A Sault Transit bus driver was filmed tearing down posters for a petition against route changes, known as Sault Loops, while a separate video captured a bus moving with its front door open from the Dennis Street terminal to the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse. City officials say the poster removal followed a longstanding policy against unauthorized materials, but critics argue the policy is applied inconsistently and that the open-door incident reflects a safty lapse. The incidents, reported by SooToday, have fueled calls for greater transparency and meaningful dialogue between the city and transit users.

Driver Removes Petition Posters; City Cites 'Safety' Policy

According to SooToday, an anonymous reader submitted video of a Sault Transit driver removing posters advertising an online petition to halt Sault Loops, the service's recent route changes. Emma Ude, the petition's creator, told SooToday she was disappointed, saying, "I am disappoined that the drivers are removing the posters. I feel like those of us that are expressing our concerns are being treated as opposition."

Robin Miners, the city's manager of Transit, responded that Sault Transit does not permit any posters on shelters or buses, regardless of content, citing safety reasons such as obstructed sightlines. The report notes that the anonymous reader argued the policy is applied inconsistently, as other advertisements and notices are sometimes seen on shelters.

Open-Door Video: From Dennis Street Terminal to the Courthouse

A second video, also submitted to SooToday by an anonymous reader, shows a bus in motion with its front door wide open.. The reader claimed the door remained open from the Dennis Street terminal to the Sault Ste.. marie Courthouse while passengers were aboard , commenting: "Perhaps they should be more concerned with the safety of the buses and not with making life harder for their patrons."

When asked about this incident, Miners declined to provide specifics, stating that the city would review the video "in accordance with our established internal processes" and that the city does not comment on personnel matters, including whether an investigation is being conducted.. As reported by SooToday, she reiterated that drivers are expected to operate vehicles according to safety procedures and that concerns would be addressed through internal processes if warranted.

Emma Ude's Petition Highlights 'Equitable Service' Demands

Emma Ude, who started the online petition against the Sault Loops changes, told SooToday that "We're just Saultites who want to make sure we're heard and that the bus serves all transit users equitably." Her petition continues to gather signatures, and she hopes the city will engage in meaningful dialogue. The poster removal incident, she said, made her feel that concerned residents are "being treated as opposition."

The broader context, according to the report, is widespread dissatisfaction with the Sault Loops changes, which prompted the petition and the poster campaign. The city has not announced any policy changes or additional investigations following the incidents, but the videos have put Sault Transit under public scrutiny.

What the City Won't Comment On

Multiple open questions remain. First, the city has not explanied why the bus door was open while moving, nor has it confirmed whether any investigation is underway. Miners' refusal to comment on personnel matters leaves passengers in the dark about what corrective actions, if any, have been taken. Second, the inconsistency in enforcement of the poster policy — with other advertisements sometimes seen on shelters — has not been addressed. As reported by SooToday, the anonymous reader noted this inconsistency. Third, the identity of the driver involved in the poster removal has not been disclosed, and it is unclear whether that driver faces any disciplinary revview.

These unanswered questions feed into a broader call for transparency. Critics argue that without clear communication from the city, trust in Sault Transit will continue to erode. The petition's growing signature count suggests the community is not ready to let the matter drop.