TTC CEO Andy Byford warned workers he’ll throw them under the bus if they are caught breaking the rules!
Byford’s stern memo sent out to TTC employees Friday morning comes after several embarrassing incidents involving workers surfaced.
As the Sun reported Thursday, a rider snapped a photo of a streetcar driver reading a newspaper behind the wheel of the Spadina streetcar Wednesday morning. That photo comes after recent photos emerged of a TTC collector sleeping and a subway driver texting on a cellphone while the train was in motion.
In his letter titled, Restoring the Public’s Faith in a Safe TTC, Byford noted the recent incidents have again put the transit authority’s image and reputation under “intense scrutiny and severe criticism by the media and the travelling public.”
“To be frank, we can’t complain,” Byford wrote bluntly.
“In recent days, photos and videos have emerged of staff asleep on the job, texting or appearing to read a newspaper while operating a vehicle, and parking illegally to get a snack. As your CEO, I cannot and will not defend such incidents.
“Such behaviours are not only unacceptable, they lead to even more scrutiny and potential for assault.”
Byford blamed the incidents on a “small minority of staff” who “wreck all of our reputations.”
“To them I say: I will not back you, in fact I will expect you to face the consequences of your actions, especially if you put customers’ safety at risk,” he wrote.
“Between us, we can transform our company’s reputation and stop this ongoing criticism of what we do. But we can only do this if everyone does their job professionally.”
Byford said he’s instructed managers to “back staff to the hilt” if they do the right thing or make an honest mistake.
“But to those few that choose to ignore safety rules or who recklessly make things worse for their colleagues by their actions, expect to be held to account,” he said.
The newly-minted TTC CEO ended his letter on an optimistic note.
“I am convinced we can change this situation and transform everyone’s perceptions of the TTC. Please heed this advice.” from: torontosun.com
Do you feel better, knowing the TTC isn’t going to protect their people, if they insist on putting you at risk with their actions? What should the punishment be?
2 Comments User Comments
Add a commentRainbwoRay
April 27, 2012
2:34 pm
That’s all well and good and the public have a point but don’t forget some of thses same people who take these photos also do the same thing (:catch 22 here)l not all, but some of them. No wonder some of them want to remain anonymous when they submit the photos to the media. Some people drive and text, some people drive and are on their cell phone, etc. You don’t see the TTC or the police taking pictures (their just trying to crack down on it).
The public have a point, but I think they’re going overboard considering some of the same people do the same things themselves thinking maybe, “we’re taxpayers, so it’s okay”. Hell, one day there’sa guy who took one these photos, texting and driving and what do you know, he has to slam on his brakesl to late, he just ran into a TTC bus or streetcar! (not impossible right? Very ironic though for that person who once took a picture of the driver sleeping or texting or reading> Ficitional story I know, but possible.
Like I said, the public have good ponts, but I think they are overdoing a lttle bit. Remember that when your leaving your newspapers or food on the new TTC subways or on the streetcars adn buses. Just some thoughts.
LOVE
RainbowRay
Susan
April 27, 2012
3:18 pm
I drove a school bus for seventeen years, no texting, cell use or reading a map while driving. If it’s that important, pull over. I travel the TTC everyday and wouldn’t feel safe in a vehicle by someone doing these things. This goes for everyone in a vehicle on the road today. No excuses.