Message from the Executives
FROM THE CEO: TTC Board Highlights
I know that your hard work and dedication are what keep our organization thriving, and I’m grateful for your commitment. Your contributions to our company are truly invaluable, and I want you to know that we recognize and value your efforts.
We know that every day can bring new challenges, but I’m continually impressed by your resilience and ability to rise to the occasion.
So, to each and every one of our employees: thank you.
TTC Board update
On Tuesday of this week (February 28), the TTC Board discussed and approved a number of key reports dealing with service, safety and customer experience.
Among them was the 2023 Service Alignment report on our plans to match service capacity with ridership demand. It presented the first of two phases of service adjustments that start on March 26. These particular changes are in keeping with a commitment made during the City’s budget process.
The Community Safety Issues and Response report provided a detailed summary of actions taken to increase safety and security across our system, as well as resources to support individuals using the TTC for shelter. I thanked Toronto Police Service Staff Superintendent Peter Moreira, Denise Campbell, City of Toronto’s Executive Director for Social Development and Gord Tanner, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, for attending the meeting in person to answer questions from the Board.
Commissioners also considered a report on the resumption of ticketing for fare evasion, which begins later this month. I was pleased to be joined by Arlene Huggins and Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah – two experts who helped guide us in the development of new policies and data collection protocols now in place.
Please see below for more highlights of Commission decisions approved on February 28. The next Board Meeting takes place on April 13.
Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer
March 3, 2023
TTC Board Highlights
TTC Board Meeting February 28, 2023
60 Year Anniversary of the University Subway
The TTC Board began its meeting by acknowledging the 60th anniversary of the official opening of the University Subway from Union to St George stations on February 28, 1963. The University Line stretched 3.9 kilometres and included six stations: St Andrew, Osgoode, St Patrick, Queen’s Park, Museum and St George. It was built at a cost of $45 million.
Community Safety Issues and Response
The TTC Board approved a detailed report on actions taken to increase safety across the system, as well as resources to support individuals using the TTC for shelter, with the following recommendations:
1. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to respond to an emergency, defined as any situation of extreme urgency brought about by unforeseeable events that makes the procurement of goods and services necessary to address an immediate risk to health, safety, security, cybersecurity, property, the environment or other public interests of the TTC and/or City.
2. Increase the CEO’s delegated expenditure authority to a cumulative $15 million for the sole purpose of awarding or amending contracts for the procurement of goods or services to implement measures deemed necessary to respond to an emergency, as defined in Recommendation 1, and in this instance, for measures to address the health, safety and security of TTC employees, customers and the public on TTC’s transit network.
3. Approve an amendment to the TTC’s Authorization for Expenditures and Other Commitments Policy to reflect Recommendations 1 and 2 above.
4. Authority to utilize the TTC Stabilization Reserve as the funding source for any unbudgeted expenditures.
5. Request that City Council authorize the withdrawal of up to $15 million from the TTC Stabilization Reserve.
Commissioners also approved a motion requesting the CEO provide members of the Board with detailed updates on expenditures when they are made through the delegated expenditure authority, as defined in Recommendation 2, as well as providing a report on the expenditures at the next TTC Board meeting.
2023 Service Alignment – Phase 1
The TTC Board approved the 2023 Service Alignment – Phase 1 report, which outlines the TTC’s plans to match service capacity with ridership demand. The report presents the first of two phases of service adjustments and reliability changes, which are in keeping with a commitment made during the City’s budget process. Starting on March 26, service will be adjusted on Line 2, Line 4, 37 daytime bus and streetcar routes and two overnight bus routes, affecting over 327 periods of operation. Phase 2 service adjustments starting on May 7 will include changes to Line 1 and changes to some bus and streetcar routes, but also new investments, seasonal service changes and construction changes.
Commissioners directed TTC staff to forward a copy of the report for information to the City Manager – City of Toronto, Toronto City Council, GO Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit and Durham Region Transit.
Transit Network Expansion Update
The TTC Board received a fifth update report on the progress of transit projects to expand the TTC network. The TTC continues to work with key partners including Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario, York Region and key divisions at the City to advance the transit expansion projects outlined in the report that will grow Toronto’s transit network in the next decade. As the network operator, the TTC is responsible for customer experience and for a seamless, end-to-end customer journey during transit expansion project delivery and once the new transit line opens for service.
