CEO's Report: February Commentary

The TTC was honoured to welcome the Stanley Cup and NHL All-Star Tomas Kaberle aboard a Line 1 train for an historic trip from Davisville to Union stations last month. The surprise trip was an absolute delight for riders and hockey fans who took selfies with the Cup and received autographs along the way and at its final stop at Union Station.

The event was a lead-up to NHL All-Star Weekend earlier this month, when the TTC welcomed thousands of hockey fans from near and far. The TTC is the better way for sports fans and elite athletes all year round. Whether it is a game day or any other day, we are committed to taking our customers wherever they need to go. Our thanks to Rogers, in particular, for making this historic ride with the Stanley Cup possible. The experience brought immense joy to our riders.

On February 8, All-Stars MVP Auston Matthews and the rest of the Maples Leafs boarded a Line 1 train at Union Station for their annual journey to their outdoor practice at Nathan Phillips Square. TTC riders had a chance to chat with players in full uniform before the team exited at Queen Station. It was great fun for everyone.

For the week ending January 26, overall weekday ridership stands at 77 per cent of pre-COVID levels, a three-per-cent decline from levels observed in fall 2023. The slight decline can be attributed to exam week for TDSB and TDCSB secondary schools, temporarily reducing student demand. Due to exam weeks spanning over the following reporting week, similar levels were expected. Weekday boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 89 per cent of pre-COVID levels while streetcar and subway boardings were at 66 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively.

People Group

TTC wins United Way Outstanding Campaign of the Year Award
​I am proud to say that the TTC has won United Way Greater Toronto’s Outstanding Campaign of the Year Award for our 2023 employee fundraising campaign. Last year, we raised more than $678,000 for services that benefit our community. Employees and pensioners held a donation drive and organized fundraisers, such as barbecues, a fun run, garage sales, a very popular Halloween Fest at Bay Lower and an open house at Greenwood Yard.

This amazing result would not be possible without the hard work of our employees, pensioners and Union partners. Well done, all!

Diversity and Culture Group

Celebrating Black History Month
​The TTC is proud to once again celebrate Black History Month. This year, the TTC partnered with AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives for a second time.

Specially wrapped buses and streetcars are travelling across Toronto, showcasing this year’s campaign theme, Moving Legacies: Celebrating Black Excellence in Toronto. Among those being honoured on our vehicles and spaces are the TTC Board’s first woman Vice-Chair, the late Dr. Beverly Salmon, the TTC’s first Black woman streetcar Operator, Irma James, and Walter Alexander Foster, one of the earliest Black streetcar conductors who worked for the Toronto Railway Company.

The artwork spotlights key Black figures who have played an important role in civil rights, law, culture, government, health, sport, education and transit. The TTC encourages everyone to experience these inspiring art installations and learn more about Black Canadians’ significant contributions to our city.

Riders can use the digital Black History Month Ride and Find Guide to take the TTC to visit high-profile locations across the city where key Black figures have left a legacy mark. The guide is available at www.ttc.ca/BHM.

AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives is a not-for-profit organization that brings forward opportunities for Black artists and youth to be more visible through public art projects. The TTC thanks the following artists for their inspiring work: Indiigo Cocoa (Shashann M.T.), Samantha Dennis, Gordon Rowe, Jovita Odegua Akahome, Andrew Patterson, Camille Lauren, Mya Salau, Meighan Morson and the Astrosankofa Artist Collective.

Our first-ever, employee-inspired campaign kicked-off at Leslie Barns with guest speakers, refreshments and African Diaspora music. The event was attended by Mayor Olivia Chow and TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, and included a specially wrapped streetcar on display. Company-wide posters and videos are spotlighting Black employees from various departments and vocations. I want to thank all our employees who have helped the TTC recognize this important month.

TTC recognizes the Year of the Dragon
​This month the TTC is recognizing Lunar New Year – the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength, courage and a strong moral compass. The TTC will join the celebrations through the month by operating specially wrapped streetcars and buses travelling across the city, such as on the 510 Spadina and 506 Carlton routes.

