Becoming a Streetwise Traveller

Public Transit

Buses and Streetcars

• Become familiar with the bus and streetcar schedules so you do not have to wait longer than necessary at a bus stop.
• While waiting, maintain an awareness of your surroundings.
• Do not fall asleep on the bus or streetcar.
• Always try to sit near the driver on a bus or streetcar. Try to find an aisle seat from which you can get up quickly.
• Hold onto your purse, briefcase, or packages to discourage thieves and so you won’t forget them.
• If someone bothers you verbally or physically, leave immediately and report it to the driver. Do not continue a conversation with someone who is harassing you. This is also true for the ‘friendly drunk’. Avoid him without necessarily being rude.
• Try to avoid isolated transit stops after dark. If you cannot, try to stand near a streetlight.
• If travelling by bus or streetcar at night, consider asking a family member or friend to pick you up at your destination stop. Alternatively, inform someone of your expected arrival time.
• If, upon leaving a bus or streetcar, you believe someone is following you, try to return to the vehicle or walk as quickly as possible to a nearby business, restaurant, or occupied house. Do not lead him to your residence.
• You may want to hire a cab to avoid the walk to or from the transit stop or subway station late at night. You may be able to share the costs with friends going the same direction. Ask the taxi driver to wait until you are safely through your front door.
• The Toronto Transit Commission has a policy called Request Stop. It is designed to increase the safety of women travelling late at night or very early in the morning. During the time between 9:00 P.M. (or when the streetlights come on, whichever is later) and 5:00 A.M., women may ask the bus driver to let them off between bus stops. The request should be made at least one transit stop prior to the location desired and can only be fulfilled if the driver can safely stop the vehicle there. Although this policy was initiated for women, if you are a vision impaired male and feel vulnerable you should ask the driver to allow you to access the policy.
• If you have a cell phone, always carry it with you. Be sure it is turned on and that you have the 911 emergency number programmed so you can access it with the touch of one button.

For more information on your personal safety while travelling on public transit, consult your Orientation and Mobility instructor.

Subways and Commuter Trains

• Remember, the subway driver is in the front car. The conductor who controls the opening and closing of the doors is in one of the other cars. You may be on a car without transit personnel...
• If a rowdy gang gets on your part of the train, do not wait around for trouble. Get off the train at the next station and board the next one.
• Always try to sit near a door so you can make your way to it quickly.
• While waiting for a train to arrive, be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not fall asleep on a subway train.
• Become familiar with commuter train schedules so you don’t have to wait longer than necessary.
• If you are required to pay a fare, have the proper change ready so you don’t display more money than is absolutely necessary. Use a separate change purse, if possible.
• If, upon leaving a train, you believe someone is following you, try to return to the vehicle or the station. Report your concern to transit personnel as soon as possible.
• Each subway car in Toronto has ‘emergency alarm strips’ on the wall above the windows. Become familiar with locating these strips and do not hesitate to use them if you feel you are in danger. These strips may be activated in cases of illness, vandalism, assault or another crime. The subway driver is alerted and will arrange for assistance at the next station.
• In Toronto, if you do not have a transit pass, which allows you to access automated station entrances, always carry a token with you. At automated entrances there may be no fare booth personnel and you will not want to leave that station to locate another entrance. At these automated entrances there is an intercom that allows you to speak to transit personnel located at another station entrance. Become familiar with where you may find these intercoms. They are not consistently located at all stations.
• The T.T.C. has established “Designated Waiting Areas” within the system. These areas are within view of transit personnel on turnstile levels and, on platform levels. They will indicate the place to wait in order to board a car where the driver or conductor is located.
• Become familiar with the Designated Waiting Areas on subway platforms. They have a closed circuit video link to the fare booth and an intercom that lets you communicate with T.T.C. personnel in an emergency.
• If you have a cell phone, always carry it with you. Be sure it is turned on and that you have the 911 emergency number programmed so you can access it with the touch of one button. Although cell phones may not work underground, you need to be able to access it as soon as possible.

For more information on your personal safety while travelling on public transit, consult your Orientation and Mobility Instructor.