FROM THE CEO: TTC Board Highlights

Yesterday, we welcomed Mayor Olivia Chow to Hillcrest to launch the 2025 TTC/United Way Campaign and to announce our ambitious fundraising goal of $800,000. Reaching that goal will require all of us, in every corner of this Commission, to do our part.

This year, we will help more than 300 agencies across the City provide mental health support, housing, food and vital services to those who need it most. So, I urge you to get involved. Every part you play, and every dollar you raise, will make a difference.

At Wednesday’s TTC Board meeting at City Hall, I was pleased to begin by recognizing Operator Sydnie Campbell, whose compassion, quick thinking and dedication resulted in a lost child with complex needs being reunited with his parents on a late Saturday night in August. Commissioners also applauded our Streetcar Infrastructure staff and crew, including Peter Hrovat, Kevon Wilks, Robert Capobianco, Peter Girimonte and Richard Vella, for exceptional teamwork in the completion of streetcar track renewal at King and Church. Both Sydnie and the Streetcar Infrastructure team represent the best of who we are.

Last Saturday, we marked 50 years of Wheel-Trans service with a celebration at the Lakeshore Garage. It was wonderful to join hundreds of employees, their families and members of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit to honour this truly world-class paratransit service.

Also, this past weekend, key operational systems for the Line 6 Finch West LRT were successfully transitioned to Transit Control. While several implementation phases remain before Metrolinx can officially open the line, this milestone gives the TTC enhanced visibility into system performance and emerging issues. This increased oversight will support efforts to ensure safe, reliable service once the line becomes operational. Congratulations to everyone involved in making the transition a success.

The Line 6 Finch West LRT milestone coincides with the start of Rail Safety Week across North America, which begins Monday. This annual campaign raises awareness about the importance of staying safe around trains, tracks and rail crossings. The TTC will be promoting rail safety for both customers and employees at Union Station on September 15 and during the Greenwood Open House for United Way on September 20. Staying alert and avoiding complacency near rail infrastructure is critical. Awareness saves lives.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​September 12, 2025
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​TTC Board Highlights
​TTC Board Meeting September 10, 2025

2025 Accessibility Plan Status Report
Board members received the 2025 Accessibility Plan Status Report. The report describes the TTC’s progress toward achieving the objectives of the 2024-2028 TTC 5-Year Accessibility Plan. Significant accomplishments that have been or are expected to be achieved by the end of 2025 include:

• Completing Easier Access program construction at five subway stations, including High Park, Rosedale, Christie, Summerhill, and Warden, at which time a total of 62 of 70 (89%) stations will be accessible;

• Ongoing construction of new accessible third-party entrances to Dufferin and York Mills stations;

• Replacing old red bench seating on Line 1 with new bench seating that includes integrated back and armrests;

• Installing upgraded platform edge tiles to reduce the gap between subway trains and platforms at five station platforms; 14 stations have been completed so far, and five stations with horizontal platform edge tiles are planned to be completed in 2025;

• Selecting an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) vendor in late 2025 to start Wheel-Trans IVR system improvements in 2026;

• Selecting a Mobile Data Terminal/Automatic Vehicle Location (MDT/AVL) vendor in late 2025 to start Wheel-Trans MDT/AVL improvements in 2026; and

• Completing an audit in early 2025 of the employee-built environment elements for accessibility and inclusion at more than 100 TTC facilities.

Upcoming milestones include:

• Completing Easier Access Program construction at seven stations in 2026, including Greenwood, College, Lawrence, Museum, Spadina (Line 1), King, and Islington, bringing the total number of accessible stations to 69 of 70 (99%); and

• The final station, the contract to upgrade Old Mill, was awarded in Q1 2025, and it is expected to become accessible by the end of Q3 2028.

Pilot – Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips
​Commissioners received a report on the Free Transit for Grade 7-12 Student Field Trips pilot’s outcomes, including service, financial, and operational implications, and approved an extension of the pilot for the 2025-2026 school year, at an estimated financial impact of $25,000 in foregone fare revenue. Board members also passed a motion to report the financial impact to the TTC for the 2025-2026 school year.

Following the TTC Board’s approval of a motion to adopt the pilot in May 2024, TTC staff implemented the program at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The first eligible field trips took place in December 2024. The pilot ended on June 27, 2025. The intent of the program is to help students build familiarity and confidence in using public transit, skills that could encourage lifelong transit ridership. Additionally, by removing transportation costs as a barrier, the program aims to expand students’ access to educational opportunities across the city.

While the initial results were positive, overall program uptake was lower than anticipated. Extending the pilot for an additional year will allow for a full school year of data collection and modifications to the pilot program based on lessons learned from the 2024-2025 school year.

Procurement Authorization – Supply of Uniforms and Work Clothing
​The TTC Board approved a procurement authorization for the supply of uniforms and work clothing, with the following recommendations:

• Approve an increase to the upset limit amounts on 24 existing contracts that expire December 31, 2025, and are held by nine companies, by a total combined amount of $1,736,000, inclusive of HST, on a single source basis.

• Authorize extensions of the 24 contracts effective January 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2027, with an increase to the upset limit amounts by a total combined amount of $17,386,000, inclusive of HST, on a single source basis.

The TTC procures and distributes uniforms and work clothing annually to approximately 10,000 frontline employees through a network of contracts, systems, and policies. The TTC has been engaging stakeholders to improve garment material specifications and redefine uniform requirements to improve uniform quality, inclusivity, and operational efficiency. These measures align with the 2024-2028 TTC Corporate Plan and the modernization journey.

