TTC bus driver caught texting while driving on the job
Posted January 28, 2011 10:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – A TTC bus driver could lose his job because a passenger snapped a photo of him apparently texting while driving a bus.
The packed bus was heading north on Weston Road Wednesday afternoon at a speed of 50 kilometres an hour when the photo was taken with an iPhone.
TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said the driver, who has been identified, will face disciplinary action.
“It is a significant safety issue for us. It is not only illegal, of course, to text and drive or to talk on your cell phone and drive, but it also violates our policy, which is a longstanding policy and it’s based solely on safety,” Ross told 680News.
“You’re in charge of the bus full of passengers, you’re responsible for the safety of other motorists on the road, pedestrians, cyclists, so we take this extremely seriously and we will take action that’s appropriate with the seriousness with which we view this,” he added.
When asked if the driver could lose his job, Ross told 680News the possibility of dismissal exists.
“The penalty in any discipline case in any organization is up to and including dismissal, so that possibility does exist. I don’t want to presuppose the outcome of a disciplinary process, but what I will say is that we view this and take this matter extremely seriously,” he added.
Riders are now being told to contact the TTC directly if they witness drivers compromising safety in any way, and that the matter will be dealt with swiftly.
The union said it will back the driver.
Meanwhile, TTC riders waiting for their bus near Weston Road and Steeles Avenue West, where the alleged texting incident took place, shared their views on this matter with 680News.
Daniel said he hopes the driver in question is punished.
“It’s against the law, he should be able to follow the same laws that everybody else has to follow,” he said. “I think he should either be suspended or lose his job.”
Others felt the better way should be the more forgiving way this time.
“I think he should just get a warning, hopefully he won’t do it again. I mean, to fire him I think is unfair,” another TTC rider said.
