New policy also applies to other personal electronic devices
Drivers and thousands of other CTA employees caught using personal electronic devices on duty will be fired under a new "zero tolerance" policy that reflects a growing national concern over motorists' cell phone use and texting.
"If an employee is using a personal cell phone while on duty, they will be discharged," CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said Wednesday.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
The CTA's tougher policy, which goes into effect immediately, applies not only to bus and train drivers, but also to L train maintenance workers and customer assistance employees working at L stations, Gaffney said.
Under the old policy, a CTA employee faced possible dismissal only after accumulating four safety violations, which could include personal cell phone use, Gaffney said.
Gaffney said the stricter policy isn't related to any specific concerns about violations among CTA employees, although she noted the agency has received 229 complaints so far this year of bus drivers using cell phones while on duty. The new policy affects about 9,000 CTA employees, the agency said.
Darrell Jefferson, head of the CTA bus drivers union, said that since the transit agency is going to ban personal cell phone use, it should also make sure the CTA's bus communication equipment works properly.
"Based on what our [members] tell us, the system is down more than it's working," Jefferson said.
Robert Kelly, Jefferson's equivalent on the rail side, said he's concerned some passengers might mistakenly report CTA employees using city-issued cell phones to call in a legitimate rail problem.
On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he plans to convene a summit of experts to figure out how to tackle the overall problem of driver cell phone and texting use.
"We feel that given the new information on the dangers of distracted driving and the fact that some employees continue to violate policy, the stricter rules are appropriate," Gaffney said.
Gaffney said the new rules differ for bus and train workers. Train employees, who carry CTA-issued radios, aren't allowed to carry personal electronic devices even if they're turned off. Bus drivers may carry the devices, providing they are put away and turned off, Gaffney said.
Customers who see CTA drivers using personal electronic devices should call CTA customer service at (888) 968-7282 or send an e-mail to feedback@transitchicago.com.
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