CEO's Report: June Commentary

I am extremely pleased that we were able to reach a tentative framework settlement with ATU Local 113, and avoid any job action and service disruptions on June 7. An earlier agreement with ATU Local 113 ensured that all Wheel-Trans services, including contracted taxi service, would continue uninterrupted in the event of job action.

This is a fair deal that is affordable for the TTC and respectful of the important work the 11,500 members of ATU Local 113 do every day to keep our system safe and our service reliable. We will share more details once the settlement has been ratified by the Union membership and approved by the TTC Board.

I want to thank the TTC Board for its guidance and leadership as well as members of both bargaining teams for their hard work to reach this framework settlement without any negative impact on TTC customers. I also want to thank all TTC employees for their dedication, hard work, and patience as we worked diligently to reach a fair, negotiated agreement.

Remembering TTC Chair Robinson
​All of us at the TTC were deeply saddened to learn that Councillor and former TTC Chair Jaye Robinson passed away on May 16. All flags across TTC properties were lowered to half-mast in Chair Robinson’s honour.

Ms. Robinson served as our Chair from December 2018 until November 2022. She oversaw many strategic changes within the organization, including bringing a more disciplined approach to long-term planning. Under her tenure, the TTC introduced its inaugural Capital Investment Plan, Making Headway, which laid out for the first time the capital supports needed to keep transit in Toronto moving.

Chair Robinson also championed greening our fleet and preparing the TTC for the future. Under her watch, we adopted many new technologies. She was a big proponent of our Innovation and Sustainability Program and for advancing environmentally sustainable programs across our operating groups and properties.

Perhaps her greatest contribution as Chair was leading the organization through the global COVID 19 pandemic – one of the most challenging times in the TTC’s 100-year history. Chair Robinson oversaw our initial response to the pandemic and then helped to chart a course for the TTC through recovery as we began to welcome customers back.

I have personally benefited from her advice throughout the years and I am proud to have had the opportunity to work directly with her in her role as TTC Chair.

TTC’s new vision and mission statements
​At last month’s Board meeting, Commissioners approved the TTC Corporate Plan 2024-2028 & Beyond: Moving Toronto, Connecting Communities.

Our newest five-year Corporate Plan provides the framework to guide our work and priorities in the delivery of mass transit services that meet the needs of Canada’s largest city. The Corporate Plan will be reviewed on a regular basis to assess progress, identify what resources and supports are required to be successful, and to account for emerging issues and risks, recognizing the dynamic environment in which we operate.

With our new Corporate Plan comes new vision and mission statements, which are now reflected on page three of the CEO’s Report. Our new vision: Moving Toronto towards a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

This vision statement is supported by our new mission statement: To serve the needs of transit riders by providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible public transit service through a seamless integrated network, creating access to opportunity for everyone.

Ridership update
​For the week ending May 31, the overall weekday boardings stood at 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels or 2.51 million. With a reduction in post-secondary students for the summer semester, overall boardings were five per cent lower than the post-pandemic record of 2.64 million set for the final week of March.

Weekday boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 88 per cent of pre-COVID levels while streetcar and subway boardings were, respectively, at 72 per cent and 74 per cent.

Diversity and Culture Group

TTC celebrates Indigenous Peoples and Pride Month in June
​June is an important month for the TTC as we recognize Indigenous Peoples Month and Pride – essential parts of our broader commitment to build a more equitable and inclusive transit system for everyone.

During Indigenous Peoples Month, the TTC is displaying First Nations, Inuit and Metis stories and contributions through customer and employee campaigns.

This year, we kicked off Indigenous Peoples Month during National AccessAbility Week by featuring a Wheel-Trans bus wrapped with art by Indigenous artist Shawn Howe. The art is called Queer Earth and represents Two-Spirited/IndigiQueer people.

The TTC also worked with Indigenous community partners to translate the names of four TTC stations (Spadina, North York Centre, Old Mill and Victoria Park) on station wall murals. Station names will be shown in three different Indigenous languages (Anishinaabemowin, Wyandot and Kanien’kéha) as a way to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous communities in Toronto. My thanks to language translators: Lena Recollet, Catherine Tammaro, Jeremy Green and Dr. Craig Kopris.

Art by Indigenous artists will be displayed on nine TTC buses, four streetcars and two Wheel-Trans buses throughout June. My thanks to participating artists: Catherine Tammaro, Joel Martin, Tannis Neilson, Shawn Howe, Mo Thunder, and SJ Okemow.

As in past years, we will also hold several events within the TTC, including sunrise ceremonies at Downsview Park Station, Lakeshore Division and McNicoll Garage.

The TTC kicked off Pride Month with a flag-raising ceremony on May 31 at Hillcrest Complex where TTC employees who shared their experiences as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community joined us.

Our Pride celebrations continue throughout the month with an internal poster campaign, featuring TTC employees across our various communication channels. Thank you to everyone who participated and who have helped to bring this important campaign to life.

