TORONTO

Those “damn streetcars”.

Mayor Rob Ford allegedly drove past the open doors of a streetcar Wednesday sparking a run-in with a TTC driver and leading the mayor to complain directly to TTC CEO Andy Byford.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 president Bob Kinnear said Friday that Ford drove past the open rear doors of a Dundas St. W. streetcar near McCaul St. on Wednesday.

“My understanding is Mr. Ford did pass the open doors of a streetcar,” Kinnear told reporters. “The operator counselled Mr. Ford on the serious safety violation and the potential danger of doing that. From there, my understanding is that Mayor Ford contacted the TTC.”

The TTC interviewed the employee and the employee was put back to work.

Byford confirmed Ford called his office after the incident to lodge a complaint.

“I did speak with the mayor and we conducted our normal inquiry,” Byford said.

“We consider the matter closed.”

“The fact that it was the mayor involved to me was irrelevant, we followed our normal procedure,” he added.

Driving past the doors of an open streetcar is a Highway Traffic Act violation and can lead to a $109 traffic ticket.

It can get frustrating for operators to see cars rushing the doors of an open streetcar throughout the day, Kinnear said.

“It becomes very concerning for our passengers and the safety of our passengers,” he said. “We’re not opposed to our members advising the public of our rules in the interest of safety.”

But Kinnear added they don’t encourage operators to “interact with motorists” or leave the driver’s seat.

The TTC said the driver walked to the bottom of the streetcar steps but didn’t leave the vehicle during the confrontation.

Kinnear said the mayor did roll down his window and “had some comments for the operator.”

“I don’t know what the specifics were but I can only imagine considering Mr. Ford’s antics,” he said.

Kinnear said it’s not the first time Ford has complained about one of his members to TTC management.

“It’s not surprising,” he said.

The mayor’s office refused to comment on the incident.

Ford has made no secret of his hate for streetcars.

Back in March when he was urging council to support his Sheppard subway push, Ford ranted about people hating the transit vehicles.

“They don’t want these damn streetcars clogging up our city!” Ford told council at that time.