Number of traffic tickets issued to TTC operators on the rise

CTV Toronto: Traffic violations by TTC drivers In this CTV exclusive, Natalie Johnson uncovers documents revealing the climb of traffic violations among TTC drivers on the job.

The number of traffic tickets issued to Toronto Transit Commission operators while on the job has been steadily climbing over the last 10 years, CTV Toronto has learned.

Last year, TTC drivers were slapped with 77 traffic convictions including careless driving, failing to stop for school busses, holding an improper class of driver’s licence and disobeying red lights, according to documents obtained by CTV Toronto.

The most common traffic ticket issued to TTC operators, including drivers of Wheel-Trans vehicles, was for speeding. At least 200 tickets have been issued.

In one incident, a TTC operator was caught driving 96 kilometres per hour in a 60 km/h zone. In another incident, an operator was caught driving 104 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.

According to the TTC, it monitors its operators’ driving records very carefully.

"Safety is our number one priority," said TTC spokesperson Brad Ross.

The TTC said operators are required to report traffic violations to them immediately and that drivers have been fired in the past for violating traffic laws.

"We do an internal review and then discipline is imposed on any operator," said Ross.

Toronto police say TTC operators are required to follow the same traffic rules as other drivers.

"It’s our duty, either to enforce those (rules), investigate fully and lay charges where needed," said Const. Wendy Drummond.

Each year, TTC bus drivers log more than 125 million kilometres on the road.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s Natalie Johnson