Transit officials have issued an urgent safety warning after a concerning incident where a passenger attempted to board a moving train, putting both themselves and others at risk.
The incident, which occurred at 8:32 p.m. on January 21, showed an individual running alongside a departing train and grabbing hold of its closed doors as the vehicle began to move. Quick-acting crew members immediately halted the train, and fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or staff.
Safety Officials Emphasize Proper Platform Behavior
‘No exam, meeting, interview or appointment is worth putting yourself or others at risk,’ emphasized transit officials, urging passengers to remain behind the yellow safety line if they miss their train and wait for the next scheduled service.
Expert Analysis of Safety Risks
Dr. Jeff Casello, a transportation planning professor at the University of Waterloo, described the incident as a ‘poor decision’ that could have had severe consequences. ‘Certainly one wouldn’t want to be hanging off the side of a train going at 100 kilometres per hour,’ he explained, noting that GO trains can reach speeds between 80 to 120 kilometres per hour after leaving stations.
Potential Safety Solutions
While platform screen doors could potentially prevent such incidents, experts note that the primary responsibility lies with passengers. ‘It’s not a transit system problem. It’s really a passenger problem,’ Casello stated, emphasizing that riders should never compromise safety when trying to catch a train.
Safety Guidelines for Passengers
Transit authorities remind passengers to:
- Always stay behind the yellow safety line
- Never attempt to board a moving train
- Wait for the next service if doors begin closing
- Report any unsafe behavior immediately
Officials encourage passengers to plan their journeys with extra time to avoid rushing, noting that regular service intervals mean another train will always be available.
