Rude TTC bus drivers

[stinkynuts]

Today I took a bus to Dufferin station . Usually, when you pay your fare, most drivers offers you a transfer, but this driver didn't offer anyone a transfer, so assumed that I wouldn't need one to get into the subway. A moment later, I realized that I would need a transfer, so at the next set of lights, when the bus stopped, I asked very politely if I could have a transfer.

The bus driver, a middle-aged man, YELLED "WHY!?" in a very angry tone. When I told him I needed it to get to the subway, he snapped "Why didn't you take it when you got on?!" I told him I forgot. He finally gave me a transfer, but I was very shocked and upset at his rudeness. I don't understand why he had to make such a big deal out of it.

After I got off the bus, I was so upset at what had just happened that I deliberated about whether I should go back on the bus and ask for his name. I felt like cussing him out.

I have witnessed extremely rude and unprofessional behavior from many drivers. I understand that the job is stressful, but there is a certain level of professionalism that should be maintained. We are paying customers, and without us, they wouldn't have a job. The next time something like this happens, I will file a complaint with the TTC.

Has anyone else experienced problems with the TTC bus drivers? I realize that most terbites are upper class professionals who don't take public transportation, but I'd like to hear your response. By the way, I am not saying that most of the drivers are rude, most are ok.

 

[GIMME]

I know I'll probably get slammed for this generalization, but, I think 99% of Union Workers are F'IN RUDE!!! Especially the old timers. They need to step down!

 

[Berlin]

The bus driver, a middle-aged man, YELLED "WHY!?" in a very angry tone. When I told him I needed it to get to the subway, he snapped "Why didn't you take it when you got on?!" I told him I forgot. He finally gave me a transfer, but I was very shocked and upset at his rudeness. I don't understand why he had to make such a big deal out of it.

Caught you off guard eh ?

I have had similar experience with rude dudes working the booth in subway stations, and yes LOL most of them were old timers, rudely accusing I didn't pay for the fair while my travelling companion in front had dropped the proper amount for 2.

Usually I'd let it slide and would point out the fact with a smile. A few times I had to bang on the booth window, as they did to me, and screamed back at them. It wasn't even during rush hour.

You have to be prepared for these out of the blue rudeness nowadays. It takes time but once you are used to it, for certain you'll have less stress dealing with it, or the shock of it.

 

[Preferred]

Would'nt it be better to give the rude person a dose of their own medicine? Start yelling at them too. Maybe they will realize how it feels to be treated that way.

You may get kicked off the bus though. But that is a different matter.

 

[Esco!]

Start hitting people!!!

 

[DareU2]

All Transit drivers drivers put up with more rude, stupid, ingnorant and complete a**holes than most of you know.
ALWAYS get a transfer when you pay your fare. Drivers are not allowed to re-issue transfers. Most people who ask for transfers at a time other than when paying their fare are not intitled to one ( theirs expired, trying to do return ride etc) How many times do you think the driver is interrupted while negotiating his heavy 40 foot vehical full the good and the bad around the streets of the city...Get your transfer when you pay your fare....problem solved.

ALWAYS pay your own fare.... try counting coins as they fall through the tumbler 45" inches away....was that a twoonie and 2 quarters? or was that 10 quarters.... how many freaking pennies and nickels was that?....

The arguments or complaints you have seem to be the result of you not doing what you can to make things work and run smooth for all....

HOWEVER as in any company... there are a**holes who shouldn't be there and more often than not it's the security of the UNION thet let them get that way......

 

[Berlin]

All Transit drivers drivers put up with more rude, stupid, ingnorant and complete a**holes than most of you know.

&

HOWEVER as in any company... there are a**holes who shouldn't be there and more often than not it's the security of the UNION thet let them get that way......

The quoted above, I agree and nothing more.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Agreed. But you should still report such bad behaviour. You may think it won't do anything, but if/when a dozen other people report the same driver, it eventually will catch up with him. And you don't even need to ask his name (and start a confrontation). Just get the bus number, the route, and the time of day and let the TTC know. The problem won't change if it isn't recognized...

 

[GIMME]

All Union workers are disgruntled A**HOLES. Especially the old timers. Whether they be Bell, TTC, Hydro or etc. Unions are things of the past, and should be abolished.

Look at this post by Esco, it`s them union workers that delays things

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=94398

 

[Kylie_kiss]

Eveytime i get off the bus with my huge stroller, I struggle to get off the bus and the driver doesn't help me.
I ask for help and i don't get it. The imfamous line I get from them is "my back, I cant lift"
WELL....maybe if you didn't sit around on you fat all all day you woudn't have a bummed back...over paid pricks!!!!

