FROM THE CEO: TTC Board Highlights

Season’s Greetings!

I want to begin this week by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone who made the opening of Line 6 Finch West such a remarkable success. On a cold, snowy Sunday, our team showed up with energy, warmth, and dedication – and it made all the difference. From the ribbon cutting and first ride to the interactive stations and commemorative giveaways, the day was filled with joy and pride. I saw so many of you helping customers, welcoming families, and creating memorable experiences despite the winter chill. Your smiles and professionalism turned a frosty day into one of celebration and connection.

As we celebrate this milestone, I want to acknowledge the feedback we’ve received from our customers regarding the speed of the new line. We hear you, and we own this feedback. Improving the speed and overall experience is partly within our domain, and we are committed to managing operations better. Our team is actively working on plans to address these concerns in close partnership with the City of Toronto and Metrolinx. Your input is invaluable as we strive to deliver the best possible service for our communities.

Last week, I announced an important organizational modernization. We have established a new Innovation and Strategic Projects function, led by Bem Case within our Strategy and Customer Experience Group. In addition, Renewable Energy Programs and Vehicle Programs will now report to Stephanie Davies, Chief Capital Officer.

These changes are designed to empower our teams to make informed, collaborative decisions in a controlled and strategic way. By strengthening cross-department collaboration, clarifying roles and accountabilities, and enhancing decision-making, we’re creating an environment where teams have the confidence and authority to act, while ensuring alignment with our broader goals.

As we prepare for a major investment in new subway trains for Line 2 and expand our green bus fleet, these changes ensure we are ready to meet our strategic priorities, drive innovation, and empower our people to shape the future of transit together.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the departure of Bruce Macgregor, who served as Deputy CEO. Bruce’s leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact on the TTC, helping to shape our culture and strengthen our teams. I am grateful for his many contributions and wish him well as he moves on to new opportunities.

Last week also brought the privilege of introducing several long-serving employees to Commissioners at the TTC Board meeting. Their dedication to service is the foundation of our organization’s success. Congratulations to Neil Wilson, Peter Ginko, Jon Kercz, Michael D'Alessandro, Gordon Campbell, Andrew Klamann, James Bailey (all 40 years); Jimmy Tsorlinis (45 years); Nizar Visram, James Daly (50 years); and Ronald Aguiar (55 years). Commissioners also welcomed five new ACAT members and recognized the contributions of our retiring members.

On December 17, we mark the fifth Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day with the City of Toronto. This day is a clear statement of our values: your safety comes first. TTC employees serve our city, and assaults of any kind against you are unacceptable.

I want you to hear this directly from me: we stand with you. When abuse, harassment, threats, or violence occur, we act. We take every report seriously and work with law enforcement to pursue charges and support prosecution. We also continue investing in prevention through training, system presence, and infrastructure to protect you before harm occurs.

This day is a reminder that your well-being is at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for your courage, your professionalism, and your commitment to serving Toronto.

Finally, the TTC Holiday Train is back, spreading festive cheer on Line 1 and across the city. I encourage everyone to take a ride and enjoy the vibrant wrap, candy cane stanchion bars, LED lights, and festive ads. Four streetcars are also wrapped for the season and will run into the New Year.

Happy Holidays to all our employees and pensioners. Thank you for your commitment, resilience, and heart.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​December 15, 2025

​TTC Board Highlights
​TTC Board Meeting December 10, 2025

Procurement Delegation of Authorization to CEO – In-Tunnel Motion Advertising Concession
​The TTC Board approved delegating authority to the Chief Executive Officer to approve and execute a contract award to adtrackmedia Canada LP (“adtrackmedia”) for the implementation of in-tunnel motion advertising within the TTC subway network. This delegation is required as the proposed contract term exceeds five years – a length of time necessary to accommodate installation timelines and allow adtrackmedia to recover its upfront capital investment. The initiative supports the TTC’s Non-Fare Revenue Strategy by introducing a new advertising medium and diversifying concessions beyond the existing Pattison agreement. The Board also approved a motion to identify and secure ways to unlock and maximize non-fare revenues from the TTC’s existing advertising firm.

Motion without Notice – An Urgent Need to Speed Up New LRT Routes
​Commissioners unanimously passed a Motion without Notice by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers directing the TTC CEO to work with the City Manager, the Ministry of Transportation, Metrolinx, Mosaic Transit Group and/or Crosslinx Transit Solutions to significantly improve performance, frequency, and speed on Line 5 and Line 6 by exploring and implementing where possible, the following measures including, but not limited to, strengthening transit signal priority, feasibility of increasing service frequency (including any required operating funding subsidy increase from the Province of Ontario), and reviewing internal TTC and City of Toronto policies which govern speeds on surface routes, including requirements to slow at intersections and have speed limits below those of parallel cars, and examining time management data to uncover specific sources of unreliability and delay, and provide a progress update to the TTC Board no later than Q1 2026. The motion also directed the TTC CEO to report back to the Board in Q4 2026 on a plan to measure the performance of LRT lines, including end-to-end travel targets.

