Rude and inconsiderate streetcar driver

[Pedestrian]

After a late-night Sunday movie downtown about a month ago, I decided to take the Dundas streetcar from the corner of Yonge & Dundas along to Dundas West subway station, rather than take the subway (sometimes it's nice to be above-ground). It's 12:40 a.m. as a westbound streetcar approaches. Its sign says "Bathurst". Obviously it was short-turning at Bathurst, but being unaware of any detours on the line, I thought the next streetcar might be going straight through to Dundas West station, in which case I'd wait for the next streetcar. So, from the bottom step, I asked the streetcar driver: "Are all westbound Dundas streetcars short-turning at Bathurst, or just this one?" His answer: "I'm going to Bathurst." Which didn't tell me what I wanted to know. Again I asked the same question. His answer: "YES, I'm going to Bathurst." I still didn't know if ALL streetcars were short-turning, or just HIS. For a third time I asked the same question: "Are all Dundas streetcars short-turning at Bathurst?" His irritated and angry response: "I ALREADY TOLD YOU!" Fed up by that point, I got on his streetcar. As I sat down near the front, I noticed he had ear-buds in his ears and he didn't even HEAR my question. I sat and watched as he didn't respond to other passengers speaking to him. He couldn't hear them because he was too busy catching some tunes. How safe is that? As we travelled west along Dundas, I noticed he seemed really impatient. He honked the horn needlessly at cars that were making right turns (so weren't even in his lane). When we got to Bathurst, the traffic light was red. He put on his turn signal to make a right turn to go north on Bathurst. Despite it being almost 1:00 a.m. by this time, there was a bit of traffic stopped at Bathurst. When the light changed green, the car in the curb lane didn't accelerate right away and the streetcar driver laid on the horn again. Keep in mind we were right next to Toronto Western Hospital at this point and it was 1:00 a.m.! As we turned through the intersection, he was still honking incessantly, even though there were no cars in front of us. I guess he loved honking the horn, and because he was listening to music he had no idea how obnoxiously loud his horn was at that time of the night. As we made our way north on Bathurst, every time a streetcar passed in the opposite direction he honked his horn, I guess as a way of saying "hi" to the drivers in the passing streetcars. He did this all the way from Dundas Street to Bloor Street, past block after block of houses where people were probably fast asleep and who had get up to go to work Monday morning. I guess he couldn't care less. The point is, there was no reason for him to be honking AT ALL... none of the situations warranted a single honk. By the time we pulled into Bathurst station he was packing his bag up. I realized the reason he was so impatient was because he was on his last run of the night and he wanted to go home for the night. Everyone wants to get home at the end of their shift, but he didn't need to disturb the peace to do so. So, I decided to say something to him as I departed the streetcar. In a calm, reasonable voice I said: "You know, if you weren't listening to music, maybe you could hear your customers the first time they ask you a question and they wouldn't have to repeat their question and you wouldn't get irritated. And were you aware that you honked your horn all the way up Bathurst, including through a hospital zone, at 1:00 a.m. for no valid reason?" He blew his lid and yelled at me to "get the fuck off my streetcar". I was really taken aback. I explained to him that my father worked for the TTC (before he retired a decade ago) and that such inconsiderate behaviour and listening to music while driving wouldn't have been tolerated back then. He yelled at me again: "Get off my streetcar! I don't have to take crap from you! Get the fuck off and go home!" Great customer service!! I hadn't raised my voice to him, and I was only pointing out behaviour that compromised public safety because he wasn't able to hear what was going on in his streetcar. He was more interested in listening to tunes and "getting off" honking his horn than treating his customers (and the neighbourhood) in a courteous and safe manner.

[AlexR]

Did you report this? Call the TTC complaints line? Register a complaint? (416-333-3030)
From the earbuds, the apparent inability to hear you/any problems that might arise late-at-night on his vehicle, the apparently (I infer from your clearly recorded observations) erratic and ongoing 'disturbing of the peace', the brutally rude response to your comment, this is a patent example of issues that need-to-be-addressed.

This operator was, on this particular ride - an insult to the standards to which your father (as you imply) adhered.
That you were polite and concerned, rather than simply p*ssed, I assume indicates a pride in your father's work history and integrity on the job, and the reason for your consequent willingness to address the operator privately, directly, respectfully, and constuctively, as opposed to just reporting him.
That gesture and respect went unappreciated; were thrown back in your face.

Does this guy deserve the same regard as your father? (The 'end of a long, hard day" be damned. Let us not get into the days, how hard, how long, of those who ride his rig.)
If not - next time, with the next guy (gender notwithstanding) call it in.
Your bona-fides (and neutral presentation) give your observations more weight.

