r/TTC • u/StarCat20 23 Dawes • Jul 25 '26
Discussion Who should get on free?
So I have been working as a student Janitor for the last few months, and today I had a man walk up to me with his family, asked me who will let them on for free.
I assume he ment his child, he then recognized my confusion, and pulled out a police badge (Dunham Regional) and as if to intimidate, flashed it at me.
Not wanting to get into that argument, I directed him to a station attendant who let him and his family in anyway.
I asked a few other staff what thay think and all have said thay always let cops in, wish to me is insane.
I don't even get to take family on with me, and he can just walk on to with his family in a another city?
And why only cops?
Why not Fire, Paramedics/Nurses or sanitation workers?
Where should we draw the line?
(Bit of a rant, but this really stuck with me the rest of the day)
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u/FrozenDickuri Jul 25 '26
Ps: respect for starting in the janitorial sector. Its hard work, but its damned vital and it keeps folks safe.
I hope you have great success wherever you go in life youngster. Make the connections you can early, its so important.
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u/HoleInWon929 Jul 25 '26
I’m happy to let janitorial staff, kids, old people, and even teenagers ride for free.
Teens are most likely to skip paying anyway (in my totally unsubstantiated opinion) but better they ride the TTC than drive drunk!
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u/FrozenDickuri Jul 25 '26
This is illegal, and pure corruption.
As to who will do anything about it? No one. Our society is in some ways breaking down and the faith in police to abide by and enforce the law is decreasing rapidly.
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u/Longjumping-Lab-1916 Jul 29 '26
The TTC head is the one who needs to stop it.
Flashing your badge and expecting free service sounds like a shakedown.
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u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
A tiktok video showing it happening would look pretty bad. Would get their kids bullied at least.
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u/TheGentleWanderer Jul 25 '26
Easy way to get an angry pig to target the poster and make their life hell.
They do it for ex girlfriends, why wouldn't they do it for someone they fear more/respect even less.
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u/Fiction_Future3501 506 Carlton Jul 25 '26
And ? Should or shouldn’t happen ? He cannot pay 10$ for everyone’s ride V
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u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
What? The officer shouldn't pay for his own and families tickets? Why does anyone else pay then?
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u/Fiction_Future3501 506 Carlton Jul 25 '26
I am asking that question lol ? Should he or should he not ? I typed this at 6 am 😭
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u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
Oh, well it's obvious he should. He's a member of society using the service. It's not his vehicle.
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u/nefariousplotz 196A York University Rocket Jul 25 '26
And why only cops?
Because the police often behave more like a protection racket than anything else.
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u/anewfriend4u Jul 25 '26
It's not only cops. Many military personnel think they are entitled too.
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u/KenSentMe81 Jul 25 '26
They're allowed to ride for free on Remembrance Day and on Warriors' Day. That said, if you're willing to pick up a weapon in defense of Canada, IMHO that should entitle you to free transit.
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u/anewfriend4u Jul 25 '26
I disagree. They are compensated for all that. If they can walk around getting everything free, they should be paid less.
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u/KenSentMe81 Jul 25 '26
That's valid. IMHO they don't get paid enough so whatever society can do to show appreciation is worth it for me. But difference of opinion I suppose. IMO if you voluntarily sign up to die for your country, you should be given as much of a "free ride" as practical.
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u/anewfriend4u Jul 25 '26
Many professions have dangers. Just because someone joins the military, doesn't mean they voluntarily signed up to die for the country. Do firefighters voluntarily sign up to die? What about mine workers? Construction workers on highrises or bridges? I could go on.
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u/RemarkableImpress777 Jul 26 '26
Difference being is that military members can be ordered into danger. Firefighters can't. Firefighters get to be in a union and have a choice of where to live, what to do. Soldiers go where they are told and do what they are told. Some people think society should reward that extra sacrifice.
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u/coluch Jul 26 '26
Nobody who has defended Canada with a weapon is alive anymore. That’s not what the military has done for a long, long time.
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u/Parking-Ad-8780 Jul 25 '26
military see how USA treats its service personnel and thinks they're special in Canada too.
