Office of the Chief Executive

It was a pleasure to welcome senior transit leaders from across the United States this week as part of the Leadership Exchange and Development (LEAD) program. LEAD is a multi-agency initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of transit industry leaders through collaboration and shared learning.

We’re proud that the TTC is represented in this year’s cohort by Eric Chu, Head of Transportation, Planning and Engineering, and Steve Cuschieri, Head of Vehicle Maintenance. Thank you to everyone who helped make their visit to the TTC a meaningful and welcoming experience.

I want to extend a warm invitation to everyone to join us this Saturday at the Greenwood Shop Open House, in support of United Way Greater Toronto. Greenwood Complex, located at 400 Greenwood Ave., is the TTC’s heavy maintenance and storage facility for Line 2 trains. Spanning over 30 acres with more than 14 kilometres of track, it’s a vital part of our subway operations.

This open house is a signature TTC/United Way event, designed to educate, inspire, and give back. I’m grateful to our organizers, volunteers, and subject-matter experts for their hard work in preparing a day that promises to be both fun and informative. Doors open at 9 a.m., with $5 admission (children aged two years and under enter free). All proceeds go to United Way. Events like this help build a stronger, more compassionate Toronto, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

I also want to acknowledge a major milestone in our modernization journey. This past Wednesday marked the launch of the TTC’s first-ever digital board period sign-up, beginning at Birchmount and Mount Dennis divisions. Operators are now using BidWeb, a new digital tool that replaces our traditional paper-based process with a more streamlined and efficient experience.

A huge thank you to the project team, divisional management, clerical management, peer coaches, Clerks, and Shop Stewards who are supporting more than 1,200 Operators through this transition. This rollout is part of our broader SAP Program, which is modernizing time, attendance, and scheduling practices across the TTC.

Finally, I want to speak directly to the service delays on Lines 1 and 2 this past Tuesday morning. We experienced four overlapping disruptions, which were preventable. The resulting delays caused real inconvenience for our customers, and I want to acknowledge that clearly.

At the same time, I want to commend our crews for their swift and coordinated response. Thanks to their efforts, service was restored before 7 a.m., during the busiest part of the morning rush. That kind of professionalism and teamwork is exactly what makes the TTC strong.

However, we must also be honest with ourselves: we let our customers down when they were dependent upon us the most. We must learn from such issues and ensure we apply those lessons to our work going forward, as the customers expect and demand more from us as a service provider, particularly in a period when service and ridership are increasing.

We can do better and have to do better. We possess the expertise, experience, and commitment to do better. Let’s use this moment to refocus on our mitigation, planning, delivery, and execution and continue building a transit system that Torontonians can rely on every day.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​September 19, 2025