January 14th, 2021

Ford must pay municipalities to cap ridership on transit: NDP MPPs

YORK SOUTH-WESTON — NDP MPP Faisal Hassan (York South—Weston) and NDP Transit critic Jessica Bell (University—Rosedale) said Premier Doug Ford must give funding to municipalities so they can cap ridership on public transit, to protect the safety of drivers and riders.

"Canada's union representing transit workers say buses are dangerously crowded, putting everyone at risk of contracting COVID-19, and they're urging the government to cap the number of people allowed on," said Hassan, whose community has been experiencing bus crowding, especially among essential workers.

"The Ford government needs to stop ignoring this potential source of transmission, and give municipalities the funding they need to un-crowd busses in my neighbourhood, and communities all over the province.”

Hassan has long been calling for the government to support vulnerable neighbourhoods in York South—Weston, where essential workers live, and take transit to work and to access essential services.

"Essential workers are cramming onto crowded buses and streetcars, and the health and safety of workers and drivers has been ignored by the Ford government,” said Bell. “Ford needs to provide enough funding to muncipalities so they cap bus ridership at safer levels to keep people safe and stop the spread."