TTC in Ward 23
As your Councillor and as Chair of the TTC, I've prioritised delivering faster buses, lower fares, safer stations, and real infrastructure, not just empty promises.
FARES FROZEN: THREE YEARS IN A ROW
For the third consecutive year, TTC fares have been frozen. This didn't happen by accident. It required $87.3 million in operational savings that were found without cutting service, combined with sustained political will at the TTC Board and City Council to hold the line on affordability. For working families in Scarborough North who rely on transit every single day, this is real money staying in their pockets.
To read the 2026 TTC Budget item where fares were frozen, and fare capping was approved, click below:
FARE CAPPING: COMING SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Starting September 2026, once a rider takes 47 trips in a calendar month using the same PRESTO card, debit, or credit card, every additional ride that month is free. No upfront monthly pass. No guessing whether you'll ride enough to make it worth it. The cap applies to all fare classes: adult, senior, and youth.
This is a first for Toronto, and it was championed jointly by Mayor Chow and me. In 2027, the plan is to lower the threshold to 40 trips, making the benefit even more accessible.
I also moved an amendment at the TTC Board directing staff to explore and report back on how fare capping data and rider outcomes would strengthen the accountability relationship between the TTC and the City.
To read the TTC Board item approving fare capping, click below:
To read the earlier Ridership Growth Strategy item where I moved that fare capping be prioritised, click below:
FARE CAPPING: COMING SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
The old Scarborough RT corridor sat dormant after its 2023 closure. Rather than wait, I pushed to convert it faster.
On December 12, 2025, Mayor Chow, TTC CEO Mandeep Lali, and I jointly announced that the Busway, which was originally slated for 2027, would be accelerated and opened by the end of September 2026.
The Busway runs 4 kilometres along the former Line 3 right-of-way:
Kennedy Station → Tara Ave/Mooregate Ave → Lawrence East Station → Ellesmere Station, then via priority bus lanes to Scarborough Centre.
Fully grade-separated from traffic. Fully accessible.
A trip between Kennedy and Scarborough Centre will now save riders one-third of the time. The project serves over 118,000 riders weekly.
I knew we needed to move faster, and that's exactly what we're doing.
To read the TTC press release on the acceleration announcement, click below:
For Full TTC project page, click below:
City Council road changes to support Busway (SC21.10):
FASTER BUSES, EVERY DAY
Transit Signal Priority: Lines 5 & 6 & Spadina Streetcar: When Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026, riders immediately noticed trains sitting at red lights while single cars turned left.
I have been clear that rapid transit must be rapid.
By March 2026, because of the motion I moved with Mayor Chow, enhanced Transit Signal Priority was deployed between Don Valley and Kennedy on Line 5 and across all of Line 6 Finch West, allowing LRT trains to move through intersections ahead of left-turning vehicles.
Average afternoon peak round-trip travel times improved by at least 10 minutes on Line 5. More dynamic, real-time signal improvements are in progress. A December 2025 City Council motion, seconded by me, directed staff to implement a more aggressive signal priority system-wide.
For TTC press release on TSP rollout, click below:
For TTC Board item on LRT speed improvements with amendments:
For City Council motion on speeding up LRT, seconded by me:
NEW ROUTES & MORE SERVICE IN SCARBOROUGH NORTH
Four new routes have launched since 2023. Ten-plus existing routes have seen service increases, extended coverage, or upgraded vehicles. Here's what changed:
903 Kennedy–SCC Express (launched September 2023) All-day express service connecting Kennedy Station to Scarborough Centre. Runs in dedicated bus lanes on Midland and Kennedy with signal priority. Most trips extend to Centennial College — a direct lifeline for students and workers.
904 Sheppard–Kennedy Express (launched September 2024) Don Mills to Kennedy via Scarborough Centre. Articulated buses assigned for higher capacity. Created from the restructured former 985 Sheppard Express as part of the 2024 Annual Network Plan.
334 Eglinton East (launched February 2026) New route introduced as part of the Line 5 surface network, connecting riders across the Eglinton corridor.
830 Middlefield(launched February 2026) Purpose-built for safe school travel across Scarborough North. This route was designed with students in mind — providing reliable, direct connections to schools across the ward.
Service increases: 13 existing routes upgraded. Articulated buses added on 939 Finch Express and 902 Markham Road Express, with school trippers to Centennial College. Routes 129 McCowan North, 38 Highland Creek, and 131 Nugget all extended to Kennedy Station. Routes 102 Markham Road, 131 Nugget, and 42 Cummer are now running above pre-pandemic ridership. Additional service increases across 39 Finch East, 53 Steeles East, 57 Midland, 21 Brimley, 85 Sheppard East, and 43 Kennedy.
SAFER STATIONS. REAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
Special Constables 131 Special Constables are deployed across the TTC system — trained in de-escalation, overdose prevention, and mental health response, not just enforcement. They are recruited from our communities. Body-worn cameras went to full deployment in January 2025. A Community Safety, Security and Well-being Plan covering 2024–2028 was formally approved by the TTC Board in November 2025. By listening to our community and acting on feedback, we're building a transit system that puts people first.
TTC Community Safety Plan (2024–2028):
TTC press release on the safety announcement:
Station Upgrades:
Six stations have undergone upgrades, including restored floors, brighter lighting, and dedicated overnight cleaning crews — part of a pilot program to raise the standard of cleanliness and state-of-good-repair system-wide. Kennedy and Scarborough Town Centre are among those upgraded. New intercom technology has been deployed across stations for faster emergency response. Station Managers are now posted by name at stations — real faces, real accountability.
TTC Safety App: See something, report it instantly. Available on iOS and Android.