TTC Operator

[KanDaMan]

I applied for TTC last month (transit operator). Anyone have an idea how long it takes before they give you a call if any at all?

Anyone else recently apply who have gotten at least a phone interview?

If so how is the hiring process and what should I expect.


Thanks for any info.

[kleptodathief]

i'll let u know...i got a coworker thats 'taking his test' at the ttc soon...if he passes he gets the job i think, if he fails...well thats his problem :cheesygri

[scan]

I've talked to some current operators about this just out of curiosity and some of told me they got a call for an interview 2 years after they applied.

[sannin]

I'm curious how much they make?

[Nevyn]

I'm curious how much they make?

Depends how hard you work. I know many drivers that work literally all the time, they never turn down overtime, and they make over $100K.

[Jungle]

I applied and it took over a year to get an offer of employment. I was suppose to start last week but I turned the job offer down.

1/2 people fail the training after you're forced to quit your current employment and then your stuck without a job. For me it's not worth missing my mortgage payments.

[jvaf]

Does anyone know what are the job requirements for this job?

What is the test like?

[JL2002]

where do you apply for a TTC job?

[rosebud]

YRT is in desperate need of drivers, that's what their bus drivers always tell me.

At least 2 years with a driver's license and clear record.

Initial salary is around $19/h.

[jvaf]

how do i apply for the YRT - bus driver position?

[rosebud]

how do i apply for the YRT - bus driver position?

you could call YRT 1-800. (www.yrt.ca)

There's a driver's school specifically oriented for the YRT examination.

Just ask any YRT/Viva bus driver and they can give you exact info.

[justlam_]

ya but a YRT bus driver told me TTC pays more:confused:

[rosebud]

yes, TTC usually pays a bit more, but it's not that much.

Perhaps $20 or $21 the hour.

both jobs are good though.

[tkl]

yes, TTC usually pays a bit more, but it's not that much.

Perhaps $20 or $21 the hour.

both jobs are good though.


TTC drivers has to deal w/more as*holes.

YRT for the most part doesn't have Jane/Finch type routes.

[rosebud]

TTC drivers has to deal w/more as*holes.

YRT for the most part doesn't have Jane/Finch type routes.

+1

some TTC routes are ghetto, period. The back of buses have become garbage deposits. People just leave their coffee cups on the floor, some even with coffee inside that'll end up spilling over the floor, making a big mess. People eat and unceremoniously leave behind Mc donald's boxes, bags, everthing.

I try to avoid as much as I can using TTC.


YRT/Viva on the other hand is much cleaner, however, starting to get ghetto too. For instance, people putting their feet over front seats in the Viva buses. It doesn't matter if it's raining, snowing, etc. Just put your feet over the seat and stain it with salt and mud. Why care?

[warlockdilemma]

yes, TTC usually pays a bit more, but it's not that much.

Perhaps $20 or $21 the hour.

both jobs are good though.

I would not agree that the job is good,I know people who joined the TTC,so I will just give you an idea about the job

1. The interview call came to some after a couple of months,for another person,he applied like 4 times in 2 years before he got a interview call.

2. The job can be stressful because of the irregular hours especailly when you are new you will never have weekends off.You don't get breaks,so if you are on a 8 hour shift,you work all the way through,and if you get a route that does not have a washroom at either ends,you are screwed.

3. Can't remember how many rounds of interviews are there (I think it is theree),but I do know that one of the process involves you going on 10 TTC routes and making a report.Another thing i remember being told was that the interview questions were situational.

[rosebud]

I would not agree that the job is good,I know people who joined the TTC,so I will just give you an idea about the job

1. The interview call came to some after a couple of months,for another person,he applied like 4 times in 2 years before he got a interview call.

2. The job can be stressful because of the irregular hours especailly when you are new you will never have weekends off.You don't get breaks,so if you are on a 8 hour shift,you work all the way through,and if you get a route that does not have a washroom at either ends,you are screwed.

3. Can't remember how many rounds of interviews are there (I think it is theree),but I do know that one of the process involves you going on 10 TTC routes and making a report.Another thing i remember being told was that the interview questions were situational.

