TTC Thanks Fans By Kicking Them

With the next fare hike coming up, you would think the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)) would work on a positive public image. There are some Toronto Transit riders that are fans of the TTC, not the folks who spit or clip their nails, but smart, creative people who see the Better Way can be, well, better. So why is the TTC doing everything in its power to sour the milk of goodwill?

A couple of weeks ago, artist John Martz at RobotJohnny.com posted an anagram TTC map, which was a goofy piece.

Of course the only response from the TTC was not thanks for the creative free publicity. No, they sent a cease and desist letter (see The Bitter Way).

Among the responses to this tactless act was Cory Doctorow of BoingBoing, who wrote:

(The TTC map) is part of every Torontonian's experience of the city, a part of the cultural fabric. Culture gets remixed -- that's what happens with it. Trademark is supposed to protect rightsholders from competitors who use their marks to confuse the public in the course of commerce. No one who saw RobotJohnny's genius map would have confused it for a second with a real TTC map and sent him a subway token. The TTC's legal bullying here is completely needless -- they face no risk and no loss from letting their riders make turn the map into their own personal remix.

Boing Boing: Toronto Transit Commission censors humorous subway map remix

Another fan site ttcrider.ca has posted the map in an act of defiance along with an open Letter to TTC Chair Howard Moscoe, with a request for a formal apology. You can download the map in pdf form here BlogTO highlights the main points of the letter:

1. The TTC is so desperately in need of a public image makeover, that not only are they snarling at artists that they should be on their hands and knees thanking... but they're also apparently unable to capitalize on the publicity they've inadvertently generated for themselves, leaving other entities (like ttcrider.ca) to do it for them;

2. How in the whole wide world is there an entire web site devoted to TTC transit fandom?!

BlogTO | The gaffe that won't go away

It's not the first time the TTC has snarled at their fans. ttcrider.ca drew the TTC's ire as the creator of the TTC Subway Rider Efficiency Guide, available as a free download. It gives great rider tips such as showing which spots on the train match up to your station exit. Not to mention the TTC missed the boat on supporting the collection of buttons spacing.ca sells with the name and tile art of stations on the subway lines, a great little collectible. Spacing is is a magazine about Toronto's public spaces and urban landscape, and worth a look.

My $100 a month I sink into transit says they should encourage creative promotion, and not waste the TTC's time (and my money) siccing their lawyers on folks like John Martz.

PS How about making Dundas West station smell less like the monkeyhouse at the zoo?