Should these TTC drivers lose their jobs? Have your say…
According to thestar.com
Three TTC drivers accused of texting while steering busloads of passengers across the city have been fired.
A source close to the investigation confirmed the news Star on Monday night.
The drivers were caught on camera last week steering with cellphones in hand. The photos were taken by shocked passengers who quickly whipped out their smart phones when they saw what the bus drivers were up to.
The TTC launched an investigation after the photos surfaced late last week.
On Monday, officials weren’t commenting on the status of the case.
“We have a disciplinary process that we need to follow,” TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said. “We would never jeopardize the discipline process.”
“What I can tell you is that we take the matter extremely seriously and our actions will be commensurate with the seriousness with which we take this matter.”
Union president Bob Kinnear said he could not comment because the matter is being dealt with internally.
“The TTC is conducting an investigation and the TTC is taking measures,” he said.
Texting while driving has been outlawed in Ontario since October 2009 and was banned under TTC policy long before that.
Mike Schmitz, the iPhone photographer behind the first photo that surfaced last week, was upset when he heard the driver had been fired.
“That’s not what I wanted at all. Not at all,” he said. “I feel pretty bad now.”
Schmitz said he would have been satisfied with a simple warning for the driver he caught texting while steering the 165 Weston Rd. North bus through traffic last Wednesday.
He said the driver was going about 50 km/h with his attention divided between the road and his phone.
“It is a bummer,” Schmitz said. “But still, it happened.”
Last week, the TTC asked customers to stop snapping “gotcha” photos of misbehaving drivers.
Ross said if passengers spot drivers using their phones behind the wheel, they should call the TTC to report the bus and route number and date and time of the occurrence.
“Cameras in the face of operators can escalate a situation that doesn’t need to be escalated,” Ross said.
23 Comments User Comments
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February 1, 2011
6:59 am
I have a friend who drives for the city of Florida in USA. He told me there are cameras on the buses to monitor both the passengers and the drivers. THey are not allowed to use their cell phones on the buses at all. If the cameras pick it up, they are fired without question. If they want to use their cell phones they have to exit the bus, even if they are on a break.
Norma Benoit
February 1, 2011
8:16 am
Yes most definitely! It’s the law and he’s puttin’ others at risk not just himself.
Darka
February 1, 2011
8:27 am
This was harsh but no different than what another employer would do. These TTC employees will get their jobs back eventually.
But are we forgetting that this applies to everyone. Have we not been advised to not text and drive at the same time. Do you see police officers, paramedics etc. texting when their services are required.
Come on! Let\’s give it a rest. The union will support them but the TTC has to set an example after all the photo in the past month.
Have a good day guys.
Ana
February 1, 2011
8:31 am
A lot of people are upset because they “made a mistake” and should have not lost their jobs. Would we all feel differently if one of those drivers had crashed and kill all the occupants? They must know texting is against the law so I feel that the punishment fits the crime. They have other people’s lives in their hands and should not be so irresponsible.
Domingos Arrojado
February 1, 2011
8:31 am
Good morning.
This is nothing new. About six months ago I found my TTC driver was doing the same. I approached him only to be told that “one more word and I will push the panic button” . Since I don’t want any involvement with the Police, I decided to file a complaint the next morning. Nothing happen to my complaint.
Due to their Union protection, nothing will happen to these drivers. They should be fired as way of breaking their arrogance and as an example to other drivers.
Lisa
February 1, 2011
8:33 am
Did anyone see Extreeme Home Makeover on Sunday night? It really brought home the dangers of texting and driving. A family lost their teenage daughter to this. They showed the road where she was driving, it was a wide straight road with flat fields on either side and she was texting and driving, lost control of her truck and it ended up rolling and she died. When you saw the road you would never have thought you could have any issues on it. Sorry, but these TTC drivers have other peoples lives in their hands. What message is so important that they have to text and drive? \” Honey, should I pickup milk on the way home?\” Let\’s get real!
George Thorn
February 1, 2011
8:41 am
This is an interesting situation. There are a few issues here that concern me. First the TTC is paying these drivers, well, to do a job which is to drive a bus. We the public are asked to subsidise their pay in the form of numerous taxes. They are paid to drive a bus safely not text. If it was a school bus full of kids the parents of the kids would be very up in arms, how many childern were on the bus or in line of being run over by the driver?
