The TTC is once again pondering whether it will erect so-called “suicide barriers” on its subway platforms.
The Toronto Transit Commission will discuss the plan at a meeting on Wednesday.
"When you're talking about people's lives and people dying it's a serious concern, and I take that very seriously," TTC chair Adam Giambrone said Tuesday.
"It would be half a billion dollars. We're already a billion and a half dollars short over the next ten years, so there are some real challenges."
Last year, the transit body released statistics detailing how many people had attempted, and succeeded, in taking their own lives on TTC tracks.
Between 1998 and 2007, there were 150 suicides on TTC subway lines. Last year alone, there were 18 deaths and attempted suicides resulting in nearly 23 hours of delays.
The TTC trains employees to recognize distressed persons in subway stations, the actions taken to minimize suicide attempts, and the supports in place for its employees when a suicide or suicide attempt does occur.
The “Gatekeeper Program” shows employees how to identify people who may be distressed or exhibiting at-risk behaviour in a subway station. As well, TTC employees are trained in how to best interact with distressed individuals they encounter on platforms.
Employees who witness suicides are also offered counseling for long-term effects, post-traumatic distress and clinical depression. The TTC has also been part of a research study aimed at developing best practices interventions for acute psychological trauma.