What to do in an emergency

TTC is Your Safety Partner

Every TTC employee is prepared to help you. These employees include drivers, train guards, Station Collectors, Transit Special Constables, supervisory personnel, and maintenance staff. They are easily identified by their uniform and TTC crest.

In Subway/RT Stations

If possible, tell the Station Collector immediately about any emergency. You can use the intercom in the Designated Waiting Area (DWA).
You can stop an escalator if someone falls or is caught. Push the red button at the top or bottom of the escalator.
You can turn the track power off if it is necessary in an emergency. For example, if a person has fallen to the tracks or someone is caught in the door of a car and the train starts moving, you should cut the track power. Go to the nearest Emergency Power Cut Cabinet. There is one at each end of every subway/RT platform; it is marked by a blue light. The instructions on the panel will show you how to cut the power to tracks in both directions.

Emergency Evacuation

Break glass If there is smoke or some other emergency on the system, you may have to leave the station or the train. Here's what to do:

Listen carefully for announcements and follow instructions.
Leave bicycles, strollers, and large parcels behind.
Offer to help elderly or disabled people and those with young children.
If you have to leave a train that has stopped between stations, follow instructions from the train crew.

Walk - don't run - between the rails. Stay away from the power rail (the one with the wooden board over it) because it is electrified. Watch the ground carefully so that you don't trip.

In an emergency, if you need to open the subway/RT doors, go to the doors with Emergency Door Opening Devices above them and follow the instructions.

On a Subway or RT Train

If a person is caught in the doors and the train starts moving, you can stop the train by using the Emergency Stop Device. This is located at the end of each subway/RT car where the driver's cab is. Pull down on the red handle; the train will stop immediately. Do not use this device to stop the train in a tunnel, except in extreme emergencies.
For other emergencies - fire, harassment, illness, accident, threats to passenger safety, and vandalism - use the Passenger Assistance Alarm (PAA).

On Buses or Streetcars

Bus alarm

All TTC buses and streetcars are equipped with a special communication system. In an emergency, drivers can call for help. They can also turn on an alarm to attract the attention of police or passersby. A bus driver can turn on flashing lights on the outside of the vehicle.
If you see a TTC vehicle with an alarm ringing or its lights flashing, call 911 from any phone and report what you see.