Student safety
Taking the TTC is the fastest, most affordable way of travelling to many exciting destinations in the city. To ensure you have as smooth an experience as possible follow these safety tips as you travel.
- Stay behind the curb at bus and streetcar stops.
- Don't run alongside or in front of a bus or streetcar. It's always safer to wait for the next vehicle, which will be along soon.
- When getting on a bus or streetcar on the street, only cross at intersections or pedestrian crossings, obey all crossing signals and remain visible to vehicles while crossing the road.
- Be sure to check that traffic has stopped before exiting a streetcar.
- Stay behind the yellow line on the platform when waiting for a subway train.
- Never try to board or exit a vehicle when the doors are closing.
- Never go down onto the track for any reason. If you drop something, such as your cell phone, leave it and tell a Station Collector or any uniformed TTC employee. They will make arrangements to get it back for you.
What to do if you need help
If you need help at any point in your journey, here are some places you can go to or things you can do:
Go to the Designated Waiting Area (DWA): Every TTC station has a Designated Waiting Area (DWA) which is equipped with cameras, extra lighting and a telephone. They also have an assistance intercom with an emergency button which connects directly to TTC staff.
Push the yellow Emergency Alarm: Located above the windows inside every subway train is a yellow emergency strip. If something happens that needs emergency medical, fire or police services, press this strip.
Speak to a TTC employee: TTC employees can be easily identified by their uniform or TTC crest. Employees include:
- TTC Operators
- Station Collectors are visible at the main fare line of all stations on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth, and Line 4 Sheppard-Yonge and from Finch to Glencarin stations on Line 1 Yonge-University. They are there to verify payments and to help answer questions as needed.
- Supervisors oversee management of their assigned stations. They are highly visible in stations and stations platform during morning and afternoon rush hours. They provide customer service and are trained to de-escalate any issues that may arise.
- Mobile Supervisors move across the system in designated TTC vehicles, responding quickly to incidents and supporting the safe resumption of service after an incident happens. They also provide customer service and are trained to de-escalate issues.
- Special Constables help patrol the TTC system on foot, TTC trains and TTC-branded vehicles. They are responsible for the safety and security for customers, employees and property.
- Customer Service Agents are found at the main fare line at all Line 1 Yonge-University extensions from Vaughn Metropolitan Centre to Lawrence West stations. They are there to help answer any questions and provide help as needed.
- Maintenance staff such as janitors and service persons work at various stations at different times, day and night, ensuring the system is clean and clear.
Watch this video on tips for riding a TTC bus:
Watch this video on tips for riding a TTC streetcar:
Watch this video on tips for entering a TTC station and riding a subway: