City
A TTC etiquette guide, vintage edition
Delving into the archives this week, I came across a stack of TTC public service announcements that used to be displayed inside streetcars among adverts for Sunkist lemons, tubes of Ben-Gay pain lotion and Adam brand fedoras to help the socially oblivious coexist peacefully with regular transit users.
Flipping through the manilla archival folders, it seemed good TTC etiquette - moving down the streetcar, having exact fare, keeping feet out of the aisle, exiting via the rear doors - has always had to be explained to some people. And even then, it doesn't seem to have made much difference. Many of the problems faced by TTC riders of old are the same ones we deal with today.
Often featuring recurring themes and characters - most obviously the two shipbuilders and the angry/awkward fat man with glasses bumbling and yelling his way around the streetcar - the colorful cards were last century's attempt at keeping the transit network civilized and efficient.
The problems might not have changed much (OK, the female shoppers during rush hour thing seems to have been quietly dropped) but the presentation style has certainly evolved - the TTC definitely couldn't get away with the Mrs. McTush poster now. That said, charming cartoons like many of these would still be a welcome presence on the streetcar or subway today if you ask me.
My personal favorites are the reference to a "ten spot" and the bizarre "Missed a streetcar? At least you're not drowning" drawing near the end. Would you like to bring any of these back to the TTC?
"HATS OFF" SERIES:
"WE ALL LIKE" SERIES:
"SHIPBUILDERS" SERIES:
"BUMBLING MAN" SERIES:
MISCELLANEOUS:
Images from the City of Toronto Archives
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Plus only good looking people should use it.
Also interesting to see that some problems were the same (moving to the back, exiting by the rear doors), whilst others that are frequently discussed today (giving up seats for the elderly, not taking up seats with bags, etc.) are not.
@Suzette: Shoppers should be-
1)Shopping near where they live (if possible)
2)Shopping and using the TTC before or after rush hour, not DURING it. The truth of these old ads is, it's still a problem in 2012, and people haven't got that through their heads yet. Rush hour should be reserved for workers/students coming to and from work/school, not the ordinary guy/gal shopping or doing nothing loaded down with goods and/or a baby carriage. Either do this, or shop on the weekend like people are supposed to do.
But I guess the lesson you can draw from these ads was that the TTC has always been a miserable experience, but people used to dress a whole lot better.
There used to be a time at there were drivers and conductors on streetcars (2 employees). Drivers just drove, conductors sold and collected fares. With trailers, there were 3 employees, driver and 2 conductors (one in the lead car and one in the trailer).
"Sorry - smallest I have!"
-not plucking any kind of facial hair on the TTC
-not cliping toenails on the TTC
-not eating McDonald's or other smelly/messy food while on the TTC
-not picking dried skin off one's body while on the TTC
-how it's inappropriate to being a double-wide baby stroller on the TTC
That's not fair at all. What if the parent has no other way of getting around? Also, having a stroller block your way is only a minor inconvenience to you. Think of how difficult it must be for parents with small children to get around the city without a car.
What I don't get is why the people in the line-up are miffed at the elephant when she is arguably not that large and doesn't have any shopping with her ... yet.
Yes, except that not every stroller fits through those narrow rear doors.
The UTDC streetcars were (are) a really awful design. It's like they simply updated a PCC.
It doesn't matter that the current generation of streetcars doesn't conform to YOU. Until we get the new streetcars, we are stuck with what we have, and the sane among us will try to inconvenience each other as little as possible. Wont you join us?
I really enjoyed seeing these poster series, by the way, really fantastic. I agree some of them would look great on the TTC today in a limited edition campaign. I think they'd definitely sell if made available, too.
No to these ads. NO.
Mr. Weir is holding a newspaper with a Libya headline: things really haven't changed.
My personal favorite tough is the last one: "AVOID SUDDEN STOPS" with the legs sticking up in the air. Bring that one back.
Interesting pictures.
1) Student's who don't remove their backpacks while riding
2) Parent's who bring their over-sized baby strollers on during rush hour, blocking the aisles and making it difficult for seated passengers to get off.
3) People who find it necessary to share their horrible taste in music with the rest of us
- as a result of "signal problems" on the Yonge line, it took me 25 minutes on the subway just to get from Sheppard to Lawrence
- a streetcar driver on the 509 line was allegedly "assaulted", resulting in all passengers having to walk. I walked from York to Bathurst, where I was able to get on a passing streetcar coming south.
- an interminable wait at the stadium after the game for a streetcar to appear
- arriving at Union station, there are announcements of yet further subway delays
I've used a number of transit systems all over the world, and the TTC is definitely one of the worst.
But really, I think we can all agree that the strollers should stay at home with the housewives where they belong.
People with kids need to get around. I ride the TTC, mostly streetcars and my life doesn't seem to be as hindered as eveyrone on here by strollers. Stop complaining about everything in life and be happy you aren't in a country where they physically have to jam you into the subway.
Everyone pays their fare and unless they cause physical harm to you or your senses... ie the non deoderant wearing riders... than just suck it up.
I love the vintage look, would be great to see new posters done in this style, though I'm not sure if they would appeal to the majority of people today.
Let every other person at the stop (especially busy ones) get on first so they don't have to squeeze by you and create a jam at the doors.
And all those seniors who enjoy taking sardine-type transit for pleasure...they are surely to blame for congestion and overcrowding! No one takes rush hour transit for fun. Why the hate for seniors or parents? They could be going to appointments with doctors/lawyers/the bank/city hall/taking kid to daycare or are going to work for all you know. Seniors work too. To the person saying seniors shouldn't book early appointments: you expect doctors to twiddle their thumbs between the hours of 9 and 11?
