GO Train and UP Express riders can now text 'HELP' for immediate assistance
A GO Transit train sits parked at the Niagara Falls Train Station, Friday, August 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tara Walton
GO Transit and UP Express riders can now text Metrolinx for help if they see any safety concerns on their commute.
In order to report an immediate concern, transit riders can text “HELP” to 77777, and a member of Metrolinx’s Customer Protective Services team will respond within 90 seconds. The team can also be reached by phone at 1-877-297-0642.
“Safety is at your fingertips,” Metrolinx’s flyer unveiling the new support system reads. “Help is a text away.”
In a news release issued Jan. 31, the transit agency says its team will dispatch support or local police services to address the safety concern if needed.
According to Metrolinx, the new service became available for use on Monday, and can be used trains and buses, stations, and bus loops with GO Transit and UP Express.
The transit agency notes video or images cannot be received through this service at this tim, and asks customers to send text-only concerns.
The announcement of the new text service comes as the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Toronto Police Service (TPS) deploy more staff and officers across the transit system daily. The additions are the result of a rash of violent attacks against TTC employees and passengers.
"The TTC must be safe for everyone – passengers and transit employees. We're continuing to work with the TTC, Toronto Police, and TTC union leadership to make sure we are immediately addressing safety concerns," Tory said in a statement on Jan. 27.
With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Upgrading Safe Third Country Agreement about reassuring Canadians: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he feels it is his role to see the Safe Third Country Agreement upgraded, in order to make sure Canadians can continue to have confidence in Canada's immigration system.
Here are the locations of the first 12 new Zellers stores
Zellers has opened the first of 25 new locations within Hudson's Bay stores across the country. The Canadian retail chain launched 12 stores in Ontario and Alberta Thursday, along with a new e-commerce website.
South Carolina's top accountant to resign after US$3.5-billion error
Embattled South Carolina Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom will resign next month after a US$3.5 billion accounting error in the year-end financial report he oversaw.
Via Rail revisiting inclusion policies after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa station
Via Rail says it is working to improve its diversity and inclusion policies after a Muslim man was told not to pray at the Ottawa train station.
RCMP arrest suspect in Montreal on terrorism allegations after tip from FBI
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested an 18-year-old man from the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal on Thursday morning in connection with allegations of terrorism.
Largest recorded Alberta earthquake not natural, from oilsands wastewater: study
The largest recorded earthquake in Alberta's history was not a natural event, but most likely caused by disposal of oilsands wastewater, new research has concluded.
Autism now more common among Black, Hispanic kids in U.S.
For the first time, autism is being diagnosed more frequently in Black and Hispanic children than in white kids in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Chicago Blackhawks won't wear Pride jerseys, cite Russian law
At least one National Hockey League team with a Russian player has decided against wearing special warmup jerseys to commemorate Pride night, citing an anti-gay Kremlin law that could imperil Russian athletes when they return home.
Manhattan DA rejects GOP demand for info on Trump case
The Manhattan district attorney investigating Donald Trump rebuffed U.S. House Republicans' request Thursday for documents and testimony about the case, dismissing it as an "unprecedented inquiry" with no legitimate basis.
Montreal
-
Friends trying to reassemble Camille Maheux's photography after death in Old Montreal fire
Friends of Camille Maheux are trying to assemble some of her life's work. The 76-year-old photographer was killed in the Old Montreal fire and her photographs and negatives were destroyed.
-
RCMP arrest suspect in Montreal on terrorism allegations after tip from FBI
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested an 18-year-old man from the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal on Thursday morning in connection with allegations of terrorism.
-
Negotiations underway to eliminate 'Roxham Roads' in Canada: source
Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could designate all 8,900 kilometres of their shared border as an official crossing under the Safe Third Country Agreement.
London
-
'Attempt to commit murder' charge laid after random stabbing
Charges have now been laid after a stabbing in London earlier this week. A 19-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after the incident happened on Tuesday.
-
Wonderland Road sees another multi-vehicle crash
Emergency crews on scene of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Oxford St W & Wonderland Rd N.
-
Zurich remembers doctor who cared for village for 50 years
For 50 years, Dr. Charles Wallace was Zurich’s doctor. He cared for generations of families, and saved many lives along the way, including Sherri Penn’s son, who needed Dr. Wallace’s help with a neo-natal infection just days after birth.
Kitchener
-
Welcome back Zellers: Cambridge location opens amid wave of nostalgia
The resurrection of Zellers is officially underway in Waterloo region with the Cambridge location opening its doors to a handful of eager fans who lined up ahead of the store's official reopening.
-
Suspicious fire at old bowling alley shuts down major road in Cambridge
A fire at the former Dickson Bowl in downtown Galt has shut down a portion of a major Cambridge road.
-
Peregrine falcons return to CTV Kitchener
Calling all falcon watchers! The peregrines have once again returned to CTV Kitchener’s nesting box, high above our studio on King Street West.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury murder trial nears conclusion, closing arguments Monday
The second-degree murder trial of Robert Steven Wright resumed briefly Thursday morning, with the defence formally wrapping up its case.
-
Canada’s top court rules evidence from unlawful spot check can be used in Northern Ont. impaired driving case
The Supreme Court of Canada has reinstated the impaired driving conviction of a northern Ontario man, despite agreeing that his rights were breached during his arrest.
