A "state of good repair"

Myself, like many others who ride the TTC fairly consistently, at one time or another have seen those signs in the stations, or attached to the platform walls that state "This station is currently undergoing maintenance to regain a state of good repair".  What does that encompass, and really mean?  Many of the stations along the Bloor Danforth line have had little to no work done since 1954 when most of the line went into service, and the University Spadina side of the line is also showing signs of needing work, but there is work being done to upgrade escalators, install elevators, and accomodate the increase in passengers in the higher traffic stations currently.
We stand on the platform waiting for the next train.  We look at the advertisements on the walls and sometimes wonder what advertising firm came up with such strange campaigns.  We strategically place our selves at that certain place on the platform, knowing that when it comes time to exit the train, our exit to higher ground will be mere steps from the train we just left. Not only do we methodically plan our arrival and departures in and out of the subway system, we can even count on that one person to throw it all off by one simple little jesture of standing too close to us, or by shouting profanities to no one but themselves- which changes the whole plan that was initially so perfectly executed.

Throughout the course of this journey, standing in that station, waiting for that train, we notice the tracks, the tiny rodents weaving their way in and out of the cracks and crevaces, rummaging through the trash down below, and then we look up... notice the peeled back paint, the rust stains from the steel separating the street from world down below.  At first glance, its obvious that water has made its way from outside to inside, but if left for any longer period of time, will it be as easy to fix?  Will my trip downtown be as pleasant because now I have noticed an imperfection at the station I so frequently use?  I have noticed others stations with their "imperfections", missing pieces of tile, or the ceiling exposed in random spots where siding once covered the plaster.  I always thought that my station was unrivaled when it came to cleanliness and lack of repair issues, but now that is no longer the case.  Every station has their issues whether it be the escalator that never seems to work, the trash can that is always overflowing, or the graffiti which has some how made its way into the tracks.  Now all those "minor" issues, have snowballed into a bigger issue with no sign of slowing down.  Sure the platform needed some work at street level, and I'm not disputing the station needed entrance upgrades, but the seeping rust from up above, and the leaking water out of the wall on the platform is truly a sign that the system is showing its age.

The subway trains are not as clean as they once were, and guaranteed, you will find carvings in the glass or interior walls from late night riders thinking its cool to damage a system that is for lack of better words -damaged, but when does it get fixed?  My fear is that our system will one day look like the New York transit system of the early 80's where it seemed beyond repair,  and train windows were so covered in graffiti you didn't know what stop you were at.  The state of good repair seems such a long way down the road, you cant see it for the road blocks in the way, and a system we had such pride in at one time, we ride only for sheer lack of an alternative and hope that service disruptions don't delay us any longer than we already were.  With all that is going on with our transit system, I hope that the future plans for growth and expansion don't brush the current needs under the carpet and create an even bigger mess than one that has already begun on the aging system.
For a list of current projects the TTC is currently working on click here.

Transit city future plans click here.