Editorial
TTC Board Highlights
TTC Board commends Wheel-Trans Operators
Board members thanked and applauded Wheel-Trans Operators Danny Tavares and Benjamin Escultor for the extra care and compassion displayed to a customer. In a letter to the TTC, the customer’s guardian described their actions as a reminder that caring for someone with a disability takes a community of people who choose kindness, patience, and dignity. The pair acted as trusted guardians for a vulnerable customer, putting care, safety, and humanity at the centre of service.
World Cup presentation to the Board
Board members received a TTC staff presentation on the early results of the TTC’s World Cup service plan. The TTC saw 3.6 million total match day boardings from June 10 to July 11 on routes serving Toronto Stadium and the Fan Fest, a 42% year-over-year ridership increase on area routes on match days, and both customer satisfaction and sense of safety scores exceeded 90%. TTC success was secured through unprecedented planning, readiness, and operational effort. Months of planning, testing, exercises, significant investments in staff, service, security, customer support, and incident response resulted in safe, reliable transit during the World Cup, while maintaining service for everyday customers. A full report to the TTC Board is scheduled for early 2027.
2026 Accessibility Plan Status Report
Board members approved the 2026 Accessibility Plan Status report. The report describes the TTC’s progress toward achieving the objectives of the 2024-2028 TTC 5-Year Accessibility Plan. Significant accomplishments that have been or are expected to be achieved by the end of 2026 include:
• Completing Easier Access Program construction at four additional subway stations (College, Museum, Spadina, and King), at which time a total of 68 of 70 (97%) subway stations will be accessible.
• Ongoing construction of new accessible third-party entrances to York Mills, Sheppard-Yonge and St Patrick stations.
• Replacing old red bench seating on Line 1 and Line 2 trains with new bench seating that includes integrated back and armrests.
• Installing upgraded platform edge tiles to reduce the gap between subway trains and platforms at seven station platforms; 32 stations have been completed so far and four stations with horizontal and vertical platform edge tiles are planned to be completed in 2026.
• A pilot to equip Customer Service Agents with digital tablets at Union, TMU, and Bloor-Yonge stations, to better support interactions with customers, including wayfinding and multilingual translation support.
• An e-paper and digital signage pilot, which will allow customers to access real-time service information in both visual and audible formats at surface stops, and new digital signage at the Bathurst and King station entrances, and at the Fleet Hub for the FIFA World Cup. The pilot includes approximately 75 surface stops along different routes.
• A vendor has been selected for a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for Wheel-Trans. A vendor has been selected to replace the Mobile Data Terminal/Automatic Vehicle Location (MDT/AVL) system for Wheel-Trans.
• Begin developing an implementation plan for the accessibility audit of built environment elements of TTC employee facilities.
College Station: previously scheduled for Elevators In Service (EIS) by the end of Q2 2026. It has been delayed due to recent labour shortages faced by the contractor and subcontractors, FIFA restrictions on construction and testing windows, and complexities with the station and College Park Development interfaces, resulting in a longer duration to obtain licencing for the elevators. College, Museum, Spadina and King stations continue to be on track for completion in 2026.
Islington Station: ongoing schedule reviews have identified that Islington has been impacted to a greater extent than other stations and therefore has utilized the risk allowances in its schedule and subsequently resulted in a revised forecasted EIS date of Q2 2027 (from Q4 2026).
The Board passed a motion directing staff to review acceleration options for the Islington Station Easier Access project to recover time from unforeseen underground site conditions in regard to Toronto Hydro and utility works. Options to include: incentivization with the contractor to mitigate schedule delays, including reviewing additional staging options to complete right of way work under Islington Avenue with Toronto Hydro to provide an accessible path to a new Islington Station entrance as soon as possible (Q2 2027 or earlier).
