Board Meeting - October 20, 2004

H. Moscoe (Chair), J. Mihevc (Vice-Chair), A. Giambrone, B. Ashton, B. Balkissoon, Mayor D. Miller, P. Li Preti, D. Shiner and S. Bussin (Commissioners), R. Ducharme (Chief General Manager), G. Webster (General Manager – Operations), J. Sepulis (General Manager - Engineering & Construction), L. Hilborn (Deputy General Manager - Corporate), B. Leck (General Counsel), A. Chocorlan (Manager - Materials & Procurement), M. Roche (Chief Financial Officer), R. Hughes (Chief Marketing Officer), S. Blakey (Manager - Human Resources), T. Andrews (Chief Special Constable), M. Stambler (Manager – Service Planning), W. Buffett (Assistant General Secretary) and F. Stanois (Co-ordinator - Secretariat Services) were present.

R. Roberts, Chair, M. Aribi, Vice-Chair, and S. Savona, TTC Advisory Committee on Accessible Transportation were also present.

H. Moscoe was in the Chair.

R. Thompson, Project Manager, Construction Department was present for Item No. 3.

W. Dawson, Superintendent, Route and System Planning was present for Item No. 20.

G. Carr, Chief Engineer, Operations Planning was present for Item No. 22.

Nil

Commissioner Li Preti Moved That The Commission Approve The Minutes From Meeting No. 1846, And That The Chair And General Secretary Be Authorized To Sign The Same.

The Motion By Commissioner Li Preti Carried.

Nil

Nil

a) Report No. 20 – Implementing the Ridership Growth Strategy

Steve Munro

The Commission Received The Deputation.

(See Report No. 20 For Minute)

b) Report No. 14 – Review of Weekly Pass and Other Fare Proposals

Dave Fisher
(Submitted brief)

The Commission Received The Deputation.

(See Report No. 14 For Minute)

c) Report No. 23a – Stopping Cell Phone Use While Operating Surface Transit Vehicles

Dave Fisher

The Commission Received The Deputation.

(See Report 23a For Minute)

d) Report No. 22 – Bus-Only Lanes (Bus Rapid Transit Downsview Station to York University – Keele Street Corridor

Dr. Ted Spence
York University
(Submitted presentation)
 
Gord Perks

The Commission Received The Deputations.

(See Report No. 22 For Minute)

CC-1 Chair Moscoe – Expanding Request Stop Program to Seniors

The Commission had before it an e-mail dated September 24, 2004 from Kenn Chapman requesting that consideration be given to expanding the Request Stop Program to include seniors.

Chair Moscoe Moved That Staff Be Requested To Report Back On The Chair’s Concept Of Proceeding With A Pilot Test For A Request Stop Program For Seniors.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

CC-2 Commissioner Giambrone – TTC Corporate Policy Manual

The Commission had before it a communication dated September 1, 2004 from Commissioner Giambrone regarding his review of the TTC Corporate Policy Manual.

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That The Communication From Commissioner Giambrone Be Referred To The TTC’S General Counsel For Report On The Process Recommended.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

CC-3 Commissioner Giambrone - Feasibility Study – Should the TTC Build its Own Buses

Commissioner Giambrone submitted a copy of a feasibility study conducted by the Toronto Transit Commission dated May 2004 entitled, “Should the TTC Build Its Own Buses?”.

The Commission Deferred Consideration Of This Matter Until Its Next Meeting.

CC-4 Commissioner Giambrone - Bicycle Racks on TTC Buses

The Commission had before it a communication dated October 18, 2004 from Commissioner Giambrone entitled, “Bicycle Racks on TTC Buses.”

The Commission Deferred Consideration Of This Matter Until Its Next Meeting.

Nil

1. Chief General Manager's Report Period 8 – August 1 to August 28, 2004

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Receive for information the attached Executive Summary of the Chief General Manager's (CGM's) report covering the period August 1 to August 28, 2004; and

2. Forward a copy of this cover report and the Executive Summary to each City Councillor for information (noting that the detailed CGM's report is available on request from the Office of the General Secretary of the Commission).

Approved

Chair Moscoe Moved The Following Motions:

1. That The City Be Requested To Reimburse The Commission For Legal Costs Related To The Gst Legal Case.

2. That The TTC Be Permitted To Retain Their Portion Of The GST Rebate With An Off-Setting Adjustment To The TTC Budget.

The Motions By Chair Moscoe Carried.