You are right... What I really meant is that the pay is not bad. I didn't use the right words... :D

[kleptodathief]

hows the benefit package? this is a FULLTIME job? do they take p/t?

i cudn't c myself driving a bus...im thinking of the movie SPEED!!!:cheesygri

[jvaf]

i dont think they would employ ppl on a part time basis

or wud they?

[ReFuGeE]

My father was a ttc employee for over 20 years. When I was young he would always work irregular shifts and tons of overtime.

It certainly brought home the bills, paying for a family of five and a single income.

Hes now a pensioner and still receiving benefits. All in all he seemed to have enjoyed his tenure with the ttc. With his deteriorating health, the ttc upheld his pension and benefits which is a huge benefit.

[Asagiri]

I would not agree that the job is good,I know people who joined the TTC,so I will just give you an idea about the job

1. The interview call came to some after a couple of months,for another person,he applied like 4 times in 2 years before he got a interview call.

2. The job can be stressful because of the irregular hours especailly when you are new you will never have weekends off.You don't get breaks,so if you are on a 8 hour shift,you work all the way through,and if you get a route that does not have a washroom at either ends,you are screwed.

3. Can't remember how many rounds of interviews are there (I think it is theree),but I do know that one of the process involves you going on 10 TTC routes and making a report.Another thing i remember being told was that the interview questions were situational.
I've talked to quite a few operators while I was working there over the summer, and I can verify that this is all true. During the interview/hiring process, you'll have to attend a physical to see whether or not your "fit" to perform the job. It includes a complete physical examination, eye and hearing test, etc.

Also depending upon which stage in life you are, a position may or may not be recommended. A lot of the younger TTC employees between the ages of 20-30 have had issues with balancing work and family, largely due to the irregular hours they work. Since the schedule and routes are based on seniority, a majority of the newer employees get stuck with the shifts no one wants, such as the late evening and graveyard shifts. So while your wife/husband may have just finished their shift at work from 9am-5pm, you'll just start yours leaving no time for you to spend with him/her. So a lot of TTC employees have had issues with their partners and keeping their relationship together, and ultimately had to divorce.

[hothummer]

I thought that the only requirement to be a TTC employee was to be a lazy ass, strike-mongering "job for life" letch? Clearly, having any sort of brains or customer service skills is secondary to your ability to drink the union Kool-Aid, work at the lowest possible level of efficiency and be ready to strike at a moments notice..

I find it laughable that they actually have "standards" in their hiring department..

TTC is a dinosaur that should be blown up and replaced with a non-union shop, staffed by people who value their job and understand the concepts of customer service, accountability and "pay for performance".

[appleb]

Any idea how much those guys get paid for sitting at the opened gates during rush hour, staring aimlessly while people wave transfers and drop in tokens to the box?

[profguy]

I thought that the only requirement to be a TTC employee was to be a lazy ass, strike-mongering "job for life" letch? Clearly, having any sort of brains or customer service skills is secondary to your ability to drink the union Kool-Aid, work at the lowest possible level of efficiency and be ready to strike at a moments notice..

I find it laughable that they actually have "standards" in their hiring department..

TTC is a dinosaur that should be blown up and replaced with a non-union shop, staffed by people who value their job and understand the concepts of customer service, accountability and "pay for performance".

+1

Someone said the job is stressful? What a joke try a real job like doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer - that's stressful - not because you have to work different shifts and may forget which one you are on this week.


.

[rosebud]

Any idea how much those guys get paid for sitting at the opened gates during rush hour, staring aimlessly while people wave transfers and drop in tokens to the box?

I think the same as drivers and operators. I've seen bus drivers work behind booths and operate subway trains too.

[warlockdilemma]

+1

Someone said the job is stressful? What a joke try a real job like doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer - that's stressful - not because you have to work different shifts and may forget which one you are on this week.


.

Not trying to defend them cause I have seen some real a* holes e.g.They see that you are running to catch their bus and they still drive away,knowing that the next bus is 20 minutes away etc......but try driving a bus 8 hours straight,and I can tell you that you can meet some real characters who take the TTC....

