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York Region Transit enhances safety and security amid record ridership in 2024

June 04, 2025

Newmarket – York Regional Council received an update on the 2024 York Region Transit (YRT) Enforcement and Security Report. The report highlights ongoing efforts to ensure public safety across the YRT transit system while providing a convenient and comfortable experience for travellers.

“Ridership reached a record of nearly 24 million trips in 2024 as more people chose to use YRT to get to work and school, shop or visit,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “This growth brings tremendous opportunity, but also a shared responsibility to plan and invest to ensure the service continues to be safe, secure and accessible for residents who rely on it every day.”

2024 YRT Enforcement and Security highlights include:

  • Engaging 19,000 customer service interactions, primarily answering questions related to service
  • Participating in the annual Cold Weather Response Plan and Heat Relief Strategy for people experiencing homelessness; transit officers are equipped with heat/cold relief packages for distribution for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
  • Reporting an 18% increase in assistance or aid to the public related to YRT, including supporting those at-risk of or experiencing homelessness

YRT Transit Enforcement and Security offer a range of services such as traveller assistance, fare inspections and closed-circuit television requests. YRT works closely with York Regional Police to promote officer presence and outreach, and with York Region’s Community Health Services and partners to conduct welfare checks for at-risk individuals or those experiencing homelessness.

“YRT continues to provide an essential customer experience as our service grows, including making over 100 service improvements and maintaining on-time performance above 90% on all 121 routes, including conventional, rapid and on-demand,” said Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, Chair of Public Works -Transportation Services. “Our people-first approach is integral to providing a strong and supportive transit environment.”

YRT Enforcement reported over 15,200 safety and security events in 2024. There was a reduction in safety and security incidents reported for 2024, including a 15% decline in both disorderly conduct and crimes against property and a 1% decline in trespassing.

For major YRT service alerts, news, travel tips and other relevant transit information, call 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978), visit yrt.ca or follow YRT on social media. You can also check out yrt.ca/LiveChat to chat live with a YRT Customer Service Representative.

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to over 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with more than 629,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York 
Cell: 437-997-6821
Email: @email