The union that represents Grand River Transit bus drivers is calling on the region to limit the number of riders on buses to 10 people.

Right now, the region says bus drivers must monitor the number of riders and when a bus is half- to two-thirds full, drivers are to stop picking up new passengers until riders get off the bus. At the same time, drivers are being asked to call a supervisor to report a full bus so another can be dispatched onto the route.

"Transit will continue to monitor the number of passengers on buses to make sure that passengers are able to maintain appropriate physical distancing," said Mike Murray, the region's chief administrative officer.

But Tim Jewell, president of Unifor Local 4304 says the union has been asking the region to drop the number of passengers to 10, to match Guelph Transit.

"When you have a lot of people on the bus, it's hard to practice social distancing," Jewell told CBC K-W. "Social distancing is the biggest issue, as well as the driver's safety. So the more people on the buses the more susceptible the drivers are to anything out there."

Measures to protect drivers

Peter Zinck, director of transit for the region, said the Region of Waterloo has put in a number of measures to keep drivers safe.

He said that includes free rides so people don't have to stop and pay at the front, boarding via the rear-door and if someone needs an accessible entrance onto the bus, the driver leaves the bus while the person gets on and then the driver gets back on. As well, he said, the yellow line near the front of the bus that riders aren't supposed to cross has been moved farther back. In some buses, the seats directly behind the driver have been taped off.

"There's really no interaction between the passengers who are boarding and the operator area," he said.

Though publicly announced only recently, Zinck said the reduction to half-bus loads has been in place for three weeks and he is aware of only been two cases where buses became too full. He said ridership numbers are down significantly because of the pandemic and recommendations to work from home.

He said a staff review of what is happening in other cities showed what the region has implemented is in line with some other municipalities.

He added they'll be reviewing how the reduction in service impacts ridership this week.

Bring-your-own masks for drivers

Jewell says the union has also asked for masks for its drivers, but have not received any yet. Drivers who can find their own masks are being told they can wear them.

He said he understands the masks are needed for health-care workers first, but drivers would feel better with more protection.

Zinck said drivers of MobilityPlus vehicles have been given face masks, but other drivers have not yet.

"Supply has been a concern," he said. "We are looking at procuring some and making them available."

Jewell said bus drivers are among the essential workers who continue to do their jobs during the pandemic and they need to be protected.

"I'm afraid to go to work. My wife is a bus driver. I'm afraid for her every day ... it's unprecedented what we're going through," he said.

"I'm very, very proud of my drivers," he added.

"They've been out there since all this started. They're out there every day … The drivers have just done a great job. Our maintenance department has done a great job. Our cleaners have done a great job … as president to this local, I couldn't be more proud."