TTC chair Karen Stintz says the city’s transit commissioners must find a way to work together, so that plans for transit improvements stay on track in the wake of a management shakeup.

Stintz told CBC News on Wednesday that she is still stunned by the dismissal of Gary Webster, who up until Tuesday evening had served as the TTC’s chief general manager for more than four years.

“I am still trying to process everything that’s happened,” Stintz said. She has repeatedly stated that there was no cause to fire Webster, who had worked for the TTC for more than 30 years.

Stintz said she has already made contact with the TTC’s chief operating officer, Andy Byford, to ensure “that the transition is as smooth as it can be” under the circumstances.

Byford is taking over day-to-day operations while the TTC undertakes a search for a new chief general manager.

Stintz acknowledged that divisions have surfaced at recent TTC meetings and said the commissioners must "figure out … how we’re going to move forward in a more cohesive manner."

While Stintz viewed the special meeting that led to Webster’s removal as politically driven, she said the commissioners must stay focused on transit planning in the months ahead.

Byford calls Webster 'an inspiration'

Speaking to reporters Wednesday on the first day in his new role, Byford called Webster "an inspiration" and pledged to weigh in honestly about the Transit City light-rail project that Mayor Rob Ford is keen to scrap.

Webster's support of Transit City and resistence to Ford's demand for more subways was rumoured to be the catalyst for his eventual dismissal.

"Clearly I'm going to be asked about the subay versus streetcar debate, and I'll contribute to that, but I'll contribute to that as a civil servant," Byford said. "I'll give my honest and frank opinion. My prime focus today, though, is on the day-to-day services."

For now, Byford said his focus is on driving up customser satisfaction with the TTC, rather than politics.

"At the end of the day, I'm always grateful to Gary because he brought me to the TTC," he added. "We had a sort of private moment yesterday. He wished me good luck. He wants me to carry on, driving on the TTC, taking the TTC to the next level, and I appreciate his words of support."

Minnan-Wong defends vote to fire TTC boss

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong was among those who voted to remove Webster in a 5-4 vote after a contentious hours-long meeting Tuesday.

Interviewed Wednesday by Metro Morning host Matt Galloway, Minnan-Wong said the move to fire Webster is the right one.

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong says it’s not uncommon for senior bureaucrats to leave their posts over conflicts with council or the mayor.

“Everyone is agreed that Andy Byford is the man to lead us on an interim basis,” said Minnan-Wong.

Galloway asked Minnan-Wong to explain the reasons why he wanted Webster — who had been with the TTC since 1975 — out as head of Canada’s largest transit system.

“I am constrained, our lawyers specifically told us that we cannot talk about the reasons why,” said Minnan-Wong. “That is out of respect for Gary Webster and also the fact that if we say any negative remarks about him, that could lead to cause of action for defamation, so we have to be very careful about what we say.”

Severance will cost city $500,000

Webster was fired with less than two years left on his contract. Council members who support Webster say his dismissal was without cause and will cost the city $500,000 in severance costs.

Council members voting in favour of Webster's firing Tuesday included Minnan-Wong, Frank Di Giorgio, Vincent Crisanti, Cesar Palacio and Norm Kelly. Voting against the motion were Stintz, Peter Milczyn, Maria Augimeri and John Parker.

His firing comes just two weeks after Webster expressed open defiance to a subway plan championed by Ford.

TTC chief general manager Gary Webster was fired on Tuesday. ((John Lancaster/CBC))

Minnan-Wong admitted Wednesday that he and Webster did not always see eye-to-eye on policy issues.

“It’s on record he and I have had our disagreements,” he said. “In fact in 2009 I went on record calling for his resignation because of what happened on the St. Clair streetcar line.”

Minnan-Wong also said it’s not uncommon for senior bureaucrats to leave their posts over conflicts with council or the mayor. He suggested that many resign when in fact they are being forced out.

“Some of those individuals didn’t want to leave,” said Minnan-Wong. “Many of them left their posts because they had differences with the administration at the time.”

Galloway asked Minnan-Wong whether the nature of Webster’s departure will hinder the city’s ability to hire a qualified replacement.

“Who’s going to want this job if — as some on the commission have said — when your vision doesn’t align with the mayor then you’re out of a job? Who would want that job as an independent bureaucrat?” Galloway asked.

Will be 'a lot of interest' in the job, Minnan-Wong says

“I think there’s going to be a lot of interest, we’re going to do a search,” said Minnan-Wong. “I suspect it’s going to be a global search. And I expect there will be a great deal of interest.”

Galloway also asked if losing the top administrator would affect a council vote earlier this month that opted for new surface-rail lines instead of a plan preferred by Ford and his backers to build subways underground.

“Council made their decision and I respect that decision,” said Minnan-Wong

John Parker was one of four council members on the transit commission to vote against Webster’s firing.

“Gary was terminated without just cause. I couldn’t see any cause for letting him go,” he told Galloway.

The province has earmarked $8.4 billion in funding for transit expansion in Toronto but on Tuesday Premier Dalton McGuinty expressed frustration with ongoing fights at city hall over how the money should be spent.

“We’re running out of patience,” McGuinty said. “The time for talk is coming to an end.”