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Issue 106 | January 20, 2023

MyTTC Weeky

A message from TTC CEO Rick Leary

I’d like to wish a prosperous and Happy Lunar New Year to all who are celebrating. This year is the Year of the Rabbit and we have wrapped several buses and streetcars to celebrate the occasion. Starting Sunday, our customers will be able to enjoy these vehicles.


Buses and streetcars decorated for Lunar New Year are running along the following routes: 510 Spadina, along Spadina, through the core of Chinatown; 506 Carlton, along Gerrard Street, Chinatown East; 25 Don Mills; 39 Finch East; and 102 Markham.


We also know many of our employees celebrate Lunar New Year and one of our wrapped vehicles will be making its way across the Commission so everyone has a chance to see it. Please see the schedule below to find out when it is coming to your work location. 


January 19 Board meeting


Commissioners voted on a critical state-of-good-repair report regarding the subway closure schedule for this year as well as scheduled upgrades for the streetcar network.


The report approved yesterday summarizes the work we achieved in 2022, including initiatives that were implemented to improve service reliability during closures. While we design closures to minimize customer disruptions as much as possible, the 2023 Subway Closures Forecast supports critical projects, such as: ATC Line 2 enabling work; Line 1 Yonge North extension project; Line 2 East extension project; and Easier Access and Station Finishes programs.


A personal highlight from the meeting was publicly thanking Operations Supervisor Ben Kirton. Earlier in the week, Ben performed live-saving First Aid that prevented an infant from fatally choking at Coxwell Station. Ben arrived on scene, took control of the situation and performed consistent back blows that cleared the child’s throat. On behalf of everyone at the TTC – thank you for your quick thinking.


Please see below for more highlights of Commission decisions approved on January 19. The next Board meeting takes place on February 28.

CEO Rick Leary

Rick Leary

TTC CEO

January 20, 2023

See the Board highlights
Get involved

Share your wishes for the Lunar New Year for a chance to win passes to the Toronto Zoo!

 

Share your wishes for colleagues celebrating the Lunar New Year to enter to win a Year of the Rabbit prize pack, including a set of four passes to the Toronto Zoo. Or, tell us how you’ll be celebrating the Lunar New Year by sending your story and photos to MyTTCWeekly@ttc.ca and you’ll also be entered for a chance to win.

Donate to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

 

From January 18 to February 24, TTC's Recreation Council is collecting monetary donations, pet accessories and pet food for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. You can also help an animal find their forever home by adopting.


See the poster for more information and where to donate.

Apply for the Iyai+ Innovation Challenge: North America


Are you between the ages of 18-25 and have innovative ideas that could transform transit infrastructure? Check out this opportunity to compete in the Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure+ (Iyai+) annual Innovation Challenge: North America. The first place prize is $750 USD per team member for first place, and $250 USD per team member for the runners-up. Details are in the information sheet, and all applications are due on January 23. 

New year, new Pension plan seminars!

 

Your TTC Pension Plan is an important part of your retirement. Learn more about your plan by joining a seminar this year.

 

Visit ttcpp.ca/seminars to see the webinar schedule and register.

What's happening
News from around the TTC

TTC celebrates the Lunar New Year


This January, the TTC is proud to once again recognize Lunar New Year. The TTC has wrapped three buses and two streetcars, which can be seen on various routes across the city, beginning this Sunday, Jan. 22.


The wrapped vehicles will share a message of good fortune for the year ahead translated in multiple languages, including: Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Tibetan, Tagalog, Malay, Indonesian and Mongolian.


A wrapped vehicle will also be on display at work locations across the TTC. Find out when the Lunar New Year bus will be at a work location near you!

Temporary reduction at Finch Station's west parking lot 


Forty-eight parking spaces at Finch Station's west parking lot at Hendon Ave. will be temporarily unavailable in order to support Metrolinx in the Yonge North Subway Extension. The parking lot capacity will be reduced until approximately early 2024. Visit ttc.ca for more information.

Customer Communications Specialist Zee Zaid retires after 35 years of service


On January 12, Customer Communications Specialist Zee Zaid started her retirement after 35 years of service at the TTC.


Pictured above, Special Projects Advisor, Marketing & Customer Experience Deborah Brown (right) presenting Zee (left) with her silver pass.


Congrats Zee and thank you for your service!

TTC employees can receive discounted Cirque Du Soleil tickets


TTC employees can receive 20 per cent off tickets to Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza show from April 7 to June 18 with the promo code SG20TTC. See the poster for more information.


You can find tons of great deals like this one on the TTC Recreation Council's page on MyTTC | SAP Jam.

