FROM THE CEO: TTC Board Highlights

Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending my first TTC Board meeting at Toronto City Hall. It was a meaningful opportunity to thank our Commissioners in person for their ongoing support. The TTC has accomplished a great deal in recent years, thanks in large part to the continued backing of our Board, City Council, and our deeply transit-minded Mayor. That collective belief in public transit gives us the confidence and foundation to modernize, expand, and keep our system strong, safe, and reliable for all who rely on it.

A key topic of discussion was the challenge of vehicle bunching and gapping – something every transit rider has experienced and rightfully finds frustrating. I want to thank Chief Officers Fort Monaco, Rich Wong, and Josh Colle for leading the early work and sharing promising results on two key routes: 7 Bathurst and 512 St Clair. These are only the first steps, but they reflect the kind of focused, data-driven improvements we must continue to build upon.

Wilson Complex: A glimpse of our strength
​Last Friday, I toured the Wilson Complex – a powerhouse facility that brings together bus and subway operations, maintenance, and training. It was energizing to meet new bus Operator recruits, just three days into their TTC journey. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Some spoke of job security, others of strong pay and benefits, and many saw the TTC as a long-term career. Regardless of their reasons, what united them was hope, pride, and a belief in this organization.

I was equally inspired by the SmartYard innovation, a testament to our commitment to operational excellence and how we’re harnessing technology to shape the future of transit. This is more than a system upgrade – it’s a mindset shift, one that shows we are not just reacting, but leading.

To the incredible team at Wilson – thank you. Your passion, professionalism, and quiet excellence shone through in every moment. The pride you bring to your work is what makes the TTC not just a transit system, but a force of purpose in this city.

As we move forward, let us hold tight to that spirit. Because when we combine innovation with passion, discipline with humanity, we don’t just run a transit system.

We move Toronto. Together.

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​July 18, 2025

TTC Board Highlights
​​TTC Board Meeting July 17, 2025

Green Bus Program Update
​The TTC Board received for information an update report on the Green Bus Program.

Due to the timing of funding approvals, bus production lead times, and the need to replace aging buses at the end of their useful life, the next step in the program is to procure 200 hybrid-electric buses for delivery in 2026 through Q1 2028 (with contract language to procure additional hybrid buses should there be a need). As a transition technology, these new hybrids are proven reliable, impose no range limitations, and require no electrification infrastructure to be installed in advance. Further, they allow the time needed for the TTC to manage the organizational changes required for large-scale eBus operations.

With the procurement of these hybrid buses, the TTC remains on track to achieve the TransformTO Net Zero target of 2040. Funds totalling $1.2 billion are available in the Approved Capital Budget and Plan, subject to availability and approval of matching funds through intergovernmental grants, to advance electrification over the next five years.

The TTC’s Green Bus Program aims to transition its bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2040, supporting Toronto's climate goals and improving air quality. The program includes procurement of hybrid and battery-electric (eBus) buses, installation of charging infrastructure, and organizational transformation to support this transition. This program aligns with City objectives through the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, the TTC’s Corporate Plan, and its Innovation and Sustainability Strategy.

2024-2028 TTC Corporate Plan: Mid-Year 2025 Progress Update
​The Board received for information a mid-year progress report on the 2024-2028 TTC Corporate Plan. The report (as of June 2025) highlights key 2025 accomplishments to date, forecasted activities for the remainder of the year, and a look-ahead to 2026. The update also identifies key risks and issues, updated from the January 2025 Progress Report. Progress against commitments in the Corporate Plan will help inform the TTC’s 2026 Budget process.

Board members also passed a motion requesting TTC staff report to the Strategic Planning Committee on opportunities to include the implementation of measures to address service disruptions as part of the 2026 budget submission, as provided for in Objectives 2.2 and 2.3 of the Corporate Plan.

The TTC continues to deliver on the commitments outlined in the 2024-2028 Corporate Plan, with considerable progress achieved in all five strategic directions during the first half of 2025 (59 actions detailed). Regular biannual reporting on progress, key issues, and risks will continue to keep the Board, customers, employees, and key stakeholders informed about the work underway.

The TTC will undertake an end-of-year report-back to provide an update on the progress of 2025 actions and will present a more detailed 2026 future-year outlook, aligned with the prospective 2026 budget.

Addressing Service Delays on the TTC
​Board members received an information report responding to a January meeting motion for updates on five specific items. They are:

UITP maintenance review (ATC signalling): The review is underway, and preliminary findings will be provided to the Board this year. Meanwhile, the TTC has begun implementing supporting reliability measures (e.g. enhanced trackside fault detection) to address issues in parallel with the review.

Customer communication protocols: Auditing PA systems, Notices for Hearing Impaired, Disruption Notice timelines, Media and Public Alerts, and Real-time information apps.

Shuttle bus operations: Discussions to enhance shuttle bus deployment efficiency through continued consultation with ATU Local 113 are ongoing. TTC staff have been reviewing emergency dispatch protocols to reduce response times.

Surface transit redundancy: In consultation with the City’s Division of Transportation Services, the TTC is identifying surface corridor improvements to provide transit redundancy.

