Using a cell phone while operating any type of motor vehicle can be
risky, so it's no surprise that riders can be a put off by bus or
streetcar drivers who talk on their phones while at the wheel. In
June, after hearing from a TTC customer concerned about cell phone
use by some transit vehicle operators, the Toronto city councillors
who oversee the transit agency appeared to take the issue seriously.
TTC drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while on duty,
even hands-free devices, but the commissioners wanted to find out if
the rules were being obeyed. They asked TTC management to contact
the drivers' union, as well as to find out exactly how many
customers had complained about the problem.
As of early October, the TTC received 102 complaints, which resulted
in around 80 employees being interviewed. 20 of those had the
complaints attached to their files -- the first real step in the
discipline process. Out of thousands of drivers, 20 a reassuringly
small number. In both July and September, plain-clothed transit
supervisors conducted intensive five-day blitzes, observing drivers
and recording the results. In early July, 16 out of 2,353 vehicle
operators were seen using a phone. By September, only 5 out of 1,439
operators were observed -- that's a drop from 0.68% to 0.35%. The
TTC is happy with the results, says manager of operations Gary
Webster.
Transit commissioners will likely discuss the findings at their
monthly meeting on Wednesday, and decide what further action is
required. TTC employees have now been clearly notified that cell
phone use is not permitted while they are operating a vehicle. I was
unable to reach representatives of the drivers' union yesterday, but
a TTC document reports "The Executive of ATU Local 113 supports the
position that Operators should not use a cell phone while driving a
Commission vehicle."
Of course, cell phones are widely popular. One reason is their
effectiveness in emergencies. Should a transit driver get in
trouble, they can contact the TTC directly -- it's supposed to be
the fastest way to get police help. As long as operators trust the
on-board communication system, a personal phone is just a last
resort.To see if the use of phones is an issue elsewhere, I checked
with Mississauga Transit director Bill Cunningham. MT recently
updated its rules, including, he says, "Operators must have full
attention for driving the bus, boarding and alighting customers, and
answering inquiries." MT also bans the use of earphones or any other
audio or visual technology.
How can riders help? If you see a transit driver using the phone and
driving at the same time, report it. Your complaint will be much
more effective in writing, but you can also call TTC customer
service at 416-393-3030 or fill in an online form at
www.ttc.ca. It helps a lot to have the route number and name,
the time of day and direction travelled and especially the "run
number" -- that's the small number facing out of the vehicle's front
window, near the door.
On the road, cell phones are but one of many possible distractions.
The Canadian Automobile Association suggests that all motorists
refrain from involved conversations while driving -- even with
passengers. While transit drivers are used to doing several tasks at
once, their priorities are safety and staying on schedule. If you
have to ask a question, keep it short and sweet. If you need
extensive directions, try to find out before boarding --either through the internet or from 416-393-INFO, where help is
available in many languages.
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com. Include address and phone number.