Who knew TTC late notes were actually a thing.
Has the subway or streetcar got you late for school or work? The TTC has a note for that.
A little-known TTC service has been popularized in recent days and it's one of the best-kept secrets of the transit service.
It all started when a Japanese railway company made a public apology this month because one of its trains departed 20 seconds early, presumably causing people who were seconds late for the train to become late for work or school.
After hearing this news, people around the world were laughing about how ridiculously late transit is in cities like New York, Paris, London and here in Toronto normally are - and without apology.
But the TTC decided to use this "mishap" in Japan's transit system to publicize one of it's own services that can help people who are late due to transit.
Late notes for TTC commuters delayed by late subways, streetcars and buses is totally a thing in Toronto. And here is how you can get one.
If you were late to school or work because of the TTC, call the transit system's customer-service hotline between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and request a "late note." Their contact info is: at 416-393-3030.
What will the note say? Once you've given the TTC customer service representative details about your late trip, the note will confirm that a service disruption or delay occurred on the TTC that cause you to be tardy. The note will include the date, time, duration and location of the incident as well.
However, the notes will not specifically name you or be personalized. According to a TTC spokesperson, the notes cannot be personalized "because [they] have no way of knowing if you are on the subway." But late riders can get a copy of the official TTC note within about 24 hours.
Unfortunately, this service only extends to TTC transit and does not include GO Train services, although the the GO does have "On the GO Alerts" which sends emails and texts to customers explaining that their bus or train will be delayed, which can then be shown to your employer or professor to excuse your lateness.