Metrolinx considers implementing random drug and alcohol testing
Posted June 7, 2017 6:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Metrolinx operators could soon be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
The transit agency already employs a “fitness for duty” policy, which includes random health and wellness checks.
However, Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne Marie Aikins told 680 NEWS they are only allowed to test for drug and alcohol under certain conditions, such as when there has been a crash.
“If there are things that we can do to make it even safer for our passengers, safer for our staff, then we want to look at that,” Aikins said.
The random testing, if implemented, would apply to those who operate GO Transit and the UP Express.
Last month, the TTC implemented random drug and alcohol testing and Aikins said they’re monitoring that closely. Aikins points out the law is a little murky when it comes to implementing random testing and said the TTC was able to do so through arbitration.
On Tuesday, the TTC said another employee failed a random drug and alcohol test, bringing the number of failed tests to five since the policy was implemented on May 8.
