Metro Transit faces public backlash after another driver hits pedestrian
Posted Sep 24, 2013 06:23:55 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
For the second time in a little more than a week, a Metro Transit bus driver has been ticketed after hitting a pedestrian who was crossing in a crosswalk.
Yesterday morning’s incident saw a 62-year-old bus driver allegedly hit a 60-year-old woman while making a left hand turn onto Barrington Street from Spring Garden Road.
Coun. Bill Karsten says while most drivers are caring, conscientious, hard-working people, it’s not acceptable.
“Obviously the police thought there was an infraction, I’m glad the bus driver was ticketed,” he said.
Coun. Linda Mosher agreed but added more can be done.
“We have GPS on the buses, we should be monitoring speed,” she said. “I’m not sure if someone has been a driver for a long time if there’s any follow-up driver training just to polish their skills. That’s something that I’m going to be asking our director of Metro Transit.”
Callers into News 95.7 took a sharper tone.
Robert said the drivers should be fired, not just ticketed.
“Oh big whoop a ticket, big whoop, he still keeps his job and benefits and he should lose his job immediately,” he said. “We didn’t have torrential rainfall, we didn’t have a major snow storm, he turned left up in the big seat with that clear window and could see everything. He’s obviously stupid, blind or on drugs.”
Several callers pointed the finger squarely at the union for protecting its employees and not holding them accountable.
“The bus drivers are not accountable to anyone but themselves and their union,” argued Tony.
“You call in and they don’t do anything about it because they have a union there and the union is just sticking up for them,” said Gary. “I think there needs to be an investigation done on these drivers.”
There were also accusations of drivers of acting entitled on the road, cutting people off, speeding, and using cell phones, without fear of reprisal.
