Key Information About the TTC

2023

Post Pandemic TTC

Ridership:

Weekly ridership is approximately 70 per cent compared to pre-pandemic (2019) levels
Weekend ridership is 75 – 80 per cent compared to 2019, as people are taking more leisure/discretionary trips
At the height of the pandemic, ridership fell to 15 per cent of 2019 levels
Despite lower ridership, TTC is operating at 91 per cent service compared to 2019:
- 94 per cent of buses
- 87 per cent of streetcars
- 75 per cent of subway cars
Post-pandemic, buses are carrying more people as a proportion of total ridership compared to 2019

Service Adjustments

The TTC has a practice of matching capacity to demand. In March, we maintained or improved capacity on 80 per cent of routes. Service is maintained on the busiest routes at the busiest times of day, particularly in priority neighbourhoods where we know people are more reliant on transit.

Adjustments will continue to occur throughout the year to ensure we continue to allocate capacity where demand dictates. The TTC is investing $2 million to improve service in 13 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, including new service during the peaks to the Stanley Greene neighbourhood in Downsview, and overnight service enhancements on the 335 Jane and 336 Finch West.

We closely monitor all routes through our Transit Control Centre and, when possible, deploy unscheduled buses to plug any gaps that develop and deliver a better customer experience.

All service adjustments are listed on the TTC website.

Safety and the TTC

The safety of employees and our customers is paramount to all the TTC does. We know the issues going on in the system right now are complex. We recognize that there are bigger societal and systemic issues at play when it comes to the root causes of these issues that require a multi-pronged response.

To date, a number of steps have been taken to remind customers of existing safety features as well as introducing new measures to enhance safety and security, including:

The TTC has partnered with LOFT in a one year pilot to add more outreach workers to support people sheltering on the TTC.
The City is providing access to more than 20 Community Safety Ambassadors who are trained in working directly with people experiencing homelessness and who liaise directly with the City’s Streets to Homes workers to provide services.
Increasing the number of Streets to Home workers in the system. We have committed to have 20 Streets to Home workers across the transit network in 2023. The Streets to Homes workers will be focused on hotspots in the system to help individuals in need find supports.
Increasing TTC transportation and maintenance managers in the network and continuing to work on a plan to ensure more visible TTC staff presence throughout the system.
Adding more Station Supervisors, Chief and Mobile Supervisors as well as assistant managers in subway stations to audit station security on a regular basis.
Deploying more uniformed TTC employees throughout the system who can contact Transit Control directly to assist customers.
With support from the City, the TTC is in the process of ensuring that all its Chief and Mobile Supervisors are provided with de-escalation training to support station staff.
Increasing the presence of Special Constables as well as hiring additional Special Constables. The TTC is also committing to up to 50 additional Special Constables in 2023.
The City is providing access to more than 50 security guards who are experienced in dealing with under housed people in crisis and have advanced training to support this work.
Improving and adding cameras in all stations and on all vehicles; and
Having Designated Waiting Areas on every subway platform, with recently-upgraded and easier-to-use two-way communications systems that link directly to TTC staff.

System Safety Features

The TTC has numerous safety features and programs in place to ensure customers and employees are as safe as possible including:

Transit Special Constables strategically patrolling the system to deter and respond to security incidents
Two-way communication systems on platforms located at the Designated Waiting Areas
Alarms and emergency strips on all vehicles
Uniformed staff who can contact transit control directly to assist customers
A SafeTTC app to report suspicious incidents in real time and our Transit Control Centre has a direct line to 9-1-1 to respond to emergencies.

The full list is here https://www.ttc.ca/riding-the-ttc/safety-and-security/travelling-safely.

TTC Employee Safety

Safety is a top priority for the TTC and we take any assault on our employees very seriously – we intend to review all our options, including working with Toronto Police Services.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from spitting, slapping and punching, to threats of physical harm or death.

We take every report of assault and abuse seriously and encourage our staff to report them all.

Through increased reporting, we can identify trends, causes and other information that we then use to continually improve our protection and response activities. This includes working with all of our union partners in joint health and safety committees (includes union and management membership) where assault mitigation is regularly addressed.

We currently have safety barriers, cameras, radio and non-audio equipment (push-button alerts) on every vehicle to assist in prevention, deterrence and response.

TTC training also includes conflict avoidance and de-escalation, including how and when to call Transit Control for emergency support.

Cell Service

Since a public tendering process in 2012 awarded rights to BAI, wireless infrastructure has been available to any wireless carrier.

In April 2023, Rogers announced its intention to purchase BAI, becoming the TTC’s wireless connectivity partner. We are pleased there will be a made-in-Canada solution for upgraded wireless connectivity on the TTC under this proposal. Rogers said it wants to ensure access to 911 across the subway system, regardless of a rider's service provider. Currently, TTC customers with any mobile provider can call 911 only where the cellular network exists,

TTC Budget

The TTC has a $2.38 billion combined operating budget for conventional and Wheel-Trans services.

