Union tells TTC bus drivers to carry no more than 15 passengers amid pandemic

The union representing TTC drivers has unilaterally told its members to limit the number of passengers allowed on city buses, in what it says is a bid to prevent crowding that could spread COVID-19.

The directive, announced by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 Thursday afternoon, wasn't sanctioned by TTC management.

A spokesperson for the TTC didn't immediately respond to questions about the issue.

In a message sent to media and posted online, Local 113 president Carlos Santos advised drivers to allow no more than 10 riders on regular buses, and no more than 15 on the longer articulated, or "bendy," buses.

"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," Santos said in the statement.

"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."

TTC ridership has declined sharply since the COVID pandemic shut down much of the city, but the drop on bus routes hasn't been as sharp as on subway and streetcar lines.

Photos have continued to circulate on social media this week showing buses far too crowded for riders to observe public health recommendations to keep at least two metres away from other people.

The TTC announced this week it was adding buses to busy routes to ease the crowding. The agency has also agreed to allow employees to wear masks on the job, and instituted rear door boarding on buses to keep passengers at a distance from drivers.

But Santos said in his statement that those measures weren't enough. Other transit agencies in the GTA, including those in Durham Region and Brampton, have put caps on the number of passengers allowed on buses to avoid crowding.

In an interview, Santos said the TTC had been slower than other agencies to institute policies to protect employees and passengers against COVID and "a lot of our members are scared."

"I'm getting bombarded with my members' concerns about overcrowding and I can't sit around for the TTC to make the decision," he said.

He said the union's unsanctioned directive doesn't represent a breakdown in its relationship with TTC management.

"We're still working with them every day," he said.

"This is not job action, this is health and safety action."

TTC and city officials have said it's important to keep transit operating in order to allow health care workers, grocery store employees, and others in essential sectors to get to their jobs during the pandemic. Santos said he didn't expect limiting the number of riders on busses would prevent essential employees from getting to work.

"If they miss a bus, they're just going to have to catch the next one. There isn't a lack of buses out there," he said.

Local 113 represents about 12,000 transit agency employees.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr