GO’s
Transit Safety Officers are primarily responsible for ensuring the
safety of our passengers.
They are also responsible for…
- friendly customer assistance
- fare inspections
- regular prevention and deterrence patrols
- support for local police, fire and ambulance
- parking, by-law, provincial law and Criminal Code
enforcement
- locate missing persons and protect vulnerable passengers
- promote railway safety
Our Transit Safety Officers are clearly identifiable by their
uniform. Every uniform includes a hat and shirt displaying the
Transit Safety shield, a black vest with “Transit Safety” printed
across the front, black pants with a gray stripe, and a duty belt.
Officers are authorized to enforce GO Transit By-laws, which
govern passenger conduct, fare inspection and use of our facilities.
Officers are also authorized to enforce the following statutes:
- The Criminal Code
- Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Trespass to Property Act
- Liquor License Act
- Sections 17, 28, 33 of the Mental Health Act
- Safe Streets Act
To ensure the highest standards of professionalism and
accountability, Transit Safety Officers are designated as “Special
Constables” through a sponsorship program with the Ontario
Provincial Police and the Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services.
Visit the
OPP website or read the
Conditions of Appointment
to learn more.
Passenger safety and security on the train
GO trains are equipped with safety features to ensure passengers
are safe and comfortable while riding with us.
In case of emergency, please locate and familiarize yourself with
the…
- yellow emergency strip within the railcars. Once pressed,
on-board GO personnel will be notified and will come to your
assistance.
- Customer Service Ambassador (CSA) in the fifth car from the
locomotive.
- emergency information is posted near the entry doors.
- emergency equipment and instructions, which are clearly
marked throughout the railcars.
- emergency exits located at every second window throughout
the railcar.
- MIKEY defibrillator is in the fifth car from the locomotive
(with the CSA).
- first aid kit, next to the washroom in each car.
Safety precautions at station platforms
While near tracks and on station platforms fast-moving trains can
pose a potential risk. It is important to stay aware and cautious.
GO Trains can travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h. Trains are a lot
closer and travel a lot faster than they may appear.
The following tips will help make your GO experience a safe one:
- Stand back from the yellow line on the edge of the platform.
Freight and GO Trains can pass at any time in either direction
at high speeds.
- Never step onto the tracks.
- When traveling with children, always keep them in sight and
close to you.
- Be careful of any gaps between the platform and the train
while you get on and off.
- Make sure to always enter or exit a station platform from
properly designated areas, and never use the ends of the
platform as an access point. This is dangerous and illegal.
- Crossing in front of or behind a stopped train is both
dangerous and unlawful.
- In multi-track areas, be vigilant to other train movements
on other tracks in any direction.
- For your safety, stay well away from moving trains and do
not climb onto the side of or ride between the cars of a moving
train.
Railway / Road Crossing safety tips
Always…
- Obey railway crossing warning signs and signals and yield
the right-of-way to approaching trains.
- When on foot, avoid stepping on the rail. It’s a smooth
metal surface and you could easily slip. Always step over each
rail as you cross.
- Avoid using any personal audio device as you approach a
crossing. It will interfere with your ability to hear an
approaching train.
- When operating wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles and other
rolling items use extra caution at railway crossings. Small
wheels can get stuck in the groove designed for the railway
train’s wheels.
- Take the time to Stop, Look, and Listen.
When approaching a crossing in a vehicle look both ways along the
track for an oncoming train and be prepared to stop if required.
When the warning lights are activated and a train is approaching…
- do not stop in the middle of the tracks under any
circumstance
- stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail
- proceed across the tracks only when the lights have stopped
flashing and the tracks are clear
To read about the Emergency Evacuation Procedures on the GO Train, see the Emergency Evacuation Procedures section
below.
Your safety is our first priority
GO Transit takes every precaution to ensure the safety of
passengers and public on our buses, trains and in our facilities.
The following information outlines emergency procedures and provides
guidance on how to evacuate from GO Trains, Buses, facilities,
terminals or stations in the rare circumstance you may be required
to do so.
GO facilities (including rail stations and bus terminals)
GO personnel will initiate emergency evacuation procedures for
the affected site and will provide instructions on safe exit
locations through our public address system. GO staff, police, fire
or ambulance crews will determine the best evacuation method for
passengers with mobility aids.
Travelling by train
GO Transit coach cars are built to provide you comfort, convenience and
protection.
