Toronto transit safety plan calls for more Special Constables

Toronto transit safety has come under fire as City Councillor Brad Bradford urges a shift toward New York City’s security model to address growing rider concerns. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Bradford recently spoke about a friend’s experience in New York, where Special Constables were present on every platform and train. He believes Toronto must reach that level of visibility to restore public confidence.

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A viral post on X described a disturbing subway encounter in Toronto involving a homeless man threatening a baby, with no security in sight. Bradford reposted the message, stating the situation reflects a widespread feeling of insecurity among riders.

He emphasized the need for more than just information agents. “Toronto transit safety requires real enforcement—not just passive staff with no authority to handle violence or fare evasion,” he said.

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TTC spokesperson Stuart Green said the agency couldn’t verify the social media report but emphasized that safety remains a top concern. Over the last five years, TTC has invested tens of millions in safety upgrades, including intercoms, surveillance, Special Constables, and crisis response teams.

Bradford acknowledged those efforts but stressed they aren’t enough. He hears from residents every day who feel unsafe due to open drug use, erratic behavior, and visible signs of decay in TTC vehicles and stations.

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Although incident rates have declined recently, Bradford argues that the perception of safety is still low. He believes that hiring more Special Constables would be a better use of public funds than staffing 200 transit information agents, a move made by Mayor Olivia Chow.

He also criticized the TTC’s $130 million in fare evasion losses last year, suggesting that money could fund security enhancements instead.

Bradford didn’t propose an exact number of new hires, but said a “heavy presence” like in New York is what’s needed to make riders feel safe again.

Source: torontosun.com

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