Safety

Will candidates commit to a safe TTC for all?

While violence and offence rates on the TTC have declined, and fewer complaints are being made, public perception of safety has not caught up with these trends. We often hear from riders that they continue to view the TTC as an unsafe environment, and it's often mentioned as a real barrier to taking transit more often.

That said, TTCriders believe that improving safety must include non-enforcement as the default response. We hear again and again that the increased presence of police, fare inspectors, and special constables do not make many people feel safer, while raising concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and who is disproportionately targeted or overrepresented in these interactions, particularly Black, Indigenous, unhoused, and other vulnerable riders.

In contrast, riders have identified community ambassadors, Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), and greater visibility of TTC staff as actions that make them feel safer. For many riders, however, safety is also about having the infrastructure and conditions to protect themselves in the first place: better lighting in dark and isolated areas, more frequent service, safer places to wait and take shelter, and a TTC environment designed around care, accessibility, and dignity. The TTC needs to be safe for everyone, as everyone has a right to use it, and everyone deserves to be approached with compassion, prevention, and resources. Here's what we asked candidates:

16. Will you support continued expansion of the Toronto Community Crisis Service throughout the TTC network?

The Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) provides a non-police response to people experiencing mental health crises, connecting them with trained crisis workers who can provide de-escalation, harm reduction, crisis intervention and connections to community supports. Following a pilot in downtown subway stations, this care-centred approach is set to expand to all subway stations in 2027, giving the TTC another option for responding to people in crisis without relying solely on police or enforcement.

Keenan Courtis	Yes
Terri Hawkes	No response
Mike Layton	Yes
Karina Lemke	No response
Alice Li	Yes
Huy Lieu	No response
Gian Pileri	Yes
Paul Viret	Yes
Diana Yoon	Yes

17. Will you work towards installing platform edge doors across the subway system, starting with installation at busy stations like Bloor-Yonge Station this term?

Platform edge doors separate people and other debris from track level, keeping riders safe and service reliable. This means an 85% reduction in service interruptions, and countless lives saved. Cities around the world have installed platform edge doors in their existing subway systems, now it’s Toronto’s turn.

Keenan Courtis	Yes
Terri Hawkes	No response
Mike Layton	Yes
Karina Lemke	No response
Alice Li	Yes
Huy Lieu	No response
Gian Pileri	Yes
Paul Viret	Yes
Diana Yoon	Yes

18. Will you commit to more upstream solutions, such as more shelters, affordable, deeply affordable and supportive housing so Torontonians never have to choose the TTC as a safe place to sleep?

Keenan Courtis	Yes
Terri Hawkes	No response
Mike Layton	Yes
Karina Lemke	No response
Alice Li	Yes
Huy Lieu	No response
Gian Pileri	Yes
Paul Viret	Yes
Diana Yoon	Yes

Some candidates offered extra comments about their position on TTC safety:

Keenan Courtis

"Ultimately, TTC safety issues will require greater funding for beds and care for Toronto's unhoused population. Until then, the only control we have is the response to crises when they happen."

Alice Li

"Responses should not be interpreted as blanket positions.

We support expanding TCCS across the TTC network, but it should be part of a balanced safety approach, not a replacement for police or other emergency services. Different situations require different responses.

We support platform-edge doors, but the rapidly increasing projected costs require further scrutiny. As a CPA, CA with experience in finance, audit, and compliance, I believe the contractors and cost drivers should be carefully reviewed to ensure value for taxpayers. Safety investments must be balanced against other urgent City priorities.

Affordability and homelessness are broader systemic issues that extend beyond transit and Toronto. Addressing them requires coordinated action and collaboration across municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

We recognize that some of the topics outlined above fall outside the direct jurisdiction of a Ward 11 Councillor or extend beyond transit policy."

Gian Pileri

"Everyone should be able to use and work on the TTC safely and with dignity. I support expanding the Toronto Community Crisis Service so trained teams can respond to non-violent mental health crises and connect people with ongoing care. I also support visible, approachable TTC staff and special constables, consistent enforcement against harassment and dangerous behaviour, and prompt police response to violence and serious threats. Responses must be proportionate and free from discrimination. Better lighting, clean stations, frequent service and reliable ways to get help should be everyday standards. I support platform edge doors, prioritizing busy stations such as Bloor-Yonge, and would push to begin installation this term with a funded, technically sound plan. I would also support more shelter spaces, deeply affordable and supportive housing, and access to mental health and addiction care, so people have safe places to live and receive support."