Should public transit drivers have the right to refuse service to angry passengers?

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/J.P. Moczulski)

Police ended an altercation between TTC officials and commuters after a streetcar arrived to a stop almost 40 minutes late, reports the Toronto Star.

A customer asked the driver why the streetcar was late. He told her not to get on his streetcar before leaving for a quick break, she remembers.

The standoff started when he noticed she boarded the streetcar and wouldn't leave. The driver followed protocol by calling his supervisor, who reiterated the driver's request to the passenger. A nearby rider started filming the scene and the supervisor  placed his hand over the camera.

About 50 passengers refused to leave the vehicle for another half an hour, causing a streetcar backlog. The police arrived and resolved the situation without laying any charges.

Drivers have the right to refuse service, according to Bob Kinnear, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Should public transit drivers have the right to refuse service to angry passengers? Let us know in the comments below.

Should public transit drivers have the right to refuse service to angry passengers?


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