Thu Jan. 21 2010 9:53:16 PM
TTC launches investigation after sleeping collector photo emerges
cp24.com
A TTC fare collector appears to be sleeping in this photo posted on Twitter on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2009.
The TTC has launched an internal investigation after a photo of a sleeping fare collector made its way around social networking website Twitter on Thursday.
Spokesperson Brad Ross says the organization is concerned about the photo but is encouraging riders and city residents to avoid jumping to conclusions about what it depicts.
“We have to be careful in making assumptions about what has happened,” he said on CP24’s “On The Rocket” on Thursday night. “There are many circumstances that may explain this… or may not.”
He said the TTC expects its fare collectors to be alert on the job as they are expected to monitor the security of the fare area and give directions in addition to collecting money.
The photo first surfaced in the mid-afternoon and became on of the most discussed items among Twitter’s Toronto users.
Also Thursday, the TTC unveiled an initiative to improve its customer service. It has hired a panel of private sector experts to improve the experience for riders.
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Comments are now closed for this story
January 21, 2010 at 10:02:00 PM
elisabeth
I don't know about everyone else, but I'd rather see this than an awake but rude fare collectors. Even the awake ones don't like to make eye contact...
January 21, 2010 at 10:20:11 PM
jaswant
Private TTC and let the TTC workers work on minimum wages what the fare collector is doing in picture is sleeping and he should be fired on the spot.The TTC employnent office say they hire only qualified candidates I want to ask them Are they qualified candidates who sleep on job .Good job The Employment office.You should all fired up too.,Let some body who is more responsible should take over their job
January 21, 2010 at 10:26:41 PM
jehs
I feel right
January 21, 2010 at 10:43:06 PM
Jim
This guy is making $40/hr to sleep, but the TTC operating costs are so high that they have to raise the fares. Makes sense? They should really check out the old guy at St Clair Station around midnight. No one pays because he's always sleeping. The sad thing is that nothing will happen to him. The employees are protected by the mafia a.k.a. Transit Union.
January 21, 2010 at 10:43:12 PM
homer simpson
You know what....the guy could of had a bad nights sleep for reasons we do not know.Its happenend to everybody one time or another.Why dont we ask the smart ass that took the picture..he should of woke him up.But I guess not;only for his/her selfish gain if any.Get a life.
January 21, 2010 at 10:45:04 PM
JJ
"..., the TTC unveiled an initiative to improve its customer service." Whatever. Another waste of money.
January 21, 2010 at 10:47:57 PM
john doe
this guy is not a security but that does not mean he has the right to sleep on the job. in some company he would be fired or ask to take some days off without pay but the ttc you can do whatever you like man.cushy job sleep all you want my brother.
January 21, 2010 at 11:02:06 PM
mike
That is priceless!!!
January 21, 2010 at 11:09:08 PM
Mike
This pictures isn't far from realistic. I see this all the time. Broadview station & runnymede ttc booth collectors are most famous for this. I rather see a sleeping ttc collector rather then a ignorant person giving "directions" or simply don't care attitude.
January 21, 2010 at 11:09:32 PM
Abi
I'm quite sure there's a reasonable explanation behind this. It doesn't look like the most entertaining job anyways. But despite that, there are times when I feel like that at work, and it could many reasons - sleepless night, stress...
January 21, 2010 at 11:24:50 PM
Kevin
I once saw a ttc collector smoking in his booth...it was about a year ago so i don't remember which location. I think it may have been yonge and finch but I have never seen someone look so miserable so I didn't say anything to him. I guess the stress level of a ttc employee is as high as the statistics say they are
January 22, 2010 at 12:25:29 AM
Jessica
Good, now we know where our tax money is going, lazy TTC workers!!! This is what my $3.00 commute is paying for!!! His butt should be fired!!! Any job that ur sleeping while working, you get fired!! They are getting too much layway with everything, they are rude and some of them are racist,I'm sorry, he should be fired!!!
January 22, 2010 at 12:39:54 AM
Practical
I would rather see a sleeping collector than to be on a vehicle with a sleepy operator.