Updating of TTC uniform and work clothing programs requires stakeholder feedback and support from work groups, bargaining units, safety representatives, and current suppliers. Continuing contracts with the existing suppliers will support ongoing testing and prototyping efforts, while ensuring a continued and uninterrupted supply of current uniform and clothing requirements.

Financial and Major Projects Update for the Period Ended June 28, 2025
​Commissioners received a status update of the TTC’s major capital projects for the period ended June 28, 2025, with the following recommendations:

• Approve the 2025 Capital Budget in-year budget adjustments to offset projects that have had accelerated spending by $36.1 million, with projects that have experienced delays and lower spending by $36.1 million, with no debt impact.

• Authorize the recommended budget adjustments noted above, and in the TTC’s 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan, to be included in the TTC’s Capital Variance Report submission for the six months ended June 30, 2025, for City Council consideration and approval.

• Approve the 2025 Operating Budget in-year budget adjustments of $26.5 million gross revenue and $26.5 gross expense ($0 net) in accordance with the implementation of PS 3400 – Revenue Standard, to reflect costs that are recoverable through the billing of a third party, to be budgeted and recognized at the gross revenue and gross expense level.

2025 Revenues
​At the end of Period 6, total revenue was $43.7 million below budget, primarily driven by lower-than-planned TTC Conventional passenger revenue due to lower ridership levels than anticipated, unfavourable ancillary revenues associated with lower-than-planned third-party cost recoveries, and lower Provincial Funding due to timing of expenditures for Line 5 and Line 6 that are eligible for reimbursement under the New Deal.

By year-end, revenue is forecasted to be $80.5 million below budget, primarily driven by lower passenger revenue due to the continued trend of lower-than-budgeted ridership and lower Provincial Funding due to delayed timing of expenditures for Line 5 and Line 6 that are eligible for reimbursement under the New Deal. This will be partially offset by higher Wheel-Trans passenger revenue due to higher Wheel-Trans ridership demand.

During the 2025 Budget process, TTC staff advised on the risks associated with the level of 2025 passenger revenues, due to changing travel patterns.

2025 Expenditures
​Operating expenses incurred to the end of Period 6 were $25.9 million below planned spending, primarily driven by delayed timing of expenditures to support the opening of Line 5 and Line 6, delayed implementation of IT software roll-out, delayed timing of planned expenditures for materials, services,9i and vehicle maintenance parts, and savings in labour costs due to workforce vacancies. This underspend is partially offset by increased employee benefit expenses due to the timing of healthcare and SBA costs, higher traction power and utilities expenses in line with increased levels of service hours delivered than budgeted, and higher Wheel-Trans expenditures due to increased Wheel-Trans ridership compared to budget.

Projected results to year-end forecast a favourable gross expenditure variance of $44.0 million primarily due to the removal of the Federal Carbon Tax, effective April 1, 2025, which will contribute to lower-than-budgeted diesel and natural gas costs, savings in labour costs due to workforce vacancies currently in various stages of the recruitment process, delayed timing of expenditures to support the opening of Line 5 and Line 6, delayed implementation of IT software roll-out, and delayed timing of planned expenditures for materials, services, and vehicle maintenance parts. This underspend will be partially offset by increased Wheel-Trans service costs to accommodate higher-than-budgeted Wheel-Trans ridership demand.

TTC senior management will undertake strategies over the remainder of the year to help mitigate the $36.5 million net expenditures overspend, as required.

Appointment to TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors
​The Board appointed TTC Chief Information Officer Dhaksayan Shanmuganayagam as a Director on the TTC Pension Plan Board of Directors. He fills the vacancy left by retired Director Michelle Jones. The TTC Pension Plan is undertaking a multi-year, very large and complex project to create a new members portal (Project Encore) that will make it easier for TTC members and pensioners to access pension-related information. The new system will allow TTC members and pensioners to easily update and access their information while improving the user experience. Shanmuganayagam’s education and experience from both a project management and information technology perspective are seen as key for the TTC Pension Board in overseeing the successful delivery of this project.

Notice of Motion – Feasibility study of delivering a centralized on-demand accessible taxicab dispatch service through the existing Wheel-Trans service
​Commissioners passed a motion moved by TTC Chair Jamaal Myers requesting that TTC staff work with the Executive Director – Municipal Licensing and Standards on the feasibility of delivering a centralized on-demand accessible taxicab dispatch service through the existing Wheel-Trans service. The motion allows TTC staff to engage with MLS staff in more in-depth discussions about the feasibility of using the existing Wheel-Trans-operated Centralized Dispatch Service (CDS). This would include establishing a project team, identifying business requirements and necessary resources for a CDS, and developing a detailed business case and cost estimate.

2026 Board meeting schedule
​The Board approved the 2026 schedule of meetings at Toronto City Hall as follows (held at 10 a.m. unless otherwise indicated):

• Tuesday, February 3
• Thursday, April 16
​• Wednesday, June 17
​• Wednesday, July 22
​• Tuesday, December 15

The Board also approved the schedule of meetings for the TTC Audit and Risk Management, Human Resources, and Strategic Planning Committees. Notice of all meetings is provided on ttc.ca.

The Municipal Election will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026. Traditionally, the TTC Board has followed the approach taken by the City of Toronto and has not scheduled any Board or Committee meetings after Nomination Day, which is Friday, August 21, 2026. The TTC Chair may call a Special meeting, if required, to deal with any urgent items.

Next meeting of the TTC Board
​The next scheduled TTC Board meeting will be on Monday, October 6, 2025.

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