Crisis workers will soon be stationed on TTC Line 1 subway platforms as part of a new safety pilot.
Officials say deployment will start as soon as Nov. 15 and that Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) staff will be embedded 24/7 at Spadina, Union, and Bloor-Yonge stations.
Transit users can access crisis workers through the SafeTTC app, speaking to TTC staff, or by calling 211.
According to a news release, TTC Special Constables received over 1,028 “Person in Crisis” calls in 2024.
Ottawa has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to help Toronto buy new subway trains for its aging fleet. Riders take a subway train on the TTC in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston The Toronto Transit Commission station in downtown Toronto, Saturday, April 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press)
Officials say crisis teams will work alongside TTC staff, Streets to Homes outreach, LOFT’s outreach team, safety ambassadors, security guards, and Toronto police.
How much will the project cost?
The project will cost $540,000 during the first year, and when fully annualized, it will be $1.8 million per year.
Mayor Chow noted that while the funding is not yet confirmed, she hopes City Council will support including it in the upcoming budget, emphasizing that making people feel safe is a high priority while riding the TTC.
Chow added that 78 per cent of mental health calls are solved without police involvement and that crisis workers will provide an enhanced presence during peak travel times.
“Transit needs to be safe and feel safe. Bringing crisis workers on to the platform as a resource for riders will help us respond to incidents faster and prevent them,” Chow said in a news release.
The City of Toronto said this program will help free up police officers.
Toronto City Council is expected to review the pilot in more detail at its Oct. 8 meeting.