Second if we have concerns of a car driver doing text messages while driving with his family in the car should we not be even more upset that someone carrying passengers that trust the driver with their lives would take his concentration off his job to do a personal text message. A bus in an accident with other vehicles or pedestrians is simply not acceptable. If I was a passenger on the bus I would want him removed from his position. What is fair disciplin, good question……What is your life worth to your family…..These guys have your life in their hands if you are a passenger, another driver or a pedestrian.
Fran Thomas
February 1, 2011
8:52 am
I think that severe discipline should be given to the TTC Personell who were on cell phones, texting while driving. They have other peoples lives in their hands. They need to be responsible. I was an operating room nurse for 37 years. Mistakes couldn’t be made, there was a no tolerance policy. People who made mistakes were released from their position. You had to be at the top of your game all the time. It was a highly demanding & pressure job, but also very rewarding. I am retired now & do somr volunteer work driving seniors different places, I never, never, never use my cell phone while driving. If I have to make a call I pull off the road to a safe place & make it. I am not sure if the TTC drivers should be fired but they shouldn’t be driving a bus. Perhaps give them a position collecting fares or doing something else.
Fran
Christina
February 1, 2011
8:55 am
For those that do not think TTC drivers should be fired without being pardoned by their union, I’d like people to think of themselves or your loved ones being killed by these drivers texting and driving. The issue is they did not perform their duties as required and putting everybody on the road at risk. It is not right to text while driving, it is even worse when one is paid to drive to provide a service for the riders to arrive destination safely. While many know about unions and arbitration that these drivers will get away without being fired, it is sad that it is just a show. How would you feel should an accident had happened killing everybody on the bus. In the corporate world, people do get fired for wrong doing so why do taxpayers pay people to be able to these wrong doers. A lesson they learn as well as for their family members. It’s harsh, it’s something we all need to learn about responsibility, caring for others without putting other people’s life at risk.
Barbara
February 1, 2011
9:21 am
TTC Bus Drivers: Texting while stopped at a light, might be one thing, but you would still not be paying attention to what was going on in the bus. However,texting while driving & endangering all of the passengers whose lives have been put into his hands to provide safe transport, is just not acceptable. Just fining and leaving them on the job is not enough, as they were endangering lives of the public. If their union does mediate and gets them back on the job, there should still be serious consequences for their irresponsible actions, like major suspension without pay !! This is very serious.
Gracelyn Grant-Wallace
February 1, 2011
9:24 am
I believe those drivers should be disciplined very sturnly; taking away their jobs is way too harsh. Compared to the other transit companies in the GTA, WHY are commuters targeting TTC drivers so intensely? There are driver texters on every transit system. I use both GO Transit and TTC on a daily basis from Durham to TO and back, I have seen and reported many GO drivers texting while driving those big buses filled with passengers; I have also made it quite clear to the customer service rep. that those drivers needed to be spoken to STURNLY not FIRED. They need to be made aware that the lives of heads of families, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons are in their hands and like their families they need to value other peoples lives. Our lives are precious and valued just like the lives of them and their families. I suggest the province adopt and make it mandatory for Public Transit Workers to undergo extensive ACCOUNTABILITY TRAINING as part of their certification to operate public transit. Stop harassing workers on the job, they are people just like you; talk to them voice your concerns. Be Part of the Solution not the Problem.
This is my take on the whole situation.
hannah
February 1, 2011
9:45 am
this guys think the own TTC, so , to hell with SAFTY. union is only looking out for there dues otherwise the could
care less, I can talk about it because I worked a Union job before…………
RainbowRay
February 1, 2011
10:04 am
The TTC had to do what they had to do because “texting while driving is dangerous” whether in a bus, subway car or a bike (if you can manage that one). Firing sounds severe; maybe a “reprimand” or suspension would have been in order, but due to the seriousness of the offense, they had to do what they had to do.
To the guy who took the photos and submitted them to the media; try to find a more “meaningful hobby” which you can truly enjoy; then you may not feel so bad about the consequences of your actions. To many pictures of TTC employees are being taken when there are “alot of other things in life to enjoy” (the media only wants a story that will sell papers and taking controversial pictures helps them do this; stop helping them so much and enjoy life by “learning to live a little” besides taking pictures of” sleeping and texting” TTC employees. There’s more to life then that, believe me).
As if people of this great city don’t text in their cars (oh, I forgot we can do what we want because we pay taxes which pay the TTC employees salaries; which means we can also take out our bad moods out on the drivers, try to get away without paying or using fake tokens and Metropasses. We can also try to assault them once in a while and leave litter on the subways as well as piss on the washroom floors, right? After all, Toronto taxpayers are entitled to do all this since they pay taxes).
