CEO's Report June: Commentary

June CEO’s Report puts the spotlight on the TTC’s bus fleet, the workhorse of Toronto’s public transit system.

The TTC’s fleet of more than 2,100 accessible buses carried close to 193 million riders over 143.5 million kilometres in 2025, representing 43 per cent of total TTC ridership. Since the beginning of the decade, our bus Operators have carried more than 980 million customers to and from their destinations safely. Millions of people rely on the TTC on a daily basis.

Bus service remained stable in April, with service levels maintained, average operating speeds improving year-over-year, and crowding remaining low across the network. Our bus cleanliness score also met its target of 90 per cent overall – reflecting notable results during severe winter weather in Q1.

Service availability, fleet reliability and bus short turns all exceeded target, and on-time performance remained aligned with seasonal norms at 77 per cent in April, while delay minutes decreased by 5.7 per cent month-over-month and 5.5 per cent year-over-year.

Overall, year-to-date demand remains below expectations due to a slow start early in the year resulting from the economic slowdown; however, recent demand has seen improvement in each mode, with growth in subway and streetcar supported by continued return-to-office activity in the downtown core.

As we continue to look for opportunities to enhance our network, I am pleased to share that progress has been made on the SRT right-of-way busway conversion between Kennedy Road and Ellesmere Road, with bus stops at Tara Avenue, Lawrence Avenue East, and Ellesmere Road.

The first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil was played on June 12, 2026. A year of planning, preparation, and service modelling prepared us well to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Based on available data for the first two matches, the TTC experienced a 44-per-cent increase on the key tournament routes (Dufferin, Bathurst, Harbourfont, King and Ossington), with 138,000 more people than normal.

Over the first two match days, we delivered strong, reliable service system-wide, with increased subway, bus, and streetcar service, extended subway hours, and rapid-transit priority measures to keep fans and residents moving. Key surface routes saw average headways of two-to-5.5 minutes, and subway lines delivered 95 per cent on-time performance on both match days, consistently exceeding targets.

From rigorously testing equipment and vehicles to establishing rapid-response teams ready to act when issues arise, the work has been deliberate to reduce risk and support strong, consistent execution.

Our plans were built to be flexible and adaptable to real-world experience and conditions. Match after match, we are revising queuing protocols, signage, and service to ensure every customer has a seamless TTC experience whether they take the TTC every day or are visiting Toronto for the first time.

The TTC is no stranger to accommodating significant, high-demand events. We successfully moved tens of thousands of people during last year’s Taylor Swift Eras Tour, and every year we deliver extra service for the CNE and other large, citywide, and often overlapping celebrations.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is different in scale, visibility, and complexity. That is why our planning has been detailed, disciplined, and collaborative. Above all, safety remains our top priority. We continue working closely with our partners to ensure we are well-integrated and everyone has a safe experience travelling on the system.

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​June 2026