TTC streetcar safety pilot deploys cameras to catch illegal passers

The TTC has deployed cameras on four of its streetcars to measure how often drivers illegally pass open doors — marking the first step toward automated enforcement after a decade-long push for the technology.

The nine-month pilot began Monday, July 20, equipping vehicles on the 501 Queen, 506 Carlton, 504 King, 511 Bathurst, and 505 Dundas routes with automated cameras made by B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems. The cameras will gather data on compliance but won't issue tickets during this test phase.

The effort comes nearly 10 years after the TTC Board sought changes to Ontario's Highway Traffic Act in 2017 to enable automated enforcement. Those changes came into effect in 2022, but the first streetcars have only now been equipped. "This pilot will provide valuable insights into the extent of this problem and provide us with the data we need to make informed decisions about a broader rollout and enforcement," said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali.

The underlying issue is persistent: between 2014 and 2024, 141 people were struck by vehicles passing open streetcar doors. Drivers who pass open doors face a fine of up to $183.25 plus three demerit points under current Ontario law.

Mayor Olivia Chow called the pilot "an important step toward reducing dangerous driving behaviours, protecting TTC customers, and making our streets safer for all road users."