I think there should be more disdain for able-bodied people who don't give up their seats to the elderly/disabled/on krutches/pregnant, Etc. That I see every day as I reach for a pole and try not to get my elbow in someone's eye.
As for reprints of this: They are fun, but aside from a few hundred transit lovers or dorm room dwellers, no one would buy them
Guys got blown up and aren't complaining so why are you??
Funny how everyone knows and admits that even today women generally do more shopping than men, but as soon as you put that in a negative light such as shopping bags taking up space on a bus, then someone cries misogyny.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Explorers_Record_Setters_and_Daredevils/corrigan/EX16.htm
The more you know!
Seriously though, I agree with the above comment about strollers getting on first. I understand that it's polite to let moms with strollers on first, because clearly they have a shitty deal having to lug their child on the bus. But don't stop right at the door. If you are going to be getting off soon and want to remain near the door, let everyone else on first. Then when you get on the bus, you are near the door and no one hates you. Everyone wins.
I think it's pretty safe to assume that most, if not all, of these comments are meant to be sarcastic. I find it hard to believe that all these people actually think that moms and seniors should be banned from the TTC because they hinder the able-bodied riders like myself. It just comes down to being considerate. Have to take your stroller? Move it out of the way. Have to bring your shopping bags on the subway? Sure. Just don't put them on the seat if you can avoid it (and you can't always avoid it).
I don't know what to say about the seniors because they don't seem to be too much of a nuisance to me...
Just don't assume that because you are with child/cane/stroller that everyone is going to jump to accomodate you. Say please and thank you. Be polite.
And I don't care if you are 107 years old, if there is a seat next to me, I'm not getting up to give you my seat. If I am somehow so offensive that you don't want to sit next to me, you sure as hell can't have my seat.
Those "SUV" strollers cost several hundred dollars. . . If you can afford one of those, you can afford an umbrella stroller as they cost as little as 20 bucks and are more transit friendly.
I grew up in Mississauga in the 80's and my folks didn't have a car so it was Miway all the way(this was before low floor buses BTW when buses actually had space!) We were on a fixed income and my parents managed to have 2 different strollers: one for transit and one for walks! If they could do it, ANYONE can!
It doesn't matter that the current generation of streetcars doesn't conform to YOU. Until we get the new streetcars, we are stuck with what we have, and the sane among us will try to inconvenience each other as little as possible. Wont you join us?"
You don't have kids, do you?
Let me give you a lesson in strollers: Compact, useful, affordable -- pick two.
Let me give you a lesson in people: the ones who CAN afford nice compact Euro-strollers, or who use big jogging strollers, don't load their kids onto filthy streetcars in the first place. Ever. They take the Subaru or the pricey bike trailer.
So think of that when you feel like you want to sneer at some cash-strapped Parkdale mother with an cheap, bulky stroller who's busting her ass to get the kids to a clinic for a doctor appointment. Cut her some slack and offer to help her out (I do it all the time).
Spare me the lecture, friendo.
lets bring them back and watch the PR office at TTC get a lynching just for the helluvit
So let's see. You've got your bags, your stroller, your child, and you're now supposed to pull the child out, fold the whole thing up in a crowded, moving streetcar? And if you're lucky, the floor is dry?
Or do it all beforehand and hold the streetcar up as you try to get everything aboard?
And then repeat the whole process when you get to your stop?
This attitude, Ace my friend, is why transit is choice #2 for those who can afford alternatives.
Have you ever thought of HELPING someone with a stroller? I propose that doing so makes this city a better place than sitting back behind your Wayfarers and wishing that the families would go to the suburbs where they belong.
I dunno, Mrs McTush and Mrs Heddy look suspiciously similar. Identical twins, or was this something not to be discussed?
u should just have ttc stuff on ur blog
I recently noticed that the Mississauga Transit posts a sign on all their vehicles instructing their citizens to remove their backpacks and not eat stinky food while travelling. The TTC seems to just ignore bad behaviour. It translates into bad transit.
That's not an elephant, it's Da Mayor. but what's he doing on the TTC?
While the retro style of these posters are fine, the images do not reflect the demographics of Toronto in 2013. Update characters, backdrops and costumes. I would love to see reminders regarding courtesy and cleanliness. No feet, dogs and bags on seats - they don't pay a fare and are not entitled to a seat. Take your garbage with you - they can't throw out themselves. Move back to make room for others. These are some messages that I would like to see on ttc vehicles.
Meanwhile, ttc needs to improve vehicle cleanliness. I often take a newspaper with me to sit on as seats are often messy, particularly on certain bus routes.
Maybe if ttc charged fines for littering and poor behavior on vehicle it would generate money for improvements.
TTC Etiquette Champagnes on a regular basis. They're much needed reminders for all TTC passengers. We all need reminding every now and then.
Reminders include:
Throw out your garbage. Pick-up after yourself.
Using the back door of the streetcar or bus to exit the vehicle.
Moving to the back of the streetcar or bus to allow passengers to enter.
Not blocking the doors of the subway, while passengers try to exit.
Not blocking the doors of the subway, while passengers try to enter.
Not putting your feet, your children's feet or your dog's paws on the seats.
Not putting parcels that have come into contact with the ground on seats either.
Keeping your purse, briefcase, newspapers and parcels on your lap, not the empty seat next to you.
Women, do not comb your hair, apply make-up or cut your fingernails in public.
That's what restrooms are for.
I could go on and on, but these are some of the major issues I experience or observe on a daily basis when I use the TTC. What has happened to our society? Where has all the fundamental knowledge of using public space gone? Where is the respect for others and your environment? Where is the etiquette?
came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my website!
I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!