Michael Burton, Editor-in-Chief
Featured image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Hopping on the 35 Jane during afternoon rush hour, I find myself greeted by one of the more friendly and talkative bus drivers throughout my experiences with public transit.
This route has recently been stamped as a magnet of crime by the Toronto Star, a line that serves York’s Aviva Centre, which runs north and southbound, making stops at Jane and Finch, Wilson, Lawrence Avenue West, Weston, Dundas, and finally Jane Station.
It’s a busy line but riders aren’t talkative. People stare down at their phones and are mainly concerned about getting from point A to point B on their commute.
Based on statistics starting from 2010, this route has experienced 260 incidents of crime, with the most common being fraud. The only other line to experience more crime than this route is the 36 Finch West, with 322 incidents.
With a smile, the bus driver brings up the recent report in a casual conversation, admitting the biggest problem his route faces is people attempting to grab a free ride.
He doesn’t seem too impressed with what other news outlets are reporting and references his more than 10 years experience as a testament to his route being safe.
He’s honest and explains that he’s been driving this route throughout the daytime hours and says he personally doesn’t have any sensational stories of violence or assault. He’s kindhearted and adds that this is where he grew up and is familiar with many of the riders.
A. Khan, a third-year LA&PS student at York, suggests the 35 Jane can be dangerous at night.
“Just like Jane busses, it has its fair share of issues,” he says. “Not just the 35, other busses as well. Usually in the daytime no issues occur.”
He adds that during the nighttime hours, this bus can bring out an entirely different audience.
Khan’s seen some vocal confrontations late at night between riders and bus drivers and what appeared to be a rider rolling a joint.
“I called it quits when the 195 came into effect,” says Khan.
Cindy Ta, a second-year criminology student at York, says she has seen some intoxicated riders on this line, but overall feels as though it’s a safe ride for students.
“Incidents happen,” she says. “But I also feel like you shouldn’t take articles like these at face-value, and that we have to critically think about them.”
“The TTC continually looks at ways to ensure and improve upon the safety of employees and customers,” says Kadeem Griffiths of TTC media relations via email.
“The TTC remains one of the safest transit systems in the world. If there are specific issues on routes that need addressing, the TTC will address through increased patrols by the TTC or police.”
“Operator barriers, CCTV, and the TTC’s award-winning court advocate program continue to help keep operators safe with a decline in operator assaults down, now, three years in a row,” he says.
The driver who’s finished his shift for the day, tells me to take care, and enjoy my evening.
I get from point A to point B without any issue.
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