Further TTC Developments

[trouble]

According to a letter I just received from the TTC, buses are not to be put in service if their ramps aren't working. Drivers are to do an inspection of their buses before their shift, including the ramps, and if the ramps aren't working, they're not supposed to drive them.

Okay then.

Completely non-poll-technology Poll:

Do you believe this?

Yes, of course!
No, of course not!
I'm sure it's the policy, but not put into practice.

So, that's what's going on there.

Things are so busy here I hardly have time to breath.

Comments

[serene]

In some of my online circles, TTC = "trying to conceive," and I was all like whoa, new info for a sec.

[trouble]

Oh gosh! No, no, no trying to conceive here. I don't even know where I'd put a baby!

[serene]

Well, see, for the first 9 months, they have a built-in carrying case...

;-)

[trouble]

*laugh*

[rainbow]

♥

[laughingrat]

+1

[staranise]

The third one is my guess. And the drivers are all, "Pfft, I'm not coming in half an hour early/starting my route late to make sure the ramp works." Which. This should totally be the maintenance department's job to do--or do the drivers also mop out their buses, and change the oil too?

[trouble]

Yeah, it really bothers me that this is being downloaded onto the drivers, as though no one else has any responsibility here.

[staranise]

Just like how "Ask for accessibility!" downloads responsibility onto the specific cashiers/waiters/etc instead of making it easy from the get-go.

[shiyiya]

I will also put my vote in for the third option there. With added the drivers may not even be aware it's the 'policy'.

Policy has stopped looking like a word.

[trouble]

Yeah, some of the comments we've gotten from drivers make me wonder what the heck is going on between supposed Best Practice and Actual Practice.

[kerrypolka]

Yes, I agree with this one.

[capriuni]

I vote C. 3. Whatever. It's the basic CYA policy.

[trouble]

Yeah. I was pretty underwhelmed with it.

[rainbow]

it MIGHT be the hypothetical policy, but a policy that isn't enforced isn't much of a policy... :/

[trouble]

Basically. *sigh*

[meloukhia]

I vote option squid with a side of ticky. This reads to me like all the other 'compliance' policies companies keep to wave around when questioned, and return to doorstop status as soon as someone is not looking.

I also doubt shift schedules provide enough time to thoroughly check buses before starting a route? And suspect there are not enough working spares to take all buses with broken ramps out of service.

Would also be curious to know about the training programme for drivers in which they are provided with information on safely securing wheelchairs.

[thatabbygirl]

this is why policies need to have associated policies! to ensure the practical ability to implement the policy, to train people on what the policy requires, to monitor whether the policy is being implemented and to impose penalties and disincentives when it isn't! and, like, an institutional culture reinforcing and supporting implementation of the policy.

it seems literally all of those things are missing here.

[automaticdoor]

yes, this. you always sum it up so well, abby.

[trouble]

abby is so smart, I love her so much! <3

[trouble]

But they have a policy! It's got to be enough!

*sigh*

[brigid]

Option 3, of course.

[trouble]

Yeah, that's where I'm at, too.

[wrdnrd]

Your quiz poll did not include a "hollow laughter" option, but that's what i choose.

[trouble]

*snerk*

[willow]

I'm sure it's the policy, but not put into practice.

I'm not in Toronto. But I'm sure it's the policy of all city buses. Practice is a whole other damn story. Also, I've officially started asking for ramps when I'm told the bus isn't the kneeling kind. And I don't care how long it takes. Cause I am SICK of hurting myself when bus drivers can't be bothered to pull up to the curb etc...

[trouble]

I wish you didn't have to ask - that you were actually treated properly by bus drivers - but I'm glad you're taking care of yourself in that way. <3

[silveradept]

Policy? Yes. Practice? No way - they don't pay enough mechanics to fix things and probably don't pay the drivers enough to care.

[trouble]

Sounds right to me. *sigh*

[amadi]

Can I have option E.25: A disgusted snort and upturned middle finger at the blatant and obvious lie, please?

[trouble]

♥

I have no doubt that the person who wrote the letter believes this is what's supposed to happen. *sigh*

[susanreads]

I suppose it might be a genuine policy and not just something they've invented to fob you off, but if it is it's pretty much useless, because of all the reasons given in comments above. I was going to say "Do they rely on the drivers to check that the brakes work?", but I guess the drivers would be doing that even if it's also Maintenance's job, out of self-preservation. I take it they have a Maintenance Department!

[trouble]

Mostly I think it's further sign of disability being last. *sigh*

[zingerella]

Oh Jaysus Fuck.

So you and Don, as TTC riders, are supposed to keep a RECORD of every bus whose lift is "broken," and report that the TTC? This helps you to get around how, precisely? Also it does what about the drivers who reportedly don't know how to secure Don't wheelchair in the bus, once he gets ONTO it?

This totally sucks. I mean, I know that you know that, but ... just ARGH.

Because the only way to discover that this "policy" is not being followed is to try to use a wheelchair lift. Which only a person who needs to use a wheelchair lift can do -- this isn't something that your many friends who do not use wheelchairs can help with. I can't exactly ask every driver of every bus "Out of curiosity, can you demonstrate to me, please, that your wheelchair lift works properly?" and expect the driver to do that.

If I had time (and I really, really don't right now, but maybe after October I will), I'd cheerfully help to organize a group of wheelchair users to ride different buses at different times of day to track which had functional wheelchair lifts, which had appropriately helpful drivers, and which were "broken" or didn't even stop. Then I'd send a press release to every media outlet in the city to see if any of them picked it up.

[trouble]

The whole thing just stinks. *sigh*

♥ Is there anything I can do at York to help with your Things?

[laughingrat]

I'd go for option three, because people like to cover their asses without actually doing any work. They know you'll have to get an attorney or a TV-new expose or something before they can really be held accountable. *fumes*

[trouble]

I am sincerely hoping that people have been reminded of the policy. At least we haven't been refused service on a bus since the last bunch of calls. Instead we get people who are completely clueless on how to use the equipment, but do make an attempt. Sometimes this is better than other times.

[laughingrat]

It really does help if the person isn't actively being a bastard, I can imagine. I mean, really.

[julian]

I'm sure it's policy, but etc.

Also, way to be "helpful", TTC. (And to put your drivers between a rock and a hard place.)