[URBAN NOTE] Three notes on the deteriorating TTC-public relationship

[rfmcdonald]

The titles of the three articles are diagnostic. I'd add that the incident described in the third article, the collision of the bus on the 191 Highway 27 Rocket southbound, has been described on the radio by bus passengers as the consequence of the actions of the TTC driver, a pattern of poor driving ending in the collision of the moving bus with the stationary truck in front of it.

"Video of TTC subway driver using cellphone prompts investigation"

A video of a TTC driver using a cellphone while driving a subway train that surfaced on YouTube (see video below) has prompted an investigation by the transit authority.

The video, posted Friday, shows an employee in the driver’s cab at the front of a subway train, one hand on the controls and the other using a phone down at seat level.

“All I can really say about that is that we’re aware of the situation and it is being investigated,” said TTC representative Danny Nicholson. “Obviously our operators, whether they’re driving any of our vehicles, they’re not permitted to use a cellphone while driving a vehicle.”

According to the description, the video was taken between Eglinton and Bloor subway stations as the train was travelling southbound around 5:30 p.m.

"TTC streetcar driver photographed reading newspaper "

A TTC streetcar driver was caught on camera reading a newspaper while manning the controls Wednesday morning, TTC spokesman Brad Ross confirmed.

The female driver, who has not yet been identified, was operating a southbound 510 Spadina streetcar around 9 a.m. when a passenger photographed the activity.

“We take an extremely dim view of anyone who violates safety,” Ross said. “The public should be assured that we do take these matters extremely seriously and we do take action.”

He said disciplinary measures will be taken once the driver is known.

"TTC bus collision sends 12 to hospital with minor injuries"

Toronto police say 12 people were transported to hospital with minor injuries after a TTC bus collided with a tractor trailer early Wednesday morning.

Police said the passengers were brought to hospital as a precautionary measure after the crash, which happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. in the southbound collector lanes of Highway 427, near Bloor Street.

Two lanes remained blocked after 8:30 a.m. as police continued to investigated the circumstances of the crash.

The accident involved the 191 Highway 27 Rocket, a TTC spokeswoman said. Southbound TTC buses on that route are being diverted via Eringate, Wellesworth, Westmall and Dundas.