A new pilot program will see TTC officials call out transit riders for poor behaviour over the loudspeaker.
On Thursday, city officials unveiled a variety of new measures to make transit safer. Among the changes, a system which will see people violating rules on transit named and shamed for their behaviour.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board Chair and City Councillor Jamaal Myers explained that the pilot will begin at Dundas and Union stations, with staff using an audio-visual system to monitor and call out poor behaviour in real time.
“If someone is seen vandalizing TTC property, using drugs, or being aggressive to fellow passengers, they can be called out immediately through the station speakers,” Myers said on Thursday, adding that this reinforces the idea that safety and respect are everyone’s responsibility.
The system will then be gradually expanded to other stations, according to a report released earlier this week. It’s unclear which stations will be next.
TORONTONIANS UNSURE ABOUT NEW PILOT
Online, some people are in favour of the idea.
“Calling out antisocial behaviour is how communities used to police themselves from within. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen much anymore because people are afraid of being called a Karen or being assaulted,” one Reddit user said.
“This is a great way to embarrass those who deserve it without others having to get involved. Bring back public shaming.”
“It’s a low-cost solution worth a try. Years ago I called out a creep who was grabbing my butt and grinding against me on the subway, only to have someone tell me I shouldn’t have made a commotion in public so I am all in favour of this,” another person shared.
While others don’t have faith that it will work.
“This presumes the perpetrator is capable of feeling shame, remorse, or is of sound mind to understand the consequences of their actions,” one Redditor said.
“Will shaming people stop the behaviour or make it worse? Could work, but if it backfires, the other passengers will pay the price.”
IMPROVING SAFETY ON THE TTC
Myers said the new plan hinges on six pillars: collaboration, clear communication, active engagement, robust staff training, ongoing improvements to the system, and active data monitoring.
Additional measures in the new plan include the hiring of new frontline safety staff, including special constables and provincial offence officers, as well as outreach staff dedicated to community outreach and crisis intervention.
The new plan builds on the previous expansion of community safety resources on the system in 2023, which officials say are working. Officials say offences against riders are down 22 per cent since December 2022, while offences against TTC staff are down 38 per cent compared to numbers from January 2023. The transit system also reports that customer complaints about safety have dropped by 56 per cent since January 2023, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels.
Previous measures included the implementation of an additional 160 TTC staff and supervisors in stations and on platforms, the addition of 32,000 security cameras to monitor the system, and the launch of the Toronto Community Crisis Service pilot to support people experiencing mental health crises.
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The ramping up of safety measures on the TTC followed several violent incidents on transit that rocked the city in 2022, including several stabbings, and a woman being killed after she was set on fire aboard a bus.
