Office of the Chief Executive

As you already know, on Monday, March 21, the Province lifted the mask mandate for most indoor settings across Ontario. Exceptions to the rule included public transit systems.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health stressed that remaining mask mandates could be lifted on April 27, which for us means the TTC’s mask mandate for riders travelling on our network will remain in place until at least that time. So for now it’s status quo.

In the meantime, we’re running updated reminders about our policy for customers returning to the TTC in the form of posters and public address announcements across the system as well as on social media.

With the earlier lifting of indoor and outdoor capacity limits, we’re already seeing an increase in ridership across all modes – and that’s great news. Bus boardings continue to lead at 59 per cent of pre-COVID levels, followed by streetcar boardings at 49 per cent and subway boardings at 45 per cent.

As for you and me and the whole of our workforce, masks are still required while working indoors at TTC locations. It’s vital that we remember the pandemic is still with us so please continue to follow our workplace safety protocols.

I was incredibly pleased by last week’s show of support and efforts to recognize Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day. Recreation committees hosted divisional barbecues, we delivered thousands of complimentary buttons to workplaces and more than a thousand of you entered the Show Your Appreciation contest for great prizes. Thanks to everyone involved for making this important initiative a success.

Next, I’m looking forward to the Rewards and Recognition annual celebration scheduled in April where we’ll honour the best-of-the-best here at the TTC.

Stay safe.

Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2022