Fare Collection System Update
The Board approved a confidential update report on the status of the 2012 TTC-Metrolinx Master E-Fare Collection Outsourcing Agreement. Commissioners adopted the recommendations in Confidential Attachment 2 and authorized the information in Confidential Attachment 2 remain confidential until such time as the final negotiations have been completed and all necessary agreements have been executed.
Board members also passed a motion directing TTC staff to complete the evaluation of the Request For Information submissions, including vendor interviews, and undertake any additional market engagement considered appropriate to further assess market capabilities and value-for-money considerations in support of future automated fare collection decisions.
The 2012 TTC-Metrolinx Master E-Fare Collection Outsourcing Agreement has an initial term of 15 years, which expires on November 28, 2027. The automatic renewal clause for five years (to 2032), is no longer applicable as Metrolinx provided notice to the TTC to opt-out of the automatic renewal and their intent to negotiate a new contract in May 2025.
At its April 16, 2026 meeting, the TTC Board directed TTC staff to complete a market sounding to understand value for money of current industry offerings for an automated fare collection system. A Request For Information (RFI) was publicly posted on May 27, 2026 for submissions until July 17, 2026. TTC staff will evaluate RFI submissions upon closure date.
Fitness For Duty Grievance Update
The TTC Board adopted action taken in-camera and authorized that the information provided in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety as it contains advice, which is subject to client-solicitor privilege.
On July 13, 2026, Arbitrator Trachuk issued her decision allowing ATU Local 113’s policy grievance that challenged the TTC’s implementation of random drug and alcohol testing under the TTC Fitness for Duty Policy.
Update on City of Toronto-Transit Commission Relationship Framework
Board members received for information an update report directing staff to explore opportunities to strengthen the accountable and transparent relationship between the City and the TTC.
The proposed framework will clearly describe the TTC’s governance model, decision-making authorities, and accountability and reporting requirements intended to strengthen existing cross-functional collaboration and areas of interface. These areas include, but are not limited to, transportation planning and service planning, capital co-ordination, environmental sustainability, community safety and well-being, financial stewardship, and accountability and oversight.
As an agency of the City, the TTC has a long history of working with the City to serve the needs of public transit riders by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transit service. Through ongoing collaboration, both organizations have established strong working relationships that help achieve the TTC’s vision and mission, and the City’s social, economic, and environmental policy objectives. The TTC is working with the City Manager’s Office to develop the relationship framework for Board and Council consideration in 2027.
Transit Network Expansion Update
Commissioners received for information the Transit Network Expansion Update. Highlights include:
• Ontario Line: Subject to the next phase of the New Deal negotiation between the City and the Province, the TTC continues to work with Metrolinx to confirm the details of the TTC’s roles and responsibilities for the operations of the line.
• Line 2 Extension: The TTC is actively collaborating with Metrolinx on the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE). The SSE Automatic Train Control option has been included as part of the Line 2 ATC procurement. This will provide an opportunity to maximize the benefit from the ATC system and the New Subway Trains for the entire Line 2 service on the opening day of the SSE and beyond.
• Line 1 Yonge North Subway Extension: Metrolinx is delivering five new stations for the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE), providing new stations across York Region in Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill. Investment is required in future capacity enhancement of Line 1 through additional growth trains and a Train Maintenance and Storage Facility, in addition to planned and ongoing upgrades to traction power, fire ventilation, and station capacity, including the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements Project. There are ongoing discussions between the TTC and Metrolinx to refine the capacity requirements and interdependencies for both the new fleet and additional facilities for the future state of the extended Line 1.
• Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (ECWE): In August 2025, Metrolinx selected Trillium Rail Partners to deliver the Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension under a Progressive Design Build (PDB) procurement model. The TTC continues to work with Metrolinx to ensure full interoperability between existing Line 5 Eglinton and the ECWE, supporting seamless operation across the future unified Line 5 Eglinton.
