Metrolinx is warning passengers never to cross train tracks as a video of a large crowd of Toronto commuters doing just that goes viral.
The video, which was shared on Tuesday on Instagram, shows commuters on a packed Union GO platform crossing over the tracks to a less congested area.
A security guard can also be seen attempting to stop the crowds shouting, “Do not cross the tracks.”
Metrolinx, the agency that oversees GO Transit, told Now Toronto in an email statement that it is looking into the incident.
“Crossing tracks illegally can result in serious or fatal injury. Customers should never cross train tracks, anywhere at any time,” the statement said.
Footage of the incident has garnered substantial reaction online. Most people were critical of the design of the station, but put the onus on passengers to know better.
“As much as I disagree with their choices, this is just further proof that Union station is not properly designed and is far behind on its track-level reconfiguration, track decommissioning and platform widening. Not enough space and not enough stairwells,” one Reddit user wrote.
“Agreed, people are breaking the law, but the design of Union Station enabled this. The station is one giant bottleneck,” another person wrote.
“Absolutely. Last time I took a GO train to Union, two of the platform exits were closed so people flooded the narrow platform looking for an open exit. It felt very claustrophobic and dangerous,” someone else wrote.
Others suggested solutions including platform screen doors.
“People will always be stupid no matter what the design,” another Reddit user wrote.
Following the incident, Metrolinx is asking passengers to factor in the possibility of a busy station into their journeys.
“We ask customers to give themselves extra time to get to and from their platforms, use all available platform entrances and exits to reduce crowding and stand behind the yellow lines,” the statement concluded.
