The Better Way

It is heart warming to see the TTC use some common sense in the decision to cut back on overtime to meet budget shortfalls but I will wait and see whether they actually accomplish those shortfalls and I notice that management is not citing excess sick leave as one of the budget increase components. Also where are the $$$ that the city lost due to the wildcat strike and the TTC were to go after the union for these lost $$$.

TTC trims rides to save cash

Ballooning overtime costs -- $6M beyond budget -- force service cuts across city until end of 2008

By JASON BUCKLAND, SUN MEDIA

TTC labour expenses about $6 million over its yearly budget will force a decrease in city-wide service by up to 5% for the rest of 2008, a veteran bus driver said yesterday.

Transit superintendent Dave Carmichael issued a memo Thursday detailing a plan to "immediately and significantly" reduce OT expenditures to TTC operators in a bid to bring the commission's spending even for the year.

But the TTC's plan -- which admits it must cancel service to achieve its objective -- is having a huge impact on commuters as the winter season approaches.

RIDERS 'FURIOUS'

"You ask riders out there, a lot of people are furious," the driver, who operates out of the city's west-end and did not want his name used, said last night.

"A lot of buses are missing. They're either not showing up or they're parked along a fence somewhere."

The memo outlines how TTC clerks must avoid issuing overtime to operators who have volunteered unless "absolutely necessary."

It also continues to predict the overtime cuts will cause "significant inconvenience to our customers out on the street," and, addressed to TTC employees now, suggests "all of us would have the right to ask our bosses 'How did you ever let us get into such a situation?' "

The operator, who said he hasn't had the opportunity to work overtime in six weeks, has already noticed commuters being forced to cram onto buses while more are left in the cold.

The airport rocket route was without one of its vehicles last Friday, he said, and of the seven buses that normally operate along Symington Ave. this week, often only three were available.

"This approach is unacceptable by everyone's standards," he said. "You are leaving people behind by doing this. A lot of people are left out on the curb."

TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone said if conditions get too dire for commuters, overtime can still be granted to pick up the slack when operators are short.

MORE JUDICIOUS

"We're just trying to be a little more judicious in the use of our overtime to keep our budget in line," he said.

Giambrone also pointed out the $6 million in excess labour costs are a result of April's transit strike, increased insurance costs and a $2 million reduction in funds as requested by council earlier this year.

The upset driver, however, said some TTC management can't imagine what many of their decisions cause operators to have to deal with.

"It's disgusting how they keep promising more and more buses, yet I have to tell people there's no more room on mine and I don't know when the next one is coming."