A TTC fare collector is apparently caught napping at McCowan station earlier this year. (Jason Wieler) 

The battle between some TTC staff and members of the riding public has exploded on the internet, in the wake of allegations that some union members were calling for a work-to-rule campaign.

The work-to-rule threat came after the release of a scathing letter to TTC employees from general manager Gary Webster in which he said he was becoming "increasingly tired" of defending the TTC and its employees.

A few hours later a Facebook site popped up called 'Toronto Transit Operators against public harassment' where TTC employees could fight back by posting pictures of graffiti, litter and obnoxious riders. But within a few hours riders themselves had seemingly taken over the site, contributing even more complaints about service.

Bob Kinnear, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said the union was not behind any work-to-rule campaign, but did say his membership is "frustrated' at the bashing it is taking from management and the public.

On the weekend, Webster released a communication he had sent to all staff at the transit agency decrying what he called the spread of a "culture of complacency and malaise."

"I am not proud of what we have been dealing with over the last several weeks," Gary Webster said in a note sent to employees on Saturday.

"I don't know about you, but I am becoming increasingly tired of defending the reputation of the TTC; tired of explaining what is acceptable and what is not; and tired of stating the obvious: that much of the behaviour being reported is, indeed, unacceptable," he said.

The TTC has come under fire in recent days after the release of a YouTube video that showed an on-duty bus driver taking a seven-minute break.

The video purportedly showed the operator taking a washroom break and buying a coffee at a doughnut shop at 3:00 a.m. Jan. 29.

The TTC also received a barrage of negative publicity after a photograph surfaced of a subway collector napping on the job.

After the photograph went viral more than two weeks ago, TTC chair Adam Giambrone apologized for customer service "that does not live up to expectations." He said a blue-ribbon panel would be appointed to review every aspect of how the agency conducts itself.

Management at the time also urged all employees to raise the level of customer service to counter rising public frustration. Webster expressed his disappointment at the reaction from staff.

"I asked everyone to respond well. Some of you did. Clearly, some of you did not.”

In the Saturday media release, spokesman Brad Ross said the TTC would no longer comment on individual complaints against staff. But riders who have specific complaints can call 416-393-3030 or use the TTC's website.

Webster said in his memo that employees "need to be held accountable for their poor performance.

"The culture of complacency and malaise that has seeped into our organization will end. I hold all of management responsible to make this happen," he said.

"Reviews and plans are under way to address systemic issues regarding customer service, but real change starts with you."