A video of a tiny insect on a TTC subway seat is going viral online and it’s got Toronto residents calling for the transit system to install plastic seats.
@itsme_g8 Uhhh hello?🗿 #bedbuginfestation #ttc #toronto #bedbugs ♬ Oh my god what is that – Funny memes
If you live in the city, then you’re probably aware it has a major bed bug problem. In fact, earlier in March, the city was even ranked number one for being the bed buggiest city in Canada for 2022 by pest control company Orkin Canada.
Recently, more people have shed a light on this growing problem following the bed bug infestation that plagued Paris during Fashion Week earlier this month.
On Sunday, TikTok user @itsme_g8 posted a concerning video of an insect that appears to look like a bed bug, crawling on a TTC seat. The user says it happened on Line 1 around 2 p.m.. So far, the video has garnered over 400,000 views at time of publication.
In a statement to Now Toronto on Tuesday, the TTC admits it occasionally receives reports of bed bugs spotted throughout its system.
“Vehicles are cleaned every night, but from time to time we do learn of bedbugs getting onto the system. While not common on the TTC, this is something public transit agencies around the world have to deal with. Our hope is that if someone sees this they promptly report it so we can have the vehicle properly disinfected,” the statement read.
READ MORE: Toronto ranked the top bedbug basin in Canada
REACTION TO TTC PEST
In the comments, some users were shocked and disgusted, while others were unsurprised because they know this is a recurring issue in the city.
“Toronto’s had bed bugs for yeaarssss same with Hamilton,” one comment read.
“There’s always been bedbugs in Toronto… one of the worst cities for it actually,” another comment said.
Additionally, other users are debating what type of insect it is. Though the video owner identified it as a bed bug in their caption, others say it might actually be lice.
“That’s a lice. I’m not gonna sit on the chairs anymore after this,” one user said.
“Y’all commenting ‘it’s lice’ LIKE THAT’S BETTER?!?? I’m not sitting on the TTC ever again,” another user wrote.
As a result, people are now calling the TTC to bring back orange plastic seats on its subways and get rid of the cloth fabric chairs immediately.
“Petition to install plastic seats” one comment said.
“Why any city has UPHOLSTERED public transit seats is beyond me,” another comment wrote.
