It was just another evening for Briahna Morrell heading home to Oshawa on the GO train from Toronto. As the train left Union Station, she noticed an uncomfortable and constant stare from a man she didn’t know. After a long ride of trying to ignore him, it was finally her stop.
Heading off the train, she was aware the man was following her. Panicked, she began walking faster which soon turned into a run, in hopes of losing him. But he matched her pace, running after her.
“It made me feel so anxious, luckily I had someone waiting to pick me up,” said Morrell, 24.
In recent years, following a concerning increase in incidents of assault, harassment and other concerns, the safety of passengers on regional public GO trains has become an issue.
GO trains and buses carry over 70 million passengers a year in the Greater Toronto Area. However, this has become a place for violent and inappropriate behaviour, leaving many passengers feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
In the past month alone, two assaults have drawn the attention of the public. On November 11, 2024, two women were assaulted within hours of each other. One of the victims required hospitalization for the injuries from the attack. This is just the most recent incident.
The previous year, on October 29, 2023, a 33-year-old man, attacked another passenger with a heavy object, striking the victim in the face in a completely unprovoked attack. The police were able to identify this man but only after the assault took place and he got away.
In another incident on March 13, 2023, a man attempted to spark a conversation with another passenger then proceeded to sexually assault them.
These are a couple incidents out of many that have happened throughout the years. They are not anomalies but pieces of a larger puzzle—one that reveals a deeply ingrained pattern of violence that has plagued public transit.
While many violent incidents are reported, there are also many that go untold because people choose to remain silent about their own experiences out of fear and hopelessness.
In July of 2022, a 21-year-old female was harassed while she was waiting for the train but decided not to come forward and still wants to remain anonymous.
“I didn’t tell anyone because nothing would have changed, he didn’t assault me, he just harassed me,” she said.
In many cases, victims feel too intimidated or embarrassed to speak up. There have been many people who experience some form of harassment while traveling but never file complaints.
Transit authorities have made strides to address these issues. Metrolinx, the company in charge of operating GO Transit, aims to make the GO train a safe place for all but did not respond to requests for an interview.
On their website, they claim to be one of the safest transit systems in the world with security measures such as surveillance cameras and on-board staff.
As of January 31, 2023, passengers were able to communicate with the Customer Protective Services via text message through the Text-For–Help service. If immediate help is needed, passengers can text the word “HELP” to 77777 to communicate with a dispatcher.
While traveling on GO trains, there are a few tips to keep in mind that can help with staying safe. According to Tripsavvy, a travel site, keeping safety in mind and being alert is important. Keep belongings close at all times and travel lightly. Sit somewhere on the train with well lit lighting near other passengers. If any form of harassment is observed, report it right away.
“All I remember thinking was I hope someone comes down to witness incase anything were to happen to me,” said the 21-year-old who was harassed in July, 2022. “It was one of the scariest encounters I have experienced.”
The rising incidents of harassment and violence on GO trains highlight an urgent need for enhanced safety measures and greater awareness among passengers. While initiatives like the Text-For-Help service are steps in the right direction, the ongoing challenge is fostering a culture of accountability and security to ensure every passenger feels safe during their journey.