CEO's Report: October Commentary

Earlier this month, the TTC again increased service to meet ridership demand. On October 8, the TTC increased service on 14 bus routes and improved on-time reliability on a further 11 routes. This is part of the TTC’s larger plan, announced this summer, to bring service on the bus network back to 99 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

This increase in demand is reflected in our ridership numbers. For the week ending October 13, excluding Thanksgiving Monday, the TTC’s average weekday boardings stand at 82 per cent of pre-COVID levels, or 2.55 million boardings. Weekend ridership continues to exceed weekday demand, being 96 per cent for this week. Bus boardings are leading recovery, at 96 per cent of pre-COVID levels, while streetcar boardings sit at 65 per cent and subway at 73 per cent. Wheel-Trans ridership is at 75 per cent of pre-COVID levels.

This month, there have been other changes to support our customers better. The TTC implemented the third phase of the Line 3 Scarborough bus replacement service plan. This plan ensures frequent, high-capacity connections with the subway, Line 2 Bloor-Danforth.

The TTC started running the 903 Kennedy-Scarborough Centre Express from a new bus terminal at Kennedy Station, expanding capacity and further improving bus services that are replacing Line 3 (more on the SRT farewell event below). We also extended the western endpoint of the 954 Lawrence East Express to Kennedy Station.

Along with looking at more frequent service, the TTC is also focused on improving customer experience. We are looking at data to plan service better as we adjust to our customers’ new travel patterns and ensure we arrive on time. We are working hard, and we are looking forward to continuing to share these changes in a November follow up.

Diversity and Culture Group

TTC celebrates Women’s History Month and Latin American Heritage Month in October
​Diversity and inclusion are priorities at the TTC, and we continue our work to ensure our workplace reflects the city and communities we serve.

In October, the TTC is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting women who have positively impacted our organization. An internal profile campaign highlights women who have made their mark at the TTC over the years.

The TTC is proud to support women in the workforce as we continue to promote hiring women through various recruitment efforts and events. Our organization strives to make everyone feel empowered and encouraged to pursue their career goals, without fear of gender bias or barriers hindering their progress. The TTC will also recognize Latin American Heritage Month in October with employee features across our employee communication channels.

Multi-Year Accessibility Plan consultation
​The TTC is preparing its next Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2024-2028). To help inform the new plan, the TTC will consult broadly with customers and employees. The consultation process will include various events, from in-person pop-ups and employee focus groups to virtual stakeholder meetings and online surveys. Consultations will begin in late October. Please stay tuned for more details.

Transportation and Vehicles Group

Wheel-Trans launches its mobile application
​Wheel-Trans launched its new mobile app on September 25. Customers can use the app with a smartphone to plan door-to-door and Family of Services (FOS) trips, track vehicle location on a map in real time, receive service alerts, view trip history, reset passwords, and modify their communication preferences.

The app is another way that we can offer customers spontaneity and autonomy in trip planning. Riders can also book their trips using the Self-booking website, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), or by contacting Wheel-Trans Reservations.

The app is available for iOS and Android users and supports most functions on the Wheel-Trans Self-booking site. Visit the Google Play Store or the App Store to download the Wheel-Trans mobile app. Anyone requiring further information can contact Wheel-Trans Customer Service by phone at 416-393-4111 or e-mail at wtcs@ttc.ca.

Farewell to Line 3 SRT
​The TTC was proud to host an open house for customers and employees to wish a fond farewell to Line 3 last month. It was heartwarming to see thousands of people come to Scarborough Centre Station to celebrate nearly 40 years of RT rail service to the residents of Scarborough.

Last August, the TTC confirmed that the SRT train service, originally scheduled to end in November, would be decommissioned following the July 24 derailment. The TTC started installing elements of the Line 3 replacement plan to ensure riders are supported and can effectively plan their trips through the fall and onwards.

