Toronto’s public transportation system is facing a challenging financial situation, struggling to maintain its current service levels due to budget constraints.
At an event held at the Hillcrest TTC complex to launch a United Way campaign, Mayor Olivia Chow addressed the issue of funding TTC operations without resorting to fare hikes.
Recent reports presented to transit commissioners revealed a budget shortfall of $36.5 million, partially attributed to a decline in ridership. With the upcoming mayoral election in 2026, Mayor Chow emphasized the importance of engaging both existing and potential transit users.
“We are hopeful that more commuters will choose public transit as we enhance services and reliability. We believe this is the way forward,” stated Mayor Chow.
However, increasing ridership poses financial challenges. There is growing support for implementing a monthly fare cap, which would offer free rides after a certain number of trips. While TTC staff argue this could boost ridership, the cost is estimated to range between $10 and $35 million.
Mayor Chow is pushing for the TTC to prioritize efficiency and cost-effectiveness before considering additional initiatives.
TTC’s new CEO, Mandeep Lali, highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline operations and achieve efficiencies within the organization.
Despite receiving over $5 billion in new capital funding commitments from various government levels, questions remain about the optimal allocation of these resources.
Councilor Ausma Malik emphasized the need for a thorough review of TTC operations to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
One potential boost for TTC ridership could come from the return-to-office mandates imposed by some private sector companies and provincial government departments, leading to an anticipated increase in commuters utilizing public transit.