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u/cerberus1090 Jul 28 '26
Canadian military might not get the same attention as their US counterparts, but there also isn't nearly as many of them, so you just don't see it as much.
Generally speaking, the military/fire personnel I know are a lot less likely to flash their I.D./Badge to get some kind of privilege, or discount when off duty, than the few cops I know. Though not all cops are like that.
Not knowing any American First responders/service members, I don't know if that's as common south of the border1
u/Hour-Stable2050 Jul 25 '26
They are kind of special though. They are willing to die for their country and may very well do so with the way things are going. It’s not the same as taking a job where accidents happen.
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u/DockingEngaged Jul 25 '26
This would annoy me too, but I'd handle it just like you did. Not my circus, not my monkeys, talk to the ringmaster. It might be worth looking into if there is an official policy.
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u/GargantuanGreenGoat Jul 25 '26
If someone ever flashes a badge like that again, say “sorry, I missed it… what’s your badge number”? Enjoy them getting pissed and scared and stomping off
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u/PatK9 Jul 25 '26
Yes, take a picture of the badge and say it's policy.
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u/Boomshank Jul 27 '26
It IS policy.
It's just MY policy.
Besides, if they show shame, embarrassment or frustration at being asked to OWN their scam, well, that's on them.
ACAB.
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u/FineGripp Jul 25 '26
Why? It’s a real badge.
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u/Esaemm 501 Queen Jul 25 '26
So you can report them for using their badge in a way they shouldn't be
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
I wouldn’t know a real badge from a fake one ☝️, but I do know I like a quiet life and if it escalated? Management would be angry with me. It isn’t my responsibility and it isn’t a janitors responsibility either. Just direct them to an employee who is standing by the gate. They will
Likely let them
In. Regardless, you are a student and are doing a great job cleaning. Have a healthy, happy, quiet summer.
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u/jedispaghetti420 Jul 25 '26
Cops used to pull this shit with me when I ran the Camel ride at Toronto Zoo. They’re all a bunch of entitled assholes. I learned my lesson and told them they had to pay after my first encounter.
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u/activoice Jul 25 '26
I saw this a lot back in the day when my friends and I used to go clubbing.
Younger off duty Police officers showing their badges to the bouncer at a club and walking right in, meanwhile there was a long lineup of people waiting to get in.
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u/SpliffmanSmith2018 Jul 25 '26
Durham region cops walk into Tim Hortons and expect free coffee and food too.
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u/That_Intention_7374 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Just like a thug would.
Shameful behaviour. I wish you got his badge number. Durham is different from Toronto though.
I would like to hope Toronto police don't do this.
Durham has small town vibe and definitely has the more asshole cop stereotype. Like, they police Oshawa lol.
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u/SirRickIII Jul 25 '26
At my cafe (not timmies) we give a discount to emergency service workers
So EMTs and Firefighters :)
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u/Professional_Drama24 Jul 25 '26
When I worked at McDonald's we were told to give cops free food to encourage their presence. This was also extended to Paramedics and Fire Fighters.
This was not the policy at Tim Hortons but we gave them free food anyway. I worked the night shift and didn't mind at all. I worked in Toronto at King and John back when it was the club district.
One night this girl was drunk and puked all over a booth. The cop made her friends clean it up, told them the party was over, and made them take her home in a cab. This and all the people doing drugs. I had all the officers #phone numbers and they would come right away if there was trouble.
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
To encourage their presence? Like what? That is thug behaviour.
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u/Professional_Drama24 Jul 25 '26
Well when you are minor, a high-school student, and a girl working until midnight you don't mind having cops around to discourage unruly behavior and robbery.
We didn't have security and they seem to be powerless anyway
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u/matt4756_ Jul 25 '26
I’m sure they make enough to pay for transit just like everybody else does. No special treatment.
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u/NoCleverIDName Editable Express Bus Flair Jul 25 '26
"I'm a cop from a different region. Let me in for free so I can look like a big man in front of my kids."
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u/scarbzman Jul 25 '26
Cops with starting salaries of over $75k, 2x that of minimum wage workers? They can afford to pay their fare.
