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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.