Commissioners also passed the following motion:
1. Direct TTC staff, through the City’s development review process, to identify when a proposed development is located in a corridor or network segment where:
• Current or forecast demand indicates insufficient transit capacity based on currently funded plans;
• Additional transit infrastructure, station capacity, service, or accessibility-related improvements may be required to support growth at a reasonable level of service;
• Required improvements are not yet fully funded; and/or
• The anticipated in-service date of required improvements is not expected to align with projected development occupancy.
2. Request the Chief Executive Officer, TTC, to report back to the Board, through a future Transit Network Expansion Update or other appropriate report, on options for establishing corridor- and station-level service and capacity measures to support long-term planning, including how such measures could be used to inform development review, capital planning, and intergovernmental funding requests.
3. Direct that TTC staff request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, when reporting to City Council on zoning by-law amendments, Official Plan amendments, or other planning approvals in identified high-demand transit corridors, to include any TTC comments regarding known funded and unfunded transit capacity requirements, including the expected timing of required infrastructure, where available.
4. Direct TTC staff, in consultation with the City of Toronto, to develop strategies for funding transit infrastructure growth requirements that support City-approved development, recognizing the TTC also has a priority need to address the state of good repair of existing assets.
Honouring the late Howard Moscoe
The TTC Board unanimously approved, in principle, the naming of the atrium at Yorkdale Station as the Howard Moscoe Atrium, in recognition of his service as the first TTC Chair under the amalgamated City of Toronto and his decades of advocacy for public transit in Toronto, including his sustained efforts to return the Arc en Ciel light installation by artist Michael Hayden to Yorkdale Station.
At its June 3, 2026 meeting, the Board directed staff to report back with recommendations on options to commemorate former TTC Chair Howard Moscoe and his contributions to the TTC, including consideration of a commemorative naming, and further directed that staff consult with the family of Howard Moscoe and relevant local stakeholders in developing the recommendations.
Following a review of commemoration options, TTC staff recommended a commemorative naming: the naming of the atrium at Yorkdale Station to the Howard Moscoe Atrium – the space that will once again house Michael Hayden’s Arc en Ciel light installation. This site was selected based on its visibility, its direct connection to Mr. Moscoe’s life and work, and feasibility for naming.
Last month’s meeting began with a moment of silence honouring the late Mr. Howard Moscoe, former TTC Chair, who died on May 23, 2026. Mr. Moscoe served as Commissioner, Vice-Chair, and Chair during his 14 years of service on the Commission. He served on the TTC Board from 1992 to 2006. He was TTC Chair from 1998 to 2000 and from 2003 to 2006.
Exploring Weekly Fare Capping
Board members approved the addition of a new item on the agenda dealing with Exploring Weekly Fare Capping. Moved by Commissioner Alejandra Bravo, it directs the Chief Executive Officer to investigate, including a jurisdictional review and analysis of ridership growth benefits, implementing weekly fare capping to inform the forthcoming implementation of fare capping, and delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to implement a weekly fare cap if deemed suitable based on the assessment and has minimal budget impact.
Weekly fare capping is rapidly becoming the industry standard for modernized fare collection, with many transit agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (including Brampton, MiWay, and Hamilton) and major international transit systems (including London, UK, and Los Angeles, and New York, USA) having implemented weekly fare capping. For the TTC, weekly fare capping represents a more customer-focused approach that supports ridership growth by delivering fare savings sooner. It also builds on existing tested technology and has been previously endorsed by the Board. This merits urgent consideration.
Customer benefits include:
• Rewarding frequent riders (free trips after cap) and infrequent riders (no commitment).
• Incentivizing transit as a travel mode of choice.
• Making transit more simple and affordable: no upfront pass needed or worry about overpaying.
• Improving access to One Fare Program for cross-boundary trips.
From a rider perspective, no action is required beyond continuing to tap; fare capping simply changes the pricing logic once the weekly cap is reached.
