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TTC policy requires bus operators to remain with their vehicle until a relief operator meets them, he said. Operators switch over at set “relief points” on routes when they are going on break or ending a shift.

“If that operator is late, or doesn’t show up for whatever reason, the operator who has control of the bus is to wait until that relief operator does arrive,” Mr. Ross said.

Drivers are allowed to leave their vehicle unattended and safely secured when they need to use the bathroom or get a coffee, he said. The TTC asks drivers to tell the customers the reason for the stop, he added.

“The difference here is that the bus driver was being relieved — if the commentary on the video is accurate — and [the bus] was left sitting for some period of time. That is what is concerning to us,” he said.

TTC Union President Bob Kinnear said the incident is being blown out of proportion.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” he said. “We do this [driver relief] thousands upon thousands of times a week without any problems.”

Mr. Kinnear said the TTC union apologizes to passengers who were inconvenienced but said there are bigger problems Torontonians should be concerned about.

“It just amazes me that people get bogged down on these little insignificant incidents rather than focusing on what’s really happening in this continuing deterioration of our system,” he said. “The people are frustrated with the TTC. They’re frustrated with inadequate service, overcrowding… Those things are the direct result of upper levels of government not funding it appropriately.”

Mr. Kinnear said he spoke with a work representative of the driver in question and said there was “miscommunication” about who was taking over the vehicle. A relief operator was on site but for some reason they did not take over the bus, he said.

Mr. Ross would not speculate on what the repercussions might be.