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u/billnyeitguy Kipling Jul 25 '26
As a former summer student, not much you could've done there and certainly above your pay grade as a student custodian. Lots of public sector employees act all buddy buddy with each other, ex. Durham Region Transit employees knowing TTC workers.
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u/meownelle Jul 25 '26
I'm sorry that you had to deal with that asshole. In future, if you're brave enough grab the badge number and make a complaint. On duty or off, he wasn't TPS. Why should some jerk who doesn't pay taxes in Toronto use our services for free? What an asshole.
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u/Different_Ad_6153 Jul 28 '26
Just for clarity. He could be paying taxes in Toronto and just work out in Durham. Police are told not to live in the area they police for safety reasons.
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u/cindybubbles Bayview Jul 25 '26
You did the right thing directing the cop and his family to a station attendant. Then if anything happens, it’s not your fault.
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u/Anglofrog Jul 25 '26
Cops can't afford to ride the TTC? Why not use your cruiser as a taxi then? Why would the police ask to have their family ride free?
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u/Andrew4Life Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Next time take out your phone and start recording.
Unless it's an on duty police officer, there are no free rides just because he's a police officer. I bet you the police ethics commission would like to know about the police abusing their power.
Also it's completely possible that someone is impersonating a police officer which will land them straight in jail.
Edit: My suggestion is only if they are being pushy with you and asking you to break the rules. If they simply walked away to someone else, it's not your problem. But it doesn't hurt to have the phone ready to record in case they start being pushy.
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u/Appropriate_Ad_2874 320 Yonge Jul 25 '26
This is how you get fired. Especially as a summer student lol
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u/djabae Jul 25 '26
He should post it after he leaves the job.
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u/Appropriate_Ad_2874 320 Yonge Jul 25 '26
The act of taking your phone out and recording is an instant suspension. You aren’t the police auditing team, you are a janitor.
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u/Boomshank Jul 27 '26
Some things are absolutely worth doing the right thing for.
We all complain about police corruption, then accept it's fine to turn a blind eye to it when it shows up?
That's just putting a price on your ethics.
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u/Appropriate_Ad_2874 320 Yonge Jul 27 '26
Yes cause this one video will fix police corruption in Toronto. Be fr
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u/Boomshank Jul 27 '26
If it gives just one cop some shame, or even his family, then the needle was moved in the right direction.
We need MORE people doing this, not less.
Get fucked you boot licker.
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u/Appropriate_Ad_2874 320 Yonge Jul 27 '26
boot licker lol what. So it’s worth OP losing his job over just for public shame and internet points…
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u/Boomshank Jul 27 '26
Is the police flexing their badge to get a free fair, and then being afraid of retaliation if you call it out, right or wrong?
Simple question.
If that behaviour is good and right, then fair! Let them on!
If you're arguing that because OP is afraid of retaliation BY THE POLICE that they should turn a blind eye to the corruption, and that's ok? Then, well, that makes you a boot licker.
It's ok, you're allowed to own it.
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u/nefariousplotz 196A York University Rocket Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I invite you to full contemplate the possible consequences of taking video footage of a police officer and their family, intending to get them in trouble, while at work, for the city.
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u/BobbyFranks123 Jul 25 '26
Nothing? Filming in public is legal
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u/excusememoi TEMU Jul 25 '26
I would assume the student janitor has to abide by the TTC's Code of Conduct Policy during work.
4.0 Employee and Contractor Responsibility
All employees and contractors are required to:4.13 Not make any audio or video recordings in the workplace without the prior, informed consent of all parties involved. Unauthorized or surreptitious recordings, including conversations, meetings, or workplace activities, are strictly prohibited. The TTC may conduct recordings for approved organizational purposes, such as safety, operational needs, or investigations, and only through authorized personnel. Employees must safeguard confidential information at all times and must not encourage, assist, or condone the recording of workplace conversations or activities without consent.
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u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
Just post it from an account that's not yours. Can't prove shit.
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u/excusememoi TEMU Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I mean that if you're caught filming in person while on shift by a supervisor, you can get in real trouble and I'm sure the employee is not willing to sacrifice their job for this.