In 2023, new operating investments include:

More than $4 million for safety, security and cleanliness. This includes hiring 10 additional Streets to Homes outreach workers, adding 25 new Transit Special Constable Positions and filling 25 vacant positions, and introducing enhanced daily streetcar cleaning.
Nearly $3 million dedicated to service improvements in routes serving Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and expansion of the Fair Pass Program to an additional 50,000 lower income Torontonians.
Almost $43 million for the opening of Line 5 Eglinton-Crosstown and Line 6 Finch West, and the bus replacement of Line 3 Scarborough RT.
A commitment to continue delivering service levels above current ridership levels.

The capital budget report updates both the TTC’s 15-year, $38 billion Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and Real Estate Investment Plan, a 15-year strategic roadmap that supports the CIP. Highlights of the TTC’s 2022-2031 Capital Budget and Plan include:

Funding for essential safety and state of good repair capital work to ensure safety and reliability of our system.
Funding to meet legislative requirements related to full accessibility of the system by 2025.
Advancing delivery of the fleet procurement strategy for the procurement of 60 streetcars, hundreds of hybrid and battery-electric buses and 70 Wheel-Trans vehicles. Continuing work on three major capacity improvement projects (Bloor-Yonge, Line 1 and Line 2).

Sustainability

The TTC plays an important role in creating a greener future – not only is transit better for the environment, but the TTC has also taken steps to make its fleet greener. The TTC has committed that its bus fleet will be 100 per cent zero emissions by 2040. The TTC now has one of the largest fleets of electric buses in North America. We’re doing more than just electrifying our vehicles through battery, we are decarbonizing our facilities and operations for the future. Innovating for the long-term is a key priority (as outlined in the TTC’s Corporate Plan, Critical Path 5). The TTC continues to seek out and incubate the ideas we need now to prepare for the future, including taking significant steps toward advancing the City of Toronto’s target to achieve Net Zero by 2050 or sooner.

Major System Improvements

Our system is continuing to expand to meet the increasing demand. This includes the addition of Lines 5 and 6 and the Ontario Line as well as expansions to Line 1 north to Richmond Hill and Line 2 further east to Sheppard and McCowan.

We have identified our needs and invested heavily in state of good repair which includes new track and switches, traction power systems, as well as tunnel liners.

We have installed Automating Train Control (ATC) on Line 1 and will be doing the same on Line 2 to improve customer experience through increased reliability and improved travel times. We are also making investments to modernize our entire system and enhance capacity, including projects like the expansion of Bloor-Yonge Station.

Accessible Travel

The TTC Handbook for Accessible Travel is now available. This handbook is your guide to travelling safely and independently on Toronto’s transit system. Use it to help you plan your trip, locate accessible services, or contact us. Take it with you when you travel as a handy reference. Download the TTC Handbook for Accessible Travel from the TTC website or contact TTC Customer Service to request a hard copy of the handbook.

Accessibility – Wheel Trans

Applicants may be eligible for Wheel-Trans service if their disability prevents them from using TTC's conventional transit for all or part of their trip. You can now complete the Wheel-Trans Eligibility form online, by emailing WTeligibility@ttc.ca or by calling 416-393-4111. Alternative accessible formats are available upon request.

The Future of Line 3 Scarborough

The TTC’s Line 3, Scarborough Rapid Transit system (SRT), is a 6.4 km intermediate capacity rapid transit line with six stations that opened in 1985.

The TTC’s priority is to provide safe, reliable and accessible service to everyone. The SRT trains have been in service 10 years past their design life, are susceptible to cold weather, and have already been overhauled to maintain their safety. It has become increasingly difficult to maintain reliable service on Line 3 due to the age of the vehicles and of their critical parts.

On February 10, 2021, the TTC Board approved decommissioning of the SRT in 2023 and providing safe and accessible interim bus service until the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) is opened by the Province of Ontario.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are key priorities for the TTC. In December 2020, we released our 10-point diversity and inclusion action plan, Embrace Diversity: The TTC’s 10-Point Action Plan and Five Year Diversity and Human Rights Plan.

We are working hard to ensure that our workforce better reflects the diverse City we serve. We know it is important that everyone feels welcome and comfortable whether they are riding or working at the TTC. We have changed our outreach and recruiting practices to better support this objective. The TTC is also using the City’s census data and offering marketing campaigns in top languages. This is something we can modify as demographics shift.

At the TTC, it is important that all our employees feel safe and supported. As an organization, we stand with groups experiencing hate and discrimination. Should an employee experience any such incidents in the workplace, they can reach out to the Human Rights and Investigations Department (HumanRightsInquiriesandInfo@ttc.ca).

The TTC does not tolerate racism on our vehicles or property. We unequivocally condemn this kind of disrespectful and abusive language. Everyone should feel safe and free from harassment on the TTC and we are working hard every day to make sure that is the case.