The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has removed “homeless” from a list of safety concerns riders can report.
On Tuesday, the TTC announced it launched new forms of communication for customers that need to report safety concerns. In addition to its safety app, riders can now text their concerns to 647-496-1940 or fill out a web form.
READ MORE: TTC introduces new safety reporting options for riders
However, the city’s transit agency has since received flack for having “homeless” listed as one of the safety problems riders could report.
“How exactly is being ‘homeless’ a safety concern to me as a passenger @TTChelps ?,” one person tweeted.
The TTC responded to that tweet saying the language used in their app has been there since the app launched in 2017.
“…(It) was intended to give customers the opportunity to advise the TTC of someone experiencing homelessness and in distress, which in turn would allow us to compassionately address each situation,” TTC Media Relations said in a tweet on Thursday.
“As some have recently expressed confusion about this, we are in the process of clarifying the reporting language on the app. The TTC will never ask those using the system for shelter to leave unless there are immediate health or safety concerns for that individual or others,” the TTC said in a second tweet.
Some Twitter users responded saying there is no confusion, but that “homeless” should have never been included in safety issues for riders to report.
As of Friday morning, “homeless” is no longer listed in the categories of safety concerns riders can report on the TTC’s website and app.
