery of the TTC Employee Legacy program, town halls and many other TTC-wide events. Stephen encourages his colleagues to move towards paperless, resource-efficient business practices. He is environmentally conscious and ensures work is done without excess waste. His positive conduct helps meet the organization’s goals of reducing its carbon footprint and operating more efficiently.

Deborah Herbert, Investigative Services Co-ordinator - Legal
Since joining the Legal Department in 2021, Deborah has improved administrative and payroll processes for employees and external stakeholders. She took the time to learn new Microsoft tools, test different solutions and create a trial that management could review and approve. Deborah’s new system is easier for employees to use, and it has reduced payroll errors and requests for corrections.

Krzysztof Potasz, Senior Inspector - Signals/Electrical/Communications
Krzysztof implemented new ideas to the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program for the SEC Department in order to spot failures before they happen. As a result of his proactive thinking, there have been fewer delays to service and more information for employees on their equipment quality. Krzysztof has an incredible work ethic and his ability to adapt to different situations is very valuable to his department.

Patrick Rameshwar, Machine Shop Bench Fitter - Streetcar Maintenance
Patrick has developed many modern solutions for fixing streetcar components resulting in improved production times, reusability of parts and increased work proficiency. Patrick created a more effective way to reuse pantographs and reusing Operator seats while reducing waste and expenses. He consistently shares his findings with his colleagues, while also considering their feedback to further improve his findings.

Leadership Award Winners

Mario Arruda, Senior Construction Inspector - Office of the CCO
Mario brings 25 years of experience to the TTC and his level of commitment, passion and dedication exceeds expectations. He consistently takes on responsibilities to help his team and deliver projects on time and within budget. He does all this while also mentoring everyone he works with. Currently, Mario is the JHSC Co-Chair, and he is committed to safety improvements in the workplace.

Ricardo Couto, Divisional Manager - Subway Transportation
Ricardo is the president of a charity called Holiday Helpers and he regularly demonstrates how TTC employees can make a difference in the city of Toronto. In 2022, a bus Operator found a lost child and helped the child reconnect with their family. Ricardo became aware of the situation and found out that the family was struggling financially. Ricardo then worked with Toronto Police to add the family to his charity contributions list. Ricardo motivates his colleagues to care for the public and empowers them to treat people equally.

Elizabeth Hoare, Divisional Manager - Bus Transportation
To better communicate and increase morale, Elizabeth created a Manager’s corner board where she can directly communicate with employees. She also hosts frequent town halls to keep everyone informed. She is very involved in the planning and execution of many events, including employee golf tournaments, bake sales, food events, family day, back-to-school drives and others. For the 2022 United Way campaign, she helped Mount Dennis Division raise $50,000, and she continues to find ways to spearhead new initiatives.

Bruno Perrella, Lead Hand Coach Technician - Bus Maintenance and Shops
Bruno continuously promotes health and safety in the workplace. This was best displayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Bruno ensured that work was more was efficient and safe by helping his peers keep the workspace clean and organized. Bruno’s influence motivates his team to take pride in their job and work together to maintain the TTC’s large fleet of buses and equipment.

Teamwork Award Winners

Rail Cars and Shops Team

Roy Hartley, Engineering Technologist, and Vince Perruccio, Rail Vehicles Foreperson
To keep the 25-year overhaul program for the TTC’s T-1 train fleet on track, Roy and Vince work effectively with others to solve critical issues. By keeping the project on or ahead of schedule, Roy and Vince have saved two per cent of their capital budget and 19 per cent of their operating budget. Their incredible work inspires those around them to work harder and set more ambitious goals.

Rail Mock-Up Team

Sal Maltese, Head - OTC
​Alexandra Kargutkar, SH&E Policy and Strategy Manager - Safety and Environment
​Gordon McKee, Head - Signals/Electrical/Communications
​Felician Burca, Chief Signals Engineer - Signals/Electrical/Communications
​Ming Li, Signals Designer - Signals/Electrical/Communications
​Keith McGill, Divisional Manager - Bus Transportation
​This cross-departmental team designed, assembled and integrated a rail crossing mock-up to be used in Bus Operator training. The rail crossing mock-up will offer TTC bus Operators practical experience with different rail crossing scenarios with the aim of improving safety. It’s the first time the TTC has taken this approach. This team worked together on its mock-up, design, review and costing. They also collaborated extensively with outside agencies.

Diversity Award Winners

Shanae Brown, Operator - Bus Transportation
Shanae took a leadership role at Queensway Division when she designed and executed a well-organized plan to showcase the division’s Black History Month celebrations. She created a beautiful visual display, organized events throughout the month, and made an effort to bring the division together. Shanae is a role model to her colleagues and always inspires others to lead with an inclusive mindset.

Elizabeth Hoare, Divisional Manager - Bus Transportation
Elizabeth developed the New Female Operator Mentorship Program for Bus Transportation to provide a support system for female Operators. This program was unique and required development from the ground up,m but Elizabeth was resilient and motivated to help other women. She has successfully rolled out this program to eight bus divisions and is working with partners around the TTC to share the impact of this program.

Tejinder Jawandha, Operator - Bus Transportation
Tejinder took the initiative to organize celebrations for Sikh Heritage Month at Birchmount Division. He co-ordinated a food drive, a luncheon for Operators and staff, as well as informational sessions to teach staff about Sikh Heritage Month and Vaisakhi. Tejinder leverages his position to mentor, uplift and support others, all while bringing awareness to other cultures and traditions.