CEO's Report: March Commentary

March 18 was Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day across North America. The day was a time for everyone to thank transit employees for their dedication and commitment to public service.

This year, the TTC is extending our employee appreciation campaign through most of March with various workplace events and contest giveaways. These uplifting activities help to build spirit and teamwork for the people who work hard to keep the city moving.

Transit workers and operators work day in and day out to serve our customers and connect communities. They deserve to have a safe work environment and be treated with respect and dignity.

With the support of the TTC Board and City Councillors, and through provincial funding, we are making record investments in safety and security on the TTC. Since we have enhanced the visible presence of staff throughout the system, the rates of offenses against employees have decreased by 40 per cent year-over-year (January 2023 to January 2024). In fact, offenses against customers are also down 22 per cent during the same time.

The safety and security of TTC employees, as well as our customers, is our top priority. We continue implementing new measures and resources to ensure everyone feels secure on our system – whether riding it or working on it.

We are also working hard to explore new ways to enhance the customer experience. In February, the TTC launched an innovative communications initiative by providing live service updates on the morning program, Breakfast Television.

Broadcasting directly from TTC Transit Control, the team delivers essential information on service status across the bus, subway, and streetcar networks, ensuring customers are well-informed for their morning commutes.

From details on planned diversions to updates on early subway closures and progress on track repairs, the live updates on Breakfast Television serve as a valuable resource for our customers. These updates are not limited to just the morning hours; our team continues to provide regular hourly reports throughout the day on CityNews 24/7, keeping our customers informed around the clock.

For the week ending March 1, overall weekday boardings stand at 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels, a three-per-cent decline from levels observed in fall 2023. This decline is due to a reduced post-secondary student demand as the colleges were closed for reading week. Weekday boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 92 per cent of pre-COVID levels, while streetcar and subway boardings were at 69 per cent and 73 per cent, respectively. Demand was expected to reduce further during the week of March 11 as elementary and secondary schools were closed for Spring Break.

Enterprise Asset Management at the TTC
​The TTC is developing an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) program to meet the requirements under the Ontario Regulation (588/17), and ultimately to optimize infrastructure investment decision-making, life cycle delivery, asset information, and people and risk management.

The scope of assets that the TTC owns and manages compromises the vehicles, infrastructure, facilities and support systems necessary to operate and maintain the essential bus, subway and streetcar services that keep our great city moving.

Effective asset management ensures that an organization’s assets are managed in a way that achieves the required level of performance, while managing risk and reducing whole-life cost.

Through an external third party, the TTC has prepared an Asset Management Plan with a multi-year roadmap, which has been circulated for review and feedback with key stakeholders within the organization. The plan is scheduled to be presented at the TTC Board meeting in April.

People Group

Celebrating employee achievements
​Earlier this month, the TTC formally congratulated an amazing group of employees at 0ur annual Rewards and Recognition celebration. More than a dozen of our finest and most talented people were saluted for their outstanding achievements in 2023.

Awards went to individuals and teams for demonstrating our core values of safety, leadership, customer service, teamwork, diversity, and innovation and creativity. Among the employees that were recognized was Training Instructor Sydney Sommerville, the 2023 TTC Employee of the Year.

Sydney exemplifies the TTC’s commitment to creating opportunities, teaching youth and implementing new and innovative ideas.

It was also my privilege to present the CEO Award to our TTC/United Way Campaign Co-chair Kathy Wyeth. Kathy has been involved with the TTC/United Way campaign since 1996 in various capacities and has continued to do so on a volunteer basis since her retirement.

All our award recipients and finalists have demonstrated their commitment to making the TTC the better way. A big congratulations to everyone!

Diversity and Culture Group

Reflecting the diversity of the city we serve
​I want to take this opportunity to thank all our employees who participated in our Black History Month and Lunar New Year festivities in February.

Throughout the month, there were many opportunities across the organization for our workforce to share and learn about the contributions of Black and Asian community members and co-workers.

The TTC joined citywide celebrations throughout the month by operating specially wrapped streetcars and buses across the city. My thanks to Mayor Chow and TTC Chair Myers for their messages of support.

I am grateful to all our staff who supported Black History Month and Lunar New Year and for bringing our internal and external campaigns to life. These important initiatives help to ensure we create real, lasting and meaningful change to make the TTC a welcoming place for customers and employees.

TTC recognizes International Women’s Day
​The TTC thanked and celebrated all the individuals who identify as women who work at the TTC on International Women’s Day, March 8. Recognizing International Women’s Day is an important reminder to continue to work toward a more equitable and inclusive TTC.

Over the last few years, we have made great strides in addressing the gender gap experienced in the transit industry. For the third year in a row, we have achieved our goal of having four out of every 10 Operators hired being individuals who identify as women, as set out in the 10-Point Action Plan on Diversity and Inclusion. We are now working towards ensuring that 40 per cent of all new hires across the organization identify as women.

It is equally important that those who identify as women at the TTC feel empowered and encouraged to pursue and achieve their career goals during their time here.

We are working hard to provide career development and mentorship opportunities for women at the TTC. The TTC’s Female Operator Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program is a prime example. Since 2022, the program has grown to have close to 100 mentors who guide women probationary Operators in all modes to support their success.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

One Fare Program launched on TTC on February 26
​Starting Monday, February 26, transit customers no longer had to pay a double fare then taking the TTC and neighbouring transit systems, including GO Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit and York Region Transit. My thanks to Metrolinx and TTC staff for supporting our riders at various subway stations during the first few days of the One Fare Program’s introduction on the TTC.

The One Fare Program is available to adult, youth, senior, post-secondary, and Fair Pass Transit Discount Program customers when using a PRESTO card, PRESTO in Mobile Wallet, or open payment methods, including debit and credit cards.

