TTC customers are getting angry about a lack of mask enforcement on public transit

Case counts are soaring and positivity rates are in the double-digits, but somehow, there's still an alarming number of transit riders and even drivers out there who feel they aren't subject to the TTC's mask policy — and their fellow riders are understandably concerned about these unmasked menaces.

Complaints have been pouring in on Twitter at a rate that seems to correlate with the rise of the Omicron variant, as a growing number of transit passengers speak out about having their already risky commutes made even more dangerous by inconsiderate rule-breakers.

The ones I am seeing are mostly people who *have* masks, but take them off once they get past the booth/driver.

— Mid Fimbulwinter, a mutant metaphor (@curgoth) December 24, 2021

If unmasked riders weren't bad enough, one concerned passenger shared a brief anecdote about a particularly disgusting experience on a TTC streetcar.

Guy gets on ttc streetcar, mask under nose, pulls mask off his face and coughs/sneezes into his HAND, puts mask back on and then grabs the pole!! #wearedoomed

— Opie’s Nan We have work to do Canada 😷🥲💔🧡 (@Cate2pilates) December 24, 2021

Others are apparently removing their mask to sneak a quick bite or sip on their coffee mid-commute, something that should really wait until the TTC phase of your day is behind you.

I'd like to know why people think eating or drinking protects you from covid.

On a crowded TTC bus or Subway if your mask is off because you're eating and drinking you're an idiot.

Same for restaurants.

No thanks.

— fred hickey (@fredhickey) December 23, 2021

In one hilarious account, a maskless woman started eating meatballs on a subway train, only to get angry when another unmasked passenger sneezed. It feels like the blame should probably be shared here.

so a maskless lady got on the train & started eating meatballs. some guy got up, lifted his mask & sneezed next to her food.

she started screaming asking why he didn’t keep his mask on 🥴 ??¿?¿?

(the ttc is the trailer park)

— pillow princess (@xVonnnie) December 23, 2021

Even as the city and province re-introduce harsh public health restrictions, the TTC has admitted either an inability or an unwillingness to enforce their own mask policy, citing some passengers' medical exemptions as a complicating factor.

Unfortunately, we're unable to enforce the use of masks as some customers state medical exemptions for not being able to wear a mask. ^KG🦋

— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) December 23, 2021

Still, they had no explanation as to why a driver offered a friendly holiday greeting to an unmasked passenger boarding their bus.

When you have three passengers not complying to mask rules on a single bus and case counts approaching 10K per day in Ontario alone, it's easy to understand why people are getting scared.

TTC bus right now: one guy no mask at all, two with below the nose. Right by the driver. @TTChelps what can a rider do to get this addressed?

— Emily Elder (@emily_whom) December 18, 2021

All of these reports seem to reflect rising fears among transit users that not enough is being done to protect them.

The amount of drivers who don’t wear their masks on TTC is concerning. The number of people they come into contact with and areas of the city they cover is cause for concern. We know being vaxxed isn’t enough.

— Your Nightmare (@chaotic_bttm) December 21, 2021

The TTC claims that it is taking extra measures "to ensure the safety of everyone that uses our transit system in order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask is mandatory on the TTC, and all employees must wear a mask while on the transit system."