In Toronto TTC drivers are vital to the transportation of many citizens who rely on public transit to travel around the city. Their importance to the City of Toronto is immeasurable and they need to be treated as such. DAILY and PUBLICALLY TTC drivers are met with verbal and physical abuse, threats, aggressive behavior, degrading insults and harassment. That is an unhealthy work environment no one should be subjected to. The mental and physical health of TTC drivers is bound to decline after years of receiving abuse and harassment from passengers. It is time for TTC to implement measures to protect their employees. There are many ways this company can intervene to support and protect the drivers that keep the company and city going.

Many times, when passengers assault the drivers, they are expected to accept the abuse and continue driving, that is unacceptable and needs to stop. This petition is to call on TTC to put forth real change to help their employees. They need to show all passengers that nothing but respectful behavior will be allowed on the buses. There are other ways to voice a complaint other than berating the driver – all passengers need to be aware of this. There needs to be a strong message to passengers that there is zero tolerance for harassment/abuse to drivers (and employees) and it needs to be enforced.

Having more security personnel ride bus routes can intervene when passengers become violent/abusive towards the drivers or others, they can also remove passengers who are using alcohol or drugs on the buses, when drivers cannot. This will increase the safety of all on the bus. 

Promoting passenger education can help everyone understand proper etiquette when using the TTC. What is tolerated and appropriate behavior on the TTC and what is considered inappropriate behavior. Having televised interviews to get the message out will reach the masses and can improve passenger-driver relations. Utilize the app, have a prompt every time people open it reminding them to be respectful to employees. Use social media campaigns to push the message and use other marketing techniques to engage with the passengers in positive ways that promote respect for TTC drivers. People need to understand this is not an isolated incident but a daily occurrence for thousands of TTC drivers. 

There should be a no tolerance policy that is enforced, this will send the message to more passengers that abuse, violence and harassment are not tolerated and there will be consequences (in the way of fines, bans, immediate removal etc.)

There are ways to protect TTC drivers and we have to call on the company to take this seriously. Drivers have families to support and this abuse can impact their lives outside of work. The overall well-being and health of TTC drivers is important and this needs to be looked at in-depth. No other customer service occupation would tolerate such continual blatant disrespect and abuse towards their employees without change. 

Please sign this petition and share it, the word needs to get out that TTC drivers are being abused daily in front of others and their employers are doing little to nothing to stop it, when there is so much more that can be done. 

With enough public support and call to action we hope to bring this petition to the TTC CEO, TTC Operations managers and supervisory staff to enforce change as well as local news outlets to reach more supporters and spread the message that we need to protect our TTC drivers.

Thank you!