The Star: 40 winks in the wrong spot?
Toronto Star, January 22, 2010
He’s inside the ticket booth, reclining on a chair, his arms draped over his stomach.
And that was enough to send this photograph of a Toronto Transit Commission collector — who looks to be snoozing — viral Thursday, sweeping around the world after it was tweeted by a transit rider.
It was enough to prompt TTC authorities to start an inquiry.
The photo was taken by Jason Wieler on Jan. 9 minutes before 10 p.m. at the McCowan station. On Thursday, he posted it on twitpic with this caption: “Yup, love how my TTC dollars R being spent...”
Wieler was leaving the McCowan station when he saw the ticket agent catnapping in full view. “I stood by for at least five minutes and he was sleeping,” said Wieler.
Some riders were laughing, others talking about him, he said.
A few riders went through without paying the fares or showing their Metropasses. “I thought here we are, with a fare hike, and look how the money is being wasted.”
Wieler was down with the flu and didn’t get around to posting the photo till Thursday. After going viral, the comments began piling up, mostly from annoyed transit users.
“I didn’t post to get anyone in trouble but to highlight TTC problems,” said Wieler.
TTC is taking it seriously, said spokesperson Brad Ross. “Employees have a responsibility with respect to safety of the station and the system,” said Ross. “We expect them to be always alert on their jobs — this is unacceptable.”
But he said there might have been extenuating circumstances too. “We are asking for an explanation.”