Safety & Security

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

When travelling after dusk by GO Bus, you may exit the bus anywhere on the route, as long as it’s operationally safe for the driver to stop. We ask that you let your driver know in advance where you’d like to get off.

Our bus operators are professionally trained drivers and certified in first aid training.

All GO Transit employees and your local police work together in an effort to reduce the number of incidents and vehicle-related crimes.

The number for Crime Stoppers is 1 800 222-TIPS. For more information, please visit their website.

When parking your vehicle. Always…

• Close all the windows and lock all vehicle doors
• Use your anti-theft device, such as a car alarm or steering wheel lock, if you have one.
• Keep your valuables from sight – that includes loose change, GPS devices, phones, etc.

If you need help contact your nearest GO employee, local police or contact Transit Safety Dispatch at 1.877.297.0642. We will help you get home safely.

Please keep the police and GO Transit informed when incidents such as vandalism and theft occur. This allows us to collaborate with local police and coordinate our resources more effectively.

Education is the key to injury prevention and keeping everyone safe around railways.

GO’s Transit Safety Officers continually reach out to various communities addressing local issues promoting railway safety through events and presentations.

If you’re interested in having a railway safety presentation for your community group on the dangers of trespassing on railway property first-hand, please contact Operation Lifesaver.

Transit industry safety programs
We are proud to be the first North American commuter rail system to become part of the American Public Transportation Association's Commuter Rail Safety and Security Audit program.

Members of APTA, voluntarily exchange ideas, best practices and data on the latest and most accepted rail safety standards, and are audited by a review committee every three years.

GO Transit is also a member Transport Canada’s Rail and Urban Transit Security Advisory Committee.