January 22, 2010 at 12:42:54 AM
Justme
Forget about being "alert" on the job - how about just being awake? Extenuating circumstances may explain the employee's situation, but by no means excuses it. Improve customer service? Might I suggest you begin by ensuring all your staff are actually conscious. Thereafter, teach them essential manners (the sort taught in Kindergarten), principles of work ethics and gratitude. Really, if a secure, Union protected job complete with benefits and pension leaves you bored, rude, lazy or resentful, you could always switch places with someone in Haiti. Just sayin'...
January 22, 2010 at 12:44:17 AM
John C.
How is it that in Japan, they have 7 PRIVATE transit subway companies in Osaka competing - yet working together - all turn a huge profit, and at the same time are cheaper than the TTC??? Whatever the reason behind the photo, I think if anything it brings to light the frustration, corruption, mismanagement, and holier than thou attitude of the TTC.
January 22, 2010 at 12:50:25 AM
Brian
Not surprising at all, they only have too put the sign up and then they think they can sleep why are they paid so much this is most likely why we pay more to give more $$ to people who fall asleep at work or are behind schedule too much stop raising unjust fares and fire this nut job collector or at least fine him
January 22, 2010 at 2:14:40 AM
sparky
He is only Humman like the rest of us so quit your complaining
January 22, 2010 at 2:15:37 AM
Paul
What exactly is there to investigate? He was sleeping or he happened to close his eyes for a few seconds while this photo was snapped. Keep an eye on this guy and move on, this isnt CSI...
January 22, 2010 at 3:55:45 AM
J C
This could happen to anybody in the workforce it is not easy siting in one place for hours this is the call of nature.Maybe the guy was doing two shifts who knows
January 22, 2010 at 3:59:33 AM
busdriver101
Hey...three things...first off maybe the poor collector have what is known as SLEEP APNEA. So he decided to take a nap then and there not that I blame him. Secondly why is the TTC being criticized for raising the fare when you go to places like Mississauga and Markham where the fare is upwards of $3.25 and people don't even want to pay that? Lastly why are people allowed to take pictures of TTC employees on PRIVATE property.
January 22, 2010 at 5:12:02 AM
jamesr368
Gumbonnnie is going to spent more money on a consultant as to why people sleep on the job ????? This kid (TTC Chaiman ) better grow up another 10 yrs or so to mature and learn the facts of REAL LIFE.. Go sling burgers at Burger King and learn how to handle a job ur capable of doing !! Maybe....
January 22, 2010 at 5:48:48 AM
Bridget
What? Sleeping on the job? Unbelievable. TTC continues to say they don't have enough money to cover their yearly budget and continue to hike up fares for the Toronto working class to deal with poor service. TTC should stop making excuses and get their act together. If we are continuing to get poor service they should lower the fares! A TTC fare collector sleeping on the job is not acceptable! Period.
January 22, 2010 at 6:15:51 AM
a TTC rider
I agree with homer simpson.
It looks that the people are quick on judging others, before reviewing their own weaknesses.
May be the picture itself is fake.
And if all valid, why not commenting via the proper means, not via net/media? If any of your own family member would do anyting out of ordinary, would you jump to make it public on the net or media? Do you think this is the proper way of correcting an issue?
January 22, 2010 at 6:17:26 AM
Frank B
Try to help the problem by saying lazy people like that don't deserve a good job like that. Fire him right away. Homer use your real name next time, oh ya you must be a TTC employee, goodnight!
January 22, 2010 at 6:25:38 AM
TTC rider
It's not a big deal. Mr. Giambrone should take a few trips by bus himself to find out the state of his publicly funded empire. Bus drivers do absolutely whatever they want. I like the part on how they tease riders to run up to the bus door and then take off when you are about half a meter away from the bus door. Well, they must vent their frustration somewhere. This guy is just sleeping. Sometimes there is no one at either end of the booth. It's like someone is taking a washroom break forever. I think TTC should hire a life coach for its employees. It will cost them nothing. Just increase the fare. That's the latest TTC culture as it may seem.