[little-fish]

TTC is a dinosaur that should be blown up and replaced with a non-union shop, staffed by people who value their job and understand the concepts of customer service, accountability and "pay for performance".

+1 Totally agree.
Again, keep in mind that there are good and bad apples. I encountered drivers that greet everyone who aboard his bus, smiling all the time..realize its a "customer service" job..while I also experienced some drivers dont give a damn about stopping the bus at the bus stop when its like -20C outside and the bus is not even half full. or talking on cell phone..reading paper at traffic light..


Any idea how much those guys get paid for sitting at the opened gates during rush hour, staring aimlessly while people wave transfers and drop in tokens to the box?

+1

Off the topic here but also kinda relates to TTC, I would also add:
There is a TTC employee sits in the vehicle every day at the N/E parking entrance at Finch Station ..to ensure the gates are working properly, so the cars can come in no problem..

Before TTC cries out for more money for "expanding services"...dont you think they should fix the "old" problems first? If you cant operate efficiently in a smaller scale, i doubt they can in a larger scale..

Old problems like (just to name a few):
1. Bathrooms at Yonge/Bloor and Finch sticks miles away!
2. The cranky sound at trail when approaching Union station!
3. Dont waste money on posting schedules if the buses/streetcars never came on time!
4. Buses with "out-of-service" signs still running on the road lol..
5. Lastly, something I dont really understand is...why subway trains stopped "in the middle of nowhere" in the tunnel when it suppose to stop between the stations? I understand there might be a medical emergency/power shortage etc... I take subway everyday...and it stops everyday..please dont tell me there is a medical emergency everyday when I take the subway..what are the chances.. Oh..did you guys notice that the train sometimes stops in the middle of tunnel when the train from opposing lane is approaching and starts moving again the the other train passes by?

[Talamasca]

I thought that the only requirement to be a TTC employee was to be a lazy ass, strike-mongering "job for life" letch? Clearly, having any sort of brains or customer service skills is secondary to your ability to drink the union Kool-Aid, work at the lowest possible level of efficiency and be ready to strike at a moments notice..

I find it laughable that they actually have "standards" in their hiring department..

TTC is a dinosaur that should be blown up and replaced with a non-union shop, staffed by people who value their job and understand the concepts of customer service, accountability and "pay for performance".

+ infinity. :D

[Asagiri]

Old problems like (just to name a few):
1. Bathrooms at Yonge/Bloor and Finch sticks miles away!
5. Lastly, something I dont really understand is...why subway trains stopped "in the middle of nowhere" in the tunnel when it suppose to stop between the stations? I understand there might be a medical emergency/power shortage etc... I take subway everyday...and it stops everyday..please dont tell me there is a medical emergency everyday when I take the subway..what are the chances.. Oh..did you guys notice that the train sometimes stops in the middle of tunnel when the train from opposing lane is approaching and starts moving again the the other train passes by?
I can answer question 1 and 5, not sure about the others though.

1. The bathrooms at yonge/bloor stink because the level of volume of passengers who use the subway system and get off/transfer over at yonge/bloor. On a daily basis I believe there's over a 100,000 that pass through that station. And let's say 1 out of 100 passengers go to use the bathrooms, that's 1000 people going in and out of it, so of course it's gonna smell bad.

5. This is more of a two parter:
A) Yes there are just that many emergencies that occur on the TTC, just to give you a number to play with, there are an average of 50-60 suicides that occur on TTC a year. So roughly one a week, now imagine all the other crap that occur, such as people taking the transit while intoxicated, people fighting over disputes, people being pushed while boarding a train and subsequently getting injured, etc. Which results in the train being stopped at the the closest station where it awaits emergency personnel such as TTC special constables, medics, police officers, etc. Though a majority of the delays result from power outages or issues with the train.
B) Are you referring to trains that are going to end points like Downsview, Finch, Kennedy and Kipling? Well the stations have dual platforms for both incoming/outgoing trains, where it requires the train to leave before it can reach the station as a collision is likely to occur. So the train would have to stop wait for the outgoing train to leave, than proceed to take it's place in the station.