TTC launching campaign to keep people from going on tracks to retrieve dropped belongings

The TTC is launching a campaign to remind people that retrieving dropped items on the tracks isn’t worth the risk of losing life or limbs.

In 2018, the transit commission said there were 110 incidents of trespassing on its tracks. Added up, the delays caused from the people hopping off the platform caused more than a full day of delays.

“You may not see it as significant,” said TTC spokesperson Hayley Waldman. “But you’re potentially causing a backlog for several trains behind you.”

Each time someone is spotted on the tracks, Waldman said, the third rail needs to be powered down. She said that more than 26 hours of transit time was wasted in 2018 as a result.

People using transit will soon begin to see posters reminding them that retrieving lost items isn’t worth the gamble.

“Your phone is not worth your life” reads the ad telling people to speak to staff if they need help getting something back.

Waldman said it could take a little time, but there are staff members who are trained to get down to track level.

The hope is the campaign will do enough to help convince people who aren’t already deterred by the potential $5,000 fine for trespassing.