42 washroom facilities are being built specifically for HSR drivers

The city is looking to build 42 new stand-alone washrooms at the end of bus routes around Hamilton.

As of right now, HSR drivers have to stop and use single stall washrooms at places like Tim Hortons or gas stations, which add an unknown wait time if the facility is in use.

The lack of washroom facilities has been such an issue for years that it has almost led to HSR drivers striking in late 2019.

"It's about having access and time to use the washroom, and the health implications of that as well," @ATU107 Local President Eric Tuck said of the limited washroom access for workers. #publictransit https://t.co/IehY4IG0M7

— ATU Canada (@atu_canada) January 28, 2020

Part of the new contract for drivers requires an additional five minutes for each route in order for them to use the washroom facilities. 

However, need to use single stall washrooms in random fast food restaurants around the city has caused drivers to leave their buses with passengers on board for unpredictable time periods, possibly make passengers late for work or for getting to transfer connections in time.

The city put out a tender that is looking for someone who can build 42 units that have heat and running water. Within the contract for the tender requires the supplier to complete the washrooms in the next three to five years and maintain the units beyond that. 

According to Eric Tuck, the president of Amalgamated Transit Unit Local 107, the lack of adequate washroom facilities was a major sticking point during last year’s contract negotiations. 

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• bus
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• hsr
• public transit
• transit
• washroom