The TTC is dealing with yet another public relations problem after a bus driver was caught taking an apparent unscheduled coffee break while late night riders sat on a chilly idling bus.
On Thursday the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 announced the TTC employee involved has been suspended. The union has refused to comment on the issue as it's currently under investigation.
On Jan. 29 rider Reuven Politi pulled out a camera just before 3am and recorded the driver putting on his coat and leaving the Blue Night Bathurst Street bus. The TTC worker then apparently went inside a doughnut shop at Wilson Avenue where he used the washroom and bought a drink. He was gone for seven minutes.
Riders patiently waited on the chilly bus. The driver left the door open while he grabbed himself a beverage. Politi claims the same thing happens every time he travels this late-night route.
When the driver returned a woman approached him to complain. The worker put a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet, according to published reports.
Politi reportedly decided to post his video to YouTube after he asked the driver not to delay the bus that was already 15 minutes behind schedule.
According to Politi, the driver dared Politi to complain after he returned from the doughnut shop and offered up his badge and bus numbers claiming the union would protect his job.
The TTC is once again offering an apology for the poor service and has launched an investigation into the incident.
"We do apologize. That should not be happening and we're taking action to correct it," spokesperson Brad Ross said.
It’s been a rough start to 2010 for “The Better Way”. The highly unpopular fare hike kicked in Jan. 3 following a token shortage. The release of Politi’s video comes two weeks after another rider took a picture of a TTC collector sleeping in his booth at McCowan Station.
Last month TTC Chair Adam Giambrone announced the commission would hire private consultants to help improve customer service.