A large contingent of London Transit drivers is taking vacation days and unpaid leave over fears they will contract COVID-19 while on the job.
Between 80 to 90 bus operators are missing work on an ongoing basis, according to Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741, which represents the city's 450 bus drivers.
"That number fluctuates from day-to-day. You might get ten people back one day, you might see another ten off the next day," said Union President Andre Fournier. "Out of a pool of 450 drivers, we need 225 to run the regular shift and we are nowhere near that."
The staffing constraints have led the London Transit Commission to scale-back services. As of next week, Monday-to Friday buses will run on a Saturday schedule, while Saturday buses will be on a Sunday schedule. Sunday service will be pared down to levels seen on Christmas Day.
While some drivers have taken the time off due to a lack of child care, the vast majority are doing it out of fear, stressed Fournier.
"It is life and death out there for the drivers and all our employees across the board," said Fournier. "We are told to keep picking up [passengers] until we're full, which is a standing load of 30 people...You have people that work at the hospital on board too and we need to keep these frontline workers safe. That is why we wish people would just stay home and leave the bus for those who need it for essential trips like for groceries."
To better protect both drivers and riders, the union has been urging London Transit officials to cap the number of people allowed on board at one time to just ten.
"We have brought it to the attention of London Transit and they are saying 'no' to it right now," said Fournier, who noted the measure would make physical distancing easier for everyone.
Drivers have also expressed concerns when it comes to strapping down accessibility devices for riders with mobility issues.
"We understand people with wheelchairs and other mobility devices need a ride. In a pre-COVID time it was never an issue," said Fournier. "But now because we have to get close to strap down the devices we could easily pick up the virus. So we suggest that these riders have an assistant who can get on and strap them down."
Other cities, including Hamilton, have already put these safety measures in place. However, in London riders with mobility issues can still board through the front doors while all others are asked to enter and exit through the rear door. In addition, London Transit sanitizes the buses nightly and has asked its riders to only take the bus when it is essential – trips to work, the grocery store, or pharmacy. It has also recently acquired small bottles of hand sanitizer for each driver.
The union has provided medical face shields for drivers to clip onto their ball caps as a way of enhancing protection from the virus.
Last week, a London Transit driver tested positive for COVID-19. The infected driver last worked on Route 20 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. between March 24 and March 31. The Middlesex London Health Unit has been contacting those who were in direct contact with the individual.