CEO's Report: July Commentary

I am deeply honored to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer of the TTC, North America’s third-largest transit agency, proudly serving one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cities. With extensive executive experience leading transit systems in London, U.K., and New York City, I am excited to bring my expertise to Toronto.

I want to acknowledge the incredible work of the TTC team, as highlighted in this, my first CEO’s Report. The achievements and insights presented in this report are a testament to the dedication and efforts of my predecessor and the entire TTC workforce. I am grateful for their contributions, which have laid a strong foundation for our future.

My vision is clear: to make the TTC the safest, cleanest, and most reliable transit system possible. Together with our dedicated 18,000-strong workforce, we will strive for excellence to meet the needs of everyone in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

To truly understand the TTC’s challenges and opportunities, I will ride the system daily, experiencing firsthand what our customers do. I will not own a car, as I believe this is the best way to identify areas for improvement and ensure we deliver meaningful solutions.

My commitment is to make a lasting difference for the millions who rely on the TTC. I look forward to presenting future reports that reflect our shared vision, driving progress toward a safer, more reliable, and exceptional transit system that reignites the deep pride Toronto feels for the TTC.

Ridership update
​For the week ending June 27, the overall weekday boardings stood at 2.36 million per day and declined marginally by one per cent from the same week last year. Weekday boardings by mode continue to be highest on the bus network at 1.08 million, followed by subway at 1.04 million, and streetcar at 239,000. Compared to a year ago, subway and streetcar demand, respectively, increased by six and four per cent, mainly due to an increase in downtown office commutes, while bus demand declined by seven per cent.

Underground Freedom Train Ride
​The TTC is honoured to support Blackhurst Culture Centre in hosting the annual Underground Freedom Train Ride this year. The late-night journey marks the celebration of Emancipation Day on August 1 and the role of the Underground Railroad in Canadian history. It features singing and drumming performances, and also quieter moments of reflection.

Official ceremonies begin at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station at 10 p.m., followed by a freedom train trip that travels express to Union Station. More than 1,000 people participate every year.

The TTC and Blackhurst Culture Centre are proud to invite the public to attend the celebration, which is a significant reminder of the ongoing work underway to create a more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming transit system for everyone.

TTC Red Rockets cricket team
​I would like to congratulate the TTC Red Rockets cricket team for their second-place showing at last month’s CIMA Mayor’s Cup tournament at Sunnybrook Park. Our team beat the Toronto Police and Ontario Provincial Police teams to advance to the finals, but was narrowly defeated by the squad from TD Canada Trust, who took home the Mayor’s Cup. Congratulations to our players for the spirited effort and commitment: Mohammed Arab, Kevin Patel, Mathew Louis, Shaiful Islam, Mohammad Muzmmal, Sukhjinder Cheema, Ken Caliste, Adil Pathan, Francis Robart Nelson, Harpal Singh, Davinder Singh, Mohsin Patel (Vice-Captain), and Mohammed Shaikh (Captain).

Streetcar safety campaign launched
​Last month, the TTC welcomed Deputy Mayor Asuma Malik, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, and Toronto Police Superintendent Matt Moyer to the official launch of a new streetcar safety awareness campaign. The campaign is designed to educate road users that they must stop two metres behind a stopped streetcar when its lights are flashing and its doors are open. The campaign includes We Stop. You Stop. decals on the back of streetcars.

Road users must remember that it is unsafe and illegal to pass a stopped streetcar with its doors open. Through the summer, the public will see and hear Stopping Saves Lives messaging across the city, on downtown billboards, and as digital ads on various platforms. Ads will also play in traffic reports and on audio streaming services.

Between 2014 and 2024, 141 people have been hit by vehicles when getting on and off a streetcar. More than 50 per cent of incidents required hospitalization, and several involved children or elderly riders.

The TTC is also working on a pilot to develop automatic camera enforcement technology for motorists who pass open doors, which will capture the incident and license plate information. Testing is scheduled to begin late next year.

406 Scarborough-Guildwood
​The TTC introduced the 406 Scarborough-Guildwood Community Bus route pilot in east-end Toronto on June 24. The new route runs between Scarborough Centre Station and Guildwood GO Station and was launched with help from TTC Commissioner Paul Ainslie.

The 406 Scarborough-Guildwood connects several east-end landmarks, including Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Scarborough Golf Club at Lawrence – Retail Plaza, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Masaryktown Residences, Guildwood Village Shopping Centre and Library and Guildwood GO Station. Buses operate every 60 minutes during the midday and afternoon peak periods from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Community Buses connect customers to a variety of popular destinations along unique neighbourhood routes, bringing customers to the doorsteps of various buildings and landmarks, including local shops, community centres, health care facilities, and seniors’ residences. Community Buses are flexible, accessible, and anyone can ride with a TTC fare.

Service changes ahead
​Looking ahead to upcoming service changes, starting on Sunday, July 27, the TTC will improve reliability on the 100 Flemingdon Park, and introduce service adjustments with the conclusion of construction projects on the following routes: 84 Sheppard West, 98 Willowdale-Senlac, 185 Sheppard Central, 384 Sheppard West, 385 Sheppard East, 504 King, and 984 Sheppard West Express.

Free rides on Warriors’ Day for Canadian military and veterans
​The TTC is honoured to continue its long-standing tradition of providing free transit to all current members of the Canadian Armed Forces in uniform and war and peacekeeping veterans wearing military service medals or ribbons on Warriors’ Day, Saturday, August 16. Free travel is also extended to one companion on all TTC vehicles.

The TTC recognizes the valuable contributions of the Canadian military, veterans, and peacekeepers every year by providing them with rides free of charge on Warriors’ Day and Remembrance Day. This year’s parade at Exhibition Place commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the liberation of the Netherlands.

Queens Quay East Interim Bus Priority Lanes
​The TTC introduced the Queens Quay East interim bus priority lanes on June 4. The dedicated bus lanes run along Queens Quay from Bay to Sherbourne streets. Queens Quay East is growing rapidly and is the major thoroughfare of the East Bayfront neighbourhood. Key destinations and institutions in the area include George Brown College Waterfront Campus, the Waterfront, and Ookwemin Minising. The priority lanes complement increased service on the 114 Queen Quay route introduced in May.

Bunching and gapping update
​Last March, the TTC expanded a pilot to improve service reliability on 11 key bus and streetcar routes by reducing the incidence of bunching and gapping, or when vehicles do not maintain their scheduled headways. At the July 17 Board Meeting, TTC staff will provide an update on the pilot, with a specific focus on the 7 Bathurst and 512 St Clair routes and the actions being taken to improve headway reliability and, therefore, our service to TTC customers.

Thank you to Interim CEO Greg Percy
​Finally, I want to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Interim CEO Greg Percy. Greg has done an outstanding job in a short time, helping to restore the TTC’s confidence and momentum. He successfully steered the TTC through major events like multiple Taylor Swift Eras Tour concerts, severe winter storms earlier this year, and played a pivotal role in securing the largest funding increase from the City in a decade. We are all deeply grateful for his remarkable service to the TTC.

The next meeting of the TTC Board is set for Thursday, July 17, and will be live-streamed on the Official TTC YouTube Channel.

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​July 2025

Greg Percy
​Interim Chief Executive Officer
​July 2025