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From the Star:
Paramedics' aid may cut transit delays
Feb 27, 2008 04:30 AM
Tess Kalinowski
transportation reporter
The TTC may assign paramedics to subway stations in a bid to reduce growing train delays.
Sick passengers are one of the biggest contributors to a 23 per cent increase in delays on the system, which totalled 447 hours this year, according to a TTC report obtained by the Star.
A paramedic pilot project could begin later this year at the station at Yonge and Bloor Sts., TTC chair Adam Giambrone confirmed yesterday. "We'd let people know it is there and encourage people, if they're feeling ill, to get off and talk to (paramedics) on scene," he said.
The cost is still unknown, but if the pilot is successful, paramedics could be placed at up to 10 stations. Paramedics are already used this way in cities such as Hong Kong, said Rick Cornacchia, deputy general manager of subway operations.
Last year, there were 84 more hours of subway delays than the previous year. Those caused by mechanical and maintenance issues declined about 2 per cent. But there were 40 per cent more delays caused mostly by passengers, including 49 hours blamed on illness, and 39 hours lost to doors jammed by passengers or debris.
A shortage of operators was responsible for about 47 hours of delays last year. But that number should decline significantly since the TTC reached an agreement with the transit workers' union last year to allow a "spare board" system, which would speed the deployment of backup operators.
Delays are inevitable given the increasing use of the subway. Overall, TTC ridership grew by about 3 per cent last year, with more than 1 million people riding the subway on a typical weekday. But things can be done, Giambrone said.
The TTC is installing cameras and adding more special constables to discourage disorderly behaviour.
New trains coming on stream next year will be "10 times as reliable as the ones they're replacing," with a new signalling system that will reduce delays. The commission is also studying the use of platform-edge doors – gates that regulate access to the cars to keep people from jamming doors open, jumping onto tracks or throwing down debris.
The TTC has a 96 per cent on-time index, said Cornacchia.
AoD
Paramedics' aid may cut transit delays
Feb 27, 2008 04:30 AM
Tess Kalinowski
transportation reporter
The TTC may assign paramedics to subway stations in a bid to reduce growing train delays.
Sick passengers are one of the biggest contributors to a 23 per cent increase in delays on the system, which totalled 447 hours this year, according to a TTC report obtained by the Star.
A paramedic pilot project could begin later this year at the station at Yonge and Bloor Sts., TTC chair Adam Giambrone confirmed yesterday. "We'd let people know it is there and encourage people, if they're feeling ill, to get off and talk to (paramedics) on scene," he said.
The cost is still unknown, but if the pilot is successful, paramedics could be placed at up to 10 stations. Paramedics are already used this way in cities such as Hong Kong, said Rick Cornacchia, deputy general manager of subway operations.
Last year, there were 84 more hours of subway delays than the previous year. Those caused by mechanical and maintenance issues declined about 2 per cent. But there were 40 per cent more delays caused mostly by passengers, including 49 hours blamed on illness, and 39 hours lost to doors jammed by passengers or debris.
A shortage of operators was responsible for about 47 hours of delays last year. But that number should decline significantly since the TTC reached an agreement with the transit workers' union last year to allow a "spare board" system, which would speed the deployment of backup operators.
Delays are inevitable given the increasing use of the subway. Overall, TTC ridership grew by about 3 per cent last year, with more than 1 million people riding the subway on a typical weekday. But things can be done, Giambrone said.
The TTC is installing cameras and adding more special constables to discourage disorderly behaviour.
New trains coming on stream next year will be "10 times as reliable as the ones they're replacing," with a new signalling system that will reduce delays. The commission is also studying the use of platform-edge doors – gates that regulate access to the cars to keep people from jamming doors open, jumping onto tracks or throwing down debris.
The TTC has a 96 per cent on-time index, said Cornacchia.
AoD