2. Procurement Authorization Sheppard Subway Consultant Services Contract – Delcan-Hatch

It is recommended that the Commission authorize additional funding in the amount of $603,000 for Contract G85-13 with Delcan-Hatch for the continuation of consultant services for the Sheppard Subway project bringing the total authorized amount to $148,838,900. The $603,000 is comprised of an amount of $298,000 for the balance of 2004 and $305,000 for planned expenditures in 2005.

Approved

3. Mount Dennis Bus Garage Conceptual Layout Approval

R. Thompson, Project Manager, Construction Department gave an overhead slide presentation with respect to this matter.

After Receiving The Presentation, Commissioner Balkissoon Moved That Staff Be Requested To Discuss With The City The Possibility Of A Concrete Architectural Wall With A Mural Fronting On Industry Street.

The Motion By Commissioner Balkissoon Lost.

Commissioner Shiner Moved That The Recommendation Contained In The Staff Report Be Struck Out And Replaced In Lieu Thereof With The Following:

“It Is Recommended That The Commission Approve The Concept Of Indoor Storage At This Facility, Including The Related Budget; And That Staff Be Requested To Submit A Further Report After Their Meeting With City Planning Staff Concerning Re-Orientation Of The Building Within The Context Of The Site Plan.

The Motion By Commissioner Shiner Carried.

Commissioner Shiner Moved That Staff Be Requested To Report Back On Their Second Year Of Experience With Respect To The Outside Storage Of Buses.

The Motion By Commissioner Shiner Carried.

4. Procurement Authorization Spadina Subway Extension Environmental Assessment Study Contract A85-63

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the acceptance of the proposal submitted by URS Canada Inc. (URS) for the Spadina Subway Extension Environmental Assessment Study, at an upset limit amount of $2,000,000.
Approved

5. Procurement Authorization – Supply of ELF Bus Parts

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the award of a one-year inventory supply contract for the supply of ELF Bus parts for the period November 2004 to October 2005 to Overland Custom Coach Inc. for an upset limit of $225,000 CAD including applicable taxes.

Approved

Chair Moscoe Moved That Staff Be Requested To Report Back On Alternative Fuel Options For Future Elf Bus Purchases.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

6. Procurement Authorization – Supply of Paper

It is recommended that the Commission approve a contract award to Buntin Reid, Division of Domtar Inc. in the total upset limit of $640,000 for the supply of various paper products over a three-year period from November 1, 2004 to October 31, 2007.

Approved

7. Procurement Authorization: Design, Fabrication and Assembly of a Rail Non-Revenue Vehicle – Vacuum Rodder (RT-56)

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the acceptance of the proposal submitted by Arva Industries Inc. (Arva) in the amount of $792,951.41, including applicable taxes, for
the Design, Fabrication and Assembly of a Vacuum-Rodder Subway Workcar (RT-56).

Approved

8. Procurement Authorization – Supply of Dump Trucks

It is recommended that the Commission approve the acceptance of the proposal submitted by Humberview Motors Inc., and award of a contract in the amount of $505,055.85 for the supply of five (5) dump trucks, and the supply and installation of snow plows on two (2) of these trucks.

Approved

9. Procurement Authorization – Contract Change C31D01836-6 Contract Change C31D01836-7, Rev. 1 Design and Supply of Speed Control System

It is recommended that the Commission authorize the following to Alcatel Canada Inc.:

(a) an increase to Contract Change No. 6, in the amount of $64,302.00 bringing the total amount authorized to $114,302.00, to provide for Train Operator Display failure reporting capability, and for these failures to be logged within the Speed Control System equipment; and

(b) an increase to Contract Change No. 7, Rev. 1, in the amount of $76,188.00 bringing the total amount authorized to $116,188.00, to provide an acceptable Train Operator Display bracket.

Approved

10. Procurement Authorization Amendment – The Supply of Integrated Computer Hardware, Software and Services

It is recommended that the Commission approve the issuance of a Purchase Order Amendment PC35414 amendment #2 extending the contract with GE Capital Information Technology Solutions, Inc. for the supply of integrated computer hardware, software and services from November 30, 2004 to May 31, 2005 and increasing the total upset limit amount by $2,850,000 to $15,700,000.