Under Ontario’s One Fare Program, the Province of Ontario, through Metrolinx, will reimburse 100 per cent of eligible trips to transit agencies for foregone farebox revenue. Eligible trips include those made within the free transfer period using a PRESTO fare card, PRESTO in Mobile Wallet, debit or credit card. It does not apply to customers paying with cash, or with a PRESTO ticket or TTC ticket or token.

Subway Musicians Auditions are back
​The TTC’s Subway Musicians Auditions got underway recently. All this month, the TTC will be accepting 175 audition hopefuls for our Underground Sounds Program.

Subway buskers have been a unique part of the TTC for 45 years. Since 1979, local amateur and professional musicians have competed for the opportunity to perform for the transit masses. Along the way, they have inspired and entertained us with an array of interesting and culturally diverse music. Musicians can audition by uploading a video performance on YouTube. Each act, single or duo, must record a five-minute performance featuring a medley of three songs.

Judges will score all the acts for musicianship, entertainment value, and stage presence. The top 89 buskers pay a license fee of $197.75, which will permit them to perform at one of 29 dedicated station spaces throughout the system for the next three years.

2024 Ride Guide Lite now available
​The 2024 Ride Guide Lite is now available to TTC riders. This year, we collaborated with Toronto illustrator and designer Tim Singleton to design a Ride Guide cover that uniquely features nods to the fabric of our city. The Ride Guide comes in multiple formats. The Lite version is now on buses, streetcars and subway trains.

The Ride Guide Mini and full-size Guide will be available at all Station Collector Booths, TTC Customer Centre (above Davisville Station), and at major shopping mall information kiosks in the coming month. A poster version of the cover art is available for purchase at ttcshop.ca.

Transportation and Vehicles Group

Spring vehicle checks underway
​At this time of year, the TTC’s fleet of vehicles undergoes an extensive spring maintenance checklist. Bus Maintenance is currently working towards a full fleet inspection of air conditioning systems. The program starts at the beginning of March and is scheduled for completion by the end of May.

Crews will inspect more than 2,000 buses during this period, which takes place each year to ensure a positive experience for our customers and Operators during the summer months.

Inspections cover all aspects of the AC system and involve replacing various filters designed to protect the system and vehicle occupants. Buses are fitted with Merv-13 filters to reduce interior pollutants. These preventative measures have proven to be our best line of defense leading up to the hotter days of summer when the AC needs to be performing most efficiently. Included with this work is the replacement of windshield wipers and a full inspection of bike racks. We perform similar work in the fall when we do a thorough inspection of the heating system.

Streetcar service back at Broadview Station
​Last month, 504 King, 505 Dundas, and overnight streetcar services returned to Broadview Station. Streetcars had been on diversion since June 2023 for a co-ordinated construction project between the City of Toronto, Toronto Water, and the TTC to renew and upgrade important infrastructure in the area, including the replacement of streetcar tracks along Broadview Avenue, between Gerrard Street East and Broadview Station.

Thank you to our customers for their patience and understanding while we carried out this critical work.

Operations and Infrastructure Group

Service changes due to King Street West construction
​Last month, the TTC and the City began replacing the aging water main and streetcar tracks along King Street West, between Shaw and Dufferin. This major effort will impact our 63 Ossington, 501 Queen, 504/304 King, and 508 Lake Shore services until December when construction is scheduled for completion. Wheel-Trans service remains accessible in all areas where local traffic is permitted.

We appreciate that construction and route diversions can be challenging, and we have measures in place to ensure that customers are aware of the changes as well as alternate routes to get to their destinations. Customers can expect to see clear signage, dedicated TTC staff members on hand to answer questions, and information on our website and social media channels.

My thanks to everyone who is helping to ensure there are alternative routes available for customers and making service adjustments, as needed.

Restricted speed zones in the subway
​On February 15, the TTC advised customers of progress in lifting speed restrictions along sections of track on Line 1 Yonge-University when we returned more than 9,000 feet of track back to normal operating speeds. Significant progress has been made since that update. This month, TTC crews have conducted repairs, enabling 5,420 feet of track on Line 1 and Line 2 Bloor-Danforth to resume normal train speeds. By the end of March, normal speeds will resume along a further 1,130 feet of Line 1, including from St Andrew to Union stations, and York Mills to Sheppard-Yonge.

Innovation and Sustainability Program

Innovation challenge for young transit employees
​The TTC is excited to participate in the second International Youth Alliance for Innovation (IYAI) Challenge. The IYAI Challenge is a competition among transit agencies throughout North America designed to encourage those aged 18 to 25 to pursue a career in transit and to develop innovative solutions to some pressing challenges.

Last year’s challenge was a great opportunity to engage the youth within the TTC to help drive innovation. It was the first year that TTC took part, and I am very proud to remind everyone that our young team took top honours at the North American competition for their presentation on how to improve customer flow on public transit.

I am looking forward to more great ideas coming forward this year.

Safety and Environment Group

Clocks sprung forward one hour on Sunday, March 10.
​With the return of Daylight Saving Time, it is important for everyone to stay alert and safe and remember that the weather can still be unpredictable. All drivers and road users are reminded to scan ahead and stay alert at all times, always follow the posted speed limit, share the road, and be mindful of possible fatigue.

Finally, the TTC acknowledges two significant milestones this month. First, 100 years ago on March 13, 1924, the Toronto Transportation Commission began its move to its new Hillcrest Shops at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road, the former site of Hillcrest Race Track. In addition, 70 years ago, on March 30, 1954, Canada’s First Subway, the Yonge Line, officially opened from Eglinton to Union stations.

The next meeting of the TTC Board is set for Thursday, April 11, and will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​March 2024