‘Outrageous’: Riders call for action on TTC safety
Posted December 8, 2022 8:42 pm.
Last Updated December 9, 2022 8:26 am.
A woman is set on fire at Kipling Station and later dies from her injuries.
Another woman narrowly avoids death after she’s pushed onto the subway tracks by a stranger at Yonge station.
And on Thursday night, two women are stabbed by a man while on the subway at High Park Station. One of the victims dies.
Those shocking headlines are prompting many to call for enhanced security measures on the TTC — something the union that represents workers has already been vocal about following a string of recent attacks on employees.
We send our condolences to the victims and their families and join our members at Local 113-Toronto, ON, in demanding increased safety measures with the epidemic of attacks on our members and riders and increasing violence on the TTC. #NotOneMore #canlab https://t.co/fdSMwQta2q
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) December 8, 2022
Mayor John Tory addressed the issue in a series of tweets following Thursday afternoon’s fatal stabbing at High Park Station.
We will simply have to sit down again with the TTC and police officials to see what more we can do to ensure the safety of TTC passengers beyond the many measures the TTC has put in place.
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) December 8, 2022
While Tory didn’t provide specifics, many riders took to social media to express their growing apprehension with riding TTC vehicles while calling for more safety measures to be put in place. Some of the suggestions include hiring more security officers and having a police officer at every station.
The TTC released a statement after Thursday’s incident saying they will be adding “Special Constables and uniformed staff will be placed in the system to reassure customers traveling this afternoon.”
The #TTC's statement on police investigation at High Park Station. pic.twitter.com/iLkur2D1qX
— TTC Media Relations ???????????????? (@TTCNewsroom) December 8, 2022
“The TTC has just gotten outrageous,” one person said on Twitter. “It is very, very unsafe nowadays and I can’t bear the thought of risking my personal safety nearly every time I’m on the damn train.”
“Public safety is non-existent on (the) TTC,” another added.
@JohnTory the city needs to increase #ttc security officers, NOW #toronto #security #safety #unsafe
— Brunitwit (@brunitwit_twit) December 8, 2022
With all the things that has happened on subway stations this year, there should be at least one police officer at every station for public safety. Being a TTC rider myself, I have seen scary things happen on the TTC Subways.
— David (@DeeMDC_) December 8, 2022
I think it’s time I switch to GO transit in 2023. Thé TTC has just gotten outrageous. It is very, very unsafe nowadays and I can’t bear the thought of risking my personal safety nearly every time I’m on the damn train.
— Tammy (@_lafleursauvage) December 8, 2022
Tragic events yet again on the TTC. My deepest condolences to the families affected. Public safety is non existent on TTC
— Dave Ricci (@RicciDave) December 8, 2022
A report from last July outlined a spike in violent incidents on the TTC over last year.
According to the report, offences against customers were 1.43 per one million boardings in Q1 2022 — up 10.9 per cent compared to Q4 2021.
Following the release of the report, Scott Haskill, acting Chief Strategy and Customer Officer, stressed that the TTC continues to deploy additional special constables across its stations.
“Our Community Engagement Unit (CEU) continues to focus on the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health or addiction issues,” Haskill said.
“We are bringing sustainable solutions that benefit customers and other community stakeholders, as this is a principal factor in the safety of customers and employees during the pandemic.”
The report also highlighted an increase in violent incidents against TTC employees (7.0 per 100 employees) — a 22 per cent increase from Q4 2021.
With files from Lucas Casaletto and Asher Roth
