TTC says bus, streetcar safety improvements saving lives

TORONTO — The TTC says a safety plan it implemented two years ago after a rash of fatal bus and streetcar crashes has successfully reduced the number of deadly collisions involving its vehicles, the Toronto Star reports.

According to a report on the agency’s Safe Service Action Plan, from the start of 2015 to the end of 2016 there were six deadly crashes involving buses or streetcars. In the four years before that, there were 21 fatal collisions. Of the six fatal crashes in 2015 and 2016, the TTC determined that only one was “preventable.”

Among the changes made by the TTC was a revamped driver training curriculum that includes more time “in the seat,” as well as more night driving. Meanwhile, streetcar operators now have to spend 60 hours driving the vehicles before they’re allowed to start regular duty and observe an agency mandate to not exceed a 15 mph when passing through intersections. For the full story, click here.