We are also continuing our tradition of wrapping a 94 Wellesley bus with Pride themed artwork to celebrate the diversity of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and one of our eBuses will be wrapped for the Pride Parade on the weekend of June 23. If you see one of the Pride-themed vehicles, take a picture and share it on social media using #TTCPride.

The TTC has made equity, diversity and inclusion organizational priorities. I am so proud of the great work our staff is doing to make the TTC a more welcoming and inclusive organization.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

Body-Worn Camera pilot underway
​The Body-Worn Camera pilot for Special Constables and Fare Inspectors began on May 27. The nine-month pilot will see the cameras rotating among all Special Constables and Fare Inspectors, each wearing the devices for a six-week period. Through this phased approach, all Officers will have the opportunity to be equipped with a body-worn camera during the pilot.

Body-worn cameras will provide an unbiased and independent account of Officer/customer interactions. Special Constables and Fare Inspectors will activate their camera during the full duration of their interactions with customers in the following circumstances:

• Fare Inspectors: When conducting fare inspections and when interacting with customers to investigate and ensure compliance with TTC By-law No 1.

• Special Constables: When interacting with customers for the purpose of a lawful investigation with respect to TTC By-law No 1, Trespass to Property Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Mental Health Act, and Criminal Code of Canada.

Special Constables and Fare Inspectors are required to inform customers that they are being recorded through both video and audio at the earliest opportunity in their interaction with them.

Commissioners approved a pilot last month to support the Revenue Protection and Special Constable Service Culture Change Program. Starting this summer, Special Constable patrol cars will be equipped with in car cameras as part of a second nine-month pilot.

Bay Lower opened its doors to thousands
​Bay Lower saw 6,700 visitors as part of Toronto’s Doors Open event on May 25. While Bay Lower continues to enthrall visitors of all ages, it continues to play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of the TTC. The abandoned station is used for moving maintenance vehicles, as a training facility, and as a testing ground for new station designs and finishes before they are implemented in operational stations.

My thanks to everyone who took the time to take a behind-the-scenes tour of our popular Bay Lower. Doors Open is a great opportunity to delve into Toronto’s rich transit history.

Transportation and Vehicles Group

June service changes
​Starting on Sunday, June 23, the TTC is introducing the second phase of annual service restorations on 200-series routes and on routes with increased seasonal demand. Ongoing reliability improvements will see the implementation of new runtimes system wide to improve service efficiency.

This service board period will also see the restoration of 512 St Clair streetcar service, bus replacement on the 510 Spadina route during overhead wire work, and the closure of the Jane Station bus terminal, with bus routes diverted to neighbouring Old Mill and Runnymede stations. Other changes include:

• 508 Lake Shore streetcar service will be extended to operate between Long Branch Loop and Broadview Station.

• Introduction of overnight 312 St Clair streetcar service, between Gunns Loop and St Clair Station.

Service between Gunns Loop and Dundas West Station will be replaced by a new overnight 340 Junction bus service. The existing overnight 312 St Clair bus service will be suspended.

For complete details on the service changes, TTC customers can follow @TTCNotices on X (formerly Twitter) or check ttc.ca for the most up-to-date information.

Operations and Infrastructure Group

York Street track renewal project
​In early May, Metrolinx began streetcar track renewal work on York Street, between Adelaide and Queen streets. This work began as the City and the TTC were completing track renewal work on Adelaide (York to Victoria).

The track renewal work on Adelaide Street and York Street, as well as the ongoing required overhead wiring work, is required to effectively divert the 501 Queen streetcar around Metrolinx’s long-term closure of the Queen/Yonge intersection for construction of the Ontario Line. This closure began in May of last year.

On York Street, work crews have excavated and installed new rail between Adelaide Street and Richmond Street. On June 10, work crews started excavating between Richmond Street and Queen Street West. During this work, a single westbound lane on Queen Street West and a single northbound lane will be maintained at all times. Starting as early as June 15 (until June 18), the York/Richmond intersection will close. During this closure, a single westbound lane on Richmond Street and a single northbound lane on York Street will be maintained. This will allow construction crews to work 24/7 and excavate and remove old concrete and install new rail.

Safety and Environment Group

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Day
​The TTC will be hosting a JHSC Day in June for all JHSC Co-Chairs and executives from the TTC and its Unions. The daylong session takes place on June 18.

The main objective of JHSC Day is to bring together representatives from all 53 safety committees for an interactive day of learning and exchange of ideas. The day is also intended to enhance the scope and consistency in the work that committees perform as well as seek suggestions for improvement to the overall JHSC process.

A Joint Health and Safety Committee is made up of union and management employees. It is an integral part of TTC’s internal responsibility system, allowing a joint effort between workers and management to equally participate in resolving health and safety concerns, and to enhance the safety and health of the workplace.

Finally, I would like to wish the TTC Rockets cricket team best on luck at the CIMA Mayor’s Trophy tournament at Sunnybrook Park on June 22. The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to cheer on their favourite team.

The next meeting of the TTC Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, and will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​June 2024