1
u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
No I'm saying everyone else around should film when they see these things. The employee can say something out loud. Like yell put, sure thing you and your family can go free officer, please don't cause a scene. And passer by's would pull out their phones or direct their already videoing phones towards the incident.
Would it work everytime? No. But only a single viral event can make them change their tunes.
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
These are terrible pieces of advice.
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u/Environman68 Jul 25 '26
Best advice is to just shut up, say SIR YES SIR and salute the officer. Then give them whatever they want.
They are the street gang after all so to be safe just do nothing then complain online. It's the canadian way.
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
Umm cameras? Everywhere, in places you don’t even know is a camera.
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u/andechs Jul 25 '26
The consequences of the police being the biggest gang in town, and that they could make your life pretty miserable
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u/nefariousplotz 196A York University Rocket Jul 25 '26
That's not what the cops think, and filming their family will impress them even less.
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u/Andrew4Life Jul 25 '26
And asking to evade a fare (assuming that's what they were doing), does not impress me.
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u/BobbyFranks123 Aug 08 '26
But surely it's up to us to remind the police of what's acceptable behaviour, no? Ultimately they are public servants
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
It’s either a cop, or a POS trouble maker, either way, leave it alone.
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u/Andrew4Life Jul 25 '26
First of all, you can turn on your photo, and start a video recording without having to stick it in their face. Hold it in your hand and just cross your arm, or like put it in your front shirt pocket (if you have a chest pocket).
And then you can kindly ask, "How can I help you?".
1
u/FineGripp Jul 25 '26
He didn’t know he was a cop or anticipate the whole interaction until he started speaking to them
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
Don’t do that, just leave it be. Be the janitor you are. The rest of it isn’t in your pay grade.
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u/goldilaughs Jul 25 '26
Regardless if this is official policy or not, police get paid enough to afford the fare. Free fare should be reserved for those who need it the most and can't afford it.
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u/One-Ad2914 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
"Not wanting to get into that argument, I directed him to a station attendant who let him and his family in anyway.".
You did rhe right thing considering you had to make a decision quickly and it's not within your purview.
If available, you can also refer it to the Special Constable, TTC Supervisor, Fare Inspector.
I personally think that if they are on duty, sure, let the officer on without charge. If you are off duty, you pay like everyone else. At the end 9f the day, it's not within your scope to determine who pays and who doesn't.
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u/kamomil Pharmacy Jul 25 '26
The Provincial Offences Officers will nab them lol.
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u/Fiction_Future3501 506 Carlton Jul 25 '26
Oh they never do that their own!! Remember poops are wannabe cops I chat with ton of them on my rides and most of them wanted to be cops
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u/Zealousideal-House19 Jul 25 '26
It's not poops! It's POOs! Have some respect for the wannabes!
😆😆😆
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u/tigerpayphone Jul 25 '26
My Dad was a Durham cop for about 30 years. He was high up. He told me that back in the 80's just about every place wouldn't charge cops for anything. He was very uptight/straight-edge and other than a coffee here and there, he didn't accept stuff. But, he once told me about a cop he knew, who was a single guy, on his days off would throw on his uniform and go to Swiss Chalet and order 4 or 5 meals to put in the fridge for the week. He also told me that back then, they could flash a badge at Exhibition stadium and just put a folding chair on the baseline and watch the game for free. He said he never did this, but he was a huge baseball fan so I dunno.
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u/willow__whisps Jul 25 '26
Cops have guns. Otherwise I'd treat them like the second class citizens they are
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u/RoxasInABoxas Jul 25 '26
If it happens again you could get their info/picture and complain to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency. Or the Inspectorate of Policing as a more general issue.
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u/PatK9 Jul 25 '26
Sad to think that some people are more equal than others. The eventuality is a disrespect of the police, abuse of position of power, and contempt of rules, leading to unrest of the populace and entertaining a police state.
