TTC giving out more free face masks on bus network

The TTC will expand its mask giveaway program with a focus on the bus network next week, as a part of its ongoing COVID-19 recovery plan.

Ambassadors of the campaign will be assigned to roam around the 25 busiest spots on the bus network on weekdays at times when ridership is highest. They will be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to distribute to TTC customers who do not have their own.

“This expanded campaign will get masks into the hands of customers on the busiest bus routes at the busiest times,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “We want our customers to know we will continue to do whatever we can to ensure they are safe and feel comfortable while riding the TTC.”

The most recent audit done by the TTC shows that 98% of customers comply to mask-wearing requirements, with 91% of those customers wearing them properly.

TTC/website

As the result of ridership on the bus network being at approximately 50% of its pre-pandemic levels, the TTC announced on October 15, that it would be recalling its remaining 179 laid off employees.

Of the employees that will be returning, some will be deployed to subway stations to hand out PPE, and 26 individuals will be assigned to be roaming ambassadors on the bus network.

The remainder of the returning TTC employees are bus operators who will go back to their pre-pandemic duties, while another group of operators will be re-trained to drive buses.

The campaign has been designed to be flexible so that it can respond to changing travel patterns that may arise as the result of challenges brought on by the pandemic. It will be in place through December.

For more information about staying safe on the TTC, you can check out their recommendations on their website.