Another day, another run-in with the TTC

[trouble]

I'm trying to determine if I now have a case of assault-by-TTC-driver. But I'm not sure.

What happened was that the TTC driver, in her effort to inform me that she doesn't actually have to follow TTC's rules if she's running late, closed the bus door in my face fast enough and with no warning that the door hit me. It's been a few hours and the area the door hit me is still sore.

On the one hand: If she had told me she was going to close the door and drive off, I probably would have stepped back and avoided being hit.

On the other hand: I don't think she was trying to hurt me.

Thus, I am unsure.

But yes, it was another TTC driver informing me that she doesn't have to actually follow TTC's rules because... I don't know. She insisted that she would call dispatch and find out when the next bus with a working ramp would come along, but refused to stay long enough to give us that information because she was already late on her route.

What is the purpose of this? I don't even know anymore. We ended up walking home from campus rather than deal with the TTC anymore today.

Comments

[meloukhia]

Oh, lovely. Attacking people with heavy equipment is definitely an appropriate response to being late on your bus route.

[capriuni]

oh, gawd. I'm just so disgusted, I don't even... (this kind of the thing is the reason that I'm so meh about the current "anti-bullying" movement. Grown-ups tut-tutting about children's behavior, while PWD have been dealing with deeply ingrained, institutional bullying our entire lives, and yet the latter is depicted as normal and "reasonable" and if we talk about it, we're being self-centered and childish, and I don't even know...)

[lizbee]

I am not a lawyer in any jurisdiction, but in Victoria you might have grounds for bringing an assault charge based on a genuine fear that you would suffer injury. "Recklessly cause injury" would cover it.

Of course, I have no idea how far that would get in an actual court setting, but I imagine it would make the bus company's hair stand on end.

[sami]

Shining a bright torch (flashlight) in someone's eyes at night is, legally speaking, assault. This counts.

I would seriously suggest bringing it up with the TTC and filing a police report.

[jackandahat]

Fucking ridiculous - I hope you can charge her.

[synecdochic]

wtf. im so sorry.

[willow]

You're lugging books around for school etc; you can't afford to be out commission and freaking out how to pay for a doctor - especially if in compensating for the pain you pull something else. When you've the strength, you should see if you want to deal with calling and advising the TTC what happened and that you need medical attention.

I'm just... yeah, T - I just, I have no words for this shit. It's abusive as eff. And seriously just makes me want to cry. Which is probably a safer and saner reaction than pyromania.

[jae]

What the HELL? This is getting RIDICULOUS.

-J

[cereta]

That is unacceptable on so MANY levels.

[eldritch_panda]

Oh, I'm so sorry. :( I understand not wanting to punish someone for not meaning to hurt you, yet I feel like it is something that I would want to pursue. If for no other reason than to get some attention on the issue. Though I'm sure you're much more informed and seasoned in this area than I am, so you're already aware of that option.

[lea_hazel]

You most certainly have a case to complain to her bosses, if you think they'd be inclined to issue more than a slap on the wrist.

[jesse_the_k]

Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeee!

[bell]

The TTC just sounds worse and worse D:

[annaham]

Oh, gross. I would definitely contact them about this.

[metonymy]

But you're still hurt.

Also, that is such bullshit.

[kerrypolka]

This.

[vass]

I am not a lawyer, but: I don't think the question is whether she meant to hurt you. The question is, could she reasonably have believed that what she did would lead to your being hurt? And yes, she could - if you slam the door in someone's face unexpectedly, it's likely to hit them in the face.

[rainbow]

imo the question isn't was she trying to hurt you. the question is DID she hurt you. yes, she did.

if it was carelessness vs intentional doesn't change the outcome... and one could (and i would) argue that when someone is running large and potentially deadly equipment, if one is careless one should damned well be reported BEFORE a lifethreatening injury occurs.

if it's doable, you might want to go in and get the injury checked just to be safe and to make sure there's a paper trail that says yes, this was caused by ttc.

*fierce huggings*

[sami]

Intent to harm isn't relevant for an action like that - she still hit you with the bus door, through reckless disregard of endangering a member of the public, so yeah, that's assault.

[kaz]

With all the others. She didn't mean to hurt you? She slammed a bus door in your face. So suddenly you couldn't get out of the way in time. Either she didn't care whether she hurt you or not or she has to learn that actions like that have *consequences*. Also, the fact that once she /did/ hurt you she didn't stop to see if you were all right.

Also, this is effing ridiculous. I am so, so sorry you have to put up with this.

[ginny_t]

The TTC is seriously messed up right now. There's a lot of stress flying around right now, which is ending up on bus drivers' shoulders, and they're passing it on to passengers; hordes of university students milling about in hopes of a bus this century make for an easy target.

All that said, that is no fucking excuse. There are systemic problems with the TTC, and the situation is going to get worse, not better. I highly recommend following up on this. (Just checking first, and I imagine you've learned this by now, but you do have the bus number and time, yes?)

[susanreads]

What the other commenters said! Can you get documentation from a medical professional? Are there any news media where you are that might be interested in an "endangering passengers" story? (I suppose if there were any interested in the main issue, you'd know it by now.)

[ironed_orchid]

That sucks.

I came to give you a link to this poll which I thought you would like.

[(Anonymous)]

I know it's far too late to jump ship and move (again!), the transit system in Kitchener-Waterloo is awesome! Especially for people who need reliable access to buses with ramps. Never once have I seen a person turned away because of their need for an accessible bus. All bus drivers readily use their ramps for those with wheelchairs or walkers, and lower the bus (they're all kneeling buses) for others who cannot climb the high step.

I am sorry you've had so much trouble in Toronto, but I wanted you to know that somewhere, they have it down pat.