Transit safety initiatives given the green light

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This article was published 30/05/2017 (3084 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A series of initiatives to improve safety for transit drivers and riders was approved by a council committee Tuesday morning.

The moves, which were disclosed last week, were approved unanimously by members of the public works committee.

Public works chairman Coun. Marty Morantz claimed credit for the safety initiatives, describing the administrative report as “my baby.”

The committee authorized transit to implement several measures immediately, including:

• a pilot project to test the suitability of driver barrier shields;
• setting up a transit advisory committee;
• launching a public campaign to encourage riders to report undesirable behaviour;
• having inspectors conduct spot checks for paid fares; and
• working more closely with police to target problem routes and times.

The committee also forwarded several recommendations for consideration in 2018, including funding for five additional full-time transit security staff; four new duty inspectors to assist drivers and passengers; adding one additional instructor to providing ongoing training for drivers to prevent and diffuse conflict situations; and installing an additional surveillance camera on buses.

The only opposition to the report came from the president of city hall’s middle-managers union, which represents 40 transit supervisors who now respond to security issues.

Michael Robinson, president of Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers, told the committee his union had not been consulted by transit officials in developing the report and asked that its approval be delayed until the union could have some input.

Morantz, repeating comments he made last week when the report was first published, said he sees the establishment of an advisory committee as a pivotal safety move that will lead to consideration of other initiatives.

John Callahan, president of ATU Local 1505, which represents about 1,400 transit employees, including 1,130 drivers, described the report as a first step, adding he looked forward to the creation of the advisory committee.

Greg Ewankiw, acting director of transit, said he hoped the advisory committee, which will include representation from unions and ridership groups, could be operational by the fall. Ewankiw said the members of the committee will determine its mandate and what steps they take as it moves forward.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca