T.T.C. Bus Travel

When you travel on public transit buses, it can be difficult to know when you’ve reached your stop. The T.T.C. has, however, recently implemented stop announcements using a G.P.S. system. On many buses, you’ll hear an automated voice call out the next stop the bus will arrive at.

The T.T.C. is extending this policy to all its service vehicles. If the G.P.S. system is not installed on the bus you’re taking or if it’s not functioning, the driver is expected to make the stop announcements instead.

Tips for using T.T.C. buses

1. When you’re waiting at a bus stop, stand facing the road, with the pole to your right. Turn slightly to the left, toward the approaching bus. This will let the driver know that you want to get on.
2. When the bus arrives, locate the door and lean in to ask the driver to confirm that it is the bus you want. Also ask if it’s going to the stop you need. Sometimes buses are re-routed, and you want to be sure you get to the right stop.
3. If the bus is the one you want, get on. You may not know if there is an automated system or if you need the driver to announce your stop. Don’t assume the stops will be announced. Ask the driver: “Does this bus have G.P.S. stop announcements?” If it does, but the volume is too low or there’s too much noise on the bus, tell the driver you’re having a hard time hearing them and ask her to announce your stop instead.
4. If the bus does not have a G.P.S. system, ask the driver to announce the stop you want.
5. If your vision doesn’t allow you to see an empty seat, ask the driver if there’s one available at the front. In older buses, it’s best to sit in the first seat beside the door. This lets the driver see you and reminds him to announce your stop. It also means you can talk to the driver if you need to. Newer buses kneel down to make boarding easier for people in wheelchairs and with walkers. The first seat beside the door is behind the front wheel and much further back. A convenient alternative is to sit in the seat behind the driver.
6. If you are a cane user, it’s best not to fold up your cane while riding the bus. You want the driver to see it if he needs to call your stop. Ensure that it’s out of the aisle to avoid people tripping.
7. You might want to confirm that you heard the announcement correctly before stepping off the bus.
8. If you miss your stop, you have several options:
   • If the bus is near the end of the route and scheduled to return the same way, you can stay on and ask the driver to let you off across the street from the stop you wanted. If you aren’t familiar with the area, the intersection or the traffic controls, ask for help getting across.
   • Ask the driver how far the bus has passed your stop. If you’re familiar with the area, you can walk back, but remember that there may be streets to cross.
   • Ask the driver to let you off at the next major intersection with traffic lights. Traffic controls make it easier to cross the street. Also, there are usually more pedestrians at a major intersection and therefore more opportunity for assistance. If you need it, ask for help crossing the street to your original stop on your return.