2200 Yonge Street Reconfigured Entrance Connection to Eglinton Station
Commissioners approved a report (as amended) authorizing the execution of an Entrance Connection agreement for a new connection at 2200 Yonge Street, and any other agreements arising as a result of the entrance connection, all on terms and conditions acceptable to the TTC’s General Counsel.
Board members also requested that the TTC Chief Capital Officer, in consultation with the Executive Director of Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning, be directed to finalize with the applicant the design of the built form and landscape elements associated with the entrance connections, and the interface between those elements and the surrounding publicly accessible plaza, in a manner that creates an exceptional and high-quality publicly accessible space.
The renovations to 2200 Yonge Street will include the construction of a new integrated accessible entrance connection, with a new elevator providing access between street level, the existing station concourse, and the platform level. Two new fare lines and a new stairway from street level to the existing concourse level will be constructed to replace a stairway being demolished. The existing TTC escalators, currently located within the glass pavilion at 2210 Yonge Street, will remain in place and will be housed in a future standalone structure to be constructed by the owner. Construction is planned to begin in Q4 2026, with projected completion in Q1 2028.
Declaration of Surplus Property at Spadina Road and New Entrance Connection at 350 Bloor Street West
Commissioners approved a report to declare surplus to the TTC’s operational needs, and authorize the release to the City of Toronto, the portion of 6 Spadina Road and currently used as a station entrance, subject to the following requirement:
• That the Owner of the proposed development at 350 Bloor Street West construct both a new integrated entrance connection within 350 Bloor Street West and the capacity expansion work to Spadina Station.
• Authorize the release of these lands to the City, for ultimate sale to the Owner, in accordance with TTC Procedural By-Law No. 2, TTC Policy 8.2.0 – Disposal of Surplus Property, Acquisition of Real Property, Office and Short-Term Lease, and the City surplus property process, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the TTC’s General Counsel.
• Approve the new entrance connection to Spadina Station within the proposed 35-storey development at 350 Bloor Street West and the subsequent closure, and demolition of the stand-alone, single-storey entrance building to Spadina Station.
• Authorize execution of an Entrance Connection agreement, and any other agreements arising as a result of the new Entrance Connection, closure and demolition of the Existing Entrance Building, and construction of the Spadina Capacity Improvements, all on terms and conditions acceptable to the TTC’s General Counsel.
Delegation of authority during Board recess
The TTC Board approved additional delegated authorities to the Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure continuity of services during a municipal election year, and critical and time-sensitive TTC operating and capital activities continue to move forward after the last TTC Board meeting of the current 2022-2026 term on July 22, 2026.
Any use of the delegated authorities during the Board recess period, beyond the Interim CFO’s or the CEO’s otherwise regular authority, will be reported by staff at the first TTC Board meeting of the new term.
Summary of Contract Awards Over $5 million
Board members received an information report summarizing contract awards over $5 million from January 1 to June 30, 2026.
At its June 23, 2025 meeting, the TTC Board approved amendments to the TTC’s Authorization for Expenditures and Other Commitments policy, including an increase to the CEO’s delegated authority to award contracts (other than single source) for budgeted goods and services. During the six-month period ending June 30, under the new delegated authority, 20 contracts were awarded that, when considering the value of all option years, exceeded $5 million CAD. TTC staff reports semi-annually to the Board on procurements awarded through delegated authority.
Notice of Motion – Speeding up the College Streetcar Study
Commissioners passed a Notice of Motion by Commissioner Dianne Saxe directing TTC staff, in collaboration with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report back to the Board in Q1 2027 with recommendations to improve the speed and reliability of the College streetcar through measures that are within the control of the TTC. Transit priority measures (including signal changes, and parking and turn restrictions) that have been rolled out on Spadina, Bathurst, and Dundas routes have demonstrated that considerable improvements are possible when transit gets the priority it deserves. Now it’s time to learn what is possible and achievable on College Street.
Next meeting of the TTC Board
The first meeting of the new TTC Board is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15 and will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.
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