Office of the Chief Executive

We began the week with a major announcement that the TTC is restoring service levels starting this Sunday.

Joined by Mayor Olivia Chow and new TTC Chair Jamaal Myers at Scarborough Centre Station, we announced TTC services in September will increase to 93 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, resulting in more frequent and reliable service as well as less crowded vehicles for our riders. Later this fall, service will improve to 95 per cent, with bus service returning to 99 per cent of pre-pandemic hours.

When students return to classes next week, the TTC will have 126 trips to routes serving schools. There will be better service on nine bus routes that serve post-secondary institutions, including to Centennial College and University of Toronto Scarborough campus.

In addition to reinstating school trips, the TTC is adding service on routes where crowding is observed with demand-responsive service or scheduled trips. By October, schedules will be adjusted to reduce wait times for TTC buses, streetcars and subway trains, with a particular focus on off-peak periods.

One of the most significant changes for riders in Scarborough will occur in November when we fully implement the bus replacement plan for Line 3. This will extend eight bus routes from Scarborough Centre to Kennedy stations so that Scarborough residents will have a direct bus route to the subway without needing to transfer.

The service increases in the fall are new and made possible by reinvesting some of the $60 million that was originally budgeted to operate the new Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown.

Newest accessible streetcar #4604 has arrived
​The TTC’s newest accessible streetcar, car #4604, arrived in Toronto in early August and was offloaded at Hillcrest.

The arrival of our 205th accessible streetcar from Alstom’s manufacturing plant in Thunder Bay was received with great anticipation. The new vehicle is expected to enter revenue service later this month after thorough testing and commissioning.

Funding commitments by all orders of government enabled us to secure the additional vehicles and much-needed investments at Hillcrest to accommodate an expanded fleet. Design and construction to modernize Hillcrest is already underway. The TTC’s Streetcar Program allows us to provide a reliable and accessible service for decades to come.

In 2021, City Council unanimously approved the TTC’s capital budget amendment for the purchase of 60 new accessible streetcars and upgrades to Hillcrest Complex. The purchase will bring the total fleet size to 264 over the next couple of years.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​September 1, 2023