The Société de transport de Montreal (STM) and the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) announced Tuesday that they are stepping up safety measures for bus drivers in an effort to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19.
This move comes one day after bus drivers started building tape barriers around their seats and requesting passengers enter from the back door only.
The STL was the first of the Montreal area’s three public transit agencies to endorse the bus drivers’ heightened safety measures.
“Health comes first,” said Lacroix who admits they will rely on passenger honesty from now on for payment. “It will be the honour system.”
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The union representing Montreal drivers posted a message on Facebook Tuesday morning denouncing that some bus drivers had received threats of suspensions following their initiative to distance themselves from passengers.
“We have decided to do what the STM refused to do,” said CUPE 1983 president Renato Carlone in the video posted Tuesday morning.
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Quebec’s Premier recently referred to health care workers as guardian angels, since they are on the front lines fighting the pandemic.
“These guardian angels, we are the ones who will be bringing them to work,” said Renato while adding that it’s important his members stay on-the-job and healthy. All three public transit agencies were on board with the initiatives from their unions by the afternoon.
“Starting today (Tuesday), we are applying new measures to reduce contact between employees and clients,” said Amélie Regis from the STM communications team. The new measures implemented by the STM include:
Bus network:
– authorization to enter by back door, with the exception of passengers in wheelchairs,
– consequently, no obstruction of front entrance
– leave the seat behind driver empty at all times
– Kiosque 747 at airport closed
– limit of one client per collective taxi
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– ticket purchase and refill only available by automated ticket tellers.
– station agents will remain behind glass to inform clients
– suspending travel-assistance for clients because of reduced activity
Adapted transportation
– limit of one client per minibus and taxis
– suspension of payment/toll enforcement
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The RTL made its announcement on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.
“As we agreed to yesterday with the bus driver’s union representatives, the RTL is announcing a new measure to prevent the propagation of the virus among its clientele and employees.”
All clients except for those with reduced mobility are being asked to enter and exit the bus using the back door.
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