Sisters and Brothers,
To protect your health and help limit community spread of the coronavirus, ATU Local 113 is advising TTC bus operators to limit the number of passengers to 10 riders on a regular bus and 15 riders on an articulated bus.
ATU Local 113’s recommendation comes after ongoing overcrowding on some TTC bus routes, which goes against the guidelines coming from public health officials and political leaders.
We apologize for any inconvenience to the public. However, limiting the number of passengers on TTC buses will help ensure riders are practicing physical distancing by staying two metres away from each other. In addition to these pandemic limits, TTC bus operators should continue with rear-door boarding. You also have the option to wear face masks on the job.
While the TTC has added buses to some busy routes, we think TTC management should be doing more to enforce physical distancing on the TTC. For this reason, we are asking members to use their discretion by enforcing these passenger limits during the pandemic.
ATU Local 113’s advisory for passenger limits on TTC buses comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned:
“The hard truth is right now, today, there is very little separating what we will face here in Ontario from the devastation we’ve seen in Italy and Spain – thousands of lives are at stake. These next two weeks will be absolutely critical because we know a surge is coming.”
ATU Local 113 takes the Premier’s warning seriously and is doing what we can to protect members and the public.
It is important to know public transit is NOT exempt from physical distancing regulations. If you encounter any issues enforcing physical distancing on the job, ATU Local 113 will back you 100%. Please contact your shop steward or board member.
With the coronavirus pandemic, we are providing a critical public service. We’re getting health care workers to hospitals, clerks to grocery stores and first responders to stations. We’re also on the frontlines. There is no doubt, public transit workers are among the heroes of this crisis. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113