Progress is being made on a new safety project at TMU Station, but opinions are split over the effectiveness of the steel barriers being put in place.
Toronto-St. Paul’s Councillor Josh Matlow and mayoral candidate Brad Bradford have voiced their skepticism about the waist-high barriers, calling for more robust safety measures. Matlow emphasized on social media that “Toronto can and must do better,” while Bradford criticized the barriers as inadequate for preventing accidents.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) plans to install these barriers, featuring gaps between them, by the end of September at TMU and eventually at 10 other high-priority stations. The estimated cost of each station’s barrier installation is around $2 million, with the design, fabrication, and installation being managed by TTC personnel.
Matlow and Bradford advocate for the installation of Platform Edge Doors (PEDs) instead, despite the significantly higher cost of approximately $50 million per station, as reported by the City. While PEDs are recognized as the safest option, the financial and logistical challenges associated with them pose a barrier to their implementation.
The push for enhanced safety measures comes in response to incidents such as individuals being pushed onto the tracks, leading to concerns about rider safety and significant delays. TTC CEO Mandeep Lali has emphasized that the new barriers, along with Artificial Intelligence technology, will contribute to a safer environment for commuters.