Motion without Notice – Further Recommendations to Speed Up Streetcars
​Commissioners passed a Motion without Notice by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers directing the TTC CEO to work with the City Manager and report back in Q1 2026 on options exploring and implementing where possible, recommendations for removing on-street parking and restricting left turns during high-peak periods on key routes, including requirements to slow at intersections and have speed limits below those of parallel cars, and examining time management data to uncover specific sources of unreliability and delay, as additional measures to speed up streetcar lines. The motion also directed the TTC CEO to report back to the Board in Q4 2026 on a plan to measure the performance of streetcar lines, including end-to-end travel targets.

Establishment of the Frederick Langdon Hubbard Award for Leadership
​In honour of Frederick Langdon Hubbard, the first Black Canadian appointed Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in 1930, the TTC established an annual internal award titled the Frederick Langdon Award for Leadership (hereafter “The Hubbard Award”). The award will recognize and celebrate TTC employees who exemplify exceptional leadership, with significant and positive contributions to their colleagues, TTC customers, and the City of Toronto. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to equity, historical recognition, and inclusive excellence within the TTC, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Hubbard’s groundbreaking appointment in 1930. At its meeting on July 17, 2025, the TTC Board approved the creation of an annual award, the Hubbard Award for Leadership.

New members named to ACAT
​TTC Chair Jamaal Myers announced the following new members to the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) for a term starting on January 1, 2026: Azim Lila, Yasmine Gray, Gerald Mak, Paul Manna, and Nathaniel Tok. Members completing their terms at the end of the year are: Betty Rivington-Law (Chair), Mei Hung, Frank Lockhart, Maria Marin, and Lavarnan Mehavarnan.

ACAT is comprised of Toronto citizens who advise members of the TTC on difficulties faced by people with disabilities and seniors, and recommends the elimination of barriers to accessible public transit.

Financial and Major Projects Update for the Period Ended September 27, 2025
​Commissioners received a status update of the TTC’s major capital projects for the period ended September 27, 2025. Since the last Major Projects Update report, the following are key highlights:

Subway Portfolio

• Easier Access Program: Rosedale Station became the 59th accessible station on October 3, 2025, bringing the total station accessibility to 84%. • Purchase of New Subway Trains: Contract negotiations with Alstom Transport Canada Inc. were initiated in August 2025 and are targeted for completion by the end of 2025. • Line 2 Automatic Train Control: The Request for Proposal (RFP) bid submissions are currently under review, and the contract is expected to be awarded by Q2 2026.

Bus and Wheel-Trans Portfolio

• Purchase of eBuses: 247 of 340 eBuses have been delivered, of which 169 are in service. • eBus Charging Systems: Commissioned 30 charge points at Malvern Garage in August 2025. To date, 98 of 248 charge points have been commissioned. • Purchase of Wheel-Trans Buses: Received 73 of 85, six-metre ProMaster buses, of which 65 are in service, with procurement completion forecasted by Q4 2025.

Streetcar Portfolio

• Purchase of 60 Streetcars: Five additional streetcars were delivered. To date, all 60 streetcars have been delivered, of which 59 are in service. • Hillcrest Facility: Construction is progressing with the installation of pipes and cable chambers within and north of Harvey Shop. • Russell Carhouse: Track and Yard Overhaul – Stage 3 construction completion with substantial performance expected by the end of Q4 2025.

Network Wide Portfolio

• SAP ERP Implementation: Migrated SAP finance infrastructure from internal TTC data centres to SAP Cloud, which went live in September 2025, enabling access to the latest innovations and capabilities. • PRESTO: Installed Fare Vending Machines (FVMs) at two of four priority Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs), with the remaining two NIAs forecasted to be completed by the end of Q4 2025.

Board members congratulate long-service recipients
​Commissioners recognized and extended best wishes to the following TTC employees who achieved major milestones in 2025:

For 40 years:​

• Neil Wilson, Operator, Bus Transportation
​• Peter Ginko, Operator, Bus Transportation
​• Jon Kercz, Facilities Co-ordinator, Property, Planning and Development
​• Michael D'Alessandro, Communications Supervisor, Signals/Electrical/Communication
​• Gordon Campbell, Operator, Streetcar Transportation
​• Andrew Klamann, Revenue Equipment Mechanic, Revenue Operations
​• Jim Bailey, Claims Adjuster, Legal

For 45 years:

• Jimmy Tsorlinis, General Woodworking Machinist, Streetcar Maintenance
​• Nizar Visram, Coach Technician, Bus Maintenance and Shops

For 50 years:

• James Daly, Customer Service Agent, Stations

For 55 years:

• Ronald Aguiar, Customer Service Agent, Stations

Next meeting of the TTC Board
​The next regular scheduled TTC Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

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