Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and welcome back!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. A big thank you to those who worked throughout the holidays, especially those of you who worked on New Year’s Eve to ensure our customers got around safely. I was out visiting workplaces – yards and carhouses – that night and was proud to see so many of you looking after the service our customers rely on.

We provide a vital public service here at the TTC. In fact, a safe and reliable transportation system in a city as big and diverse as ours is mission critical. So, thank you!

As we embark on a new year, I do want to advise of some important changes I am making in the short term and to say that more change will be coming. There is an executive search underway to recruit a permanent CEO, but until then, as Acting CEO, I am accountable to the Board and the people of Toronto to keep the TTC running efficiently and effectively.

Kirsten Watson has been appointed Acting Deputy CEO and Chief Customer Officer, and Collie Greenwood is Acting Chief Service Officer until further notice. I am counting on you for your full support, as always, as we continue the excellent work we’ve all been doing that has gotten us to where we are today: the best in North America.

In the coming weeks, we will unveil the next corporate plan, which will guide us for the next five years. TTC employees and customers alike had input into its development, which is tremendously important for the buy-in and credibility of the plan – a plan I look forward to bringing to life with your help.

I will be out visiting as many work locations as possible to say hello and to answer questions or simply chat. In the end, our job is to deliver a safe and reliable transit system to the people of Toronto. All 15,000 of us have a role to play, each dependent on the other. Please know that I’ve got your back.

Thank you for your commitment to the TTC and the people of Toronto. Be safe.

Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer (Acting)
January 3, 2018