TORONTO - The Internet is all a-Twitter after a commuter snapped a Toronto Transit Commission fare collector apparently napping on the job.

The commission says it will ask the worker for an explanation, but that it will remain a private matter.

The picture of the collector leaning back on his chair with his eyes closed was posted on a Twitter account.

It has since shown up on websites making fun of the man, including a scene showing him sleeping while sheep appear to jump over transit turnstiles.

Another appears to include a character from "The Simpsons," suggesting the man was a Homer Simpson type asleep at the switch.

Spokesman Brad Ross told CTV the commission is taking the matter very seriously.

"This is not indicative of the TTC," he said.

"It's not acceptable behaviour in any work environment. We employ 12,000 people and the vast majority do an excellent job every day. It's unfair to paint them all with the same brush."

But Bob Kinnear, the head of the transit worker's union, said in a statement he was "disturbed" at the way people reacted when they came across the staffer.

He said there was apparently no attempt by the picture-taker or other customers to determine if anything was wrong with the employee.

"A simple knock on the glass might have determined if the collector was in fact, asleep or whether he was unconscious as a result of some medical problem," he said.

"The reports that passengers were laughing at him as they passed by the booth makes this even more disturbing."

The picture sparked a debate on Twitter, with some feeling sorry for the unidentified man and others voicing their frustration with the transit commission, which has just implemented a fare increase.

"Brilliant! I love it when I pay $3 for someone to sleep ... good ol' TTC," a Twitter user commented on the photo.

"We're all human, give him a break!" said another person. "You never know what the story behind a picture is."

The complaints also come days after a Toronto Transit Commission report surfaced showing commuters have grown increasingly angry at fare hikes, subway disruptions and the rudeness of some transit workers.

Public transit officials have said they will form a panel that will specifically look into ways to improve customer service.