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Monday, April 9, 2012 News worth sharing.
metronews.ca | twitter.com/metrocalgary | facebook.com/metrocalgary
Transit tweets causing flap for drivers, union says Social media. Some operators worry the push to engage with riders in real time is going too far Jeremy nolais
jeremy.nolais@metronews.ca
bubba did it!
Bubba Watson raises his cap after winning the Masters golf tournament on Sunday following a nail-biting sudden-death playoff on the 10th hole in Augusta, Ga. Story, page 21. David J. Phillip/the associated press
Chirping from transit riders via social media is fuelling “extreme micro-managing” of drivers that can lead to dangerous distractions, say union representatives. Calgary Transit has prided itself on the ability to engage with users through its Twitter ac-
count, which as of Sunday had more than 14,000 followers. But union head Mike Mahar said while he has no problem with that, some passengers have taken to constantly venting minor frustrations that are being constantly relayed back to the driver. “The numbers (of complaints) becomes so great,” he said. “You’re interacting (with management) virtually all day long with a moving vehicle in heavy traffic.... Some of it is so minor a driver wouldn’t even be able to reflect back on it.” Mahar said petty complaints can encompass everything from a driver making a hard brake
around a single corner to a bus arriving at a stop just minutes late. Calgary Transit spokesperson Ron Collins said drivers are being held to the same level of accountability as always. “If there is a complaint we’ll look into it, just like we would if they were to call the call centre,” he said. Mahar said the union plans to continue monitoring the situation before deciding whether to file a formal grievance.
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