Majority Say Andy Byford Effective as TTC CEO

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Majority Say Andy Byford Effective as TTC CEO

Some see departure as an opportunity, but the plurality expects no change

 

Toronto, November 23rd – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 843 Toronto voters, more than half (TOP2: 53%) say that Andy Byford was effective as CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission, with a quarter (25%) saying that he was very effective.

 

A quarter (BTM2: 26%) say that he was ineffective as CEO of the TTC, with just under one-sixth (13%) saying he was very ineffective.

 

2 in 10 (21%) said they do not know.

 

Respondents most likely to say Byford was effective include those aged 65+ (62%), males (57%), the most wealthy (64%), with a post-graduate degree (62%), that either drives (53%) or takes public transit (56%) to work or school, living in the former city of Toronto (58%), East York (56%), North York (56%), and supporting the Liberals (61%).

 

Respondents most likely to say Byford was ineffective include those earning

$40-60,000 (36%), with some college/university (26%) or a college/university degree (29%), living in York (35%, n=64), and supporting the Green Party (37%).

 

Plurality thinks Byford’s departure is neither positive nor negative

 

Almost half (46%) says that a change in leadership at the TTC will have neither a positive, nor negative effect on transit in Toronto.

 

2 in 10 (21%) say that a change in leadership will actually have a positive effect on Toronto transit, while just over one-tenth (12%) say that the change in leadership will have a negative effect on transit in the city.

 

“The majority of Torontonians think that Andy Byford was an effective CEO of the TTC during his tenure,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research, “but almost half say a change in leadership will have no effect on the TTC. It seems that while most think Byford did a good job as CEO, they may feel that the position’s ability to make a difference on Transit in the city, is limited.”

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.