The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has expressed concerns that the recent surge in violent incidents on its network over the weekend is a symptom of a larger problem that requires a comprehensive approach.
Stuart Green, a spokesperson for the TTC, stated in an interview with CP24 Live at Noon on Monday, “These incidents that are happening on the TTC are indicative of something larger. There were a number of violent incidents right across this city and throughout the GTA this weekend, and we saw at least two on the TTC. So, all of these are of great concern.”
On Saturday night, a fight erupted outside Kipling Station, resulting in four people being injured. A man assaulted several individuals at the station’s bus bay, with one police officer sustaining a leg injury while trying to make an arrest.
The following evening, a man in his 50s was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after being stabbed at Victoria Park Station.
“We have an obligation to keep our customers and our employees safe, but there are certain things that happen that are just beyond our capacity, and that’s why it’s really important that we have those partnerships,” Green emphasized, referring to the TTC’s collaborations with the Toronto Police and the City.
Green added, “We did see, you know, in the colder months of the year a lot more of these incidents happening frankly, that those numbers are about half of what they were – they’re still too high – but they are coming down and that’s a positive trend.”
According to Toronto’s data on offenses occurring on TTC premises, including theft, assault, harassment, threats, or other misconduct directed at transit employees, there has been a steady decline in reported incidents since January 2023. Although the data only extends until July, the rate of offenses against transit users per one million boardings has decreased from 2.7 to 1.5 over those seven months.
However, the data regarding the number of reported offenses committed against TTC workers has remained steady since January.
Last winter, Toronto’s transit system experienced a series of seemingly random violent incidents, prompting the city to increase police presence and enforcement. A Nanos survey commissioned by CTV News in February revealed that approximately 71% of Ontarians felt less safe or somewhat less safe using public transportation than they did in 2022.
Green emphasized the importance of police patrols within the transit system and the availability of mental health support services.
“It gets into the winter months, and we have to look at things like accommodating people who don’t have places to stay who are using the TTC… they need proper shelter and support, but we’re going to do our part to make sure that people are accommodated as best we can,” Green said. “So really, it’s an all hands-on-deck approach.”
The TTC plans to release a report to its board next week outlining tangible measures the transit network can take to enhance safety and security in preparation for winter.
