Another debacle for TTC after driver suspended for allegedly driving while impaired
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March 16, 2010, EDT.
First it was sleeping on the job, taking unauthorized breaks and even a sex scandal involving the chair of the country's largest transit system.
The Toronto Transit Commission was embarrassed yet again Tuesday after a driver was suspended without pay for allegedly drinking and driving erratically.
"We have an expectation that our employees report to work fit for duty, which means not under the influence of alcohol or drugs," said commission spokesman Danny Nicholson.
"Obviously we're disappointed that this incident took place, but we're letting the investigation run its course."
The bus driver in question has been suspended without pay after being pulled over by police because passengers called 911 to report erratic driving on Friday afternoon. The woman was given a breathalyzer and lost her licence for three days.
Police said she did not fail the breath test, but there were reports that the driver blew in the warning range of .05 to .08 per cent blood alcohol.
The transit commission would not comment on what additional disciplinary actions would be taken, Nicholson said.
Reaction was all a-twitter Tuesday morning, as social networking sites highlighted the frustration transit riders feel towards the "better way."
"The stunning story Toronto is talking about today: Another stagger step for the TTC," one person posted on Twitter.
Another mockingly empathized with the TTC's most recent debacle.
"Doing the TTC's PR will soon rival doing the Calgary Zoo's for title of Worst Job in Canada," another posted, referencing the zoo's controversy over animal care.
"TTC bus driver caught driving under the influence. Big scandal? or the elephant in the room Torontonians have known about for while?" another wrote.
The latest trouble comes in the midst of a public relations blitz to improve relations with commuters, with consultations being held throughout the city to give transit users a chance to complain about the service.
Public discontent came to a head in January after a subway ticket collector was photographed napping on the job. The picture, which showed the man leaning back on his chair with his eyes closed, caused a flurry of reaction.
Soon after, transit riders already enraged by a fare hike surreptitiously began using cell phone cameras to catch workers relaxing on the job.
YouTube hosted a slew of videos of operators taking unauthorized breaks, and photos on websites showed workers stopping mid-route to conduct some personal banking at ATMs.
In late January, a grainy video showed a driver leaving a bus, its engine idling, to take a coffee break for seven minutes.
This prompted the chief general manager to send two notices to TTC employees stating he's tired of "unacceptable behaviour" and a "culture of complacency."
The union shot back by creating a Facebook group, posting its own evidence of "public harassment," which included photos of litter, beer bottles, graffiti and window etching left behind by passengers.
All of this came as TTC chairman Adam Giambrone bailed out of a bid to become Toronto mayor over a sex scandal. A 20-year-old university student came forward saying she had been having an affair with the councillor.
Meanwhile, the commission quietly rolled out its "Fitness for Duty Policy" last month, after a 2008 study found that there were 35 TTC employees under the influence of alcohol since 2006.
Since February, all new employees who will be operating buses, streetcars or subways undergo a drug test.
Operators can also be tested for drugs or alcohol if there is reasonable cause or after an accident. Transit staff recommended random drug testing, but the commissioners struck that out of the policy.
Content Provided By Canadian Press.
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Article Link
March 16, 2010, EDT.
First it was sleeping on the job, taking unauthorized breaks and even a sex scandal involving the chair of the country's largest transit system.
The Toronto Transit Commission was embarrassed yet again Tuesday after a driver was suspended without pay for allegedly drinking and driving erratically.
"We have an expectation that our employees report to work fit for duty, which means not under the influence of alcohol or drugs," said commission spokesman Danny Nicholson.
"Obviously we're disappointed that this incident took place, but we're letting the investigation run its course."
The bus driver in question has been suspended without pay after being pulled over by police because passengers called 911 to report erratic driving on Friday afternoon. The woman was given a breathalyzer and lost her licence for three days.
Police said she did not fail the breath test, but there were reports that the driver blew in the warning range of .05 to .08 per cent blood alcohol.
The transit commission would not comment on what additional disciplinary actions would be taken, Nicholson said.
Reaction was all a-twitter Tuesday morning, as social networking sites highlighted the frustration transit riders feel towards the "better way."
"The stunning story Toronto is talking about today: Another stagger step for the TTC," one person posted on Twitter.
Another mockingly empathized with the TTC's most recent debacle.
"Doing the TTC's PR will soon rival doing the Calgary Zoo's for title of Worst Job in Canada," another posted, referencing the zoo's controversy over animal care.
"TTC bus driver caught driving under the influence. Big scandal? or the elephant in the room Torontonians have known about for while?" another wrote.
The latest trouble comes in the midst of a public relations blitz to improve relations with commuters, with consultations being held throughout the city to give transit users a chance to complain about the service.
Public discontent came to a head in January after a subway ticket collector was photographed napping on the job. The picture, which showed the man leaning back on his chair with his eyes closed, caused a flurry of reaction.
Soon after, transit riders already enraged by a fare hike surreptitiously began using cell phone cameras to catch workers relaxing on the job.
YouTube hosted a slew of videos of operators taking unauthorized breaks, and photos on websites showed workers stopping mid-route to conduct some personal banking at ATMs.
In late January, a grainy video showed a driver leaving a bus, its engine idling, to take a coffee break for seven minutes.
This prompted the chief general manager to send two notices to TTC employees stating he's tired of "unacceptable behaviour" and a "culture of complacency."
The union shot back by creating a Facebook group, posting its own evidence of "public harassment," which included photos of litter, beer bottles, graffiti and window etching left behind by passengers.
All of this came as TTC chairman Adam Giambrone bailed out of a bid to become Toronto mayor over a sex scandal. A 20-year-old university student came forward saying she had been having an affair with the councillor.
Meanwhile, the commission quietly rolled out its "Fitness for Duty Policy" last month, after a 2008 study found that there were 35 TTC employees under the influence of alcohol since 2006.
Since February, all new employees who will be operating buses, streetcars or subways undergo a drug test.
Operators can also be tested for drugs or alcohol if there is reasonable cause or after an accident. Transit staff recommended random drug testing, but the commissioners struck that out of the policy.
Content Provided By Canadian Press.
More on link
