Safety tips

In addition to all the Your Safety Partner features on the TTC, there are steps you can take to help make every trip a safe one.

Take Care When Walking to or from a TTC Stop

• Walk with confidence and be alert to your surroundings.
• Avoid taking short cuts or walking in unlit areas.
• Be aware of places where you can get help on your route, like open stores, restaurants, and public telephones.

Parking

Our Special Constables have observed that when the parking lot is full, customers returning to the lot are being approached by strangers offering to drive them back to their vehicles so that they can take their parking spot. As you are aware, it is not safe to accept rides from strangers.

Auto Theft

Auto Theft is a serious crime that affects the whole community. To help reduce this problem, you should follow these practical steps:

• Lock it and pocket the key – the majority of stolen cars are unlocked, often with the keys in the ignition! Always lock your car and take the keys with you. Do not leave the vehicle running.
• Be careful of your keys – keep car keys and house keys on separate rings and never use an identification tag on your car key-ring. Do not hide an extra key on the outside of the car.
• Lock valuables in the trunk or glove compartment – do not leave your cheque book, credit cards or other such articles unattended.
• Park in well-lit and busy places – this is important for both your personal security and the protection of your car and its contents.
• Report suspicious cars and persons – call the police immediately if you suspect a theft has occurred or is about to occur.

Use "Request Stop" at Night

Women travelling alone on buses between 9:00pm and 5:00am can use the Request Stop program. Here's how it works:

• Request Stop allows a woman to get off the bus at locations between regular TTC stops.
• Tell the driver at least one TTC stop ahead of where you want to get off. The driver must be able to stop safely in order to meet your request.
• Leave the bus by the front doors. The rear doors will remain closed so that no one can follow you off the bus.
• Note: Request Stop is not available on streetcar routes.

How To Ruin a Pickpocket's Day

• Remain alert to what’s happening around you. Crowded places like bus stops, buses and subways provide opportunities for the pickpocket.
• Beware of loud arguments, bumps and other incidents. They may be staged to distract you while a thief lifts your wallet or handbag.
• Carry only what you need. Avoid carrying unnecessary cash, credit cards and documents in your wallet or handbag.
• Carry your wallet in a place other than your back pant pocket e.g. a front pocket.
• If you must carry a handbag, use one that closes tightly. Be sure to carry it close to your body with your hand over the closure.

Report It

If you are the victim of a crime, it is important that you immediately report it to a TTC employee, Transit Special Constable, or Toronto Police Officer. Try to provide detailed information about the incident such as suspect description, date, time, location and, if possible, TTC vehicle number.

Get on and off Buses and Streetcars Safely

• Never run for a bus or streetcar. You may slip and fall or be hit by a vehicle.
• At streetcar stops, look before you leave the sidewalk or get off the streetcar. Make sure all approaching traffic has stopped.
• When boarding or leaving vehicles, keep all bags, parcels and knapsacks clear of the doors. Carry these items in front of you so that they don't get caught in the doors as they close.
• Leave the bus or streetcar by the rear doors whenever possible (except when you ask for a Request Stop at night).
• To open the doors once the vehicle has stopped, stand on the top step. Stepping down to the second step will keep the doors open as you exit. Before stepping into the street, make sure all traffic has stopped.
• When travelling with small children, hold on to them as they leave the vehicle to keep them from stepping into traffic.
• Never walk directly in front of - or behind - a stopped streetcar or bus. Other drivers may not see you.
• Always obey traffic signals and cross the street at corners. Never run out in front of or behind a TTC vehicle. Wait until the bus or streetcar moves away before you step into the street so that you can clearly see other traffic.

Be careful on Stairs

• Walk, don't run.
• Hold the handrail.
• Keep to the right.
• If travelling with a mobility device or using a stroller, please use elevators.

Escalator Safety Steps

• Step on and off carefully.
• Hold the handrail.
• Stand facing forward.
• Carry parcels. Do not rest them on handrails.
• Don’t rush other passengers.
• If travelling with a mobility device, please use elevators..

Board and Exit Trains with Care

 

• While waiting on the platform, stand back of the yellow line. Stay behind the yellow safety tiles until the train has come to a complete stop in the station.
• When boarding or exiting the train, mind the gap between the train and the platform.
• When getting on subway/RT cars, listen for the door chimes and watch for the flashing orange light in the doorway. This is a warning that the doors are about to close. Do not try to board the train once the chimes have started ringing.
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• Do not try to force open the car doors. You could get hurt and you could damage the door mechanism, (which may prevent the train from proceeding).

Travel Safely

 

• Never go onto the subway/RT tracks. If you drop anything onto the tracks, get help from the Station Collector or any uniformed TTC employee.
• On subway/RT trains, never move from car to car through the doors at the ends of each car. These doors are for use only by TTC employees and in emergencies.
• Never lean against train doors.
• On buses and streetcars, never stick your arm or head out of a window.
• Stand behind the white line on the floor at the front of buses and streetcars so that the driver has a clear view of the doorway and the vehicle's mirrors.
• Do not block vehicle doors. Someone may trip over you or your belongings.

Student safety

Every year, a number of students get injured on the TTC. To make sure you're not one of them, here are a few tips you should keep in mind.

• Keep your knapsacks and gym bags in front of you when getting on or off TTC vehicles. You see, knapsacks and gym bags have big, long straps that can easily get caught in doors and railings. The result - you could become a real drag.
• Keep your arms, legs, head and any other miscellaneous body parts inside all TTC vehicles. Windows are for keeping cool, not for seeing if hitting solid objects while traveling at high speeds really hurts. Watch out - a lot of cars don't know you're getting off the streetcar in the middle of the street. It's gonna hurt if you become a hood ornament.
• Stand back on the subway platform! STAY OFF the yellow line - you can't miss it, it's supposed to be on the floor in front of you.
• Please travel only in the direction the escalators are moving. They're not your personal stair-master. Also watch out for loose straps, clothing or anything that might get caught. And when you're feeling lazy, keep to the right and let the escalator do the work.