Westboro bus crash inquest hears 44 safety recommendations

Three passengers died and 17 others were seriously injured when the rigid steel awning of Westboro Station’s passenger shelter pierced the shell of Bus 8155. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIAArticle content

The Westboro bus crash inquest jury has heard 44 recommendations for improved bus safety in Ottawa, including a call to reduce speed limits near Transitway stations and to assess new drivers for proficiency on all bus types.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

The jury was presented Friday with a joint slate of recommendations from inquest counsel, the City of Ottawa and the bus drivers’ union, along with the families of Bruce Thomlinson and Judy Booth.

Article content

Thomlison, 56, Booth, 57, and Anja Van Beek, 65, were second-floor passengers on Bus 8155 when the double-decker slammed into Westboro station on Jan. 11, 2019.

Article content

Bruce Thomlinson, 56 years old, Judy Booth, 57 years old, and Anja Van Beek, 65 years old, died as a result of the collision on Jan. 11, 2019. Photo by POSTMEDIAArticle content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Rookie driver Aissatou Diallo was driving 10 km/ hr over the 50 km/ hr posted speed limit on approach to Westboro Station when she veered off the road and lost control of her bus on the snowy shoulder.

Article content

Inquest participants jointly recommended the speed on approach to Transitway stations be reduced to 30 or 40 km/hr.

Article content

Jurors have heard three passengers died and 17 others were seriously injured when the rigid steel awning of Westboro Station’s passenger shelter pierced the shell of Bus 8155 and collapsed nine rows of seats.

Article content

“What is without dispute,” inquest counsel Alessandra Hollands said Friday, “is that Ms. Booth, Mr. Thomlinson and Ms. Van Beek, along with all passengers on Bus 8155, should have been able to get to their destination safely.”

Article content

Hollands told jurors its their role to determine what can be done so that other transit riders in Ottawa arrive at their destinations safely.

Article content

The joint recommendations stopped short of calling for existing Transitway shelters to be torn down.

Article content

Instead, the participants recommended the city assess the Transitway for “potential intrusion hazards” that are within three metres of the curb.

Article content

The inquest has heard that seven Transitway stations still have passenger shelter canopies similar to those at Westboro Station. Westboro Station itself has been torn down to make way for the LRT.

Article content

The city opted not to dismantle the other canopies based on a review by consultant Gerry Forbes, president of Intus Road Safety Engineering, who rejected another engineer’s recommendation that the canopies come down.

Article content

Using predictive statistical models, Forbes estimated that a bus would collide with the station’s canopy once every 250 years. He said a cost-benefit analysis did not support dismantling them.