1. STOP COLLECTING & ENFORCING FARES
No one should be denied the right to mobility in this moment of crisis, and have to think twice about accessing food and medical supplies. People who are homeless, precariously employed, or precariously housed are facing an incredible financial strain at this time. Continuing to collect fares at the front door of buses needlessly compromises social distancing recommendations from public health officials.
Cities including Ottawa, Guelph, Montreal, Calgary and Hamilton are implementing back-door bus boarding and halting fare collection. (People with accessibility needs can still board buses through front doors.) The TTC announced on March 18th that it would implement all-door board and shift the role of fare inspectors to "
focus on education and customer service while respecting the importance of social distancing." This language is confusing. The TTC must be crystal clear about stopping fare collection and enforcement to ensure social distancing. This is about protecting every rider and worker.
2. ENSURE ENOUGH SERVICE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING
Lowering the TTC's crowding standards would mean redeploying buses and adding more service as needed where routes are overcrowded, so that riders and workers can meet the social distancing recommendations of public health officials. On March 13th, 2020, Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam advised people to take public transit during off-peak hours if possible. On March 16, Toronto's chief medical officer Dr. Eileen de Villa
advised working from home or staggering travel hours to reduce rush hour crowding as much as possible. If service changes are made, the TTC must prioritize service in areas that serve lower income areas with fewer grocery stores and pharmacies within walking distance and fewer alternatives to public transit.
3. PROTECT ALL TRANSIT WORKERS
Some TTC workers are hired through temp agencies and taxi companies, and lack protections like paid sick days.
Every transit worker should be paid for 14 sick days if they need to self-isolate. The TTC should consider re-opening collector booths so that staff can practice social distancing. Wheel Trans users in particular include vulnerable populations, including seniors and people with underlying conditions and compromised immune systems. The TTC should take every reasonable precaution to protect the health and safety of workers and riders.
We support the demands of the Decent Work and Health Network, including:
- Provide at least seven paid sick days for all workers on a permanent basis. Provide an additional 14 paid sick days in the event of a public health emergency, like COVID-19 crisis.
- Restore the provision that used to provide 10 days of job-protected emergency leave days for all workers.
- Prevent employers from asking workers to provide doctors’ notes when they access paid sick days or job-protected emergency leave.
- Make it crystal clear that racism and xenophobia will not be tolerated.
Uneven protections for TTC transit workers show the importance of fully funded public services.
When aspects of our public services are contracted out, some workers have fewer protections like paid sick days. This puts every rider and worker at greater risk.
Support these demands by sharing on Twitter, Facebook & contacting your City Councillor.
Tweet at the TTC Board members.
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Information about the coronavirus is being updated frequently. Please check reliable information sources like the Toronto Public Health website for the latest updates.
This page last updated March 19th 2020.
