Transit Windsor, still in driver’s hot seat

By Blake Wilson

A number of complaints by passengers over the last few years has put Transit Windsor bus service in the driver’s hot seat.

 

Complaints about buses arriving late or showing up too early, passengers being hit by bus doors and knocked to the ground, arms and heads being locked between them, grumpy and impatient bus drivers and overcrowding have all add to the negative image.

 

According to Transit Windsor, in 2009 the number of complaints was 750. By 2013 the number had increased to 1,050. Although the number of complaints has increased substantially, it still seems to be on the low end considering Transit Windsor services over six million passengers per year.

 

In 2015, the number of complaints has risen above 5,000 since January, half of which are about bus drivers.

 

Transit Windsor spokesman Pat Delmore said he and his staff will be looking into the complaints to determine where improvements can be made.

 

Rahma Ismail, 26, a recent graduate from the University of Windsor, said over crowded buses is her one pet peeve.

 

“Sometimes the bus is very crowded. I would like to see bigger buses, maybe like the two-story buses for the peak times and maybe an increase in the number of buses, especially in the winter,” Ismail said.

 

Ismail also said when riding the bus, she sometimes has to deal with attitudes.

 

“The bus drivers are sometimes rude, but so are some of the passengers. That’s just life,” said Ismail.

 

Annette Roberts, 64, said she rides the bus six days a week and has never had a negative experience.

 

“Most of the time drivers and passengers are respectful. I’ve have had some awesome bus drivers,” said Roberts. “I think that the issue is more buses, that would be beneficial because sometimes you have to wait.”

 

According to a statement by city councillor Bill Marra, Transit Windsor will be introducing new smart bus technology. The new system will allow supervisors to know the location of every bus using global positioning. This is designed to improve services for passengers and lead to a reduction in the number of complaints.