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The TTC has its own special constables and fare inspectors, though Chow said the crisis teams will have more specialized training to respond to people in crisis, and be able to direct those in need of shelter to the appropriate supports.

Safety on the TTC has long been a concern of riders after a spate of violent incidents across the transit system as ridership returned post-pandemic — though data shows violence on transit has since eased. After initially opting for an increased police presence on the transit system last year, the TTC created “community safety ambassadors” who perform wellness checks across the system.

The community-led program that the mayor hopes to expand to the city’s transit system, which began as a pilot in March 2022, has been operating citywide for eight months.

Prior to the pilot, police handled all mental health crisis calls and wellness checks, an approach that has long faced criticism after the deaths and injury of people in distress.

Since the first year of the pilot that started in March 2022, Toronto’s community crisis response service (TCCS) has responded to more than 25,000 calls, directing people to mental health, shelter and violence prevention supports.

Nearly half, 49 per cent, of the calls were received on the TCCS’s dedicated 211 line. 

When staff receive a call — either through 211 or calls redirected by police — a team of two crisis workers heads to the scene by car, usually responding within 18 minutes, on average, and longer in rush hour.