One-Quarter of Canadians Do Not Feel Safe Riding Public Transit, Rising to 44 Percent for Toronto Residents: Survey

Police cars surround a TTC streetcar on Spadina Ave. in Toronto on Jan. 24, 2023, after a stabbing incident. The Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey

After a series of violent attacks on Toronto’s public transit system, a new poll by Ipsos finds 44 percent of Toronto residents do not feel safe taking a bus alone.

About one-quarter, or 27 percent, of Canadians responded that they feel “unsafe taking public transit alone,” according to the poll released March 6, with 19 percent reporting they feel somewhat unsafe and 8 percent saying they felt very unsafe. Of those who responded to the survey, 75 percent said they felt safe if they were accompanied by friends or family, 40 percent said they felt somewhat safe, and 33 percent said they felt very safe.

While 45 percent of those surveyed had not changed their behaviour despite recent attacks, roughly three in 10 Canadians said they feel wary riding the bus or public train and are more alert and aware of their surroundings. When it comes to Toronto residents, 49 percent said they are being more careful.

“In fact, only 21 percent of Toronto residents haven’t changed their behavior at all when it comes to transit, underscoring the impact of recent news on their behavior,” said an Ipsos news release.

There have been several violent incidents in Toronto in recent months, including stabbings, a swarming attack, and teens with BB guns shooting at passengers at a York University subway station.

Ontario residents overall are more likely to have taken extra safety precautions while using public transit, at 24 percent, which is seven points higher than the national average.

With recent news about transit safety in Toronto, residents living in Toronto proper responded to the survey indicating they are taking more action to ensure their own safety.

“Residents of the 416 (44%) and the 905 (35%) are more likely than the average Canadian (27%) to say they feel unsafe taking public transit alone,” said Ipsos. “Residents of the 416 (25%) and 905 (18%) are more likely than the average Canadian (15%) to say they feel unsafe taking public transit even with friends or family present.”

Another two in 10 people, (19 percent) surveyed say they have avoided travelling at night, and a similar proportion, 17 percent, said they were taking “extra safety precautions” (e.g., not turning their back to anyone or carrying pepper spray).

Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, 18 percent said they were more likely to have changed their habits and avoid travelling alone, 32 percent avoid travelling at night, and 29 percent are more likely to be taking safety precautions.

Over half of Canadians surveyed, 55 percent, responded that recent acts of violence are part of a wider trend in Canada, and are not just isolated incidents.

The poll took place between Feb. 15 and 17 on behalf of Global News, and included 1,350 Canadians over 18. Of those surveyed, 500 individuals resided in the greater Toronto area.