Item - 2025.GG21.9

The General Government Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to sign on behalf of the City of Toronto a licence agreement and any ancillary agreements and documents, and to amend the agreements as required with Carla Construction and Maintenance Ltd., to operate and maintain a shuttle service in High Park for five years starting on approximately December 1, 2025, with two optional renewal terms of up to five years each, exercisable at the General Manager’s sole discretion, substantially on the terms and conditions set out in Attachment 1 of this report, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks and Recreation and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to sign additional licence agreements with Carla Construction and Maintenance Ltd., to provide a similar shuttle service at any additional parks where the General Manager, Parks and Recreation in consultation with the local City Councillor, determines the service is needed, and the Carla Construction and Maintenance Ltd., is willing and able to provide the service, on similar terms and conditions as the High Park licence agreement except for service schedule and passenger fare pricing, which must be mutually agreed upon, provided that the High Park licence agreement remains in good standing.

3. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission to examine feasibility and projected cost of expanding their High Park Service year round with expanded coverage.

4. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to maximize fare discounts provided to families.
 

5. City Council request General Manager, Parks and Recreation to work with the vendor and consult with community to determine optimal locations for stops and report back prior to the start April 2026 operating season.

The General Government Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to gather metrics on potential usage to establish ridership and revenue projections, and to report back with a supplementary report directly to the May 21, 22 and 23, 2025 City Council meeting.

2. Requested the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to review the multiple requests for shuttle service for Tommy Thompson Park and, in consultation with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, to report directly to the May 21, 22 and 23, 2025 City Council meeting with options to extend the proposed contract for the operation and maintenance of a passenger Transportation Shuttle to also service the Leslie Spit and Tommy Thompson Park.

This report seeks authority for the City to enter into a licence agreement with Carla Construction and Maintenance Ltd., for operation and maintenance of a passenger transportation shuttle service within High Park, with potential for additional agreements as required and as deemed feasible at other City parks in the future. The initial agreement is for a term of five years, with two options to extend up to five years each, in favour of the City, provided the licensee is not in default of the agreement.

The licensee was selected through a Request for Proposal process issued on November 4, 2024 for April 2026 operation. The Request for Proposal supports the goals of the High Park Movement Strategy and improves accessibility to key destinations within High Park with a consistent and predictable service. The solution is environmentally friendly, will modernize customer service, provides a daily shuttle service from April to October 31 annually, and includes a winter service pilot program to expand service availability to year-round operation.