TORONTO (September 24, 2025) - Starting November 15, Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) crisis worker teams will be embedded on TTC subway platforms across the “U” on Line 1, between Spadina and Bloor-Yonge Station, and available 24/7. This pilot project is the latest of several investments that make the TTC safer.
“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,” said Mayor Chow. “Alongside more visible staff, more frequent service and ongoing partnership with the police, this initiative will help keep people safe. Better safety and better service is how we bring riders back, unclog our roads and get Toronto moving.”
Dedicated TCCS teams will be stationed at Spadina, Union and Bloor-Yonge Stations, and will respond to calls throughout the “U” with enhanced presence at peak times. Fully integrated and embedded with the TTC, riders can access TCCS through the SafeTTC app, by talking to TTC staff or calling 211.
TCCS crisis teams will work with existing teams on the TTC to amplify our holistic approach to TTC safety, including: TTC staff; Streets to Homes outreach staff; LOFT’s Multi-disciplinary Outreach Team that connects people to health and social services; Provincial Offence Officers; safety ambassadors; contract security guards; and the Toronto Police Service. contract security guards; and the Toronto Police Service.
Launched city-wide by Mayor Chow in 2024, the Toronto Community Crisis Service is Toronto's fourth emergency service, providing free, in-person mental health support from mobile crisis teams to Toronto residents 16 years of age or older 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mayor Chow will bring an item to the October 8 meeting of City Council that outlines this pilot project in greater detail.
Quotes:
“Safety is the foundation of good transit. With crisis workers now on our busiest platforms, we’re giving riders the confidence that help is always close by — making the TTC more reliable, faster, and welcoming for everyone. This is another step in rebuilding trust and bringing more riders back to transit.”
- Councillor Jamaal Myers, TTC Chair
“Safety is paramount to all we do at the TTC - the safety of our customers, our employees, and the communities we serve. If we want our ridership to grow, we need to make sure everyone feels safe and is safe while riding the TTC. We’re proud to be working closely with the City of Toronto on initiatives that make our transit system safer, more responsive and inclusive.”
- Mandeep S. Lali, TTC CEO
Background - Toronto Community Crisis Service TTC Pilot:
- Gerstein Crisis Centre will be the lead Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) partner, administering this pilot. Gerstein Crisis Centre is responsible for delivering TCCS services downtown. See here.
- In 2024, TTC Special Constables received over 1,028 “Person in Crisis” calls for service
- Adding TCCS crisis workers bolsters the range of high-visibility safety and social supports already working in the system, including:
- TTC staff and supervisors on platforms
- Special constables
- Provincial Offences Officers
- Contract Security Guards
- Streets to Homes homelessness outreach staff
- LOFT’s Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team
- Community Safety Ambassadors