A transit advocacy group has expressed cautious optimism regarding a new safety initiative announced for a downtown Toronto subway station. Mayor Olivia Chow revealed plans to install steel barriers at TMU station, aiming to prevent accidents involving riders falling or jumping onto the tracks. The pilot project is set to begin this year, with the possibility of expanding to four additional stations in the following year.
August Puranauth, a representative from the advocacy group TTCriders, acknowledged the importance of the safety measures but criticized them for not going far enough. He pointed out that although steel barriers can help mitigate some risks, they do not provide the comprehensive safety that platform edge doors could offer. These full-height barriers, which automatically open when a train arrives, have been discussed by the city and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for over a decade but have yet to be implemented.
The proposed steel barriers for TMU station will resemble those recently installed in New York City, featuring gaps for train doors and standing at a height roughly equal to the train windows. Puranauth highlighted the limitations of such barriers, noting that while they may reduce the likelihood of accidents akin to the incident at Bloor-Yonge station in 2022, they won't eliminate the risks entirely. He argued that platform edge doors would significantly enhance passenger safety and urged the city to consider this as a viable option.
A report detailing the installation of the steel barriers is scheduled to be reviewed by the TTC board next week. The document acknowledges that while platform edge doors provide the "highest level of safety," they also involve higher costs and complexity in implementation compared to steel barriers. Chow's announcement was accompanied by the introduction of an AI-assisted warning system that will utilize cameras to detect people on the tracks, providing a cost-effective and quick-to-implement safeguard in conjunction with the barriers.
A TTC study from the previous year estimated the cost of installing platform edge doors at approximately $44 million to $55 million for each station. However, these doors would also yield financial savings for the agency in the long run by preventing injuries and fatalities and minimizing passenger delays. In contrast, the currently proposed steel barriers are estimated to cost around $2 million per station, making them a more immediate solution in the eyes of the TTC board.
It's worth noting that last year, TTC representatives had recommended the installation of platform edge doors at TMU station. However, this recommendation was withdrawn due to concerns over costs, following a motion from TTC board chair, Councillor Jamaal Myers. TMU station, recognized for its high foot traffic and previous incidents involving individuals on the tracks, has now emerged as a priority for additional safety measures.
