As reports of transit-related incidents and collisions continue in Brampton, transit safety has become a growing concern for riders using the city’s bus system, particularly at terminals and during late-night service.
Numbers provided by Brampton Transit show that Brampton Transit buses were involved in more than 400 collisions last year. By comparison, Mississauga’s MiWay system reported nearly 200 bus collisions during the same period, based on MiWay’s own data.
Peel Regional Police data also show that public transit environments can be vulnerable to crime. Police have reported violent incidents connected to transit spaces, including a recent stabbing near a transit location. Police documents note that transit terminals and high-traffic corridors often generate calls for service due to high volumes of riders and open-access environments.
The City of Brampton links transit safety to its broader Vision Zero strategy. According to the city’s Road Safety program, Vision Zero is a policy framework aimed at eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries while improving safety for all road users. City materials state that while Vision Zero focuses primarily on road safety, its principles also inform transit operations and passenger safety.
Christine Hamilton, who has been a transit operator for nearly a decade with the City of Brampton, said Brampton Transit has systems in place to address safety concerns on buses and at terminals. “Operators are trained to report incidents immediately through transit control, and riders also have access to tools like the BT Safe app,” Hamilton said.
The BT Safe app, operated by the City of Brampton, allows passengers to submit discreet safety reports directly to transit control. The city also runs its “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something” campaign, encouraging riders to report suspicious activity to staff or through official reporting channels.
Robby Durbajhai, a transit supervisor who has worked with Brampton Transit for several years, said incidents are reviewed when reported. “When something happens, supervisors and transit control respond, and police are contacted if necessary,” Durbajhai said. He added that drivers cannot always see everything happening on board while operating a bus.
Despite these measures, some riders say they continue to feel unsafe while using the system.
Several Brampton Transit riders interviewed at the Brampton Gateway Terminal at Shoppers World Mall described concerns about personal safety, particularly during evening hours. One rider said people who appear to be under the influence sometimes board buses through the rear doors without paying. “Drivers don’t do anything about it, and you’re just sitting there paranoid, worrying for your safety,” the rider said.
Other riders said they were unaware of the BT Safe app and unsure how to report concerns in real time, raising questions about how effectively transit safety programs are communicated to passengers.
As Brampton Transit continues to expand alongside the city’s growing population, riders and officials alike say the effectiveness of existing safety measures will remain under scrutiny.