Things are gradually returning to normal on the TTC. Aside from stands dispensing free hand sanitizer, PPE vending machines, and continued mask requirements in stations and vehicles, a commute in Toronto is slowly starting to feel a bit more like the before times. And not always for the better.

Among the return-to-normal moves was the recent removal of social distancing seat decals added to TTC vehicles in the Wild West days of 2020. But it seems that the decals' removal might prove more effective at keeping seats empty than the stickers were when fixed to seat backrests.

Photos and videos from recent rides on the TTC show that the removal of the decals has left a sticky residue. And if you had no problem sitting on a seat with a physical distancing decal, you might think twice about sitting on that same seat now.

The TTC has removed all the "Don't sit here"/Social Distancing stickers on their seats.

This has lead to sticker residue being left behind.

Are you avoiding these seats?

📷: @KrisReports pic.twitter.com/bgpQhKiMUm

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 21, 2022

According to the TTC, these seat decals were "in place to remind customers to physically distance, where possible." Before removal, they served merely as a suggestion for riders, with no penalties for sitting on seats with decals, the TTC stating that they were "there as a reminder and for guidance only."

The TTC's accidental social distancing measure: sticker goop - 📹 chckpea https://t.co/7HhQE81voi #Toronto #TTC pic.twitter.com/9LGyJRb7b5

— blogTO (@blogTO) April 21, 2022

But now, the goopy residue left by the sudden removal of these signs is serving as another deterrent to riders.

Hate that residue with a passion. The sound when you stand up after resting on one them sends shivers down my spine

— Maybe: Jordan? (@UTD_RJCZ) April 21, 2022

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green acknowledges the sticky seats, telling blogTO that "as part of our nightly maintenance, we are replacing/re-covering those seats. We’re about 2-3 months from replacing all seats with residual adhesive on subways."

Was on a train yesterday. Freshly shampoo seats. The summer students will be coming in shortly they will be doing some good cleaning.

— The world needs Healing! (@girlmom003) April 21, 2022

Of course, Twitter had its own suggestions for getting those seats back to their pre-decal state.

Get you some Goo Gone, TTC 😎 pic.twitter.com/DtUOTCECYL

— Sylvie *Flash Enters the Speed Force 🏃‍♂️ * (@SylvietheBunnyT) April 21, 2022

Without any available data on the subject, there's really no way of knowing whether the goopy seats are proving more effective than the removed decals at deterring riders from sitting side-by-side, but one commenter on Twitter sees a potential benefit of lining TTC seats with adhesive.

maybe the residue is to collect the bed bugs that are infecting the TTC?

— Patrick McKeown (@pjmckeown) April 21, 2022

A few suggested the TTC should do away with fabric seats entirely.

Who decided fabric seats were a good idea on the subway? Just get plastic so it’s easier to clean 😩

— There it is, MusicMonkey (@MusicMonkey) April 21, 2022

For now, it's just another gross thing to take note of on the TTC, adding to the list of unpleasant commuter surprises like moving puddles of unidentifiable floor liquid and people taking nasty dumps in subway stations.