One Toronto resident who once found frustration due to transit delays and detours, turned to humour by making fake notices poking fun at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
That’s right, while many transit users express their discontent with bus route changes and delays seemingly daily, Shari Kasman is taking it to the streets, one fake notice at a time.
The Toronto resident and author essentially re-creates TTC information sheets but puts her own spin on it.
Her latest project took jabs at the construction happening on Queen Street West for the new Ontario Line that will take about four and a half years.
“Route change due to ongoing mayhem,” the fake sign reads.
“This particular route change will be in effect for 10 months, but may change sooner or later, just to keep things interesting,” it continued.
“I first made notices for the TTC in the fall for the 506 route,” Kasman told Now Toronto in an interview.
“I was irritated at the TTC and couldn’t believe how bad their signs were. I find them very difficult to understand.”
Kasman also prefers to bike to where she needs to go. This was sparked after she was left waiting for a streetcar for what felt like forever in the west end.
“I waited and waited and waited and nothing and I didn’t get a streetcar. I ended up walking home to get my bike. Because I was so frustrated and I couldn’t figure out what was going on.”
To the untrained eye her signs could be mistaken for the real one due to how similar they look.
Here are two signs side by side:
Kasman’s fake notice Real TTC notice
“I did make it similar. I think you can tell it’s not a TTC sign by the squiggle,” she said, referring to the map design she made for the transit route system found at the end of the notice.
The TTC says it has been informed about the fake notices.
“We’re aware and they are being removed as we find them or when reported,” the TTC said in an email statement to Now Toronto.
The TTC did not confirm if she could face any consequences for making the signs.
Check out some of Kasman’s earlier posters:
