Yes Yes, fellow New Yorkers...our subway system smells and the TTC does not. I too am a fan of Toronto's subway and the general public transit system here, HOWEVER, 2 major downgrades are:
1) the monthly metro passes. Only good for the month that you're in and not just a clean cut 30 days. You arrive mid month, you find yourself running for weekly passes until the new month starts up.
2) it's blatant hate for credit cards! I believe there are only about 2 or 3 stations that have a machine that takes DEBIT cards ONLY and even then I'm pretty sure it has to be from a Canadian bank. My boss and I were screwed trying to purchase passes with our ATM cards.
On top of that, they employees of the TTC sent me on a wild goose chase trying to purchase 30 weekly passes. Let's get this straight TTC...you don't take credit cards anywhere! Don't tell someone they can pay by credit card and please don't send them to your main office...because the one woman behind the counter was very rude and of zero help (actually...probably the first time I felt like I was dealing with a New Yorker).
So, I've had a love hate relationship with the TTC. Loves: Cleanliness, the trains come so so frequently. Hates: no love for plastic currency, and unhelpful staff at Bloor and Davisville!
The End :)