TTC gets testy after ‘POO’ title for fare inspectors heavily mocked

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As of Sunday, TTC fare inspectors were given a new title and uniforms — and the result was online mockery.

It wasn’t the inspectors’ new look — from yellow jackets to grey shirts — but their new title, Provincial Offences Officers — POOS, for short — that appeared to be overlooked by any sort of supervisor.

The internet, however, did not miss a beat and was on the TTC like flies on, well, you know.

“Just spotted some POOs on the street. (Did ANYONE workshop this?),” Global News reporter Matthew Bingley wrote on X, along with a photo of three POOs near a bus shelter.

TTC Media Relations was quick to respond — in a surprisingly snarky tone that might make one question if that role was also revamped.

“Yes, Matt. We were kids once, too, and the acronym was thought through, but the designation was not ours to begin with,” the reply began.

“It existed in Ontario legislation long before the TTC began using it this weekend,” the response noted, adding a link to the Provincial Offences Act.

“We thank the snickering, puerile 12-year-old boys who dominate the internet for their insights,” the sassy reply continued.

“However, it does not negate the fact that fare cheats face fines of hundreds of dollars — which is no laughing matter.”

People on social media were a little surprised by the response.

“Yikes, who thought this post was a good idea?” one person asked. “You should’ve run this tweet past whoever is in charge in your office.”

Another added: “I’d be brushing up on your resume after posting this kind of response as a so called ‘media relations’ professional.”

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A third noted: “Any acronym that works out to POO was not well ‘thought through’ no matter what the TTC news media room thinks.”

However, a fourth person added: “This wouldn’t have been such a big deal if the TTC wasn’t a lousy service in poor condition. ‘Poo’ seems entirely appropriate.”

Even Councillor Josh Matlow got in on the action, sharing the TTC’s original announcement post and writing, “We’re going to have to do some work on the acronym though.”

The rebrand is one of the steps the transit system has taken to recoup lost revenue.

Last year, the TTC began eliminating the “no-tap” fare gates at subway stations to capture lost fares.

It also added plain clothes inspectors across the system, hired more fare inspectors, and introduced body-worn cameras and mobile ticketing.

The POOs will continue checking for proof of payment and anyone and could issue tickets to customers who have not paid the proper fare, ranging from $235 to $425.