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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.