TTC to Accelerate Driver Training Review After 14-Yr-Old Diljohn’s Death

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The head of the Toronto Transit Commission, CEO Andy Byford, has ordered staff to accelerate a review into how the agency trains drivers in light of a bus accident that led to the death of 14-year-old girl, Amaria Diljohn, death in Scarborough. Police have confirmed that Diljohn was hit by a bus while it made a right turn at Finch Avenue and Neilson Road on Friday evening. Thereafter, the 27-year-old bus driver fled the scene of the collision.

An earlier press release confirms that TTC CEO Andy Byford ordered staff to “conduct a comprehensive review” of training, recruitment and recertification programs for bus and streetcar operations. In his remarks, Mr. Byford stated that “the tragic death of Amaria Diljohn Friday evening has shaken all of us at the TTC,” adding that “I want to give the public, customers and all TTC employees assurance that safety is, and will remain, paramount in all that we do.”

TTC spokesperson, Brad Ross, confirmed that the review was initiated few weeks ago in response to increasing reports of TTC drivers running red lights, but Ms. Diljohn’s death has “precipitated the acceleration of the review.” Upon inquiry about why the bus left the scene after hitting the girl, Mr. Ross said that “I don’t have an answer for that, I’m afraid” since “that’s one of the questions that need to be answered as part of the police investigation.” Whereas, Const. Clint Stibbe alleged that revealing why the bus didn’t remain at the scene might compromise the investigation, which is in its “early stages.”