7 Tips for Safer Public Transit

Many of our students travel by public transit – the TTC, and GO transit – and have questions around practical ways to travel safely. 

From time to time, people who use public transit can fall victim to some form of violent assault.  These can range from verbal assaults to being mugged, beaten, or worse.  In October a Toronto Star article addressed the issue of sexual assaults on the TTC.
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/31/sobering-new-ttc-sex-assault-numbers-released.html
    

Here are 7 tips for traveling safely.

• Assaults can happen even in the presence of other commuters.
• Avoid wearing headphones.  They undermine your awareness. 
• Be aware of the people around you. 
• Be discreet about valuables (cash, credit cards, iPads)
• Be discreet about personal information (home address, hotel information if you are traveling, etc)
• If someone is making you feel uncomfortable avoid getting off at the same stop.
• If you are being harassed inform the driver, or other Transit staff. 

Also, if you are taking self-defense classes (or plan to do so) ask your instructor to offer scenario training (i.e. what to do if someone tries to hit you while you are sitting on the subway). 

Travel safe.  

Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, Owner
International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), Toronto
Ikmftoronto.com