BTW - the reaction you were subjected to after your attempt to carefully communicate what was unwise, unsafe, and likely illegal in his professional capacity - was verbal assault.
Did you have that coming?
From your resigned acquiescence to his dismissive non-answers, quietly abiding a noisy ride, to AGAIN: addressing your concern about the earbuds, etc. directly, respectfully and constructively, you would appear to be the dream "freight" (even though you 'talked back') mentioned in other threads by a TTC operator.
And what did it get you?

By all means, maintain your admirable conduct; such comportment in contrast to the attitude you encountered make the problems plainly, inarguably evident.
But only if you call in this crap, when it occurs.

[AlexR]

(Addendum)
Apologies if that post comes across (just realized) as hectoring; such was not the intent.
I adimire the way in which you attempted to deal with a situation that you could have just as easily walked away from, on behalf of many more than yourself, and was mightily ticked on your behalf for the treatment that resulted...no one deserves that.

[Puds]

Did this driver happen to be black, with a shaved head and glasses?

On three occasions I've had the pleasure of being on this driver's streetcar, at night, on the Dundas route.
Verbal abuse, possessiveness of his transfers (don't you dare take it for yourself), signalling to other streetcar drivers loudly, driving and braking far too fast and general aggression towards other road users are all standard for this guy.

I'm willing to bet it's the same person.

[AlexR]

From the "My Story" , 'New Scandal' thread:

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/ ... job-report

The TTC is conducting an internal investigation after one of its bus drivers had her licence suspended after she allegedly hit the warning range on a breathalyzer test while on the job.

Passengers on the bus called police Friday afternoon complaining of erratic driving, according to a report in the Toronto Sun. Authorities stopped the vehicle on Dawes Avenue near Danforth around 2:30pm and had the driver take a breathalyzer.

The operator allegedly blew between .05 and .08 – a reading high enough to warrant a 72-hour driving suspension, but not an impaired driving charge.

The 40-year-old driver, Margaret Wilson, is currently on suspension without pay pending a TTC probe. The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 is also probing the incident.

Apropos of nothing, perhaps, here's a case of "erratic" driving (no mention of aggressive or erratic behaviour, but one could infer the driving to have been so) wherein concerned passengers made a call...and there was fire where there was smoke.

[spitfire]

"Get off my streetcar! I don't have to take crap from you! Get the fuck off and go home

I hope customer service refunded your token or three dollars.

After all, you did pay your fare, you weren't rude or obnoxious or causing trouble, and you do deserve to ride the TTC in exchange for your fare.

I was wondering if TTC operators have the authority to kick people off their buses or streetcars for whatever reason, shouldn't the TTC return their fares ?

People are paying for a service and when that service isn't delivered, then their money or token should be refunded in full.

The exception being if the rider is a loud and obnoxious idiot and is endangering the safety of the driver or other passengers, then the operator should kick the troublemaker off the bus / streetcar with no refund.

I think everybody whose been kicked off the bus because the operator is having a bad day should write in to TTC customer service and demand their money / token back.

Anybody disagree with that ?

[Praxis]

I think everybody whose been kicked off the bus because the operator is having a bad day should write in to TTC customer service and demand their money / token back.

Anybody disagree with that ?

Good luck with that.

As much as I'd LOVE to see that happen, when it comes to dealing with the TTC Customer Service department, you'd have a better chance of seeing snow in July than seeing them *resolve* disputes, let alone give a refund.

Unfortunately, without any witnesses, (and sometimes even WITH witnesses) it's a case of your word against the TTC operators. With the way Bob Kinnear champions his union members, though, the public's words mean diddly squat and you'd be terribly hard pressed to get your side of the story be heard. We are, after all, "freight that talks".

[Hammer]

Wow what a story, sadly its believable. That operator gives Jackasses a bad name, very very very unprofessional. I know its frustrating to put in complaints because its sounds like you dont get a response back, but each complaint is delt with internally, if this Moron disquised as a TTC employee gets a list of complaints about the same behavior it will be hard for him to talk his way out of it. Believe me this moron makes it very difficult for the other operators who are professional and coutious about thier work because that for the most part goes unnoticed, but a encounter with a moron lies in your memory forever and you will be affraid to ask questions again in fear of getting a outburst of stupidity. There is a saying I heard and believe it to be true, " leave enough rope and a person will eventually hang himself".

[happycamper]

just curious about the story of the streetcar driver "honking his horn"...hmmm i thought the streetcars only had bells...not horns???