Mayor John Tory is asking the province to allow TTC enforcement officers to have the power to direct traffic during transit disruptions.
At the moment, only police officers are allowed to direct traffic. Mayor Tory would like TTC enforcement officers to do the same during disruptions like subway closures, when there are shuttle buses transporting large crowds of commuters along busy streets.
"There just aren't enough police officers to come along and keep the traffic moving," Tory says. "It's not the best use of police time anyway."
There are currently about 50 enforcement officers at the TTC. Mayor Tory says if the new powers proved to be successful in improving traffic flow at a cheaper cost, the city might hire more of them.
The province does not need to change any legislation, but the ministry of community safety would have to approve the change, as would the Toronto police board.
Mayor Tory also wants enforcement officers to have the power to tag and tow vehicles that block transit routes for streetcars and buses, which would require a change in city bylaws.