In 2020, the 311 service received over 1.3 million inquiries by phone, email,
internet, and social media. Specialists processed over 400,000 inquiries.
This must be a huge task for staff who man the phone lines around the clock, and an even greater frustration for residents trying to report issues and get help.
Now reporting potholes, leaking fire hydrants, or even neighbors violating safety rules will be easier than ever.
The city is launching a new 311 mobile app, so that residents of Toronto can easily access information about various services, submit complaints, or report issues. This can be done with just one click using any smart device.
According to Toronto Mayor John Tory, thanks to the new app, "it has never been easier to access city services".
Requests submitted through the app will be optimized using GPS functionality, allowing users to pinpoint the location of their requests for easier identification. You can even use your device's built-in camera to attach photos to your report.
This same feature allows users to view other requests to see if the issue has already been reported, saving both the service operators and those submitting requests from duplication.
The new app will allow residents to access local landmarks, including museums, libraries, and community centers.
"Use the GPS feature on your device to pinpoint your location, take a picture, and attach it to your request, so support can see exactly what you see, making it faster and easier to send a service request," said Councillor Paul Ainslie.
The app is available for iOS and Android, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
