London Transit stretched to its limit trying to address crowding and delays
For weeks, buses have been filled to capacity and struggling to stay on schedule around Western University each rush hour.
“Stops that are before this stop get the bus full, so stops like Essex [Street] and Hollywood [Crescent] just get passed by,” explains Ammanat Mann as she waits for her bus to campus. “That makes it frustrating for students.”
A report to the London Transit Commission (LTC) points to a number of challenges including construction detours downtown, rebounding ridership and an inability to deploy enough buses to busy routes.
In September, ridership has jumped to 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays and exceeds pre-pandemic levels on weekends.
Ridership has reached 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays in September 2022. (Source: London Transit)
However, there are not enough bus drivers available to operate so-called “tripper” buses that supplement service during peak demand.
The LTC report explains, “Resource limitations have impacted the ability to add tripper buses to help alleviate route specific issues as would traditionally be done.”
In addition, five job postings for skilled labour positions in the Department of Fleet & Facilities have received zero applications.
To ensure the required number of buses are available each day, duties have been realigned in the maintenance garage to enhance workflow, and an agreement with ATU Local 741 will create two new apprentice positions.
London Transit will continue conducting five-week driver training courses until sometime next year to address planned retirements and additional vacation earned by experienced drivers in their collective agreement.
“As onboarding of new Operators continues and (as) resources allow, tripper buses will also be utilized to help mitigate the impacts of the schedule adherence delays and provide additional capacity on crowded routes,” reads the LTC report.
The report on ridership will be considered by the London Transit Commission on Sept. 28.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.