TTC cracking down on drivers passing streetcars but there's a catch

Anyone who has commuted in downtown Toronto has likely experienced a car zipping past open streetcar doors, seemingly oblivious to the flashing red lights and warning signs.

Those pesky rule-breaking motorists can expect eventual comeuppance thanks to a new TTC pilot project launched on Monday that deploys cameras mounted on streetcars to catch illegal open-door passers.

The nine-month pilot project aimed at improving safety for TTC riders kicked off on Monday, July 20, equipping just four of the fleet's over 260 streetcars with automated cameras from B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems to catch drivers passing open doors on the 501 Queen, 506 Carlton, 504 King, 511 Bathurst, and 505 Dundas routes.

It's a big step towards actually curbing the problem of drivers speeding past open streetcar doors, but the TTC has stated that it won't actually be issuing tickets for drivers caught during the pilot program.

Instead, the test cameras will measure how often drivers illegally pass streetcar doors and assess the technology's capability for automated enforcement. 

TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali notes that the 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."

It's just the latest step in a drawn-out process that has been in motion for close to a decade. The TTC Board sought changes to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) in 2017 to enable automated enforcement, which came into effect in 2022. Now, nine years since the process was initiated, the first streetcars have finally been equipped with cameras.

Since the changes to HTA were proposed, TTC passengers boarding and exiting streetcars continue to face danger from motorists. In the decade from 2014 to 2024, 141 people were struck by drivers.

The current penalty for passing open streetcar doors under Ontario's HTA carries a fine of up to $183.25 plus three demerit points.

"No one should have to worry about their safety when getting on or off a streetcar," reads a statement from Mayor Olivia Chow. 

"This pilot is an important step toward reducing dangerous driving behaviours, protecting TTC customers, and making our streets safer for all road users," says Chow.