Toronto Will Now Be Using TTC Buses As Emergency Vehicles
The 6ix sticks together! In an effort to support health workers in the city during this pandemic, the City of Toronto has announced it is teaming up with the Toronto Transit Commission and Paramedic Services in order to transform some of their TTC buses for patients. The buses will be used in collaboration with existing emergency vehicles.
According to a statement released by the city on Tuesday, April 21, five buses have been decommissioned and went under a total makeover in order to be used to transport patients on stretchers and those requiring ventilators.
The great thing about the reno is that each bus is able to hold up to three patients that require stretchers, 10 that need the ambulance in any circumstance even keeping in mind social distancing, as well as three paramedics and a driver.
"I am extremely proud of this partnership between the TTC and Paramedics to repurpose decommissioned buses for emergency transport," says Mayor John Tory via the statement which was also shared onto Twitter.
"This was brought together at wartime speed, and responds to an urgent need and will help the ill and vulnerable in Toronto immediately," he adds.
The measure is just the latest emergency action taken by Tory and the city.
According to the statement, the buses underwent their transformation on April 20 and will be on the streets soon enough, as and when needed.
The city and the TTC are still working on adding two more buses to this scheme.
The vehicles will be driven by TTC drivers, allowing vital paramedics will be taking care of the medical needs of their patients.
"Essential workers, first responders, and healthcare professionals at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19 rely on the TTC get to and from work safely every day," read a statement from TTC chair and Toronto councillor Jaye Robinson.
"This innovative partnership with Toronto Paramedics is one more way the TTC is committed to helping our city stop the spread of COVID-19."
The TTC has made countless efforts to aid in the push for social distancing among its vehicles, even placing tape to stop people from sitting too close.
There has been a noted decline in community spread in the city, along with hospitalizations. Toronto is giving thanks to those practicing social distancing, washing their hands frequently and staying home.
As for the province, Ontario health officials say we are currently dealing with what they call the "best-case scenario" as we've already reached the peak of cases in the region.
However, despite all this optimistic news, Ontarians are still urged to continue practicing social distancing as much as possible in order to continue experiencing fewer cases.