When two suspects rushed into the Wilson subway station brandishing handguns, they pointed their weapons at a lone TTC fare collector, ordering him to open the door to the booth.

But when the man panicked and couldn’t open the door fast enough, one bandit swung a sledge hammer at the window, shattering the glass shield. The two men then barged inside, one putting a gun to the collector’s head while the other looted the booth.

The violent March 20 attack, shortly after midnight, was followed by another similar incident on April 23, the fifth in a string of armed robberies that left TTC fare collectors “shaken” and “traumatized” as their stations were ransacked, said Toronto police Det. Michael Palermo.

Now two Toronto men are facing a combined 24 charges in connection with robberies at four subway stations, including two at Wilson station.

The Yorkdale, Lawrence and Leslie stations were also robbed in the spree, which began in February 2009 and continued through this month.

The bandits targeted fare collectors who were working alone late at night, police say. Thousands of dollars in cash, tokens and TTC fare passes were taken in each robbery.

“It would have been terrifying. Just the mere fact that they had guns pointed at them, at their heads, and not knowing if the guns were real or not can be traumatizing,” Palermo said.

In each incident, the employees “feared for their lives” when they were on the ground with handguns pointed at their heads by robbers wearing bandanas and hooded sweatshirts.

A replica handgun was found near the scene of the second robbery, and although no gun has been recovered, investigators believe the weapons used were authentic.

“There is only one reaction we have and that is of tremendous concern for our employees and their safety. Armed robbers in a public place, like the TTC, are a great worry to the police, us, and the public,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross.

Ross said officials implemented safety changes including the installation of a new video surveillance system in all collector booths, adding a shatterproof film to the glass shield, and limiting the amount of cash each collector has on hand.

Guled Ismail, 19, and a 19-year-old man who cannot be named because he was 17 years old at the time of the first crime, face charges including robbery, disguise and use of an imitation firearm.

The pair appeared in court Thursday morning.