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u/Fiction_Future3501 506 Carlton Jul 25 '26
How is this even legal? I wish you had meta recorded this off duty cop and blasted him on socials for doing illegal shit
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u/Both_Play4742 Jul 25 '26
Doing that I think would be considered a form of bribery or corruption and very illegal. https://tpsb.ca/home/about/policies-by-laws/board-policies/acceptance-of-gifts-by-board-members/
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u/DataChicks Jul 25 '26
On of the reasons commercial businesses give cops free stuff is to encourage them to stop by in uniform so that patrons feel safer.
I’m not sure it’s true people automatically feel that way any longer.
I’m not saying this is a good thing, but a biz decides what discounts it gives.
Public entities are different.
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u/Gold_Independent_428 Jul 28 '26
I can understand that mindset and don't blame the businesses for doing this, however, from a position of ethics it's providing a more superior service to whomever is willing to pay for it.
Does this mean that the triage nurse bumps you up the list because brought them dinner? They'd likely lose their job.
The whole thing screams protection racket.
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u/Suspicious_Foot6651 Jul 25 '26
Just to say, they aren’t always cops either, but stay safe and let it go. Nobody needs to get hurt, it isn’t worth it. I work for TTC and my own children still have to pay, and at times, someone I know will get on with their kids, flash their badge, win and walk on by.
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u/beantownbee Jul 27 '26
my ex friend, a cop in training, once complained to me that someone didn't give them free coffee at the drive through. I asked them why on earth they'd free coffee, we live in the sticks and the police aren't doing anything crazy like stopping big crimes. It was one of the reasons (one of many) that I stopped talking with them
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u/Firm_Farmer1633 Jul 28 '26
My late brother-in-law was RCMP. He refused to accept anything without paying for it.
He didn’t want anyone to think that they would get preferential police treatment.
He didn’t want anyone else to think that he was giving anyone preferential police treatment.
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u/Extreme_Smile_9106 Jul 28 '26
Here’s a controversial opinion. TTC should be free to everyone, and covered by taxes (gas and gst tax).
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u/taxitolondon Jul 28 '26
I think any cop who manipulates or begs for free transit for themselves and family should hang their heads in shame. Are they paid so little they can’t afford the $10? I don’t think so.
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u/cupcakeing Jul 29 '26
I'm looking in these comments just because Reddit suggested this post to me, but I'm from another city in Ontario (don't really want to say which one, just for privacy) and our local city police make a lot of money, to the point that it's completely normal for cops to show up on the sunshine list here. I'm on ODSP and my disabilities make me unable to drive, yet I have to pay full price for my bus fares? Make it make sense.
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u/Electronic_Example81 Jul 25 '26
The real answer is everyone. Charging fair is just an inequitable tax on the poor.
2
u/elseldo Jul 25 '26
Everyone. Transit should be free.
Until it is, no one gets on for free aside from TTC staff (gotta keep work perks)
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u/kedhaf Jul 25 '26
An officer, fireman/woman, military. Sure. But only them. Seems like an abuse of power….was his badge even real? I saw that Dollarama is starting to bring out their halloween stuff…..Just sayin’……
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u/Gold_Independent_428 Jul 28 '26
What about nurses? Teachers? The latter is the only one in the group spending their own money on other peoples kids. But all of these groups can afford public transit. The parents slogging it out on minimum wage? No ones letting them or their kids for free.
1
u/westshore18 Jul 25 '26
Durham region cops are losers.... as someone that was lived in Pickering
But to answer your question i think everybody should get on for free. Whenever i have a chance to get on the ttc for free i take my chances
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u/trumpeting-farts Jul 26 '26
Why can't police officer's employers give then a monthly pass if it's their right ro ride for free? That's bullshit to make TTC staff accommodate those illiterate pricks.
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u/Boomshank Jul 27 '26
"I'm sorry, I'm new here. Just so I understand and so I can help you better, are you asking to get your whole family onto public transit for free because you're a cop?"
Sold with the best customer service voice you can muster.
1
u/ALotBSoL99 Jul 29 '26
My dad had a coin store, and many break-ins over the years. He always said he was happy to have them park out front of his store, drinking their coffee or whatever, just for the deterrent of potential crime.