Track access prevention: The TTC is exploring the feasibility of retrofitting physical barriers or installing intrusion detection sensors at high-priority stations.

Purchase of Gasoline Wheel-Trans Vehicles, Introduction of Smaller Electric Vehicles
​Board members approved a report recommending a budget adjustment to allocate funds for the procurement of 105 gasoline-powered paratransit buses for Wheel-Trans service.

In parallel to a trial of all-electric Wheel-Trans (eWT) buses reported on February 24, 55 six-metre and 50 seven-metre ProMaster buses will be delivered between 2026 and 2029 in time to replace vehicles that are reaching the end of their design life. Should the eWT pilot be successful, the 105 gasoline-powered buses will be the last the TTC procures, and the fleet will be zero-emission by 2035, five years ahead of the TransformTO Net Zero target.

The report also informed the Board of an upcoming pilot program to introduce 10 smaller electric vehicles (sedans or SUVs) to the Wheel-Trans fleet to optimize the fleet mix and enhance Wheel-Trans operations.

In 2017, the TTC began transitioning its diesel-fuelled Wheel-Trans fleet to lower-emission gasoline-fuelled vehicles, and decommissioned its last diesel Wheel-Trans vehicle in November 2023. In February 2025, the TTC Board approved the procurement of five battery-electric pilot Wheel-Trans vehicles to be delivered in 2026, followed by a two-year evaluation program to inform bulk procurement, which is planned to be completed by 2028.

SRT Busway Update
​Commissioners received an update report on the SRT Busway acceleration efforts in response to a May meeting motion directing TTC staff to work with the City Manager, the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the Executive Director, Transit Expansion Division to expedite all required land acquisitions and permits to accelerate construction of the SRT Busway and report back in July on the acceleration plans.

In response to the motion, and with support of the Mayor and City Council, staff have taken measures to streamline internal processes to support the acceleration goal of achieving revenue service by the end of 2026 and have worked with various City departments to expedite the issuance of permits and property acquisition. It should be noted that the goal of achieving revenue service by the end of 2026 hinges on planned discussions with the contractor on the acceleration plan.

The report will be forwarded to the City Clerk for submission to the next Scarborough Community Council meeting for information.

The SRT Bus Replacement project is being delivered in two phases. The first phase, which was completed in 2024, involved increasing the bus terminal capacities at Scarborough Centre and Kennedy as well as various transit priority measures, such as bus priority lanes, traffic signal modifications, and changes at key intersections to allow for more efficient movement of buses in mixed traffic.

The second phase involves converting the SRT right-of-way into a Busway. The buses would operate in the converted busway between Kennedy and Ellesmere and then run on priority lanes on Ellesmere Road to Scarborough Centre Bus Terminal. Stops are planned at Tara Avenue, Lawrence Avenue East, and Ellesmere Road. The first part of Phase 2, the Early Works to remove rails and wayside electrical equipment, was completed at the end of 2024.

Chief Executive Officer Performance and Objectives
​Board members received a report that provides information respecting the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and objectives, and directed that the information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety as it relates to personal matters about an identifiable individual, including a city or local board employee. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for establishing performance objectives for the CEO and completing the annual performance evaluation of the CEO as may be required by the employment contract.

Report on the Unauthorized Release of Confidential Information from a 2023 Closed Toronto Transit Commission Board Meeting
​Commissioners adopted a report by Integrity Commission Paul Muldoon on the Unauthorized Release of Confidential Information from a 2023 Closed Toronto Transit Commission Board Meeting and unanimously passed a motion to requesting that TTC staff develop a proposal for Board consideration on when confidential information can be shared, and with whom, and best practices to be followed with respect to sharing confidential information.

Notice of Motion – Publicly Honouring the Service and Contributions of Veterans
​Commissioners unanimously passed a motion moved by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers requesting that TTC staff identify opportunities to remember and honour Canada’s veterans and highlight TTC staff who are veterans, including in TTC vehicles and in stations, and report back to the TTC Board no later than October 2025. The motion seeks to ensure TTC and Toronto’s veterans are publicly recognized and honoured on an ongoing and permanent way for their contributions and to ensure the public is knowledgeable and educated to their contributions. The TTC currently recognizes Canadian war veterans and peacekeepers with free access to the TTC on Warrior’s Day and Remembrance Day, and brings all vehicles to a halt on Remembrance Day at 11 a.m. to honour the nation’s veterans.

Notice of Motion – Honouring Frederick Langdon Hubbard
​Commissioners unanimously passed a motion moved by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers requesting that TTC staff identify and report back to the TTC Board with recommendations no later than June 2026 on appropriate internal TTC properties that could be named and/or renamed to honour Frederick Langdon Hubbard, the first Black Canadian to be appointed Chair of the TTC Board in time for the 100-year anniversary of his historic appointment in 1930. The motion also requests that the TTC Chair and staff work together to create an annual award, the Hubbard Award for Leadership, which will be given at the discretion of the TTC Chair to a TTC employee and/or employees who have demonstrated leadership skills that have significantly and positively impacted, guided and/or inspired their colleagues, TTC customers and/or the City of Toronto.

Next meeting of the TTC Board
​The next scheduled TTC Board meeting will be on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

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