One significant change resulting from the decommissioning of Line 3 is the replacement of all route maps across the network. The installation of new maps minus the Line 3 is already underway. This wholesale change involves approximately 13,000 train and streetcar interior maps, 800 in-station maps of various sizes, and 6,000 transit shelter maps. It is also worth noting that the next printed Ride Guide will be the first that will not feature the familiar blue line and button for Line 3 Scarborough.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

Public Forum on Accessible Transit
​The TTC’s Public Forum on Accessible Transit is an annual meeting where we speak directly with customers on our extensive accessibility initiatives, including the Wheel-Trans 10-Year Strategy, Family of Services and Easier Access projects. This year’s public forum was held at the Toronto Reference Library on Monday, October 23. TTC staff presentations began at 7 p.m. and were followed by a question-and-answer session. The forum was live-streamed and is available at ttc.ca.

Our mission statement at the TTC is to provide a reliable, efficient, accessible, as well as integrated bus, streetcar, and subway network. The feedback we receive directly from riders and the public is essential for helping the TTC to improve the accessible-conventional, and specialized services that we deliver to our diverse customer base.

Happy Halloween!
​I want to thank everyone involved in organizing another spine-tingling Halloween Fest on the TTC on October 28-29. The ghoulish two-day event brought thousands of people down to Bay Lower and helped us to raise much-needed donations to United Way Greater Toronto. Fun-filled activities included a haunted train and a Trick-or-Train train for children of all ages. I am already looking forward to the thrills and chills in store for next Halloween.

Halloween Fest took place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets at the door were $5 per entry, and kids two and under were free. All proceeds went to the TTC’s United Way campaign.

Safety and Environment Group

Rogers meets the Federal government’s October 3 deadline
​Starting on October 3, all TTC riders, regardless of service provider, could call, text and browse in specified tunnels and stations. Rogers formally announced that it turned on 5G service in the busiest sections of the subway system, meeting its technical obligations as defined by the Federal government.

As reported in September’s CEO’s Report, the TTC continues to work closely with Rogers to schedule the work required to complete the installation of high-speed cellular service in all subway tunnels and stations within the next couple of years.

Service is currently available in subway tunnels and at all stations on Lines 1 and 2 between Bloor-Yonge and St George. 5G service is also available at Castle Frank, Sherbourne and Dupont stations, and at stations between Spadina and Keele.

Improving 9-1-1 calling for all TTC riders is essential in increasing safety for everyone riding and working in the system.

Daylight Saving Time ends
​Looking ahead to next month, Daylight Saving Time will end on Sunday, November 5. All clocks will turn back one hour, which shifts the hours of daylight earlier. With this time change, it is important for everyone to stay alert and safe. TTC Operators are being reminded to be prepared, be aware, be careful and be rested. Customers, pedestrians and cyclists may not adjust their behaviour to account for the time change or unpredictable weather conditions so extra caution is emphasized.

Winter readiness planning
​As we approach the winter season and the return of more inclement weather days, customers will be reminded to leave extra time in their commutes, to be careful of slippery conditions, and to check ahead on the status of their TTC service by following @TTCNotices on X (formerly Twitter) or by signing up for eAlerts.

The TTC has been busy through the summer months reviewing contracts with suppliers to make certain that all of our winter inventory and equipment is ready to go. Winter preparedness for the TTC is a multifaceted and multi-departmental effort to ensure each transportation mode is prepared to deal with the severe weather ahead, and that we make all necessary adjustments to our severe weather operations plans.

On top of all that, Subway and Surface crews have lengthy annual checklists of activities that are undertaken, including, to name a few:

• Subway line inspections and repairs to heating equipment.

• Subway yard trackside heating checks.

• Snow fence installation in yards and mainline stretches.

• Leaf cleanup along tracks and tree pruning in the open cuts.

• Inspections of vehicle heating systems, cab defrosters, HVAC filters and ramp systems.

• Windshield wipers and fluid top-ups.

• Installation of winter tires on articulated buses.

• Installation of anti-icing tanks on T1 and TR storm trains.

• Testing of auxiliary equipment, such as plows, snow throwers and salting equipment.

The next scheduled TTC Board meeting will be on Wednesday, November 22. The public meeting will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​October 2023