 

[Cobster]

he might have been having a bad day or week and took it out on you...i wouldn't take it personally...but then again, i haven't been on the sub-system for about 6-9years now...when people get snappy at you in public, just don't let their bad day ruin or get to yours...really not worth it in the end.

btw, instead of asking for his name and getting him more pissed...just remember the bus number and the locatin you were at hehe

 

[Cobster]

Eveytime i get off the bus with my huge stroller, I struggle to get off the bus and the driver doesn't help me.
I ask for help and i don't get it. The imfamous line I get from them is "my back, I cant lift"
WELL....maybe if you didn't sit around on you fat all all day you woudn't have a bummed back...over paid pricks!!!!

lol whoaaa
they do make nice coin though...what a boring job

 

[Kylie_kiss]

This has happened to me way more than once.
there nothing like gettind paid 25+$$$$/hr to do nothing...
I hear now that they want to get an automated street calling machine instead
of doing it themselves
Talk about LAZY!!

 

[Diode]

Oh come on! Everybody has challenges "on the job", and everybody has responsiblities. What's the problem..well some have suggested the union..but it's deeper than that.The TTC is a government organization, and is operated with a "governmental" mindset. Customers service is low on your list of prioites when the is no compeating bus line angling for your customers.

I ride the bus as infrequently as possible, but typically find the drivers OK, however, I have seen some real asshats who sould be fired on the spot, for treating their customers like crap.

Customer service MUST become the TTC's motto!

 

[Eli]

1st it should be noted that the TTC on a whole is...broken. The TTC cuts service and raises fares and it's the people of the city who suffer. This makes the work for the bus driver all the more difficult as the bus driver has to deal with many a disgruntle customer. Having said that I do believe that the TTC employees are spoiled brats who feel they can carry on any way they feel towards the customer because well...their job is protected either way. I will not sympathize with them because I work a high stress job myself (waiter) and I don't make as much as they do, I have no benifiets, I have no job security, and my entire income is based upon being super-nice to all my customers regardless of how they treat me.

I believe in Unions but not when they become so powerful as to be the very evil they were original designed to oppose.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Eveytime i get off the bus with my huge stroller, I struggle to get off the bus and the driver doesn't help me.
I ask for help and i don't get it. The imfamous line I get from them is "my back, I cant lift"
WELL....maybe if you didn't sit around on you fat all all day you woudn't have a bummed back...over paid pricks!!!!

My eyesight has degenerated significantly in the last year and I now rely heavily on public transit. I am so grateful for them I want to shake each and every hand that has gotten me from A to B. I can still see well enough to cross the street or ride my bike, though I really should lose some weight if Im going to do the latter with any regularity. Talk about a "fat all all" (ROFL gotta love the illiterate too)

Kylie: Holy shit princess. The driver has a responsibility to monitor the activity on his vehicle and the surrounding roadway. He was not hired to be your servant. If you can't accomodate your own child's needs why not consult with his or her daddy if you can remember his name instead of insulting an honest working man doing an honest job. Better yet keep your legs closed until you can bear the full responsibility of caring for your own child. I see women get on and off the bus with their own strollers all the time. A driver's responsibilities are well defined. They don't include helping you with babies and groceries. Some drivers do it anyway out of the goodness of their heart. Some don't. Boo hoo. Maybe the drivers don't like your drug-wizzened face or the stench of your knock-off fragrance. YMMV. Write a review. Other riders will avoid doing business with the driver.


For everyone else, here is an interesting bit of TTC policy. Any time you do not care for a driver's service, simply inform him that you wish to register an immediate complaint. He is then required, as per the TTC service agreement, to pull over and document your complaint in detail. He is forbidden to operate his vehicle during the complaint intake, and if the complaint is serious and lengthy enough, he is required to shut down his vehicle and refer his passengers to the next passing vehicle on the route. Make this request politely and calmly and he will deal with you more respectfully to avoid having to resort to this process. "More respectfully" may mean issuing a transfer or it may mean explaining politely in detail why TTC policy forbids him to issue a transfer after you have boarded and advanced to the next stop. They are being watched by plain clothes inspectors. They do not defy policy. They wont even stop midway between designated stops anymore except for women during "request stop" hours. Not even if you are a senior citizen on oxygen waving a metropass from the sidewalk.

