The TTC is expected to announce a plan on Friday to remove litter from subway trains during regular service.
In the past, garbage was removed when trains were returned to the service yard at the end of the day. The new system will have TTC employees at Kennedy and Finch stations, who will spot clean the trains before they go back out, according to TTC spokesperson Brad Ross.
Ross says crews will board a train when it arrives at the end of the subway line, pick up trash and mop up small spills within a few minutes, and then the train will continue service. The quick cleanings will start after the morning rush hour and wrap up before the evening rush.
This policy will reduce the potential for track-level fires and smoke caused by coffee cups and newspapers left on TTC property, the transit commission said in a release issued Thursday.
The new cleaning project is part of a series of customer service improvements, Ross said. A new Twitter account dedicated to replying to customer questions launched Feb. 29. The account replies to messages on Twitter regarding schedules, safety hazards and delays. It also forwards complaints and compliments to specific drivers.
Both improvements have been made without a budget increase, and no new employees were hired, Ross said. Employee schedules were rearranged to accommodate the changes, he explained.
