TTC Union Boss Says Mayor Ford Drove Past Streetcar Doors

By Steve Kupferman

A few more details about the run-in between a TTC streetcar driver and Mayor Rob Ford have emerged since we first mentioned the incident this morning. As TTC employees’ union president Bob Kinnear told the Star: “My understanding is that Mayor Ford bypassed an open door and the operator then got off the streetcar—left his seat anyways—to advise the motorist, not knowing it was Mayor Ford, of the seriousness of the violation, as well as the concern for our passengers.” Driving past the open doors of a streetcar is a violation of the provincial Highway Traffic Act. Most—if not all—streetcars have signs on their backsides and doors, warning motorists not to pass them. Kinnear said Ford lodged a complaint with the TTC afterward. It’s still not clear what actually transpired between the mayor and the driver. Kinnear has said only that Ford “had some comments for the operator.”