News   Mar 27, 2024
 1.1K     1 
News   Mar 27, 2024
 1.1K     2 
News   Mar 27, 2024
 632     0 

New safety features, auto announcements for TTC vehicles

W

wyliepoon

Guest
The Star

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."
 
London's bus drivers are fully protected from passengers. A full screen separates the driver's cab from the door. Passengers who want to pay by cash will have to drop the money on a dish in a small opening and the driver will process it on the computer inside. I think that's a good system.
 
Interesting that NYC doesn't have protective barriers but London and Toronto seem to need them... hmmm...
 
Toronto does not need them. I think cameras and improved enforcement (which NYC has) are all that's needed. That, and better service.

I liked this letter in the Star:

TTC taking its riders for granted
Jun. 23, 2006. 01:00 AM

TTC moves to shield drivers from assault

June 22.

I am glad to hear the Toronto Transit Commission is taking the safety of its employees seriously by installing shields to protect its drivers from assaults. Workers have the right to be protected in their workplace and TTC Deputy General Manager Bob Boutilier is responding quickly, saying, "they asked for it, they got it."

But what about what TTC customers have been asking for? What about more reliable service? What about customer-friendly staff? What about cleaner subway stations? And what about the illegal action that shut down the city just a few weeks ago? Is anyone going to be arrested, fined or fired for that?

The TTC seems quick to respond to the concerns of a petulant union, but is taking the ordinary riders for granted. And the riders — above all others — have the right to ask Boutilier, "when are we going to get what we are asking for?"

Alex Gill,

Toronto
 
Barriers for taxi drivers, barriers for bus drivers...to adjust to all these barriers we may be pressured to raise all our kids like this:
bubble_boy.jpg
 

Back
Top