Does Transit Need New Management?
So who is telling the truth?
The union representing OC Transpo bus drivers and mechanics warns the transit service is driving people away from public transit. OC Transpo has cancelled hundreds of bus trips a day due to a maintenance backlog and traffic congestion.
According to Noah Vineberg, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279, there are ample drivers at this point. Mechanics are working crazy amounts of overtime and showing unbelievable dedication to get these fleets on the road. However, OC Transpo claims to be working to implement “long-term solutions” in an effort to increase the fleet through recruiting additional mechanics
Perhaps more people would take the bus if the product was better. A reliable product might actually lead people to transit.
Vineberg added that “We’re driving people away when we absolutely need to be taking people back on. We can help with congestion. All of these things are things that would have been solved with more pro-activity, planning ahead and getting ahead of the curve.”
All this begs the question is the right management in place to oversee the operational requirements of transit services?
Donna Mulvihill is a community activist and former hospital coordinator
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If they have lots of mechanics with 15 and 20 years experience in an organization that offers pensions and they are quitting in droves, It can only be because of poor management. We have all seen it before if you being employed long enough. Most of the organization has a little bit of attrition but one unit in particular has massive attrition. And it’s always because of the manager. No other reason. Number one reason people quit organizations is because of the manager. OC transpo has an emergency on their hands. They can’t maintain the buses essential to run the system. They have to seriously look at the management that is causing these workers to quit well paying pensionable jobs and after training or corrections if necessary. They need to offer bonuses to bring back these workers and perhaps apologies too. Normally exit interviews shine the light on poor management if they are done independently of the management.
Maybe the solution are PediCabs
For all of OC Transpo’s woes, from an outsider’s viewpoint it appears as if the drivers and mechanics are capable of doing their jobs and are not the problem. Most likely the issue has to do with the organization’s structure, too many bureaucrats and not enough people who know how to solve problems. From what I’ve seen the problem begins with Renee Amilcar.
This issue not only involves mechanics and it was inevitable when OC laid off 23 bus cleaners last year. No matter how mechanically fit a bus is, it has to be clean before it can leave the garage.
There are 13 councilors on the transportation committee and 10 councillors on the transit commission.
The Transportation Committee is responsible for overseeing all issues related to the City’s transportation planning and infrastructure in accordance with the Transportation Master Plan, including pedestrian and cycling networks, long-term planning of the rapid transit network, parking operations, road construction and maintenance, traffic operations and mitigation methods, fleet maintenance and operations, designated truck routes, streetlights, sidewalks, street signage and furniture, and snow removal.
The Transit Commission is responsible for ensuring the development of a safe, efficient, accessible and client-focused transit system and for providing overall guidance and direction to the Transit Services Department on all issues relating to the operation of public transit, including conventional bus service, the O-Train and Para Transpo.
Why aren’t our councillors all over this ?
OC Transpo needs a good shake up starting at the top .
Thank you Been. With councilors filling 23 seats (I’m assuming there’s overlap in these roles) it’s no wonder nothing gets accomplished. Too much posturing to be truly effective.