Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie has pledged to install platform edge doors across all TTC subway stations if elected premier, a safety measure that has long been discussed but carries a potential price tag of $4.1 billion.
Speaking at Kennedy Station on Line 2 on Friday, Crombie emphasized the need for enhanced safety in Toronto’s subway system, pointing to rising incidents of violence and concerns over vulnerable individuals using stations as shelters.
“Over a million people ride the TTC every day, and for myself and others, there are times when you just don’t feel safe,” Crombie said. “If $4.1 billion is the price of safety, then so be it.”
Gradual Rollout in High-Traffic Stations
While acknowledging the high costs involved, Crombie suggested that installation would be phased in, prioritizing busiest transit hubs such as:
- Bloor-Yonge Station
- St. George Station
- Kennedy Station
Platform edge doors—already included in Bloor-Yonge Station’s planned upgrade—are designed to prevent track-level incidents, suicides, and accidental falls, while also reducing subway delays caused by trespassing.
In addition to physical safety barriers, Crombie also committed to hiring 300 new special constables across provincial transit agencies, including:
- TTC (Toronto)
- OC Transpo (Ottawa)
- Metrolinx (GO Transit, UP Express, and LRT systems)
She stated that these personnel would help deter crime and ensure rider safety across Ontario’s transit networks.
Crombie confirmed she has not yet spoken with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow about the initiative but plans to meet with her to discuss transit safety and other policy ideas.
The promise to install platform edge doors and expand transit security forces positions transit safety as a key issue in Crombie’s campaign ahead of the 2025 Ontario provincial election.