Transit Briefs: TTC, Metrolinx, NJ Transit, LA Metro

"100 Years with TTC" can be viewed at Davisville Station in honor of TTC's centennial anniversary.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) celebrates 100 years with new mural at Davisville Station. Also, Metrolinx’s Exhibition and Corktown stations ready for future Ontario Line construction; NJ Transit named by Forbes as one of New Jersey’s best employers for second straight year; and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) partners with Target to expand GoPass program to Inglewood Unified School District.

TTC

As of Aug. 26, customers traveling through TTC’s Davisville Station can view a new mural titled “100 Years with TTC” in honor of the commission’s centennial anniversary.

The artwork, which was designed by artist Rosena Fung and produced in partnership with Canadian-based art organization STEPS Public Art, showcases winning entries from the TTC100 contest submitted by students who shared their vision of transit throughout the next 100 years. The mural, the commission says, depicts inspired ideas from children of all ages for things like futuristic new vehicles, creative expansion of the TTC’s system, and exciting technological innovations.

The student contest winners whose ideas are featured in the mural are Ishrag Alam, Annie Clarke-Ward, Ayaz Ghafur, Virgil Grant, Selena Haththotuwa, Finch Howells-Young, Kailah Kilfoyle, Leonard and Robyn Killeen, Alexandros Prokos, Saheel Siyam, Jazz Stocker-Witticker and Kevin Wang.

“This mural depicts the vision of bright young people for the TTC over the next hundred years. It includes inspiring ideas that expand on accessibility, safety and technological innovation dedicated to the environment and inclusiveness in a meaningful way,” said lead artist Fung. “From new vehicle models to creative uses of existing infrastructure, and to the expansion of lines and services, the vision for the future looks brilliant and we are ready for it!”

“The future of transit is in good hands with our youngest riders, who clearly have big dreams and plans for the next 100 years of the TTC,” said Richard J. Leary, CEO of TTC, which kicked off its 100th anniversary celebrations last year, with Mayor John Tory officially proclaiming September 1, 2021, as “TTC Centenary Day” in the City of Toronto. “I’m very pleased to have this mural at Davisville Station, a location that holds a lot of historical significance for the TTC, and where our head office is still located. I hope that customers passing through will enjoy the creativity and imagination of the next generation,” Leary added.

According to the TTC, the commission also marked the milestone as 100 years ended this past weekend with a final public event at TTC Hillcrest Complex. A commemorative 100th Anniversary coffee table book, artwork and other merchandise are available for purchase in the TTC online store at ttcshop.ca.

Metrolinx

According to Metrolinx, work on the Ontario Line is already well under way in some spots along the subway’s 15.6-kilometer route, as crews have begun to “cross tasks of the list of important work to complete before major construction on stations and tunnels begins in 2023.”

Earlier this year, construction crews broke ground at Exhibition Station where a new station building will be built to serve both the Ontario Line subway and Lakeshore West GO services. Early upgrades at Exhibition station include updating the elevator on the south platform and building a new joint platform on the north side that both GO and Ontario Line trains will use. According to Metrolinx, approximately 12,100 people are expected to pass through the future interchange during the busiest travel hour.

A new pedestrian bridge crossing the rail corridor will also be constructed, Metrolinx, says, improving pedestrian flow and easing crowding in the existing tunnel during events in and around Exhibition Place.  

A previously built head house has now been opened to allow for continued access to the existing station during construction. A new station entrance is also being built along 1 Atlantic Avenue, where crews already finished clearing the site.

“It’s important that we keep people moving safely though Exhibition Station during construction,” said Metrolinx Senior Project Manager Jey Pillai. “The work we’re doing now will make that possible while also preparing the site for a bigger and better Exhibition Station in the future.”

Heading east along the Ontario Line route into the Corktown neighborhood sits two construction sites flanking Front Street between Parliament and Berkeley streets. This area, Metrolinx says, will be the site of the future station serving Corktown, and where the Ontario Line tunnel boring machine shaft will be located. 

According to Metrolinx, the station serving Corktown will put approximately 26,400 people within a short distance of a subway station and connect to popular surface routes, such as the 504 King TTC Streetcar, 65 Parliament TTC bus and 172 Cherry Street TTC bus.

