CEO's Report: November/December Commentary

As we quickly approach the end of 2024, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the TTC for their hard work, professionalism, and dedication to our customers. The recent Taylor Swift concerts in Toronto – along with the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Conference and Transit Show as well as Leafs and Raptors games at Scotiabank Arena – were a great reminder of the TTC’s excellent work in providing our riders and visitors with the best transit experience possible.

In 2024, the TTC remained focused on moving growing numbers of customers safely and swiftly across the city. Thanks to our Board members’ support, we have increased service levels across the network, and we are well on our way to a third straight year of ridership recovery and growth. I also want to extend appreciation to date to all our unions and TTC staff for the hard work to sign new collective agreements, avoiding service disruptions.

This year, the TTC introduced its new five-year Corporate Plan, Moving Toronto, Connecting Communities. Our new vision and mission statements promote the many environmental, social equity and economic benefits that the TTC already provides. The Corporate Plan will guide our organization and reinforce our key priorities as we continue to deliver service to hundreds of millions of customers a year. We are working hard to make sure we are there for customers when they need us and where they need us.

For the week ending November 2, the overall weekday boardings stood at 2.7 million per day, similar to levels observed throughout October 2024. Overall demand was three per cent higher compared to the same week in 2023. Weekday boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 1.3 million, whereas streetcar and subway boardings were at 238,000 and 1.1 million, respectively. Compared to the same week a year ago, subway demand increased by six per cent and streetcar increased by five per cent, whereas bus demand remained at similar levels. The overall customer demand is anticipated to remain at this level for the rest of the year.

People and Culture Group

United Way Campaign Update
​The TTC/United Way fundraising campaign wraps up in early December. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers and canvassers for their time and effort in making this year’s drive fun and successful, as always. Halloween Fest at Bay Lower, for example, was spectacular and attracted more than 10,000 visitors of all ages to raise funds for United Way Greater Toronto.

Over the years, TTC employees and pensioners have raised millions of dollars for this worthy cause. Our workforce has always been generous with their time and compassion. We witness first-hand the need out there, and we know that our contributions benefit many people who are supported by the 280 community agencies funded by the United Way. At the TTC, we are all united in knowing that we can make a difference.

Strategy and Customer Experience Group

TTC hosts CUTA Conference
​On behalf of everyone at the TTC, I want to say it was a pleasure to host hundreds of transit delegates representing dozens of transit properties from across Canada. All were in Toronto recently for the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Annual Conference and Transit Show. I hope their visit and experience in the city, and on the TTC, was a memorable one.

Apart from Toronto’s world-renowned attractions, the TTC and CUTA planned many exciting tours and experiences for our visitors. It was also a great opportunity to share news about our industry’s latest technology and innovation. We all share a common and deep-rooted commitment to promoting public transit and the vital role it plays in our communities. Public transit is essential not only for the mobility of our towns and cities, but for the economic health of our provinces and country.

The CUTA conference is our industry’s megaphone to deliver a message loud and clear that public transit is the better way.

MADD campaign
​Early in November, the TTC joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Toronto, Toronto Police, Fire, Paramedic Services and the OPP, to help MADD launch its annual Project Red Ribbon Campaign at Wilson Garage.

The poignant campaign is running on several TTC buses in the lead-up to the holiday season. The photos unveiled in the bus ads campaign serve as reminders of families who will spend the holidays missing a loved one lost to impaired driving. We are proud to support MADD and the victims’ families present for this crucial effort.

At the event, I expressed our sympathies to the family members and thanked them for bravely sharing their stories. We all know about the dangers of impaired driving. Public transit plays an important prevention role. With the holiday season quickly approaching, now is the time to remind everyone: if you are drinking, or impaired in any way, you should not be driving. There are many safe alternatives available, including taking the TTC.

Free rides on New Year’s Eve
​Our friends at Corby Spirit and Wine will be back to sponsor free TTC rides this New Year’s Eve. The TTC will be free of charge starting at 7 p.m. on December 31 until 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, January 1. This will be the 10th time Corby has sponsored free travel to encourage revellers to celebrate the holidays responsibly and leave the driving to the TTC.

Transportation and Vehicles Group

Winter readiness at the TTC
​While the first day of winter (December 21) is still weeks away, the TTC has been preparing well in advance for the winter season by ensuring inventory and equipment are replenished and ready for the cold weather. We also use the off-season to enhance training and modify our severe weather operations plans. All key departments have reviewed their tactics are ready to take on what lies ahead.

Our inclement weather checklist includes some of the following activities:

• Heating system checks on all vehicles to ensure riders stay warm during their daily commutes.