A special campaign within the TTC has our employees sharing their stories about how they celebrate the Lunar New Year with families, friends, co-workers and their communities. My thanks to everyone who is participating this year.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

One-Fare program launches this month
​Starting on February 26, transit customers will no longer have to pay a double fare when they take the TTC and GO Transit or the TTC and another municipal transit agency (MiWay, Brampton Transit, York Region Transit, Durham Region Transit) when they pay with a PRESTO fare card, PRESTO in Mobile Wallet, debit card or credit card.

The official announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford, Mayor Olivia Chow and other dignitaries and elected officials at Downsview Park Station on February 5.

Customers transferring between the TTC and GO Transit will be reimbursed for their single-ride TTC fare, and customers transferring between the TTC and a municipal transit agency will be able to transfer to or from these agencies using their two-hour transfer without paying a second fare.

Transportation and Vehicles Group

Service changes in February
​Starting on Sunday, February 18, the TTC will be introducing service and reliability improvements to better match capacity to demand, and to better match observed operating conditions, on the following routes: 29 Dufferin, 35 Jane, 41 Keele, 125 Drewry, 935 Jane Express, 941 Keele Express, 960 Steeles West Express, 33 Forest Hill, 63 Ossington, 126 Christie, 127 Davenport and 505 Dundas.

The TTC will also be introducing new schedules to the following services due to various construction activity along these routes: 63 Ossington, 304 King, 501 Queen, 504 King, 505 Dundas and 508 Lakeshore.

TTC riders can follow @TTCNotices on X (formerly Twitter) or check ttc.ca for the most up-to-date information.

Engineering, Construction and Expansion Group

King Street West water main replacement and track renewal project
​Beginning Sunday, February 18, the City of Toronto and TTC will be replacing aging water mains and renewing streetcar tracks along King Street West, between Shaw and Dufferin streets.

This critical state-of-good repair work will impact the 501, 504, 508 and 304 streetcars as well as the 63 Ossington bus service.

The TTC is working to ensure that customers who are impacted by these changes have efficient and reliable service during construction. Customer Service Agents will be on site to help direct commuters. The TTC will also have information about route changes available on our website, social media, and in printed flyers and postcards.

This work is expected to be completed by December 2024.

Pre-qualified bidders announced for BYCI project
​The Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements (BYCI) project continues to move forward. Three qualified bidders have been shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposal for the BYCI Progressive Design-Build project.

The qualified bidders are Bloor-Yonge Crossline Partners, EllisDon-Barnard Joint Venture and Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture. The request for pre-qualification was issued in December 2022. These pre-qualified teams have the combined construction, design and financial capacity to undertake a project of this size and complexity. The winning bidder will be announced once all three teams have submitted their proposals.

Construction is expected to begin as early as 2026.

The Bloor-Yonge project will significantly expand and rehabilitate the existing interchange station to improve efficiency and capacity and reduce overcrowding during rush hours.

Safety and Environment Group

More TTC staff now carry naloxone
​The TTC has taken further steps to improve access to naloxone to help prevent and respond to drug overdoses in the system. Last month, Fare Inspectors began carrying naloxone, similar to Special Constables. Since these employees are mobile and respond to situations throughout the TTC, carrying naloxone will ensure they can readily access and administer doses, when required.

TTC employees who are designated to administer naloxone also include station supervisory staff, Mobile and Chief Supervisors, Training Instructors and designated first-aid attendants. All designated staff are certified in first aid and have completed naloxone training. Employees may also provide the naloxone spray to a bystander who volunteers to administer it.

Access to naloxone is available at all subway station Collector Booths and Hubs.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy Family Day on Monday, February 19.

The next meeting of the TTC Board is set for Thursday, February 22 and will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​February 2024
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This commentary is published in the CEO’s Report, which can be found on the TTC Intranet and ttc.ca.