A Toronto subway ride has turned into something a little unexpected for riders on Line 2.

Alex Crawford, a TTC subway operator who goes by “Uncle Crawfy,” has been sharing uplifting announcements over the PA system, and riders have started posting them online for thousands to watch.

For the past three months, Crawford’s quirky, insightful and delightful announcements have been bringing joy to riders. He works on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth, and people riding regularly have a better chance of hearing him Monday to Friday between Broadview and Ossington.

“It’s amazing,” said Crawford, holding back his emotions. “It’s a level of joy that I wasn’t expecting, nor did I think was possible.”

On Thursday afternoon, while CTV News Toronto was on board, Crawford told passengers: “I don’t know what the technical terms for this is, but what you’re looking at is a beautiful day.”

In another announcement, he said: “Listen to me when I say; every little thing will be OK.”

Some days come with a theme, including Toronto Transit Trivia Tuesdays, Welcoming Wednesdays and Haiku Thursdays.

Behind the light-hearted messages is a more serious reason Crawford started making them. After overcoming a relapse with alcohol, the 56-year-old returned to work and said the announcements draw on the same approach that helped him when he first quit drinking in 2011.

“What helped me maintain sobriety, find a new passion, a new joy, was the world of comedy, stand-up comedy, improv comedy. So this is an outlet stemming from all of that,” he said.

Crawford said he started thinking about how to make the job more enjoyable and realised he already had what he needed.

“I thought, well, I have a microphone right here. Maybe people will be interested and happy to hear that somebody is wishing them a good day.”

He said the response from riders has been incredible, with some praising Uncle Crawfy and saying he should get a raise.

Read more from CTV News.