Your Safety Partner

Safety and security on the TTC

Safety and security on the TTC

The TTC has many safety features and programs throughout the system. As Your Safety Partner, we are always working to ensure that assistance is close at hand. When you’re riding the system, look for the green Your Safety Partner symbol, which identifies many of the TTC’s safety initiatives.

Transit Enforcement Officers

Transit Enforcement Officers patrol the subway system with a focus on conducting fare inspections, fare enforcement and reducing incidents of disorderly behaviour through active enforcement of the TTC’s By-law No. 1. Transit Enforcement Officers are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the people who use transit, as well as the employees who operate it.

Station Collectors

A Station Collector is on duty in the booth at the main entrance at every Subway/RT station during operating hours. Collectors sell fares and provide directions. You can speak to the Collector through microphones mounted on the booth. Station Collectors cannot leave their booth to provide direct assistance. However, they can call for emergency assistance and provide you with information.

Public Telephones

Bell pay phones are located on all Subway/RT platforms, at station entrances and in many bus and streetcar transfer areas. Calling 9-1-1 is always free. 9-1-1 will connect you to Emergency Services. In case of a life-threatening emergency situation, tell them what is happening and where you are. Your exact location is on a sign near each pay phone.

Designated Waiting Area (DWA)

There is a DWA on every platform in the Subway/RT system. You can recognize this waiting area by its prominent lighting and bold DWA sign. Each DWA is also equipped with a two-way voice intercom for speaking to the Collector on duty, a CCTV camera for the Collector to see who is using the intercom and a public telephone. DWAs are located at the same spot on every subway platform. On Scarborough RT platforms, the DWA is located where the Operator’s car stops – that is the first car on the train.

Intercoms

Two-way voice intercoms can be found in various locations, such as DWAs, elevator cabs, elevator landings and non-staffed entrances. Intercoms allow you to speak directly to a Station Collector. Intercoms should be used in the event of: fire, illness, accidents, harassment, vandalism and threats to personal safety. Intercoms are also located inside the new Toronto Rocket subway trains to allow for voice communication with either the Operator or Guard on board.

Passenger Assistance Alarm (PAA)

The PAA is the long, yellow strip with black lettering that is located above the windows, along the wheelchair position and at each end of subway and Scarborough RT cars. Press the alarm strip in the event of: fire, illness, accidents, harassment, vandalism and threats to personal safety. Audible alarms will sound in your car and in the Operator’s and Guard’s cars. The Operator will call for emergency assistance and stop the train at the next available station and hold it there with the doors open.

Transit Community Watch

TTC employees are Transit Community Watchers. They report crimes, find lost children or come to the aid of ill or injured passengers. They are Operators, Collectors, Uniformed Supervisors, Mechanics, Janitors and other employees. These are all the dedicated folks you will see every day when riding the better way.