TTC union calls for new policy that would temporarily halt service during some major snow events
A union representing TTC workers is calling for a new policy that could temporarily halt service during some major snow events after more than 500 buses were left stranded on the roads during Monday’s storm.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 made the request in a news release issued on Tuesday afternoon.
They said that “as result of the TTC’s lack of planning” a total of 540 buses got stuck on local roads on Monday, leaving some drivers stranded for up to 10 hours.
About 300 to 400 of those buses were still stuck as of Tuesday morning, according to the TTC.
“While the TTC doesn’t control the weather, the snowstorm revealed major gaps in how the TTC deals with severe winter weather conditions,” ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred said in the release. “To protect workers and riders, ATU Local 113 calls on the TTC to be better prepared for snowstorms by implementing a service plan in which vehicle accumulation levels are assessed and a hazardous service level is determined. Once that level is reached, the TTC must pause service to allow road crews to plow roads so buses and streetcars can keep Torontonians moving safely.”
Monday’s storm dumped 36 centimetres of snow on the city and caused significant issues for the TTC, with service being shuttered along large stretches of both the Line 1 and 2 subway line for hours.
Service also had to be cancelled on the above-ground Scarborough RT due to the treacherous conditions.
In their release, ATU Local 113 pointed out that many of the buses that got into trouble weren’t able to negotiate hills at York Mills Road and Avenue Road, which are “known areas that are affected by poor weather conditions.”
They said that the TTC’s communications system was also “ineffective” during the storm with calls for help from some operators going unanswered.
“The TTC’s lack of a proper contingency plan that addresses impact, order and risk mitigation is concerning and unacceptable, especially for a major city like Toronto that depends on public transit,” Alfred said. “ATU Local 113 members and our riders, who depend on safe and reliable service, must be the TTC’s top priority.”
Speaking with CP24 earlier on Tuesday, TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said that a “deeper dive” will be conducted to determine what transpired on Monday but only after service is fully restored.
He said that the TTC does have winter protocols in place but with a storm as significant as Monday’s the weather can sometimes “get ahead of you.”
“I think everyone appreciates that yesterday was a record setting snow storm,” he said. “We do have winter protocols in place, a lot of them were used but sometimes the weather just gets ahead of you.”
ATU Local 113 represents approximately 12,000 TTC workers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pastrnak scores winner, Bruins down Leafs 2-1 in overtime in Game 7
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.