Calgary Transit’s Clean Team sweeping up success

A new Calgary Transit initiative is making a big difference keeping CTrains clean.

The Calgary Transit Clean Team is made up of City staff who are being transitioned back into a regular work cycle after injury or other absence. These kind folks have a great attitude, enjoy interacting with the public, and help alleviate pressure on the afternoon service lane staff that were getting slammed with trash-filled trains at day’s end.

Calgary Transit Clean Team members Toddie Motta (left) and Garth Miller (right) 

Service lane attendant Toddie Motta took on the daytime train cleaning task in April 2014. She was joined by Garth Miller one year ago. Anderson Garage workers Ambrosia Barbosa, Peter Johansen, Jaspreet Sra and Pauline Watson have also joined.

Armed with canvas shoulder bags, Toddie and Garth ride the 202 line from Oliver Bowen to 69 St. Station going from one train car to the next. They pick up discarded newspapers, litter, and take careful note of stickers, graffiti and other vandalism, such as slashed seats or cigarette burns.

The afternoon sees them ride back to Saddletowne and do it all again.

Their good work is being noticed by customers, said Toddie. “We get compliments all the time. People are handing us papers now, thanking us. It’s amazing what it’s become.”

The workers are also an extra set of eyes and ears: Toddie called control for help when a nanny became separated from two children who got on the train before her. They were reunited with the help of Transit Public Safety staff.

Customers appreciate the extra presence, said Wayne Edwards, fleet coordinator Oliver Bowen. “It is added security for passengers. The customers are happier, the trains are cleaner. It’s a win-win,” he said.