FROM THE CEO: Thank you for keeping Toronto moving through record snowfall

This weekend’s historic snowstorm brought Toronto to a near halt, but thanks to your dedication, the TTC kept moving.

Environment Canada confirmed that 56 centimetres of snow fell in downtown Toronto, eclipsing the previous record of 48 centimetres set in December 1944. Leading up to the storm, teams across the TTC were already preparing by reviewing assets, conducting pre-storm equipment checks, co-ordinating staffing, and working closely with our partners at the City and Toronto Hydro to ensure we were as ready as possible for what was coming. From the moment the first flakes began to fall, and continuing through today and into tonight, teams across every part of our organization have been working around the clock to keep buses, streetcars, subways, and Wheel-Trans vehicles running. Many of you are still out on the roads, in the yards, in the tunnels, and at stations, battling the elements so that our customers can travel safely. Your resilience, professionalism, and grit have been extraordinary.

I also want you to know that I was closely monitoring our efforts throughout the storm and spent the night with the team in Transit Control until the early hours of this morning. Seeing your commitment firsthand through problem-solving, teamwork, and care for our customers and for each other was inspiring. You showed exactly what One TTC looks like.

Thank you to everyone involved: Operators, maintainers, Transit Control, supervisors, station staff, route management, operations leadership, administrative support, and all those working behind the scenes. Whether you are clearing tracks, rescuing stuck vehicles, co-ordinating shuttle buses, supporting customers through delays, or ensuring equipment is safe and service-ready, you play a critical role in keeping this city moving during an unprecedented event.

We know the job isn’t done. Recovery work continues throughout today and tonight as crews deal with heavy snow, drifting, ice buildup, and ongoing service impacts. Your efforts, often in difficult and bitter conditions, do not go unnoticed.

This storm also gives us a valuable opportunity to learn. In the days ahead, we will carefully review our response, identify where we excelled and where we can strengthen our preparedness for future severe weather events. Your frontline experience and insight will be central to that work.

Thank you for everything you’ve done, and everything many of you are still doing, as One TTC. I am incredibly proud to work alongside each of you.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​January 26, 2026