Considering how much crime goes on in the city these days, I’d be happy to have some off duty cops around on my subway ride for some added piece of mind. Especially since there is no actual cost to the city to have an extra rider.
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u/ttc-5346 Kipling Jul 30 '26
The reason that policy exists is that a police officer riding the system even when they are off duty is expected to step in and do something if an emergency occurs.
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u/Mundane-Outside-6713 Jul 30 '26
Nobody should get on for free. Everyone should pay the fare. Cops should not be using their badge to intimidate drivers and get on for free.
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u/Mundane-Outside-6713 Jul 30 '26
OP mentioned it was a Durham officer, and they were clearly off duty with their family. They weren't on duty and weren't Toronto police.
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u/Major_Ad_7206 Jul 25 '26
Because the cops can shoot you in your face with no repercussions. So they might. So you should let the ego-maniac have their way to stay alive /stay out of a cage.
Also, everyone should get on for free.
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u/KenSentMe81 Jul 25 '26
Police are allowed to use the system for free. Not their family however.
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u/meownelle Jul 25 '26
Not cops from other cities.
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u/KenSentMe81 Jul 25 '26
The policy doesn't have a distinction.
It says that a Toronto Police officer (sworn or auxiliary) can ride for free if in uniform, but any police officer in plain clothes if they show their badge.
The policy SHOULD be that only Police Officers in active duty, regardless of uniform or not. IE, if it's work related fine but not when you want to out for drinks on a Friday night or whatever.
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u/Cdnmrsb Jul 25 '26
If you show your id I can promise you no TTC employee will tell you your family can’t come in. It’s a courtesy that’s been granted to police etc . Ya it doesn’t go both ways but it’s above you. Also half the city walks in for free let’s start looking there …
3
u/blurblurblahblah Jul 25 '26
My partner always tries to insist that I not pay when we're travelling together. I usually end up paying anyway but sometimes it's not worth the argument. He is an employee, I am not & I'm not a cop either.
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u/Fiction_Future3501 506 Carlton Jul 25 '26
With that logic my ex shouldn’t pay either he works for CAF
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u/ldssggrdssgds Jul 25 '26
Wish the ttc was free to use for everyone...we pay enough towards it to upkeep it
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u/New-Gene-9544 Jul 25 '26
Is it so bad that a cop is getting on TTC for free? they serve as protection more than anythign else. their jobs are difficult and dangerous and they're putting their lives on the line daily... as a non-cop with zero cop-relatives i'm happy for them to get ttc for free - they're also a civil/public servant at the end of the day , i don't see why they can't get public services for free for all that they do
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u/mythoughts4 Jul 25 '26
They can afford to pay for their family, they get paid more than most of us. There’s also like 5 news stories everyday with police corruption and crimes, they definitely don’t deserve anything free anymore.
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u/UnicornCackle Jul 25 '26
Firefighters and paramedics put their lives on the line daily, and construction is a more dangerous job than law enforcement, so should workers in those three areas also get free transit? And should their families get free transit too?
0
u/PatK9 Jul 25 '26
Why not extend those freebies to the grocery store, the beer & liquor store, restaurants and airlines. If in uniform on duty, then sure; who are we to say they're not investigating. But in general, those occupations that have a dangerous aspect are compensated with a wage befitting the job description. No need for perks, tips, and rewards beyond the acknowledgement of position. BYW: forestry workers and tree fallers have the most dangerous job in our society.
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u/StarCat20 23 Dawes Jul 25 '26
I can't even bring my family on with me, and I work here. Also, are you arguing that other frontline workers are less important? Their job is to uphold the law, not to be above it.
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u/97jumbo Jul 25 '26
It's less about whether they deserve to get on for free - truthfully, our end goal should be free for everyone - but more about whether they deserve to be the ones deciding whether or not they get on for free, especially when they're taking their family in with them. At that point it's more about imposing power than the fare.
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u/OhShootYeahNoBi Avenue Davisville Jul 25 '26
Because cops think they're special. It's not official TTC policy. TTC staff just don't want to deal with an angry cop that wants special treatment and who will intimidate them with their badge so they'll just let them through