-
Woman receives free gift, but signs contract for $7,000 vacuum cleaner
A Toronto woman said she received a free air purifier as an online promotion, but also signed up for a $7,000 vacuum cleaner in the process.
Ottawa
-
Via Rail revisiting inclusion policies after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa station
Via Rail says it is working to improve its diversity and inclusion policies after a Muslim man was told not to pray at the Ottawa train station.
-
Here's what you need to know about day one of President Biden's visit to Ottawa
Ottawa police and the city of Ottawa have warned residents and visitors will see an increased police presence across the downtown core on Thursday and Friday, and there will be "significant traffic and transit disruptions" during the visit.
-
Ottawa shoppers find deals, nostalgia at Zellers grand opening
Excitement and nostalgia brought shoppers to the grand opening of Zellers in Ottawa's Rideau Centre mall on Thursday morning.
Windsor
-
Active police investigation underway in Essex: OPP
Essex County OPP have launched an active investigation in Essex.
-
Car drives into downtown Windsor park, driver arrested
Windsor police say a driver is facing an impaired charge after driving into a downtown park, flattening a park bench.
-
Arson suspect sought after LaSalle house fire
LaSalle police are looking for a suspect in a house fire that was deemed intentionally set.
Barrie
-
Colleagues jumped into life-saving action when Midland councillor collapsed at town meeting
The quick thinking and immediate actions of two people are credited with possibly saving the life of a Midland councillor after he collapsed at a meeting Wednesday evening.
-
Canada-wide warrants issued for 2 new suspects in Elnaz Hajtamiri investigation
Investigators with York Regional Police issued Canada-wide warrants for two men who they say are involved in the Richmond Hill attack on Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri weeks before she was allegedly abducted.
-
Impaired driver sentenced to 5 years in jail for fatal hit-and-run in Bradford
A Bradford man has been sentenced to five years behind bars for his role in a deadly collision last summer.
Atlantic
-
N.S. government includes record-high health-care spending in 2023-24 budget
The Tim Houston PC government remains firm in their promise they'll fix the health-care system by spending more taxpayer money on health than any previous government before.
-
Snow and rain will continue into Thursday night for the Maritimes
The rate of snow and rain falling in the Maritimes will pick up late Thursday afternoon into evening as a weather system makes its way across the region.
-
'I've lost everything': Homeowners lose everything after rural Shepody, N.B. home destroyed by fire
A couple in Shepody, N.B., has lost everything after their home was destroyed by fire Wednesday afternoon.
Calgary
-
Bring on the nostalgia: Zellers celebrates grand re-opening in Calgary
Dozens of Calgarians lined up in excitement Thursday morning at Sunridge Mall to be among the first to experience the grand re-opening of Zellers.
-
Semi-truck crashes into overpass, closing 2 lanes of Deerfoot Trail
Two lanes of Calgary's Deerfoot Trail are closed to southbound traffic at 32 Avenue N.E. after a semi-truck hauling a excavator hit an overpass.
-
'Alberta's allure' attracting Canadians from coast-to-coast
As almost 40,000 people uprooted themselves from Ontario and moved to Alberta last year, the provincial government suggests the new population data is proof the 'Alberta is Calling' advertising campaign is working.
Winnipeg
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Council agrees to settlement for downtown Winnipeg Police headquarters lawsuits
Winnipeg City Council has agreed to settle two lawsuits the city brought forward related to cost overruns with the downtown Winnipeg police station project.
-
Winnipeg hospital says doctors are now helping sexual assault examination program
A Winnipeg hospital official says another nurse has resigned from a sexual assault examination program, and other health-care professionals are stepping in to fill the gap.
-
Winnipeg council votes to rename Bishop Grandin roadways
Winnipeg's city council has voted unanimously in favour of renaming several roadways currently named after a bishop remembered as one of the architects of the residential school system.
Vancouver
-
Woman suspected of ATM thefts in 2021 remains at large: Chilliwack RCMP
The suspect in a series of ATM thefts that happened 20 months ago in the Upper Fraser Valley remains at large, prompting a public appeal by Chilliwack RCMP.
-
Metro Vancouver rental market: RBC report warns of growing rental crunch
Anyone who has tried to rent a home in Metro Vancouver recently already knows just how challenging it can be to find an affordable place — and a new report suggests the situation will worsen in the coming years.
-
Mounties reveal identity of Surrey shooting victim, search for suspect vehicle
A 38-year-old man who recently moved to Surrey with his family has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting earlier this month.
Edmonton
-
Ballistics confirm link between Pizza Hut, Edmonton police shootings
Edmonton Police Service investigators believe the 16-year-old boy who fatally shot two EPS officers is the same person who seriously injured an employee in a shooting at a Pizza Hut restaurant.
-
Details of regimental funeral for Travis Jordan, Brett Ryan announced
Additional details have been released about the funeral for Constables Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan.
-
Alberta Court of Appeal hearing begins for Ontario man found guilty of manslaughter
The Alberta Court of Appeal is hearing arguments that an Ontario truck driver should be tried for a third time in the death of an Indigenous woman in 2011.