TTC CHAIR JAMAAL MYERS ANNOUNCES SYSTEM-WIDE ROLLOUT OF ‘SAM’ AT KENNEDY STATION
TTC Chair Jamaal Myers today held a press conference at Kennedy Station to announce a series of safety and service improvements across the Toronto Transit Commission, including the system-wide rollout of ‘SAM,’ Subway Assistance Messenger
SAM — Subway Assistance Messenger: After a successful pilot at Kennedy and Eglinton Stations, which has been ongoing since April, SAM is now rolling out system-wide. SAM enables Transit Control dispatchers to issue real-time, live audio messages directly into subway stations and platforms in response to safety concerns, whether identified through SafeTTC App reports from riders or CCTV observations.
When a concern is flagged, a dispatcher can immediately address the behaviour through the station's PA system and, where needed, dispatch law enforcement. SAM extends the reach of TTC's safety response across the entire network without requiring an officer to be physically present at every location.
WATCH: Chair Myers demonstrates SAM live at Kennedy Station [YOUTUBE LINK]
Station Enhancement Program Expansion: Main Street, Dundas West, and Don Mills are joining the TTC's station enhancement and cleaning pilot, bringing the total to nine stations. The program, launched in 2024, delivers targeted improvements to lighting, cleanliness, track walls, and overall station conditions with six pilot stations: Kennedy, Dundas, Finch, Spadina, Lansdowne, and Scarborough Town Centre.
Outreach and Social Supports: Since enforcement alone is not the solution, the TTC has added 10 new Streets to Homes outreach workers to its surface network and expanded the Toronto Community Crisis Service into subway stations, connecting vulnerable riders to supports rather than simply moving them along.
Drone Deployment: Ahead of FIFA 2026, the TTC will deploy drones across the transit network. Drones will improve the TTC's ability to respond to incidents quickly, providing real-time situational awareness that allows Transit Control to coordinate a faster, more targeted response, with the goal of minimising service disruptions for riders.
BACKGROUND
Kennedy Station is one of the busiest transit hubs in Toronto, serving 16 bus routes and sitting at the heart of Scarborough's rapidly expanding transit network. The station was among the original six stations in the TTC's enhancement and cleaning pilot launched in 2024, where improvements were made to lighting, track walls, and ceilings.
Media Contacts
Micheal Mason
Chief of Staff for Councillor Myers
Email: Micheal.mason3@toronto.ca
Telephone: 647-409-6201
Aanchal Nigam
Communications Adviser
Email: Aanchal.nigam@toronto.ca
Telephone: 437-577-9418