Item - 2025.TTC11.2

The Toronto Transit Commission received the Approved Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) General Monthly Meetings of September 25 and October 30, 2025 for information.

Betty Rivington-Law, ACAT Chair, gave a verbal presentation on this item.

The Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) is forwarding the approved minutes of its General monthly meetings of September 25, 2025 and October 30, 2025 to the December 2025 Board Meeting for information. At the September meeting, ACAT members received information about TTC vehicle procurement, including the Wheel-Trans e-bus , introducing electric sedans and a new subway fleet. A motion was also passed changing the name of the ACAT Service Planning Subcommittee to Strategy and Planning Subcommittee.

At the October meeting, ACAT members received information about a real time service map that is being developed to display real-time subway alerts and accessibility information, including elevator and escalator outages, slow zones, and upcoming closures. The Committee suggested including information about bus routes that have a change in direction and discussed the accessibility features and limitations of the map feature for customers who have low vision. Members suggested making the list of items in a context box navigable using a keyboard and having the ability to dictate information into the map.

The following is a summary of the main topics discussed at the September and October ACAT Subcommittee Meetings:

Communications Subcommittee
September meeting:

• Communication plan for 14 changes affecting bus routes, supported by surveys, digital ads and outreach.
• Wheel-Trans Communication updates: newsletter and handbook updates to guide customers through upcoming network changes; and travel training video development.
• Blue stop request button that communicates accessibility alert to a bus Operator: There is a need for clearer communication, education and training about the blue stop request button.

October meeting:

• Real-time TTC service map unveiling
• Survey accessibility: offline options to improve accessibility
• Line 5 and Line 6 informational page

Design Review Subcommittee
September meeting:

• Yonge North Subway Extension project: wayfinding, station pathways, maintenance responsibility and accessibility of entrances reviewed
• Line 5 platform boarding decals: Subcommittee recommended alignment with platform decals in existing subway stations and validating the colour contrast values of the texts for parts of the decals that use a red background.

October meeting:

• Yonge North Subway Extension Royal Orchard and Clark Station Reference Concept Designs: Need for designated Wait Areas, mechanical room door orientation so doors do not open out onto the platform
• Ensuring future construction accommodates platform edge doors for accessibility and safety

Strategy and Planning Subcommittee
September meeting:

• 2026 Annual Network Plan review
• SPS name change suggestions

October meeting:

• Red, blue and yellow streetcar buttons: Feedback provided included having consistent button placement and improving labelling to encourage proper use of buttons.
• Updated red and blue stop request buttons on buses: Suggestion to have raised accessibility pictograms on blue buttons.

Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee (no meeting held in October)
September meeting:

• Line 5 and Line 6 stops and landmark description updates
• Access Newsletter distribution