Toronto's TTC is implementing more stringent face mask rules for its employees after numerous complaints from commuters who witnessed workers failing to abide by pandemic health and safety measures.

The transit agency was initially a little slow in even allowing its employees to don face coverings on the job, and then saw mass walkouts when it failed to provide personal protective equipment to those facing the public on a daily basis.

Up until now, there was no mask mandate for bus drivers or staff behind plexiglass barriers like there is for other workers and transitgoers, and it seemed that on top of those who simply weren't wearing masks when they should have been, some who did don the garment were not doing so correctly.

@TTChelps @ttcriders @JohnTory @fordnation
My bus driver is not wearing a mask & his barrier protection isn't up. ALL TTC employees must wear masks 4 their safety & ours. 2 ppl approached the driver closely after boarding 2 ask a question. #ItAintRight #COVID19

— Michelle Nagel (@michellenagel) September 17, 2020

Under the new policies, which are effective today, anyone employed by the commission now has to have a mask on — and properly — while on TTC property in "shared" areas where others could be present, even while outdoors and when behind plexiglass.

The move was apparently inspired by a number of reasons — not only because so many staffers were busted without masks by residents, but because an internal audit that found a quarter of employees were "not respecting physical distancing guidelines" and gathering in large groups to chat.

Everyone is required to wear mask in TTC system.However their employees don’t even follow the regulations.This is not the first time I saw TTC employees not wearing masks inside the https://t.co/nf5ONLmJNZ can we trust these people with our health and safety?@CP24 @CTVToronto pic.twitter.com/A6FSziAaKM

— joey (@JoeytroubleG) September 16, 2020

According to a letter sent to staff this week and obtained by The Star, the audit at one point found zero percent employee compliance during not just one, but two inspections at a single station. 

A spike in new cases of COVID-19 across Ontario and in Toronto specifically is also a consideration, as is the fact that a number of workers serve in multiple different settings along TTC lines; wearing a mask in all of them just makes things easier.

So does that mean that all Bus drivers have to wear a mask 😷? @TTChelps I mean cmon they should have been wearing it all the time . I’ve only taken the TTC #TTC once since March . To scared .

— Jessica (@Jessica00469341) September 17, 2020

Since the health crisis began, 77 members of the TTC have been infected with the virus. Meanwhile, hundreds of operators and riders are calling for a return to full transit service amid crowding concerns.

Transit in the city has been running at around 85 per cent of its usual capacity lately due to a massive drop in ridership, which still sits are less than 50 per cent of pre-COVID levels.