CEO's Report: September Commentary

September is always a big month for the TTC. With school resuming this month and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicking off, we know our ridership will increase as it typically does in September. In response, service has been increased on all modes to 93 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

The planning and work to support our customers – especially those heading back to school – began months ago and includes:

• Making more room on buses by increasing service based on ridership demand and adding capacity on specific trips to address overcrowding.

• Shortening wait times by improving the bus 10-Minute Network.

• Reducing wait time throughout the day and returning service in some areas to pre-pandemic levels or better.

• Improving reliability with more unscheduled, demand-responsive service to address gapping and bunching that may appear.

I was also pleased last month to join Mayor Olivia Chow, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers and Councillor Michael Thompson in announcing that later this fall, we will increase service to 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels by November, with bus service (our busiest mode) climbing to 99 per cent.

For the week ending September 1, the TTC’s average weekday boardings stand at nearly 79 per cent of pre-COVID levels, or 2.25 million, with weekend ridership now being higher than in the summer of 2019. Boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 85 per cent of pre-COVID levels, while streetcar and subway boardings were 75 per cent. Wheel-Trans ridership is at 74 per cent of pre-COVID.

Diversity and Culture Group

TTC collects over 800 backpacks as kids head back to school
​This year, the TTC, in partnership with the Toronto and Region Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), collected more than 800 backpacks with school supplies for students returning to school in September. The backpacks were donated to children and teens in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas around the city.

The target for this year was to collect 500 backpacks for students, and we collected 833 backpacks. A big thank you to the TTC’s Recreation Council for their support, as well as the many TTC employees who donated generously.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
​September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, as well as Orange Shirt Day. The TTC is recognizing and committing to the process of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities as we reflect on the history and lasting intergenerational effects of Residential Schools and colonization on Indigenous communities.

To honour the survivors of the Residential Schools and all of the children who did not return home, all TTC buses in service will feature an orange flag with an Every Child Matters message. We are also installing window decals with a similar message on streetcars and Wheel-Trans vehicles in service.

Thank you to artist Fallon Simard who produced the artwork used in communications across the Commission.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

TTC opens Greenwood Shop for the United Way
​This month, the TTC kicked off its annual fundraising campaign for United Way Greater Toronto. Last year, TTC employees raised over $630,000 in support of our community through public events, canvassing colleagues and local workplace fundraisers. This year, we hope to do even better!

On September 16, the TTC held an open house at Greenwood Shop. It was a fun, family-friendly day where customers and the general public can explore the subway maintenance and infrastructure facilities.

The event allowed people to go behind the scenes and take a guided tour or try out the TTC’s virtual subway simulator. Last year, more than 2,000 people attended the TTC Open House at Hillcrest Complex and we expect a good turnout this year as well. Admission was $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under with all proceeds going to the United Way.

I know I speak for all employees and pensioners when I say the TC cares about the well-being of our fellow citizens. This caring is reflected in our commitment to providing the best ublic transit service possible, each day and night.

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Transportation and Vehicles Group

TTC bids farewell to the SRT
​On September 23, the TTC will be saying goodbye to the Scarborough RT (SRT) with an open house for employees and customers at Scarborough Town Centre Station.

Last month, the TTC confirmed that train service on Line 3, originally scheduled to end in November, would not restart following a July 24 derailment. The decision was made to begin implementing elements of the Line 3 replacement plan in August in order to ensure customers are supported and can effectively plan their trips this fall.

The SRT has been a huge part of Scarborough for almost 40 years. The TTC is inviting employees and the public to share their memories of the SRT and to say goodbye one last time.

Stay tuned for details on how you can be a part of the festivities.

Operations and Infrastructure Group

Service changes at Broadview Station to support streetcar infrastructure renewal
​This month until November, all bus services will be diverted from Broadview Station and from the section of Broadview Avenue south of Mortimer Avenue, to accommodate the renewal of streetcar track infrastructure at the station.

This is the next phase of critical streetcar track and overhead infrastructure renewal along Broadview Avenue, from Gerrard Street East to Broadview Station, which began in June. The work is critical to maintaining the TTC’s infrastructure in a state of good repair.

Teams are working hard to ensure the work is completed on time or ahead of schedule so that normal bus service can resume.

Broadview Station will remain open during this period, and subway service will be unaffected.

Ongoing winter readiness
​Our operations and maintenance groups have been using the summer months to ensure the TTC is ready for the coming winter season. Winter readiness planning is a year-round function at the TTC, and we use the warmer months to prepare.

For the past few months, we have been reviewing all our contracts and agreements, making sure that all our inventory and equipment is in place, and ordering anything we may need. We have also used the time to train our employees and make any necessary updates to our severe weather plans.

As an organization committed to continuous improvement, preparing for winter is a cross-department effort where we are always looking at what went well during extreme weather last year and where there are opportunities to improve.

Innovation and Sustainability Group

TTC continues to receive more hybrid-electric buses
​As we continue to work towards a completely zero-emissions fleet by 2040 or sooner, we are pleased to be receiving more new hybrid-electric bus deliveries. To date, we have received 103 new hybrid-electric buses, many of which are already in service. These comfortable, reliable and eco-friendly buses are replacing existing vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life, including 68 sixty-foot hybrid-electric buses, which will replace older forty-foot buses, adding significant capacity to the fleet and improving service.

Today’s hybrid bus is as close as possible to being a fully battery-electric bus (eBus) as it is driven by an electric motor powered by an onboard battery system. The only distinction between a hybrid and an eBus is that the hybrid has an onboard generator that produces electricity when needed. The benefits of the hybrid-electric fleet are estimated as follows:

• Reduces greenhouse emissions by 12,000 tonnes annually. Over the 13-year life of these buses, that’s the equivalent of 156,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

• Reduces diesel cost by $6,864,300 annually. Over the 13-year life of these buses, that is a savings estimated, conservatively, at more than $100 million.

• Eliminates idling in traffic and at bus stops using engine stop/start technology.

• Enables upskilling for operators and maintenance employees through an all-electric propulsion system and all-electric accessories, including doors, HVAC, power steering, and air compressor systems.

We're also deploying a geofencing program, which we recently won an award for, to reduce emissions in certain areas prone to idling or with high customer/operator traffic.

We look forward to providing further updates on this project and receiving all of our new hybrid-electric buses by 2024.

Safety and Environment Group

TTC expanding naloxone in stations
​Starting on September 8, 2023, all TTC stations will be equipped to provide access to naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose emergency. Customer-facing signs will be posted at TTC subway stations to indicate the presence of a naloxone kit. Starting on September 15, 2023, private TTC facilities such as offices, carhouses and garages, will also be equipped with naloxone kits located inside identified Automated External Defibrillator (AED) boxes.

Once training is complete, approximately 730 TTC employees will be trained on opioid overdose prevention, recognition, and response, including more than 100 Special Constables, who carry naloxone with them.

If a customer witnesses someone in need of medical intervention due to an opioid overdose at a station, they should alert TTC station staff immediately.

TTC to hold a safety exercise at Don Mills Station
​On September 17, the TTC held a training exercise at Don Mills Station to validate its existing emergency policies, plans, procedures and protocols. Exercises like this are an important part of ensuring the TTC is prepared should an issue arise. The exercise involved evacuating customers from a station, a train in a station, and a train trapped in a tunnel. The TTC worked with the Police, Fire and Paramedic services as well as other stakeholders.

There was a late opening on Line 4 that day to accommodate the exercise, and shuttle buses ran during that time.

The next scheduled TTC Board meeting will be on Tuesday, September 26 at Scarborough Civic Centre. The public meeting will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Stay safe.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​September 2023