January 22, 2010 at 6:26:21 AM
Al
Ha! So this is why the transit union is constantly pushing for fare increases, government subsidies (which we, the tax payer, bear the brunt of), and threatens thousands of riders with the possibility of a strike at a moments notice! They obviously need more money to pay people to stay awake, and need to strike to give them time off so they don't fall asleep on the job!!
Throw out the union!!!
January 22, 2010 at 6:27:32 AM
John
If I had a bad day/night, I wish I could sleep on the job...even if it's for 1/2 an hour of 15 min....that would be so wonderful!
January 22, 2010 at 6:32:22 AM
T.D
My boyfriend is a contractor for TTC who works night shift, there was a incident where he was going through one of trains 2am and saw two TTC employees sleeping on a INFLATABLE mattress! When accidentally my boyfriend and his boss woken the two TTC employees up, one of them got very angry and shook his head at my boyfriend for doing so. Unbelievable!
January 22, 2010 at 6:33:52 AM
Aaron
Looks like he has sleep apnea with that mouth wide open.
January 22, 2010 at 6:52:11 AM
Ninabeana
I hope this draws real attention to the fact that many fare collectors are not paying attention to riders. They are either eating, talking or too busy fiddling to look up at transfers or metropasses - I don't doubt people take advantage of this. It's not fair that my ride costs more to cover those who take advantage of the situation.
Regarding this guy, I feel bad for him - it does happen to all of us and his job must be incredibly boring.
January 22, 2010 at 7:05:12 AM
donald - toronto
People who fall asleep on the job should not face losing their job as a result. Let's just step back with all the calls to "fire him!" and realize that there are a lot of people who succumb to the urge to nap during their workday. I work in a small office of about 15 people and we have one person with a sleep disorder who falls asleep from time to time. I'm sure there are stories like this in every workplace.
January 22, 2010 at 7:18:03 AM
Sky
What is the point of investigating? He will be hire back by the union most likely eh?
January 22, 2010 at 7:20:55 AM
Jinx
The TTC should check the afternoon collectors @ Ossington Station or Downsview they are either sleeping or absent
January 22, 2010 at 7:46:00 AM
Peter
I'm sure many people are guilty of falling asleep on the job - I wouldn't be doubtful if some of you here are guilty too at one time or another. Don't be quick to judge lest ye be judged yourself.
January 22, 2010 at 7:55:20 AM
Ned Flanders
I see what they mean by 'getting paid in your sleep'. In all seriousness, I thought TTC would do compile an efficiency report to see why they were not making money instead of blindly raising fares. With Adam Giambrone as the head all we've seen is fare increases and the same idiot wants to run for Mayor. Know what to expect? Also expect sleeping city councillors if this guy were to win.
January 22, 2010 at 8:01:51 AM
d grandy
2 words: sleep apnea
January 22, 2010 at 8:03:29 AM
Blaine
Why not? No one seemed to give a care last year when Rick Johnson Regional Councilor Ward 3 in Pickering was sleeping right in council chambers in front of all the other coucilors and audience and even the Regional Chair Roger Anderson. Heck if its good for our politicians let the real working man get a few winks.
Yes I do have the picture wish I could post it on here.
January 22, 2010 at 8:10:10 AM
Joe
I guess he forgot his novel at home.
January 22, 2010 at 8:15:21 AM
Maria
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
This has to be one of the funniest pics I've seen so far in 2010!!! I say give the guy a raise...imagine all the commuters laughing their butts off early in the morning...for sure this made their day!!
January 22, 2010 at 8:16:34 AM
leo
You would have to wonder if this doesn't happen
further up the TTC food chain rite into management
talk about being (a sleep at the switch )
January 22, 2010 at 8:16:37 AM
Shawn
Sleeping TTC staff = < rudeness!
January 22, 2010 at 8:20:27 AM
Shawn
Most of the comments I see posted on this page is regarding excellent customer service that TTC provide.....or NOT!