TTC speeds up review of bus and streetcar operators after teen’s death

TORONTO – Toronto’s transit authority will be speeding up its review of bus and streetcar operators following the death of a 14-year-old girl who was killed after being hit by a city bus.

Toronto Transit Commission CEO Andy Byford says the death of Amaria Diljohn has “shaken” his organization and he wants to assure everyone that safety is the TTC’s top priority.

Byford says a review of TTC bus and streetcar operator recruitment, training, recertification and monitoring programs began several weeks ago after reports of transit vehicles disobeying red lights.

Diljohn’s death has lead Byford to ask that the review be “accelerated.”

Police say the teenager was crossing a street in the city’s northwest on Friday night when she was struck by a TTC bus as it made a right turn.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the bus, which was being driven by a 27-year-old man, failed to remain at the scene of the collision.

The TTC says the driver has been interviewed by police and that the transit agency is co-operating with the investigation.