This is sarcasm i know, but I have been following the media since I was a kid and I hate what has begun of the attitude of some people in this city; i.e. I can do anything I want, even texting in my car (some people do, I’m not saying everyone) and take pictures of sleeping and texting TTC drivers. People, think before you do.
I love this city and its people, but I think Torontonians nitpick to much sometimes (just read this blog and you’ll see what I mean–HA! This is an opinion though and I stick to it). Nice to have opinions!
Enjoy the upcoming snow storm!
RainbowRay
?????
Bridgette
February 1, 2011
11:07 am
I believe a warning should\\\’ve been given initially; including, a communication to all TTC employees that this type of behaviour in future can result in your dismissal.
Bridgette
February 1, 2011
11:10 am
I believe a warning should’ve been given initially; including, a communication to all TTC employees that this type of behaviour in future can result in your dismissal.
Janet
February 1, 2011
11:29 am
Good to hear! The law is the law-being in such a public job-where anyone can see what you are doing- right or wrong-I think its just a matter of time before someone reports it-whether by pic or phone call.
Union or no union-the guy knew the rules and the law-he deserved to be terminated.
We should all think about that the next time we go against any company rules-or laws-is your job worth it-no employment insurance, who knows how long it will take to find a new job, DO you have enough in savings to cover the next months of financial hardship, plus the months or more it will take you to get over the embarassment of getting fired and how to explain that your got fired for something so stupid-to a potential employer. And-what about your benefits-if you have the benefits in your family-you will now lose those.
A sad,sad situation where you will just wish you could set back the hands of time.
Miley Billy
February 1, 2011
11:37 am
OK HERE IT GOES, THEY SHOULD BE FIRED BUT THEY WANT BE…WHY THE UNION.
HAS ANYONE …ANYONE THOUGHT OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND TEXTING??? NO…TWO OF MY FRIENDS KIDS WHERE KILLED BY DRIVERS THAT WERE TEXTING AT THE SAME TIME……TTC DRIVERS ARE CARRING PEOPLE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD…..THEY SHOULD BE FIRED…THEY WILL BE BACK BECAUSE THE UNION WILL HELP THEM.
MY BROTHER IS A DRIVER FOR THE TTC AND HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE JUST SAYING THIS TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY RIGHT NOW AND WILL BRING THOSE PEOPLE BACK…..THIS MAKES ME SICK, ILL.
moira drummond
February 1, 2011
12:22 pm
Yes unfortunately (although their own doing) they should be fired, otherwise how else will the other TTc drivers get the message that texting/cell phones are not acceptable while driving
W. Miller
February 1, 2011
1:01 pm
Until we know the full story. No we do not think that the TTC Drivers should be Fired. Yes it is against the law to Text and drive at the same time. But we see Drivers all the time out there on the roads, Talking and Texting while they are driving. And I am sad to say it is mostly women that are doing it.
And of coarse the Media have always to go on and on about it. Just like they do when it concerns the Police. The TTC. drivers should have a warning and a suspension. But not fired just like that.
Thank You.
W. Miller
February 1, 2011
1:05 pm
No they should not be fired, until the whole story is told. All Drivers of the public are still Talking and Texting while they are driving. And I am sorry to say that most of them are Female. The TTC Drivers should maybe get a warning and suspension. And of coarse the Media keep going on and on about it. Just like they do regarding the Toronto Police.
Thank You.
susie
February 1, 2011
1:28 pm
Seriously, will every Cop talking on their cell phones “hands ON” be fired?
I can’t tell you how many police officers I see in marked cars talking on their cell phones.
I always thought the laws applied to everyone!
mary morrison
February 1, 2011
1:43 pm
texting while driving is against the law period. Judging by the number of drivers, in general, still using hand-held devises, this law is not being taken seriously. Perhaps it is time for the consequences to become more serious if this particular law is broken.
Cate
February 1, 2011
2:03 pm
No. They should be ticketed by the police and if there are demerits point okay. Whatever the policy is for drivers breaching TTC rules and regulations should also happen, such as suspension without pay, etc., but to take a man’s job away when he has a family to support and likely a mortgage to pay is just wrong and lacks compassion. What is the purpose of possibly putting a family in dire straits. That mentality gives power to the unions and enforces their need to protect the “little guy”.