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TTC moves to shield drivers from assaults
Jun. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM
The TTC is adding doors to protect drivers from assaults and abuse and onboard cameras to catch the "bad guys" in an effort to fix the problems that plague the system.
The Toronto Transit Commission announced the changes at the commissioners' monthly meeting yesterday.
The TTC displayed a prototype of a door with a glass shield that will protect drivers who have been complaining of assaults, especially being spit upon.
The TTC hopes to begin installing the shields in October. The project will cost about $1.5 million to outfit every bus and streetcar by December 2007, said TTC spokeswoman Marilyn Bolton.
"This will clearly demonstrate to operators that management and the commission care about their well-being," said Bob Boutilier, the TTC's deputy general manager of surface operations. "They asked for it. They got it."
The TTC is also asking for a Crown attorney to deal exclusively with driver assault issues, so the justice system understands how humiliated drivers feel when they're spit upon.
The TTC will also outfit buses and streetcars with four cameras — overhead and below face level — automated recordings to announce upcoming stops and screens to display stops. The TTC expects to complete both projects by mid-to-late 2007.
The plan to enhance driver and passenger safety comes in the wake of a series of embarrassing events — including an illegal wildcat strike and the resignation of chief general manager Rick Ducharme — that have some calling for TTC chairman Howard Moscoe's resignation.
TTC commissioner Bill Saundercook tabled a non-confidence motion yesterday against the TTC chairman, which will be voted on at next month's meeting. City councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said council could call for Moscoe's removal if that bid fails.
Meanwhile, union president Bob Kinnear said TTC management has docked some workers' pay because it believes they were involved in last month's wildcat strike.
Moscoe said the TTC still intends to recoup $3 million from the union it believes it lost the day of the wildcat strike. He added leaders of the strike "will be and have been" punished."
Link to article
TTC moves to shield drivers from assaults
Jun. 22, 2006. 01:00 AM
The TTC is adding doors to protect drivers from assaults and abuse and onboard cameras to catch the "bad guys" in an effort to fix the problems that plague the system.
The Toronto Transit Commission announced the changes at the commissioners' monthly meeting yesterday.
The TTC displayed a prototype of a door with a glass shield that will protect drivers who have been complaining of assaults, especially being spit upon.
The TTC hopes to begin installing the shields in October. The project will cost about $1.5 million to outfit every bus and streetcar by December 2007, said TTC spokeswoman Marilyn Bolton.
"This will clearly demonstrate to operators that management and the commission care about their well-being," said Bob Boutilier, the TTC's deputy general manager of surface operations. "They asked for it. They got it."
The TTC is also asking for a Crown attorney to deal exclusively with driver assault issues, so the justice system understands how humiliated drivers feel when they're spit upon.
The TTC will also outfit buses and streetcars with four cameras — overhead and below face level — automated recordings to announce upcoming stops and screens to display stops. The TTC expects to complete both projects by mid-to-late 2007.
The plan to enhance driver and passenger safety comes in the wake of a series of embarrassing events — including an illegal wildcat strike and the resignation of chief general manager Rick Ducharme — that have some calling for TTC chairman Howard Moscoe's resignation.
TTC commissioner Bill Saundercook tabled a non-confidence motion yesterday against the TTC chairman, which will be voted on at next month's meeting. City councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said council could call for Moscoe's removal if that bid fails.
Meanwhile, union president Bob Kinnear said TTC management has docked some workers' pay because it believes they were involved in last month's wildcat strike.
Moscoe said the TTC still intends to recoup $3 million from the union it believes it lost the day of the wildcat strike. He added leaders of the strike "will be and have been" punished."