Finding your way through a long, dark tunnel full of twists and turns is tough enough – doing it without a map is even harder.

Most people who regularly use the TTC subway can easily navigate the system. They can glance at the tunnel wall as they pass through a station and know which one is next.

But not everyone is so familiar with the stops. Occasional riders, tourists and out-of-towners rely on the route maps posted above the doors of subway cars, next to the overhead advertisements, to help them figure out where they are.

We've had complaints dating back to last summer from readers who say there are far fewer route maps in subway cars than there used to be, with some people thinking the TTC deliberately took them down.

"I moved here this year and really rely on the transit maps to help me get to job interviews," said Debra Fink in an email. "Why have they been removed from the Yonge line cars?"

We jumped on and off subway cars on the Bloor-Danforth line several times Monday to check it out and noticed blank spaces above the doors of quite a few – exactly where the route map would be.

But we also spotted at least one route map in most of the cars. At mid-afternoon, when there aren't many riders, it's easy to wander down to one of the maps, but during rush hour, when the cars are jam-packed, it would be a battle to get close to one.

STATUS: TTC spokesman Brad Ross confirmed that they've had ongoing problems with disappearing route maps, which are held in place by a bracket and are easily removed. Ross says the TTC thinks people swipe them for souvenirs, which seems quite likely. Star editor Kevin Scanlon said he recalls a similar issue with route maps long ago, when people were stealing them to make lampshades.

Ross said anyone who wants a free system map can come to the TTC's head office at Yonge St. and Davisville Ave. or call its customer service line at 416-393-3030. TTC staff try to replace them when they notice they're missing, he said, adding they'll try harder.





What's broken in your neighbourhood? We want to know. To email us, go to thestar.com/thefixer. Or call us at 416-869-4823.