Approved

Commissioner Balkissoon Moved That The TTC Chief Information Officer And Manager Of Materials And Procurement Be Requested To Meet With The City Auditor General And Commissioner Balkissoon To Discuss A Potential Alternative Method For The Future Purchase Of Computer Hardware.

The Motion By Commissioner Balkissoon Carried.

11. Procurement Authorization – CNC Punching Machine – Harvey Shop

It is recommended that the Commission approve the unbudgeted purchase of one Euromac CNC Punching Machine, BX1000/30 at a value of $159,927.05 from Neiman Machinery Sales.

Approved

Commissioner Balkissoon Moved That Staff Be Requested To Investigate Further Opportunities So That On The Next Tender The Commission Does Not Experience The Same Problem Of A Single Bidder.

The Motion By Commissioner Balkissoon Carried.

12. Purchase of a Replacement Engine Dynamometer

It is recommended that the Commission approve the award of a purchase order for the supply of a replacement Engine Dynamometer to Cesaroni Technology Inc., in the amount of $627,037.50.

Approved

13. Summary of Authorized Expenditures for the Period August 1, 2004 to August 28, 2004

It is recommended that the Commission receive this report for information. It lists expenditures ($100,000 up to $200,000) for the period August 1, 2004 to August 28, 2004, which were approved by Senior Management.

Received

14. Review of Weekly Pass and Other Fare Proposals

R. Hughes, Chief Marketing Officer gave an overhead slide presentation with respect to this matter.

After Receiving The Deputation And Presentation, Mayor Miller Moved That The Commission Adopt The Recommendation Contained In The Report, Subject To Amending The First, Second And Third Bullets So That The Start Date For The Passes Is The First Week Of May 2005.  The Amended Recommendation Reads As Follows:

“It Is Recommended That The Commission Approve The Following:

• The Implementation Of An Adult Weekly Pass As Outlined In This Report, And

- Direct Staff To Include In The 2005 TTC Operating Budget The Impacts Of This Weekly Pass;

- Direct Staff To Implement This Ridership Growth Strategy Initiative The First Week Of May 2005.

• The Implementation Of A Combined Senior/Student Weekly Pass As Outlined In This Report, And

- Direct Staff To Include In The 2005 TTC Operating Budget The Impacts Of A Weekly Pass;
- Direct Staff To Implement This Initiative The First Week Of May 2005.

• Extend The Sunday Conditions Of The Family/Group Pass (Which Enable Up To 6 People, Including 2 Adults, To Travel On The Pass) To Include Both Saturdays And Sundays Throughout The Year, And

- Direct Staff To Include In The 2005 TTC Operating Budget The Impacts Of Extending The Sunday Conditions Of The Family Pass;

- Direct Staff To Implement This Change The First Week Of May 2005.

• Staff Be Directed To Provide An Assessment Of The Volume Incentive Pass (Vip) Program And Recommendation For The Future Of This Program No Later Than June, 2005; And

• After An Assessment Has Been Completed Of The Impacts Of The Vip Program And The Implementation Of The Weekly Pass, Undertake A Review Of Other Ridership Growth Strategy Fare Initiatives (Including The Reduction Of The Student/Senior Trip Multiple And The Removal Of The 9:30 A.M. Time Restriction On The Day Pass).”

The motion by mayor miller carried.

Chair Moscoe Moved The Following Motions:

1. That Staff Be Requested To Report On Vending Equipment Available, Particularly Equipment That Can Vend A Variety Of Media But Which Could Later Be Adopted With Minimal Change To A Smart Card System, If Required.

2. That Staff Be Requested To Report On The Concept That All New Vending Machines Be Equipped To Take Credit And Debit Cards As Well As Cash.

3. That Staff Be Requested To Devise A Plan For Marketing The Weekend Pass Through Hotels, The Toronto Coach Terminal And Other Tourist Venues.

The Motions By Chair Moscoe Carried.

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That Staff Be Requested To Report On The Feasibility Of Advancing The Following Ridership Growth Strategy Initiatives, With Such Report To Come Forward In 2005 For The 2006 Budget Cycle:

- Reducing Trip Rate Multiples;

- Eliminating The 9:30 A.M. Restriction On The Day Pass; And

- Other Non-Service Improvement Initiatives Described In The Report.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

15. Advertising on Vehicles, Property and Miscellaneous Media Policy Change

It is recommended that the Commission approve the revised Corporate Policy for Advertising on Vehicles, Property and Miscellaneous Media, Policy/Instruction (P/I) 6.10.4.