The report provides updates on the following programs:
• Provincial LRT Program: Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West;
• Provincial Priority Subway Program: Yonge North Subway Extension project (Line 1 Yonge Extension); Scarborough Subway Extension project (Line 2 East Extension); Ontario Line project (which will become the new Line 3); and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project (Line 5 Eglinton West Extension);
• City Priority Transit Expansion Projects: Eglinton East LRT and Waterfront East LRT.
Resumption of Ticketing
Board members considered a report outlining the TTC’s intention to resume ticketing for fare evasion, effective in late March of this year, as part of its overall fare recovery strategy. Fare Inspectors issuing tickets for fare evasion can positively impact customer payment behaviour, deter fare evasion and address concerns from fare paying customers. Commissioners also approved a motion requesting the TTC CEO to accurately measure and report the fare evasion rate against the achievement of targets within each CEO’s Report.
In March 2020, in response to the Provincial COVID-19 State of Emergency and measures necessary to comply with physical distancing requirements, the TTC ceased ticketing customers for fare evasion. During the pandemic, fare inspection efforts have been focused on the streetcar network to inspect, educate and inform customers about fare payment.
The Revenue Protection Department continues to work with the Diversity and Culture group and external consultants on a variety of matters relating to policy, training, customer complaints and employee conduct. As part of Revenue Protection’s culture change, various policies and frameworks have been examined to inform the approach to fare enforcement, including: TTC Anti-Racism Framework, TTC 10-Point Action Plan on Diversity and Inclusion, Five-Year Diversity and Human Rights Plan, TTC Diversity and Inclusion Policy and TTC Respect and Dignity Policy.
Fare Modernization Update
Commissioners received a report describing initiatives taking place concurrently to modernize fare collection on the TTC that are in partnership with Metrolinx.
Since the last update, the TTC and Metrolinx have had success addressing some gaps and outstanding business requirements, such as a partial open payments launch in 2023. Work to implement open payments at the TTC is ongoing with PRESTO. Overall, there are still more than 30 per cent of TTC requirements to be completed and five major gaps that are still unmet by Metrolinx that continue to have an impact on TTC customers and operation performance.
Dundas West Second Exit/Entrance and Metrolinx Bloor GO/UP Express Interconnection
The TTC Board approved the Dundas West Second Exit/Entrance and Metrolinx Bloor GO/UP Express Interconnection report and authorized the CEO or delegate to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Metrolinx for the design and construction of a second exit at Dundas West subway station based on the terms and conditions as set out a confidential attachment to be publicly released upon completion of construction.
The Subway Station Second Exit project is designed to enhance the safety of TTC customers and staff by providing an additional exit out of subway stations in the case of an emergency. A fire/life safety assessment study completed in 2002 identified 14 high-priority stations that need to have a second exit, including Dundas West Station. To date, seven of these second exits have been constructed at: Broadview, Castle Frank, Pape, Dufferin, Woodbine, Wellesley and Chester stations. Donlands, College and Museum stations are currently under construction.
TTC Customer Car Parking Lot Lease Renewal
Board members authorized staff to approve the renewal of Hydro One Networks Inc. (HONI) and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) licence agreements to be executed by the City of Toronto on the TTC’s behalf. TTC staff was also directed to develop a strategy for customer car parking and report back to the Board on outcomes and recommendations in 2023. Public consultations will begin this year, and will be reported to the TTC Board later in the year. The TTC has 24 car parks at 17 stations. Nine of these car parks, at four stations, are wholly or partly on hydro lands owned by HONI/OILC. The remainder are on land owned by the City of Toronto.
TTC Board approves contract for supply of 88 Cargo Vans for non-revenue fleet
Board members approved the award of a contract worth the total upset limit amount of $7,740,900 (inclusive of HST) to 2281610 ONT INC O/A Ford Downtown/Lincoln Downtown (Downtown Automotive Group) for the supply of up to 88 cargo vans on the basis of lowest total evaluated bid price, for a contract term of two years, commencing upon notification of award. Commissioners also approved a motion requesting TTC staff to report to the TTC Board on potential opportunities or policy changes, which could maximize procurement opportunities with the City of Toronto or Province of Ontario.
Appointments to TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors
Commissioners approved the following appointments to fill a vacancy on the TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors: Steve Anderson, Solicitor, as a Director, and Alex Cassar, Director – Budgets, Costing and Financial Reporting as an Observer.
Next meeting of the TTC Board
The next scheduled TTC Board Meeting will be on Thursday, April 13.
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