Office of the Chief Executive

On December 17, the TTC, our Unions and the City of Toronto will recognize Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day. The day brings attention to the abuse and assault that transit workers, including TTC employees, face every day on the job.

While we have seen a significant decrease in reported offences since January 2023 – a reduction of 41 per cent – even one assault is one too many. We know work is still needed to enhance safety across the transit system.

This past year, the TTC took numerous steps to help protect and support our frontline workers, including:

• De-escalation training for more than 9,000 frontline employees in total.

• A Trauma Assist Program to provide counselling support for employees who have experienced a traumatic event.

• Installation of extended protective barriers on TTC buses.

• Maintaining the support provided by 50 security guards and continuing recruitment of Special Constables.

• Improving high-visibility presence and incident management, including an additional 130 Customer Service Agents and 30 Supervisors at key locations, and an enhanced partnership with City of Toronto social supports.

• Our continued partnership with unions and Joint Health and Safety Committees on assault prevention.

• Co-ordinating proactive site visits by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development focused on workplace violence.

• Supporting amendments to the Criminal Code to include all public transit workers, with the Act receiving its first reading this year.

This builds on already-existing programs, such as video surveillance on all vehicles and in stations, radio and non-audio equipment on all vehicles to call for help, customer campaigns focusing on respecting TTC employees, trauma supports, as well as an established Court Advocacy Program to support criminal prosecution of those charged with criminal acts against employees.

We continue to develop solutions to build an environment where employees can feel safe. Please know that we take all instances of physical abuse, harassment and threats seriously, and we work with police and the courts to prosecute to the full extent of the law.

The safety of our employees and customers is always our top concern and we will never waver from that. Every day, you show tremendous dedication and skill to keep Toronto moving – and you deserve to feel safe while doing so.

Final weekend for Stuff-the-Bus
​A reminder that this is the final weekend for the Stuff-the-Bus toy drive. Our last stop will be at the Agincourt Mall Walmart, 3850 Sheppard Ave. E., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Crush loads of toys have already been collected thanks to assistance from Toronto Police, Local 113, and our participating stores and shopping malls. Thank you all for sharing the holiday spirit!

Have a safe day.

Greg Percy
​Chief Executive Officer
​December 13, 2024