Approved

16. 2003 Management Letter – Follow-Up Report

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. receive the attached follow-up report on the 2003 auditor’s management letter, for information; and

2. approve forwarding a copy of the follow-up report on the 2003 auditor’s management letter to the Audit Committee of the City of Toronto, for information.

Approved

17. 194 Zoo Rocket – 2004 Post-Implementation Review

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Approve the elimination of summer Saturday, Sunday, and holiday express service to the Toronto Zoo on the 194 ZOO ROCKET route, effective the summer of 2005, because of poor ridership and financial performance; and

2. Forward this report to City of Toronto Councillors De Baeremaeker, Cho, and Cowbourne, the Toronto Zoo, and the City of Toronto

Approved

It is recommended that the Commission receive for information the attached list of outstanding Commission items for the period up to and including the meeting of September 22, 2004.

Received

19. Accessible Transit Service Plan – September 2004 Status Report

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Receive this report for information noting that:

•The Accessible Transit Service Plan – Year-End 2003 Status Report, which was received by the Commission at its meeting of February 25, 2004, provided a detailed description of the TTC’s plan for, and ongoing program of improving accessibility of the TTC’s facilities and services;

•The TTC’s plan and program exceeds the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) in that it is a multi-year plan with service improvement plans and targets to 2020 and beyond;

•ODA regulations require public transit operators, municipalities, and various other public bodies, to provide a report on accessibility initiatives each September; and

•The attached report fulfils this requirement by providing an update on the initiatives that have been undertaken, to date, in 2004 with respect to the TTC’s accessibility plan; and

2. Forward this report to the City of Toronto, the Ontario Ministries of Citizenship and Immigration, Transportation, and Public Infrastructure Renewal, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Approved

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved That Staff Be Requested To Monitor The Development Of The New Proposed Legislation, And Report Back On Any Implications That There Will Be On Ttc Service Planning.

The Motion By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

Chair Moscoe Moved That Staff Be Requested To Bring Forward A Presentation On Wheel-Trans Initiatives At A Future Meeting.

The Motion By Chair Moscoe Carried.

20. Implementing the Ridership Growth Strategy

W. Dawson, Superintendent, Route and System Planning gave an overhead slide presentation with respect to this item.

After Receiving The Deputation And Presentation, Commissioner Shiner Moved That The Commission Strike Out The Recommendation Contained In The Report And Replace In Lieu Thereof The Following:

“It Is Recommended:

1. That The Commission Implement The Service In February Or March Or As Early As Possible;

2. That The Commission Accept The Offer Of A Minimum Of $4.0 To $5.0 Million Which Is Supported By The Budget Advisory Committee; And

3. That The Commission Use The Ttc Surplus To Pay For The Balance Of The Service, If Necessary, And If Council Can’t Find That Funding Through The Budget Process.”

Vice-chair mihevc moved that recommendation no. 1 contained in the report be amended, as follows:

- Striking Out The Words “Receive For Information, Noting That”, And Replacing In Lieu Thereof The Words “Adopt The Following”;

- Striking Out The First And Third Bullets; And

- Amending The Second Bullet By Adding The Word “Support” At The Beginning Of The Bullet And Replacing In Lieu Thereof The Word “Will” With “To” After September 2005, So Such Recommendation Reads As Follows:

“1. Adopt The Following:

•Support The Option To Stage The Implementation Of The RGS In June And September 2005 To Be Brought Forward As Part Of The TTC’S 2005 Operating Budget. This Option, Which Includes The Ridership Growth Strategy Service Already Added In September And October 2004, Is Expected To Result In A Net Cost Of $4.0 million in 2005;

•The Forecast Annualised Net Cost Of The Off-Peak Service Improvements In Future Years Is Expected To Be Approximately $5.8 Million;

•The Improvements To Peak Service Planned Under The Rgs Program Require Bus Purchases And Garage Expansion. Funding For These Items Will Be Requested In The TTC’S 2005-2009 Capital Budget And, If Approved, These Service Improvements Will Be Implemented In 2007;

•Other Service Elements Of The RGS Program Are Being Brought Forward As Part Of The 2005-2009 Capital Budget Including The Construction Costs Of Surface Transit Row’s, Commuter Parking Expansion, And Signal Priority Expansion; And

•The Status Of The RGS Fare Proposals Is Described In A Separate Report That Is Also On The October 20, 2004 Commission Agenda.”

Chair Moscoe Called For A Vote On Commissioner Shiner’s Motion.

Commissioner Shiner, Commissioner Ashton, Commissioner Li Preti And Commissioner Balkissoon Voted In Favour. Chair Moscoe, Vice-Chair Mihevc, Mayor Miller, Commissioner Bussin And Commissioner Giambrone Were Opposed. The Motion Therefore Lost On A 4 To 5 Vote.

Chair Moscoe Called For A Vote On Vice-Chair Mihevc’s Motion.

Chair Moscoe, Vice-Chair Mihevc, Mayor Miller, Commissioner Bussin And Commissioner Giambrone Voted In Favour. Commissioner Shiner, Commissioner Ashton, Commissioner Li Preti And Commissioner Balkissoon Were Opposed. The Motion Therefore Carried On A 5 To 4 Vote.

The Commission Approved The Report, As Amended.

Vice-Chair Mihevc Moved The Following Motions:

1. That Staff Be Requested To Report Further In Early 2005 On A Staged Ridership Growth Strategy That Would Increase Ridership 3%-4% Per Annum Between 2006 And 2010.

2. That Staff Be Requested To Report Back On An Accelerated Program For Surface Rapid Transit.

3. That Staff Be Requested To Develop An LRT Master Plan Identifying The Best Short Term And Medium Term Opportunities For Introducing LRT To Augment Ridership Growth.

The Motions By Vice-Chair Mihevc Carried.

21. Bus-Only Lanes (BUS RAPID TRANSIT) Downsview Subway Station to York University – Right Turns at Sheppard/Allen Intersection

It is recommended that the Commission:

1. Receive this report for information noting that, as requested by the Commission, TTC staff re-evaluated the option of widening Allen Road, south of Sheppard Avenue West, to create a new northbound right-turn lane in order to remove right-turning traffic from the proposed curb bus-only lane, and concluded that the reduction in delay to northbound buses that would be achieved with a separate right-turn lane is not significant enough to warrant a further widening of Allen Road at this intersection; and

2. Forward this report to City of Toronto Councillors Li Preti, Feldman and Augimeri for information.

Approved

22. Bus-Only Lanes (BUS RAPID TRANSIT) Downsview Subway Station to York University – Keele Street Corridor

G. Carr, Chief Engineer, Operations Planning gave a PowerPoint presentation with respect to this matter.

After Receiving The Deputations And Presentation, Commissioner Shiner Moved That The Commission Defer Consideration Of The Options Until The Next Meeting And Request A Further Report On A Separate Bus Right-Of-Way In The Centre Of Keele Street, Subject To The Following Conditions:

- The Expansion Not Taking Down Any Trees;

- Using Land The City Currently Owns;

- The Cost To The City Being No More Than The Cost For The Bus-Only Roadway On York University Lands; And Further

That The Property Owners On The East Side Of Keele Street Be Consulted On This Matter, As Well.

The Motion By Commissioner Shiner Carried.

23. Staff Response to Commission Inquiries

a) Stopping Cell Phone Use While Operating Surface Transit Vehicles

The Commission had before it a memorandum dated October 20, 2004 from R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager entitled, “Staff Response to Commission Inquiry – Stopping Cell Phone Use While Operating Surface Transit Vehicles.”

The Commission Received The Memorandum For Information.

b) Kennedy Station Parking Expansion – Advertising Plan

The Commission had before it a memorandum dated October 20, 2004 from R. Ducharme, Chief General Manager entitled, “Staff Response to Commission Inquiry – Kennedy Station Parking Expansion – Advertising Plan.”

The Commission Received The Memorandum For Information.

Nil

Due to a lack of quorum, the meeting concluded at 6:05 p.m.  The following members were in attendance:

• Chair Moscoe,
• Vice-Chair Mihevc
• Commissioner Giambrone
• Commissioner Ashton

Nil

Nil