Office of the Chief Executive

As we all know, fare revenue and fare compliance are critical for sustaining reliable public transit. The TTC is committed to maximizing its fare revenue through ridership recovery and fare compliance.

While fare evasion existed before COVID, the increased rates since COVID are unprecedented.

The TTC is not alone – many transit authorities are experiencing high fare evasion rates. Fare evasion not only impacts revenue streams, but also undermines our system’s integrity and compromises customer experience. Not paying is theft and it deprives the system of much-needed revenue.

Employees at all levels are confronting this challenge head-on and exploring effective strategies to combat fare evasion. Given the importance of ensuring our services remain sustainable and accessible to all, we must maintain a fair and equitable fare collection system that upholds the principles of accountability and transparency.

From increased fare inspections to the deployment of PRESTO systems, we are committed to finding comprehensive solutions that strike a balance between enforcement and customer experience. We are concerned about the increase in fare evasion. We are increasing enforcement and will be ticketing more often so people get the message.

Innovation Challenge deadline extended
I​ want to remind everyone that for the second consecutive year, the TTC is participating in the Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure+ (IYAI+) annual Innovation Challenge: North America. This initiative is being led by our new Innovation and Sustainability Team.

Young people (aged 18-25) who work for the TTC will compete in teams to build and present solutions to big challenges faced by our industry. We invite all youth across TTC to send us their best ideas, which will allow us to pick our final entry into the IYAI Challenge. The application deadline has been extended to April 5.

This is a great opportunity for our youth to be mentored by seasoned professionals and grow their professional networks internally and across the industry.

Thank you for all you do
​I want to thank everyone for participating and recognizing Transit Operator and Worker Appreciation Day this week.

This year, we extended our appreciation efforts 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, day in and day out. At the core of it is public recognition that transit employees 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). 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.

Finally, please know that flags across TTC properties are at half-mast until March 23 in respect of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, P.C., C.C., G.O.Q. Mr. Mulroney, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, served from 1984 to 1993. He died on February 29, 2024.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​March 22, 2024