Toronto subway stations are getting special bike repair stops as part of a pilot project launched this morning by the TTC. The bright red repair stands include a pump for inflating flat tires, a selection of wrenches, Allen keys, and screw drivers secured by steel cable, and a wheel chock.

The metal bolt-down structures, which are fixed to the ground near station bicycle parking racks, are currently available only at Bathurst, Davisville, Downsview, Dupont, Finch, Kipling, Keele, Kennedy, Pape, and Spadina.

On Twitter, TTC spokesman Brad Ross said all stations will receive the repair stops within a year, based on the results of customer feedback. That's a lot faster than the WiFi roll out.

While the TTC often gets knocked for being behind the times, this seems like a smart addition that will encourage integrated transit use. Sometimes the little things matter. Andy Byford appears to know this. Perhaps that's why customer service satisfaction is up.

The bike repair facilities installed as part of the pilot project are expected to cost in the region of $20,000.

Follow Chris Bateman on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Brad Ross/Twitter.