On the move

Joel Persaud appointed Manager, Bus Services, effective December 19, 2022


Joel joined the TTC from Amazon where he worked with numerous senior-level executives supporting the Canadian fulfillment network. Prior to that, Joel served with the Canadian Armed Forces, Naval Operations, where he worked in Victoria, Halifax and Quebec City. 


As Manager, Bus Services, Joel will be supporting the day-to-day operations of the eight bus divisions at the TTC, consisting of approximately 5,000 operators.


Joel holds a master’s degree in supply chain management from the Schulich School of Business.

Mark your calendar

Events and observances from January 23 - February 5, 2023

January - Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Tamil Heritage Month


January 24 - International Day of Education


January 24 - World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture


January 26 - Vasant Panchami (Hinduism)


January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day



January 27 - National Family Literacy Day


February - Black History Month


February 1 - Imbolc begins


February 1 - World Hijab Day


February 2 - Groundhog Day


February 2 - Imbolc ends


February 3 - Setsubun (Buddhism, Shinto)


February 4 - World Cancer Day


February 5 - Tu BiShvat begins at sundown (Judaism)


February 5 - Lantern Festival

See a list of all 2023 statutory holidays for non-union employees.


See all the 2023 observances in this year's desk calendar.


Looking to include a date in Mark Your Calendar? Email us at MyTTCWeekly@ttc.ca.

Employee spotlight

A.J. Takarabe

Senior Transportation Planner, Project Development and Planning


As a kid, A.J. Takarabe loved transit. Growing up, he was interested in understanding how the city of Toronto worked and why it performed the way it did. So when he joined the TTC in 2015 as a co-op student in Project Development and Planning, it was a perfect fit.


From 2015 to 2017, A.J. held various roles in Project Development and Planning, with his most recent one being Senior Transportation Planner. As a Senior Transportation Planner, he works with employees from Service Planning to make sure any new routings will be safe and efficient to operate; he helps make sure new TTC facilities are safe and accommodating; he works with the City of Toronto’s planning and transportation departments to help shape the future in transit; and he works with Operators and Supervisors to resolve key safety concerns to improve conditions for both Operators and customers.


One of his proudest moments was when he worked with employees from Malvern Division, Service Planning and Closures and Diversions to help launch a new TTC route near the new Amazon warehouse in Scarborough.

Know someone you'd like to see featured in an Employee Spotlight?

Nominate TTC employees by e-mailing MyTTCWeekly@ttc.ca.

| Employee Career Centre

New TTC internal job postings

At the TTC, we are committed to helping you reach your professional goals through internal promotion and transfer opportunities. The Employee Career Centre allows current employees to apply for any available position.


The TTC is committed to fostering a positive workplace culture with a workforce that is representative of the communities it serves. Committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, the TTC encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodation is available for applicants of all abilities throughout the recruitment process.


New positions available:


CEO's Office

  • Senior Community Liaison Officer (Req I.D. 6809)


Corporate Services

  • Storeperson (Req I.D. 6837)
  • Information Security Analyst (Req I.D. 7046)


Engineering, Construction and Expansion

  • Architectural Technologist (Req I.D. 6722)


Operations and Infrastructure

  • Design Engineer, Track (Req I.D. 6859)
  • Structure Repairperson (Pool) (Req I.D. 7041)


Strategy and Customer Experience

  • Revenue Equipment Attendant (Req I.D. 6627)
  • Customer Information Representative (Req I.D. 7106)


Transportation and Vehicles

  • Foreperson, Rail Vehicles (Req I.D. 7108)
  • Garage Foreperson (Req I.D. 7095)


For more information and a list of all current job postings, visit the Employee Career Centre on MyTTC | Home. Log in with your MyTTC username and password.


Please contact Diversity and Culture – Talent Management at 416-393-4570 with any questions

5 new train services coming to Toronto that will change the way you travel

Curiosity, January 13, 2023

"Toronto is getting busier by the day, and millions of new residents will call the city home in the coming years. So, it’s no surprise that there are major transit projects in the works to keep the city moving. Commuters will soon get to experience several new train services in Toronto that will extend across the city, the province, and even south of the border.


Here are 5 game-changing new train services in Toronto that are all set for completion within the next 15 years."


Read the full article

Mystery surrounds 'french toast guy' who's been dining out on the TTC

By Alex Arsenych, CP24, January 13, 2023

"Would you ever consider the TTC a place to enjoy a sit-down meal?


One man, dubbed as ‘french toast guy,’ seems to enjoy it, and has been capturing the attention of many as a handful of videos of him eating some breakfast surface online."


Read the full article

Click here to send us news from your team that you want to share. Please allow one week to process your submission. 

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