Here's another interesting policy. Transfers are issued for continuous non-stop trips, yes, but *** exceptions are made in the case of illness ***. They don't publish this on the transfer because everyone would use this excuse to make stops along their route. If you suddenly remember you need a transfer in mid route, simply tell the driver that you have suddenly taken ill and that you will need to exit the bus and wish to resume your trip as soon as the moment passes. He will gladly issue you a transfer, punch holes in it, notarize it, autograph it, or seal it with a kiss. A specially marked or punched transfer enables you to board another vehicle from a non-transfer point. Anything so you wont feel compelled to remain on the bus and puke on his floor. Just make sure you tell the next driver you were issued this transfer after you had to exit the previous bus due to illness. I have learned quite a bit from talking to bus drivers. This also works on GO buses.

 

[George OTJ]

If you suddenly remember you need a transfer in mid route, simply tell the driver that you have suddenly taken ill and that you will need to exit the bus and wish to resume your trip as soon as the moment passes. He will gladly issue you a transfer, punch holes in it, notarize it, autograph it, or seal it with a kiss. A specially marked or punched transfer enables you to board another vehicle from a non-transfer point. Anything so you wont feel compelled to remain on the bus and puke on his floor.

LOL That happened to me once, well not the puking part. Anyway, I got hit with "urgency" problem and got to the Bathurst subway station - only to find out they didn't have a washroom. Took the subway to bloor/younge only to find the elevator was out of service and I couldn't get off the platform. Got back on the subway and yelled at the ticket taker. When I asked him if he had a cup, he told me there was a Tim Hortons a few doors down. I think he undrstood that at this point, I consider a cup as an option.

 

[George OTJ]

Anyway, back on topic. TTC drivers have to put up with a lot of crud day in and day out, and it does wear them done. Wheeltrains drivers tend be a nicer lot and more helpful; but they don't have to put up with the volume of crap that the regular route drivers do.

As far as not helping ladies with baby carriages, well....
TTC drivers are there to drive. That's their job. period. (with one exception) The drivers of accessible route buses are supposed to request people to vacate the disabled seat and flip it up to make way for a wheelchair.

Wheeltrans drivers are expected to do a little more. They have to strap down wheelchairs and scooters and the like. And as policy they are expected to assist (as needed) a person from the vehicle thrugh the first set of doors at the destination. But Wheeltrans drivers are not allowed to carry anything for you.

Wheeltrans drivers are pretty consistent, though you do get the odd one who's a little surley.

The Route drivers for the most part are pretty decent, but I do find the percentage of surly ones and the ones who don't provide assistance to people in wheelchairs to be significantly higher then Wheeltrans.



One thing I've wondered about though, I noticed that the accessible busses don't offer to lowerer their ramps for baby carriages. I guess their policy is, if you're able bodied, you're on your own!

I wonder what the driver would do if a mother with a baby carrage flipped up the wheelchair seat so she could moved the carrage out of the aisle?

 

[DareU2]

Ask Mark *******. A TTC driver who helped a lady with her stroller on the bus.
as he's lifting, lady slips. He grabs the stroller so child doesn't fall. Lady bangs head on bus. Driver hurts back and shoulder. Lady gets 2 stitches and 10k from TTC insurance. Driver gets 4 months off work... no pay... workers comp declines claim based on "not performing duties of job while injury occured".... get a smaller stroller.

 

[Dacor]

TTC Bus Drivers

I can understand the transfer and the stroller issues, but not what blew me away a couple of years ago. I was on the Westbound Eglinton bus, out by the Ontario Science Centre. It was mid afternoon, so non-rush hour. The bus stopped for a family of four. Husband, wife, son and daughter. You could clearly see that they were tourists. Camera bags, backpacks, those stupid Toronto tourist guide flyers with the innacurate maps and being outside of the Ontario Science Centre. The doors open and you can see that the family is hesitant to get one. The father asks, "Does this bus take us to the subway?". No response from the driver. The father repeats, "Can we get to the subway on this bus?". After an long pause, the driver screams, "ARE YOU GETTING ON THE BUS OR NOT?" I'm not sure if the bus driver answered their question but I know that I did not hear him say yes and there's no way that the family heard him with all the road noise outside the bus. The family got on, grabbed a seat and just sat there completely stunned.

I don't think that the TTC realizes that their employees are often the main contacts (or tour guides) to the people that come to Toronto and how important Tourism is to our city. Why would they have a driver like that on a main line that is used by many tourists?