I have a confession to make this Valentine’s Day: I’m in like with Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) workers! I like them so much, I’ll be giving Valentines to as many as I can today, tomorrow, and Valentine’s Day. And so will over 70 other people.
TTC workers I have been in like with over the years include:
The many subway drivers who delighted in being our tour guides when trains were rerouted through the mysterious and unused Lower Bay Station in 2007…
The Thorncliffe Park bus driver I used to have a few years back, who would sing a goodbye song to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus” in the morning when we reached the end of the line at Pape Station…
The College streetcar driver who went further than calling the stops, and gave us interesting and humourous information about the landmarks nearby…
The Dufferin subway station collector who believed me when I told him I forgot to take a transfer for my son on the connecting bus, and didn’t make us pay again…
The St. Clair West bus driver, and many others, who saw me running for the stop and slowed down to let me on the bus…
The Martin Grove bus driver who helped me find my way in an area of town with which I was completely unfamiliar at the time…
All the drivers who have chatted with my young son over the years…
And all the collectors who smile and tell me to have a nice day.
Over the last couple of weeks, it’s been terrible to see all the attacks from the public and media on Toronto’s transit workers. According to some reports, assaults on TTC operators have increased anywhere from twofold to tenfold during what can only be described as a vigilante “gotcha” campaign against TTC employees. Morale is low, and the workers are feeling besieged as a result.
That’s no way for anyone to spend their working life.
If you’re in Toronto, why not join me in showing your appreciation for TTC workers? Give a TTC employee a Valentine.
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Nick Seebruch, editor
