THUNDER BAY -- The head of the union representing Thunder Bay Transit workers says his membership is being put unnecessarily at risk by an abundance of riders taking advantage of free bus fares during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ken Koza, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 966 on Wednesday night said the increased ridership is crowding onto city buses and putting his drivers' health and safety at risk.
The city and the unon worked together on the decision to waive fares, but the result has led to more passengers hopping on board, looking for a way to pass the time.
“Non-essential transit users are crowding our Thunder Bay buses and it needs to stop” Koza said in a release. “We need Transit users to practice social distancing as recommended by health-care officials and not to ride the bus if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Transit has signage all over buses to provide the information Transit users need to safey ride the bus."
It's putting drivers' health and safety in more danger than they were already facing.
“Transit Workers are doing their best to continue to provide the city with an essential service. They are putting their health at risk daily, in order to get Essential Transit Users where they need to go. There are some groups of people and individuals, that are taking advantage of the free rides. Free rides and other safety measures have been implemented to protect the health and safety of the public and Transit workers," Koza said.
He asked the public understand the gravity of the situation while the pandemic continues to spread.
“We are in unprecedented, fragile times right now and we need everyone to do their part. This is not the time to be riding a bus for something to do or hang out in. We want to be there for the ones that really, really need us.”
