Toronto police say a TTC employee was stabbed multiple times Wednesday after a fare dispute.
The incident happened shortly before 1 p.m. in the area of Keele Street and Gulliver Road, which is south of Lawrence Avenue West.
“The victim of this incident was a TTC driver who was stabbed as a result of what the investigation has revealed so far was a fare dispute,” Duty Insp. Richard Harris said.
“The TTC driver became in a dispute with four to five individuals.”
Harris said the victim, a man in his early 50s, was stabbed in his torso and shoulder area.
His injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
Toronto paramedics confirmed to Global News the man was taken to a trauma centre with serious injuries.
Harris said officers responded to the scene as a result of a panic alarm being activated and then discovered there had been a stabbing.
He said the dispute began on the bus and the driver then stopped the vehicle. The stabbing occurred outside of the bus, he said.
Harris said the “individual who committed the stabbing is a young male,” around 16 or 17 years old. He was described as wearing dark clothing and had his hair in braids.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a southern direction.
Harris said officers were searching the area following the incident, working to download security footage from the bus, and speaking with witnesses.
“We have had some great co-operation from witnesses and we’re still continuing to seek further information from anybody that was in the area at the time and witness interviews are still ongoing as we speak,” he said.
“Rest assured, the members of 12 Division and all the available assets are working on this diligently and hopefully we’ll be able to bring this to a successful conclusion in short order.”
Harris said passengers were on the bus when the stabbing occurred.
TTC COO Jim Ross said the victim has been employed with the transit agency for more than 20 years.
“We take safety very seriously and the safety of our employees very seriously at the TTC and it’s troubling,” he said.
“I’m sure all of our employees are thinking the same thing that I am right now, and that we’re thinking the best for our operator and hopefully a speedy recovery. We’re just on scene now to do whatever we can to support Toronto police in their investigation and hopefully they’re able to conclude it and make an arrest soon.”
TTC CEO Rick Leary said in a statement that he was at the hospital all afternoon along with ATU Local 113 president Marvin Alfred and spoke with the victim and his family.
“The safety of our employees and the safety of our customers is the most important thing to me,” Leary said.
“We believe that everyone should be able to do their job without fear of violence and we are working closely with Toronto Police Services who continue to investigate this incident. We wish our colleague a fast and full recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family during this time.”
The stabbing comes just one week after police say a 46-year-old TTC employee was stabbed twice in the back at Dupont Station following an altercation.
A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with that incident.
ATU Local 113, which represents nearly 12,000 TTC workers, said the “violence can no longer continue.”
“We need more protection now to ensure the safety of our members,” a tweet from the union read in part.
Alfred also released a statement calling for “a transit worker protection plan that will stop violent assaults against workers.”
“This should include increased enforcement and penalties for these unacceptable actions,” Alfred said.
“This violence cannot continue, and we need more protection immediately to ensure our safety … Daily assaults of TTC workers, including two stabbings over the past week, cannot be condoned or tolerated. TTC management and the City of Toronto must make changes to better protect the safety of our members.”
Alfred said before Wednesday’s stabbing, he spoke with Leary and Toronto Mayor John Tory about safety matters.
Alfred said he plans to meet with Leary again in the coming days.
In a post on Twitter, Tory condemned the stabbing and noted that he had discussions this week with the union about enhancing safety for TTC operators.
“I look forward to actively pursuing this matter with them and with TTC CEO Rick Leary,” he said.