TORONTO: The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is preparing to launch a controversial pilot project that would see transit staff publicly call out disruptive passengers over the public address (PA) system in an effort to curb anti-social behavior on subway platforms.
The “Real-Time Announcements” initiative will initially be rolled out at Dundas and Union stations. The plan involves TTC staff monitoring CCTV footage and using the PA system to address passengers found to be breaking rules or harassing others.
TTC Chair Jamal Myers stated that the goal of the project is to deter disruptive activities by identifying and addressing individuals publicly. However, Myers was quick to add a crucial distinction: the public shaming measures will not target actions committed by individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health crises.
The new project has immediately faced strong criticism from advocacy groups and experts. Critics argue that publicly shaming individuals is not the appropriate way to handle people in vulnerable situations or those experiencing crises. Diana Chan McNally, a member of the Housing Rights Advisory Committee, suggested that this measure could undermine the TTC’s ongoing efforts to hire more crisis workers to assist vulnerable people.
Passengers have also expressed concerns, stating that calling out people over announcements could increase anxiety among the public and potentially escalate, rather than reduce, problematic behavior. Critics urge the TTC to hire more outreach workers instead of implementing public shaming tactics. A start date for the pilot project has not yet been announced.
