In a development that will raise eyebrows among the thousands of Torontonians who like to grumble about their daily commutes, the TTC has been named outstanding public transit system of the year by the American Public Transportation Association.

TTC CEO Andy Byford announced the award at a press conference at Union Station Monday morning, where he said the agency was “back where we belong as number one in North America.”

Take our poll

Byford said that the TTC had been recognized for the five-year modernization plan that it embarked on in 2013, a year after he took the helm of the commission.

“Since then a huge amount of effort has been expended and a huge amount has been achieved,” he said, asserting that the TTC is now “cleaner, friendlier, more punctual, and more reliable” than it was five years ago.

He said that in addition to improving customer service, the TTC is carrying out “megaprojects” like installing a new subway signaling system, rolling out the Presto fare card, deploying a new streetcar fleet, and building the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, which is set to open later this year.

Byford said he recognized that the TTC can certainly still get better.

“We know that there is still more to do to improve service reliability, to drive down costs, and to reduce crowding,” he said.

“But for now we can reflect on a job well done.”

The award is given out each year by APTA, a Washington, D.C.-based industry organization. The TTC last won it in 1986.