On Board Safety features include:
- A train crew member located in the fifth coach car;
- Yellow emergency passenger assistance strips, when pressed
notifying the train crew that assistance is required in your
coach car. A train crew member will attend to provide
assistance;
- First-aid kits located next to the washroom in each coach
car;
- An automated external defibrillator (AED) in every fifth
coach car;
- Emergency equipment and posted instructions in every coach
car;
- All passenger coaches are constructed of fire retardant
materials;
- Luminescent stripping on the floor of every coach car,
providing emergency exit paths when visibility is restricted;
- Emergency evacuation information posted near coach entry
doors;
- 12 removable emergency exit windows on every coach;
- Emergency exit door release handles;
- Smoke and heat detectors;
- Handrails to provide assistance to safety climb up and down
stairs between various coach levels.
When boarding a train, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the
safety information and emergency procedures displayed inside.
These safety features, combined with the specialized training of our train
crews, will help to keep you safe in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Emergency instructions
In the event of an emergency please;
- Remain calm and seated – Listen for public address
announcements and follow all instructions from your train crew,
GO Transit Safety Officers staff and/or emergency responders.
- Stay onboard the train, outside your coach danger exists
until all train traffic can be stopped. So until directed to
exit the coach car by a member of the train crew, GO Transit
Staff or emergency responders remain seated, it is the safest
place to be.
- If you see smoke or suspect a fire – press the yellow
passenger assistance strip to notify the train crew immediately
and then move to an adjoining coach car.
- If a passenger is in distress, or if you need to identify
yourself as needing assistance - notify train crew by pressing
the yellow emergency strip located in each coach car. A member
of the train crew will attend and call for additional assistance
as required.
- Again, exit the train only when directed by the train crew
or emergency responders - after exiting the car, be aware for
passing trains, rough or uneven walking surfaces and other
hazards.
Passenger Assist System
The Passenger Assist System (i.e. yellow emergency strip located
above each window and below the window in the fifth coach car)
allows you to indicate to the crew that you require assistance. It
should only be used during emergencies. After pressing the Passenger
Assist System, a member of the crew will respond to the area in
which the alarm has been activated.
Train evacuations
Train evacuations do not happen often. In fact, most emergencies can be managed
on-board. In case of an evacuation, our train crews have been thoroughly trained
on safe evacuation procedures. Each car is equipped with a fire extinguisher and
other tools to assist during an emergency.
Inside the coach cars, emergency windows are identified by an instruction decal
on or above the window. Once the window is removed it can be placed inside the
car, away from the exit window. Please remember that an evacuation from an upper
level window requires a significant drop to the ground.
Please use extra caution when evacuating a coach car through any window,
particularly from the upper level. In most cases, emergency responders would be
outside the car and assist lowering you to the ground.
In case of an emergency, notify a train crew member or call 911 for life
threatening emergencies or crimes.
The train crew will make continuous announcements through the public address
system and instruct passengers with specific procedures.
Train crew, police, fire and/or ambulance personnel will assist in evacuating
passengers with disabilities and will determine the best evacuation method for
passengers with mobility aids. An emergency folding stretcher may be used to
help passengers with restricted mobility to exit the train.
Exit options
In the unlikely event that your coach car is evacuated, please listen for public
address announcements and any specific instructions from your train crew.
Your exit options:
Option 1 - If possible, exit to the next coach through the
intermediate doors located at either end of the coach.
Option 2 - Exit the coach through the lower level main access
doors after the train has come to a complete stop.
Option 3 – Carefully exit the train through one of the
emergency windows located on all levels and only after the train has come to a
complete stop (this should only occur if you are unable to evacuate through a
door); emergency exit windows are located in each coach car and are clearly
identified.
Emergency Window Removal
1. Locate red plastic handles on the window and pull handles
toward you.
2. Use both red handles and pull down to remove rubber strip
from around the window frame.
3. Locate the metal handles on window and pull towards you to
remove window pane.
Travelling by bus
Passengers should familiarize themselves with the clearly marked
emergency equipment and instructions including evacuation windows,
hatches, first-aid kits and fire extinguishers.
To ensure the safety of our passengers, bus drivers also receive
accessibility training for bus lift equipment.
GO personnel, police, fire and/or ambulance will determine the
best evacuation method for passengers with mobility aids.
To help you prepare for an evacuation, it is important that you
remember to:
- remain calm
- leave large parcels and objects on the bus
- use caution while exiting the vehicle
- watch for oncoming traffic
- stay well clear of the vehicle
GO Transit safety programs and practices have made our system
one of the safest in North America. We regularly work with
community emergency response teams, such as police and
firefighters, and provide hands-on training to ensure they are
familiar with our emergency and safety procedures.
Safety is everyone's responsibility. Please take a moment to review
our safety information and procedures so you know what to do in case
of an emergency.
