Calling its recent crisis a “wake-up call” the TTC has announced a series of measures it says will raise the bar on customer service across the transit system.

The changes range from a rider “bill of rights” and new technology to communicate better with passengers, to customer service training for staff and even a review of their uniforms.

They’re meant to raise the bar on the transit system’s customer service after two months of consistently bad news for the TTC. A significant fare increase, a disastrous subway disruption, token shortages and highly publicized photos of sleeping employees have resulted in what TTC chief general manager Gary Webster called “a feeding frenzy” of criticism.

“There’s a higher expectation today and the TTC needs to line up to that expectation,” said TTC chair Adam Giambrone.

He also issued an apology for the “missteps of the last couple of months.”

Details of a previously announced advisory panel, including private sector customer service experts, won’t be available until next week, said Giambrone.

Meantime, he said, “I expect TTC staff will act quickly to restore the customers’ confidence.”

TTC chief general manager Gary Webster acknowledged that the technological changes cited at a city hall press conference Wednesday might be the easier part of the customer service equation.

“The most challenging part of our job is the people side. Some of the real challenges are the one-on-one interfaces of our employees,” he said.

Among the customer service improvements outlined Wednesday were the following:

• Improved customer assistance and more emergency transfers when there are major subway delays.

• More TTC ambassadors at stations to help direct riders.

• A review of uniforms and dress code for frontline TTC workers.

• More use of "secret shoppers" to test courtesy across the system.

• A 24/7 hotline for TTC information and complaints.

• 50 new vending machines to dispense Metropasses. There are currently 10.

• Video screens at collector booths and stations to update system status information.

• Text messages for next-vehicle arrival at 800 streetcar stops by July and for all bus stops by the end of 2011.

• LED screens at select shelters and subway stations that have streetcar stops with next vehicle arrival information.

• New microphones in collector booths so employees and customers don't have to yell.

• Online trip planner to be unveiled next week.

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• Possible expansion of program that trains summer students to direct riders at busy stations.

• A panel of customer service advisers to be announced next week to advise the TTC on improving its relationship with riders. Panel will conduct public consultations and draft a customer charter or bill of rights. No details on whether riders or employees would be included on the panel, but Giambrone said private-sector advisers and possibly someone from another successful transit system could be included.

The TTC received 31,532 complaints last year. The top two complaints were 5,513 for surface vehicle delays and 3,851 complaints about discourteous employees.