CEO's Report: December Commentary

This month, I want to shine a spotlight on the TTC’s Wheel-Trans service – a cornerstone of accessibility and inclusion in our city.

In 2024, Wheel-Trans carried more than 3.5 million riders and operated over 27 million kilometres. The fleet consists of 268 Wheel-Trans buses and more than 1,600 accessible taxis and sedan taxis, serving more than 45,000 active registrants.

Wheel-Trans marked a major milestone this year – its 50th anniversary. What began on February 3, 1975, as a two-year demonstration project to provide transportation for persons with disabilities, has grown into one of the most respected accessible transit services in North America. Initially operated by a private company and funded by the Province and Metro Toronto, Wheel-Trans quickly proved its value with enthusiastic early reviews. In 1989, Wheel-Trans was fully integrated into the TTC, paving the way for improved service and reliability.

Today, ridership and customer satisfaction continue to rise. We’ve seen 1.1 million Family of Services boardings, up 18.8 per cent year-to-date, and customer satisfaction stands at 89 per cent. Operational performance remains strong, with on-time performance at 92.6 per cent and an accommodation rate of 99.9 per cent as of October 2025. These numbers reflect our commitment to dignity, spontaneity, fairness, and freedom of travel for all customers – values that guide everything we do.

TTC’s 2026 World Cup planning
​We are also preparing for one of the biggest events in Toronto’s history – the FIFA World Cup 2026. TTC teams are working closely with the City’s FIFA Secretariat and multi-agency partners to finalize the Mobility Plan for Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway.

Our focus is on reliability and transit priority. We are collaborating with City staff to implement RapidTO initiatives on Dufferin and Bathurst streets, ensuring smooth travel along key corridors serving event venues. The first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil will take place on Friday, June 12, 2026, and the TTC will be ready to deliver world-class service for fans and residents alike.

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​December 2025