• Anti-icing vehicles are stocked up and prepared for use.

• Snow throwers and power-rail brushwork cars are inspected. Snow thrower work cars clear subway tracks when heavy snow accumulates. Power rail brushes keep the third rail clear of snow to keep trains moving in the open cuts.

• Every station is stocked with snow removal equipment, such as shovels, ice choppers, salt and scoop/pails to ensure riders have a clear path as soon as possible.

TTC customers are reminded to leave extra time in their commutes and to check ahead on the status of their TTC service by following @TTCNotices on X (formerly Twitter) or by signing up for eAlerts.

Lest We Forget
​On November 11, Remembrance Day, it was my honour to lay a wreath on behalf of all TTC employees at the Cenotaph in front of Old City Hall. Our Honour Guard was also part of official Remembrance Day Ceremonies.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, all TTC vehicles stopped for two minutes in remembrance of those that served and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. As in previous years, all current members of the Canadian Armed Forces in uniform, war and peacekeeping veterans, and one companion, ride free of charge on Remembrance Day. Lest We Forget.

Operations and Infrastructure Group

Improvements arrive on 501 Queen streetcar route
​With the completion of track and overhead work on Adelaide, Richmond and York streets, the TTC improved 501 Queen streetcar service between Neville Park and South Etobicoke on November 10.

I want to thank our partners at Metrolinx and the City for their collaboration on the new track work. Restoring the streetcar service on the Queen Street corridor not only allows for an uninterrupted customer journey, but also improves efficiency for customers. This routing allows for the restoration of service as close to Queen Street as possible, while making allowances for Ontario Line construction. It also removes the need for replacement buses in the area.

Update on Reduced Speed Zones
​As of November 11, the TTC had 17 Reduced Speed Zones (RSZ) in place in the subway system. A RSZ is a stretch of track where trains are required to travel at a slower-than-normal speed to minimize rail wear and allow maintenance work to be completed. RSZs are used as a safety precaution and do not indicate that the track is unsafe for operation. Regular inspections will continue to identify new or existing defects that require a restricted zone to be installed. A complete list of zones is available at ttc.ca.

Engineering, Construction and Expansion Group

Elevators in service at Castle Frank Station
​Castle Frank became the TTC’s 57th accessible station and the 25th station with elevators on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth in mid-October. Castle Frank is the third station we made accessible this year. Six more stations are scheduled to have elevators in service in 2025.

Elevator construction continues at the following stations: College, Summerhill, Rosedale, Greenwood, Lawrence, Christie, High Park, Spadina, Museum, Islington, Warden (EA component), and King.

I want to extend my appreciation to our community partners, our construction partners, and the numerous TTC departments that work extensively and collaboratively to make each accessible station a reality. All of us at the TTC take immense pride in the work being done to realizing a system without barriers.

SRT update
​Work to remove SRT infrastructure along the decommissioned Line 3 Scarborough began in September and is contracted as part of the overall $96-million busway project. Crews are removing old rail, concrete and signaling equipment, while also improving drainage and grade improvements to accommodate busway construction that is scheduled to begin next spring.

We expect demolition to carry into the new year, but it could be done earlier if the weather c0-operates. Overall construction is expected to take approximately two years if all goes as planned.

Innovation and Sustainability Program

Fleet Update
​In late September, the TTC received two new battery-electric buses, which are now in revenue service. Another 14 eBuses have arrived on the property and are being commissioned for service. When all 340 vehicles are received, we will have 400 eBuses, by far the largest in North America.

On the streetcar side, 27 new accessible streetcars have been delivered so far this year, with 26 of those in revenue service. The TTC now has a total fleet of 230 streetcars serving customers. Our streetcar fleet will grow to a total of 264 by the end of next year.

A zero-emissions fleet is critical as we move towards modernizing our service and achieving our long-term environmental objectives. We will continue to update the board on these initiatives.

Safety and Environment Group

Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day
​On Tuesday, December 17, Toronto will again recognize Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day. The proclamation will bring attention to the critical role played by people working in our industry and the challenges they face each day.

All transit workers have a right to a safe, healthy, and supportive work environment. Yet, abuse, harassment, and threats directed at transit workers while performing their duties occurs daily. The TTC does not tolerate any level of assault on our employees. We continue to explore solutions through our multidisciplinary approach and collaboration with the City of Toronto, other orders of government, external agencies, and Union partners to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and our riders.

The next scheduled TTC Board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 3. The public meeting will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Greg Percy
​Interim Chief Executive Officer
​November 2024