FROM THE CEO: TTC Board Highlights

It was our pleasure to recognize a special TTC anniversary at this week’s Board meeting. The TTC Supervisory Honour Guard received a public salute for 30 years of dedicated service.

Over the past three decades, the Honour Guard has proudly carried the TTC’s colours during times of celebration and sorrow. Since forming in May 1995, the Guard has displayed tremendous pride in their volunteer duties, upholding our core values of safety, service, and courtesy.

The Honour Guard has represented the TTC with dignity by marching in ceremonies and parades, alongside the City’s Honour Guards—who represent firefighters, paramedics, and police. They have also stood silently and stoically at funerals for our own fallen colleagues.

On behalf of the TTC Executive and all employees, I want to extend our sincerest appreciation to all current and retired Honour Guard members for their service.

TTC Board meeting
​Board members approved an exciting partnership opportunity with Toronto Metropolitan University.

A report before the Board establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration with the university, which will create what is called a Transit Innovation Yard (or TIY). The TIY will be a first-of-its-kind innovation hub focused on solving critical transit challenges. Through this unique partnership, the TTC will gain access to cutting-edge solutions from both TMU researchers and top-tier startups, while providing a real-world testing ground for transit innovation.

The partnership also includes the renaming of Dundas Station to TMU Station, with costs for the changeover covered by the university. The renaming offers a significant cost-saving opportunity as the TTC prepares for the opening of Line 6 Finch West, which will include reprogramming the subway train announcement system.

Please see below for highlights of Commission decisions approved on May 14.

Have a fun and safe Victoria Day long weekend.

Greg Percy
​Chief Executive Officer
​May 16, 2025
​
​TTC Board Highlights
​TTC Board Meeting May 14, 2025

TTC Supervisory Honour Guard 30th anniversary
​The TTC Board officially congratulated the TTC Supervisory Honour Guard on its 30th anniversary in 2025. Over the past three decades, the Honour Guard has proudly carried the TTC’s colours during times of celebration and sorrow. Since forming in May 1995, the Guard has displayed tremendous pride in their volunteer duties by upholding our core values of safety, service, and courtesy.

Human Resources Committee appointment
​The TTC Board appointed citizen Commissioner Julie Osborne to the Human Resources Committee. The committee is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling its obligations related to labour relations, human resources, health and safety, and compensation matters. In addition, the Committee is responsible for the establishment of performance objectives for the CEO, and for completing the annual performance evaluation of the CEO as may be required by the employment contract. The committee’s next meeting is June 30.

TTC/TMU Partnership Proposal and Renaming Dundas Station
​After a presentation from Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, the TTC Board approved the TTC/TMU Partnership Proposal and Renaming Dundas Station report, with the following recommendations:

• Approve a partnership framework between the TTC and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and the renaming of Dundas Station to TMU Station, as outlined in Confidential Attachment 2.

• Delegate authority for the TTC CEO to enter into and execute a partnership agreement, that clearly specifies the benefits of the partnership to the TTC, including the duration of the partnership, its governance, its funding, how research and innovation topics are selected, how the results are shared, dispute resolution and how the success of the partnership will be assessed, all subject to terms and conditions acceptable to the TTC General Counsel.

• Authorize that the confidential information as contained in Confidential Attachment 2 remain confidential as it contains information that could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.

In response to Board direction and City Council requests regarding the naming of Dundas Station, the TTC received a formal partnership offer from TMU that includes renaming the station that is integrated with their campus. The TTC Board directed that any “background on any requests or discussion with non-profit third parties with respect to the naming of Dundas Station and/or Dundas West Station” be brought to the Board. TMU has presented the TTC with a broader partnership agreement that includes the renaming of “Dundas Station” to “TMU Station”. The proposed agreement would cover the cost of the renaming and create an opportunity for ongoing collaboration with the university, including the creation of the Transit Innovation Yard (“TIY”).

