The alternative map for TTC subways and streetcar routes Graeme Stewart posted yesterday generated an avalanche of visits to Reading Toronto. It seems of all the topics we look at here the one Torontonians care most passionately about is "The Better Way" to map the city's transit routes. In that spirit we thought a quick survey of the alternatives was in order.

For the TTC's version of its subway map follow this link.



There are other ways to map the TTC. Crazedmonkey.com uses the Google Map mashup technique:



Of course, there is Robot Johnny's infamous anagram map. RJ was given a cease and desist order from the TTC because they claimed his original map infringed on TTC copyright.

No list of TTC maps would be complete without TTCRider's TTC Rider's Efficiency Guide and the accompanying "So Ya Want To Be Famous: 26 Media Lessons Learned ."

Let's be serious. Rather than threatening legal action, the TTC would be better off inviting the user/mappers in as consultants. Trendwatching.com says that "Customer-Made" solutions are the biggest new trend in product marketing. What do they mean by customer-made:

“The phenomenon of corporations creating goods, services and experiences in close cooperation with experienced and creative consumers, tapping into their intellectual capital, and in exchange giving them a direct say in (and rewarding them for) what actually gets produced, manufactured, developed, designed, serviced, or processed.”

We'd say to the TTC, "Why alienate these well-considered, free marketing insights by threatening litigation?" Take advantage of what your customers are saying. Learn from them rather than dictate to them. After all, the data these bloggers have acquired is worth about twenty focus groups at about $10,000 a pop.

2. The management and delivery of municipal services in Toronto is stuck somewhere between 1955 and 1965. The TTC is the prime example of this followed closely by the Police Department. (After that you have to choose your own department to pick on, Roads? Parks? Garbage?) While criticizing the police is a fun and popular game in Toronto the TTC gets the “motherhood” free pass. I, like many Torontonians was raised on the notion that the TTC was a fast, safe and inexpensive way to travel around the city. While this can be true if you live in Scarborough and want to take the subway downtown to the RUSH concert it is not true if you need to travel almost anywhere off the subway line or outside the streetcar serviced core. Travel becomes particularly difficult on buses and after 7 pm. As a student and a 9-5 type the TTC may have it’s advantages but… I spent one year (mid 20004-mid 2005) traveling exclusively by TTC and in the end I was driven to one undeniable conclusion. Buy a car. I spent more miserable hours stranded, stuck, herded, ignored, squashed, misinformed, verbally assaulted and mentally tortured than any urban dweller can stand. Most of my complaints could be readily solved should the TTC actually listening to it’s customers, analyze it’s problems honestly and stop hiding behind a “Gee, aren’t we terrific” façade. I don’t need to see another lame, ass-kissing TTC advertisement lauding its unionized employees. We are so timid and unimaginative in our view of the TTC. Sure, make a better map, but I am suggesting that there are more things wrong with the TTC than right. Unfortunately this organization hasn’t changed much in 40 years, the Berlin Wall is gone, China is a “market driven economy” and the TTC still thinks it’s 1960. I, Was Raised in Scarborough, Live downtown, Love my bicycle, Support our police, Think the TTC is can be 1000% better than it is.
   
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Posted by  on  05/09  at  11:20 PM

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