Transit and Station Security Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Who keeps transit safe

A transit system is a busy public place that never stops moving. Many people share the job of keeping it safe, and each has different powers. Know who you can call and what each group does.

Role	Example	What they do
Transit police	Metro Vancouver Transit Police	The first dedicated transit police service in Canada; prevents crime, including Criminal Code offences, on the system
Special constables	TTC Special Constables (Toronto)	Enforce TTC bylaws, including fare evasion; work with Toronto Police
Peace officers	Calgary Transit peace officers	Patrol, check proof of payment, enforce transit bylaws, connect people with supports
Contract security guards	Guards at stations and terminals	Observe, deter and report; do the duties in their post orders

As a security guard, you are not a police officer. Your arrest powers are about the same as any private citizen's and come mainly from section 494 of the Criminal Code. You may also act for the property owner under trespass law. Duties like checking fares belong to you only if your post orders say so.

Lesson 2: Platform and track safety

Trains cannot swerve and need a long distance to stop. The track area is also dangerous because of electricity. The TTC warns that its subway power rail carries 600 volts, and even slight contact can kill. Light rail lines use overhead wires that are just as dangerous.

Stand back from the platform edge yourself, in a spot where riders can see you.
Keep riders behind the edge marking, especially when platforms are crowded.
Never go down to the tracks, and never let a rider go down for a dropped item. Get transit staff to help.
If a person is on the tracks, alert the control centre or use the platform intercom or help phone right away so trains can be stopped.
If someone falls on an escalator, press the escalator's emergency stop button, then help.

Warning: electricity
No entry for unauthorized persons

Lesson 3: Patrolling stations

Be visible and walk the whole station, not just the main hall. Problems are often in the quiet corners.

Area	What to look for
Platforms	Crowding, people too close to the edge, hazards
Stairwells and elevators	People in distress, damage, lights out
Washrooms	Medical emergencies, overdoses, damage
Emergency equipment	Help phones, intercoms, extinguishers and AEDs working and not blocked
Entrances and doors	Propped doors, people entering staff-only areas

Unattended items

Most unattended bags are lost property, but you cannot tell by looking. Do not touch, open or move it. Ask people nearby if it belongs to them, keep people back, note where it is, and report it to the control centre. Then follow your site's suspicious item procedure.

Ways to report

Call 911 whenever someone is in immediate danger. For non-urgent concerns, many systems have text lines. For example, Calgary Transit riders can text 74100, and Metro Vancouver Transit Police takes texts at 87.77.77.

Lesson 4: Riders who need help

Transit stations are warm, open and full of people, so they see every kind of human need. Treat every person with respect and put safety first.

People sheltering in stations: check that they are okay, explain any rules calmly, and share information about shelters or outreach services. Never remove a person's belongings.
People in a mental health crisis: speak calmly, listen, and give them space. The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline takes calls and texts 24 hours a day. Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger.
Riders with disabilities: if an elevator is out of service, help them find another accessible route and report the outage.
Lost children: keep the child with you in a safe, visible place and report it right away so the family can be found.

Overdose

Health Canada lists these signs of an opioid overdose: slow, weak or no breathing; blue or grey lips or nails; pinpoint pupils; choking, gurgling or snoring sounds; and not waking up when shaken or shouted at. Call 911, give naloxone if you have it, and stay with the person, because naloxone can wear off before the opioid does.

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects people who call for help at an overdose from charges for simple drug possession. It does not cover trafficking or outstanding warrants. Knowing this helps you encourage riders to call for help.

Lesson 5: Conflict, incidents and reports

Crowds, delays and close quarters can make tempers rise. If riders argue, use a calm voice, give them space, and call for help if it turns violent. Do not push between people or make threats.

Tension usually rises, peaks and falls. The earlier you step in calmly, the easier it is to settle.

Calm and trigger: a delay, a bump or a crowded car upsets someone.
Escalation: voices get louder. This is the best time to talk calmly and create space.
Crisis: a person may lose control. Keep your distance and call for help.
De-escalation: tension falls. Keep your voice low.
Recovery: people settle. Check that everyone is okay and write your notes.

If a person breaking station rules refuses to leave, stay calm and explain again. If they still refuse, call the people your post orders name, such as transit police, peace officers or local police. Never drag a person out or take their property.

Details that matter on transit

Route, bus or train number, and car number
Direction of travel and the next station
Exact time and place, such as the platform and the end of the train
Descriptions of the people involved and what they did

Cameras on vehicles and in stations keep footage for a limited time. Report the exact time and place quickly so the right footage can be found and saved.