Dundas Station has become deeply integrated with TMU as the university’s physical footprint and student population have grown significantly in recent years. The station now serves as a key access point for students, staff, and visitors. This transformation mirrors other examples across the TTC network, such as the relationship between the University of Toronto and St George Station, and between York University and York University Station. In each case, the TTC has become an essential part of the campus environment, supporting academic and community activity. Given this strong integration, the proposed agreement and renaming presents an opportunity to better reflect the station’s role in serving the university community.

The TTC has identified a short window for significant cost savings for the implementation of this name change due to ongoing work in preparation for the opening of Line 6. There is Line 6 programming for the Toronto Rocket (TR) subway trains that will allow the TTC to request Alstom, the third party responsible for subway train announcement system, to begin preliminary technical work in preparation for a potential Dundas Station name change. Directing Alstom to begin this work now will allow for the name to be updated on audible and visual in-train announcements in time to roll-out with the upcoming opening of Line 6.

Benefits of Transit Investment Phase 2 Project Final Report to TTC
​The Board received for information the Benefits of Transit Investment Phase 2 Project Final Report.

The Final Report provides a comprehensive and data-driven assessment of the far-reaching economic, social, and environmental benefits of TTC investment. Conducted by transportation and economic experts from the University of Toronto, the study applied a rigorous dual-modelling approach to quantify both the direct and indirect impacts of transit funding decisions.

The findings of this study reinforce the idea that transit investment is not merely a public expenditure, but a high-return economic strategy. With benefit-cost ratios averaging seven-to-one, the report demonstrates that every $1 invested in TTC services and infrastructure generates approximately $7 in economic and social benefits. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the consequences of disinvestment, revealing that failing to maintain service levels or deferring critical capital projects could lead to a substantial loss of economic output, increased congestion, higher transportation costs for households, and diminished environmental and health outcomes.

Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America, with a population of more than three million residents. It is forecasted to grow to more than four million residents by 2046. As Canada’s largest city, Toronto produces approximately 26 per cent of Ontario’s GDP, accounting for 10 per cent of Canada’s GDP.

The movement of people is critical to a growing region, enabling residents to access employment, education, and services. In 2024, the TTC (including Wheel-Trans) provided more than 423 million rides.

In 2022, the TTC partnered with the U of T’s Mobility Network to research, identify, and quantify the economic and other key benefits of investment in transit and the TTC.

By quantifying the TTC’s contributions to economic growth, enhanced mobility, and environmental sustainability, the findings provide a compelling case for continued support of transit operations and infrastructure expansion. The TTC’s research partnership with the U of T reflects its commitment to evidence-based planning and sustainable transit solutions. By continuing to invest in public transit and leveraging academic expertise, the TTC can play a central role in building a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future for Toronto and its surrounding communities.

Transit Priority Measures on Dufferin Street and Bathurst Street
​Board members approved a report for transit priority on Dufferin and Bathurst streets, with the following recommendations:

• Endorse the proposed installation of priority bus lanes in both directions on Dufferin Street between Eglinton Avenue West and King Street West.

• Endorse the proposed installation of a southbound transit lane on Dufferin Street between Thorburn Avenue and Springhurst Avenue.

• Endorse the proposed installation of priority bus lanes in both directions on Bathurst Street between Eglinton Avenue East and Bathurst Station (Barton Avenue).

• Endorse the proposed installation of centre priority transit lanes in both directions on Bathurst Street between Bathurst Station (Barton Avenue) and Lake Shore Boulevard West.

• Direct that the information contained in Confidential Attachment 2 remain confidential until award of contracts.

• Forward this report, and Confidential Attachment 2, to City Council through the Executive Committee for consideration after the completion of ongoing public consultation (to be completed on May 26, 2025) alongside the complimentary report from the General Manager, Transportation Services, in summer 2025, which incorporates public feedback- into the design.

Commissioner also passed the following motions:

• TTC Board direct that the Chief Strategy and Customer Experience Officer, in collaboration with the FWC26 Toronto Secretariat, report back on all transit-related deliverables as part of planning for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto. Updates should include the latest information on service planning, capital projects, and communication. Including budgets and timelines, and report back on quarterly basis, starting in Q3 2025.

