Shelagh Pizey-Allen, executive director of the advocacy group TTCriders, would like to see Toronto do something similar, rather than adding more police.
"We have been hearing loud and clear from Black and Indigenous and racialized transit users that special constables do not make them feel safe," she said.
"Having more supportive staff around, more presence, is important, but why not expand supportive staff roles," Pizey-Allen asked. "What about creating a welcoming staff role, someone you can go up to and ask for directions?"
For its part, in a statement to CBC News, the TTC says safety is one of its top priorities and acknowledges that increasing special constables, security, police presence and uniformed staff alone won't address the problem.
TTCriders advocate for revenue alternatives to increased fares and cuts to services. 
TTCriders speak out on improving safety on the TTC.
