It's not like this is such a big hardship. Many TTC drivers do it anyhow. Some TTC drivers don't bother to call any stops, even major ones.
So it's about time they made it mandatory.
Being required to call all stops would present a hardship and potential safety risk when drivers are navigating busy routes, argued the TTC lawyer.
But the tribunal heard that drivers are already under orders to call all stops when their transit vehicle is extremely crowded or bad weather makes it difficult for everyone to see out the windows.
"By giving these instructions it is clear that the TTC is prepared to accommodate sighted people who have some difficulties" but not blind people with "severe difficulties," wrote Rosenberg.
The TTC will not appeal the decision, said commission chair Adam Giambrone, who put the legal costs to fight the second Lepofsky case at between $100,000 and $200,000.
And it's not even just about blind people. It's about the fact that we're crowded into buses and street cars like a bunch of sardines much of the time, and we can't see out the window to know where our stop is.
Many of the drivers on the Dufferin route are really good about calling out stops, but it's still hit and miss. Every bus driver on every route should be calling out every stop. I'm sorry if it's a hardship, but you know, that's just part of the job that they're being paid very well to do. Call the damn stops already.
4 comments:
They used to be really good at calling out the stops, esp. requested stops, 30 years ago. When I rode the Dufferin route for the first time, I requested St. Clair to be called out. The driver didn't. He looked like I was imposing too. It was the sheer mass of people and the foresight of grabbing a seat up front that alerted me. Par for the course for any bus route I've had to take. The best one was the guy who didn't know the stop though driving the route for eons.
I find it very amusing that people can make comments about something they have no Idea about. Untill you have actually driven a bus in a busy city with traffic and bad weather conditions etc etc...you really have no right to comment. You have to be a mulitasker at the best of times. Do drivers get paid well? Yes the money is good....but this is what you must indure for your money.... Sitting 8 hrs in a unairconditioned bus.( or freezing bus in winter when the unit hasn't any heat) Stinky people hanging over you ...asking you questions with breath that could kill a horse. 40 people getting on asking the same question over and over that you just told the people directly in front of them ...people pointing or snapping their fingers for a transfer..because god forbid they should have any manners. Oh thats right ...that would be IF they actually paid a fare People time and time again refuse to pay a fare, they are short money or tape together a false transfer...or throw in $1.56 and run for the back of the bus (which by the way is the only time you can get people to go to the BACK)because they assume you don't know how much is in there with the 100 pennies they put in. Then they are the first to whine about fare hikes...well if everyone paid what they were required to pay...perhaps there wouldn't be sooo many fare hikes. I am sure that most drivers would have no problem calling out your stops. But keep in mind ...you are just sitting or standing on the bus...the driver is checking mirrors for traffic...people running out infront of the bus..(ooops late again) making sure their mirrors clear the posts that are too close to the road...signal with their feet...lean over to talk into the micraphone...and what ever else comes up unexpectantly ....like those drivers that like to take right hand turns infront of the bus...also doing thier best to make a smooth stop so as not to put you all on your butts ... oh sy must not forget those passangers that like to carry on lengthy conversations with the driver..or the ones that are asking you for info while you are driving and get upset that you interupt them to CALL OUT THE STOPS...
oh PS...drivers do not get lunch or coffee breaks.There are times they dont' even get out of their seats for hours on end. Have to go to the bathroom? oh well hope to find time on the next 5 min lay over that you came in 5 mins late....well maybe next lay over??? you are not supposed to eat while you drive yet if you don't...you just dont' eat for the day. Guess thats why we get the big bucks eh?
well put.
Post a Comment