OC Transpo drivers disciplined following passenger complaints
Posted Jan 15, 2014 05:47:24 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Passenger complaints have led to disciplinary action against more than 100 OC Transpo drivers in just under two years.
The Ottawa Sun has obtained copies of 169 complaints for 21 months, starting in January 2012. As a result, the bus company disciplined drivers at least 120 times during that time period.
Among the common complaints were drivers texting or talking on the phone while driving, as well as playing “horrible music” on personal radios.
Union President Craig Watson told the Sun if drivers are caught using cell phones while driving more than once, they can probably expect suspensions.
Watson adds that drivers are sometimes wrongly accused, but the union does encourage drivers to be honest, accept punishment if the complaint is true and not to do it again.
OC Transpo says it watches tweets from riders closely to identify possible breaches of protocol.
Transit Operations Manager Troy Charter told the Sun Twitter allows his department to get more feedback about the customer experience.
Drivers are allowed to use the onboard radio to communicate with dispatch while driving.