• Commit to use any reductions in bus/streetcar travel time from the creation of priority lanes to improve the frequency and reliability of service for riders on the affected routes, not to create financial savings for the TTC.

• Request staff to develop baseline metrics and data that will be useful in evaluating the success of the Transit Priority initiatives.

TTC staff, with support from City staff in Transportation Services, have been reviewing opportunities to install transit priority measures on the following two roadways: Dufferin Street between Eglinton Avenue West and Dufferin Gate Loop; and Bathurst Street between Eglinton Avenue West and Lake Shore Boulevard West. Both roadways are part of the RapidTO: Surface Transit Network Plan – a citywide initiative aimed at improving the reliability of bus and streetcar routes, endorsed, in principle, by City Council in February 2024.

Toronto is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is expected to bring significant economic, cultural, and community benefits to Toronto. Planning is actively underway to prepare the city to be showcased. The accelerated timeline of RapidTO: Dufferin Street and RapidTO: Bathurst Street to be operational in time for spring 2026 will support the successful movement of people during the global event.

TTC Commuter Parking Lot Strategy
​The Board approved a revamped commuter parking lot strategy, with the following recommendations:

• Freeze current parking fees at all commuter lots, and conduct further analysis of the parking rates.

• Consult with the President, Toronto Parking Authority, and PRESTO to explore payment options, maintaining lower differential parking fees for TTC customers than parking fees paid by those not transferring onto the transit system, and report back to Q3 2026.

• Approve renegotiating the leases respecting the Finch West Station and the Pioneer Village Station parking lots to reduce the size of the lots (reducing the number of parking spaces) to better match current demand.

• Approve retaining the following non-City-owned, leased parking lots for customer use and monitor lots underutilized or below target utilization for potential future changes in alignment with demand and lease/license conditions:

- Kipling Station – North (well-utilized).

- Kipling Station – South (well-utilized).

- Finch Station – West (well-utilized).

- Finch Station – East (below target).

- Islington Station – Lomond (well-utilized).

- Highway 407 Station (well-utilized).

-Yorkdale Station (underutilized).

- Islington Station – Fieldway (below target).

- Don Mills (underutilized).

• Approve retaining the following City-owned parking lots for customer use, while continuing to monitor utilization and investigating opportunities for alternative TTC uses, community uses, and/or future redevelopment potential with City partners as operational needs evolve:

- Lawrence East Station (underutilized).

- Ellesmere Station (underutilized).

- Keele Station (well-utilized).

- Kennedy Station – South (currently repurposed for bus operations).

- Leslie Station (well-utilized).

- Wilson Station – Transit Road (well-utilized).

• Approve the revised Corporate Policy “Commuter Parking” to:

- Eliminate requirements to replace parking spaces on a one-for-one basis when parking lots are redeveloped;

- Commit to reviewing and adjusting parking rates concurrently with transit fare adjustments; and

- Include a target utilization rate for parking lots at 85 per cent, with rates adjusted to optimize usage and ensure availability.

SRT Bus Replacement Conversion of SRT ROW to Busway – Delegation of Authority
​Board members approved a report to delegate authority to the TTC CEO for the award of contract J35-13 SRT Bus Replacement Conversion of Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) Right-of-Way to Busway, provided that the contract award value is within 15 per cent of the TTC Engineer’s estimate, which is summarized in the Confidential Attachment. Approval of the delegated authority by the Board will expedite the start of the Busway construction.

Commissioners also passed the following motion:

• 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.

Optimizing Scheduling Efficiency and Enhancing Service Planning Using Technology
​Commissioners passed the following motion, moved by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers:

• Direct TTC staff to conduct an analysis of surface corridor TTC routes where multiple TTC routes operate on the same corridor to optimize scheduling efficiency, improve blended headways and customers wait times, and identify opportunities and implications for scheduling and operational adjustments that minimize bunching and gapping and enhance co-ordination between routes serving the same corridor.

• Direct TTC staff to explore opportunities to use artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to enhance our service planning and scheduling and management of gapping and bunching, and report back through the Strategic Planning Committee on best practices and priority actions to be integrated in the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets.

-30-