Part 4: Enforcement vs. Safety

🚍 Blog Post Part 4: Enforcement vs. Safety

Recently, I saw something on a bus that was unsettling. Four transit cops got on — two at the front, two at the back — checking everyone’s Compass cards. The bus had only a handful of people. It felt bizarre, almost like a scene from a foreign country. In that moment, I realized I didn’t recognize Canada anymore.

The system had been “ripped off” in some areas, so fare enforcement increased. But focusing resources on checking cards while overdoses, drug use, and vulnerable passengers go unaddressed creates a distorted sense of priorities. The people who really need help — students, seniors, Indigenous passengers, and anyone in distress — often get ignored, while the attention is on minor infractions.

This isn’t just about rules; it’s about where we place our collective attention. Transit should be safe and supportive, not intimidating or alienating. Enforcement without care for real safety creates a system where passengers feel watched but not protected.

We need to ask ourselves: are we protecting the public, or just enforcing rules? Safety requires action on emergencies, support for the vulnerable, and clear, compassionate communication — not just checking fares.