Lack of drivers stalls return to full Transit service

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This article was published 09/05/2023 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Transit’s goal to restore service to its pre-pandemic level this fall is in jeopardy due to a persistent driver shortage.

Mayor Scott Gillingham made a 2022 campaign pledge to restore Transit to full service at that point, ending the current six per cent reduction amid COVID-19 pressures.

In its 2023 city budget, council set a target to reach about three per cent below the normal service level by this summer, and resume full service in the fall.

Instead, ramped up recruitment efforts haven’t secured enough staff to reach the summer target, and are putting the fall goal at risk, Transit director Greg Ewankiw said.

“We’re… about 50 drivers short and increasing to a three per cent (below normal) service level… would make us about 80 drivers short,” Ewankiw told media Monday.

“There (are also) other demands that come with the summer schedule change, such as special events, where we are providing service to (Winnipeg Blue) Bombers games, Red River Ex, folk festival, and we’ve also got the (World) Police and Fire Games this year, as well,” he said.

“So, we will rely on overtime. We rely on overtime now to get our service out.”

Ewankiw said there are usually about 1,100 Transit drivers but the challenge to attract more to the profession has already resulted in some “did not operate” instances, where planned bus pickups couldn’t occur.

Despite the fact Transit also reported it was about 50 drivers short in December 2022, Ewankiw said the service managed to hire 108 drivers last year and 60 more this year, through an expedited training program.

“We are gaining some ground. We’ve actually done quite well with our hiring… but we also have retirements and resignations.”

Amid complaints a surge in public transit violence poses a key obstacle to attracting and retaining drivers, Ewankiw said he believes the occupation is safe.

“I think it’s a very safe job. That’s not to say that undesirable behaviour (doesn’t happen) on our buses and towards our drivers. We’re always looking for ways to improve safety,” he said.

The head of the union that represents Winnipeg Transit drivers said safety remains among bus operators’ top concerns.

“It is still one of the driving issues (that leads folks to quit or retire), but it is one amongst many,” said Chris Scott, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505.

The union has counted 77 verbal and physical attacks on buses and at bus stops since the beginning of 2023, including 42 directed at drivers. Drivers dealt with everything from verbal abuse to threats at knife-point, said Scott.

Racist comments are frequent, he added.

“Our… operators of East Indian or Filipino descent are receiving barrages of racially motivated comments that are just unacceptable, that shouldn’t be part of the job in any career.”

The union leader said drivers also report concerns about bus schedules with tight timelines that force them to sometimes arrive late, and local operator salaries fall short of those in many other cities.

Meanwhile, the mayor said he’s disappointed service levels can’t increase yet but understands the reason.

“There’s just a shortage of employees and labour across many sectors and we’re feeling it in Transit as well… I can appreciate why Transit is not able to meet the targets that we set out for them,” said Gillingham.

The mayor believes the addition of a Transit security team will help make buses safer and lessen the staff shortage.

In March, Gillingham said the City of Winnipeg will aim to hire and train 24 peace officers to patrol buses and bus stops to help combat the rising violence by the end of 2023.

“By making Transit buses a safer place to work, it will help us recruit, train and retain more drivers,” he said.

Council’s public works chairwoman said it’s realistic to adjust the targets to restore service, since adding to current routes without proper staffing would decrease reliability for riders.

“There’s nothing worse than drive-bys (when full buses can’t pick up all waiting passengers), there’s nothing worse than (buses) not showing up. So we have to (reset) expectations now,” said Coun. Janice Lukes.

During a Monday meeting, the public works committee passed a motion to adjust the 2023 city budget to make the timeline to restore Transit to its pre-pandemic service level more flexible. Transit will also be required to report back on its efforts to accelerate recruitment by December, pending a final council vote on the matter.

So far this year, weekday bus ridership is averaging about 83 per cent of its seasonal pre-pandemic levels, the highest since COVID-19 began spreading in the city, according to Winnipeg Transit.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga