Protecting the Front Line: TTC Workers Deserve Safety and Respect

Transit workers are more than employees — they are the familiar faces who open bus doors each morning, announce the stops on our commute, and get us home when the city sleeps. For thousands of riders, TTC operators, station staff, and maintenance crews are part of Toronto’s daily rhythm. In many ways, they’ve become part of our extended family.

But lately, that family has been under threat.

Across the TTC, workers are being harassed, threatened, and assaulted simply for doing their jobs. From drivers being spat on to station staff facing verbal abuse, the rise in violence has left too many workers feeling unsafe and unsupported. These are not isolated incidents — they’re happening far too often.

1. The Wake-Up Call: When a Strike Was on the Table
Earlier this year, the city held its breath as TTC workers came close to striking. For a moment, the city paused — and people truly felt it. Social media lit up with concerns, and conversations on buses and subways turned to "What if the TTC shuts down?" It was a rare moment of clarity: when people realized just how essential these workers are, and how much their absence would disrupt lives. That tension revealed the truth — Toronto does care, and TTC workers matter more than they’re often told.

2. Abuse Is Not Part of the Job
Transit workers deserve to feel safe. No one should go to work fearing violence. There needs to be a firm, enforced zero-tolerance policy for assault or harassment against TTC employees. Clear signage, station announcements, and campaigns should make it known: if you harm a worker, there are serious consequences.

3. Safety Infrastructure That Actually Works
Bus and streetcar operators need functioning protective barriers and panic buttons that lead to immediate help. More uniformed staff and transit security officers on platforms and vehicles can deter threats and make workers feel less alone.

4. Mental Health and De-Escalation Tools
Many incidents involve vulnerable individuals in crisis. TTC workers should have access to optional training in conflict resolution and mental health response, along with immediate backup when things escalate. After any incident, emotional and psychological support must be available — no one should be told to just "move on."

5. A Culture of Respect
If we really think of TTC workers as family, we need to treat them like it. That means thanking them, yes — but also standing up for them, reporting abuse when we see it, and reminding each other that these workers are human. They have kids, parents, bills, and stress like anyone else. They’re part of our communities. They are our communities.