Construction teams at Corktown, Metrolinx says, have already finished with the demolition and removal of existing buildings and structures, which will “allow tunneling and station construction teams to move in and get to work once they take over the site in 2023.”

Given the historical significance of this location, Metrolinx says, archeological teams are carrying out additional studies before major work begins. 

“We understand the historic importance of the site and are working closely with our licensed archaeologists, Indigenous monitors and our First Parliament Working Group partners, including the Ontario Heritage Trust, City of Toronto, Infrastructure Ontario and Indigenous Nations to make sure findings are documented and appropriately commemorated as part of the future station” says Metrolinx Senior Manager, Environmental Programs and Assessment James Francis.

According to Metrolinx, “early works” construction for the Ontario Line will continue in the Lakeshore East Joint Corridor and the Lower Don Bridge/Don Yard area throughout the rest of 2022 and into 2023. 

NJ Transit

NJ Transit announced on Aug. 26 that it has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best-in-State Employers 2022 list for the second straight year. This year, NJ Transit ranked seventh among the 90 New Jersey organizations that were included in the annual rankings, up from last year’s ranking of 24th. The survey, according to Forbes, “measures leading companies from around the world to identify those best-liked by employees.” This marks the third time in the last five years that NJ Transit has been recognized as one of New Jersey’s best places to work, the agency said.

America’s Best-in-State Employers 2022 were identified in an independent survey by Statista based on a vast sample of approximately 70,000 Americans working for companies with more than 500 employees in the U.S. Across 25 industry sectors, 1,380 employer brands were ranked among the top employers. Brands were able to win in more than one state.

NJ Transit ranked first in New Jersey in the “Transportation and Logistics” category.

The evaluation, NJ Transit says, was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees were also asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industry and state that stood out either positively or negatively.

“This week Forbes once again recognized the great strides NJ Transit has made since the outset of my Administration: NJ Transit prioritizes not just customer experience, but employee satisfaction for the individuals who drive the agency’s critical work,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “As we make crucial infrastructure upgrades to build the transportation network our residents deserve, I commend NJ Transit for fostering a work environment that meets the expectations and needs of its employees. All companies and organizations in our state should similarly aspire to cultivate work environments in which New Jerseyans feel valued, empowered and fulfilled.”

“On behalf of our employees, NJ Transit is honored to once again be recognized on this prestigious list,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “This is a direct reflection of the talented and hard-working staff of 12,000 at NJ Transit.”

To access the complete list, click here.

LA Metro

Metro announced on Aug. 26 a partnership with Target, which has agreed to sponsor Inglewood Unified School District’s GoPass participation for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.

This means, Metro says, that nearly 8,000 students enrolled in Inglewood Unified School District will be eligible for the GoPass Tap Card allowing them “unlimited free rides on Metro buses and trains and on other participating municipal transit operators enrolled in the Metro GoPass Fareless Program.”

According to Metro, transportation is a big cost to families, and lack of access to transportation sometimes results in kids missing school. The GoPass Program, Metro says, “provides financial relief by offering students, grades K-14, and attending participating schools, with unlimited access to transit ensuring they always have a way to get to school.” And because their pass is valid all day, every day, students can also use the GoPass for other activities, such as commuting to a weekend job or attending sporting and cultural events, promoting social equity and providing greater access to economic opportunities, the agency added.

“Moving to a fareless system is one of our most effective tools to help alleviate financial burdens and achieve equitable outcomes, especially for our young people  who have already taken over 5.6 million trips since the GoPass program began last October,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Holly J. Mitchell. “The high demand for this program further highlights the importance of creative partnerships like this that invest in community needs and make public transit more accessible.” 

According to Metro, the GoPass Program, which has been a “tremendous success” and continues to expand, had 51 participating K-12 districts and charter networks and 14 community colleges participating in the 2021-2022 school year.

In addition, Metro adds, nearly 140,000 participating students took more than 5.5. million trips on Metro and 12 partner transit agencies. Metro is starting the second year of the pilot with more than 20 new K-12 districts and two new community colleges joining the program. Metro says its goal for the second year of the program is to double boardings and participants.

Target and Metro will work together to “give every Inglewood Unified student needed access to reliable, clean, safe transportation,” the agency said. In addition, Metro says it will continue to seek funding sources to extend the GoPass program beyond the June 30, 2023 pilot end date, including state and federal funding and additional sponsorships.