Item - 2025.TTS2.2

The Strategic Planning Committee:

1. Requested staff to identify opportunities and available funding for the following interim priority ridership growth initiatives in planning for operating and capital budget submissions over the term of the 2026-2028 Ridership Growth Strategy:

1. Replace monthly passes with fare capping.
2. Implement the TTC Wayfinding Strategy (pending Board approval).
3. Support increased ridership from change in work from home policies.
4. Improve service reliability.
5. Implement outstanding 2024 / 2025 Annual Network Plan proposals.
6. Meet Service Standards for crowding, express network routes, and the 10-minute network.

2. Requested staff to report back to the Strategic Planning Committee following the approval of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets and adoption of the 2026 City Budget with a final 2026-2028 Ridership Growth Strategy that includes consideration of how the aforementioned interim priority ridership growth initiatives are prioritized within other initiatives identified during the strategy’s development.

3. Requested staff to report back as part of the 2026-2028 Ridership Growth Strategy with additional information on:

1. the potential options for structuring a fare capping system and the anticipated impacts that different structures have on ridership growth; and
2. an analysis of relevant existing PRESTO data that is available to the TTC as part of forecasting the impact of fare capping on ridership.

4. Directed TTC staff to conduct a strategic review of existing offerings and report back to the Strategic Planning Committee with costs to better inform the 2026 TTC Budget and balancing exercises.

Stephanie Simard Craig, Acting Head – Strategy & Foresight, delivered a presentation on this item.

This report provides a follow-up to the Framework for Ridership Growth (TTS1.3), responding to the Strategic Planning Committee’s direction to advance ridership growth initiatives aligned with the endorsed guiding principles. The report outlines progress made since the July 2025 meeting, including refinement of guiding principles and Planning Advisory Group engagement.

Revised guiding principles emphasize putting customers first, delivering efficient and reliable service, and driving results through transparency and accountability. In alignment with the guiding principles, six recommended ridership growth initiatives have been developed for implementation in 2026, each designed to support TTC’s long-term financial sustainability. Staff are seeking direction from the Committee to include these recommended initiatives in the TTC’s 2026 Operating and Capital Budget submission for consideration by the Board and City Council.

While this report focuses on the immediate priorities for 2026, there are many further enhancements to service quality, infrastructure modernization, and customer experience that have been identified for future years. TTC staff will report back on the final 2026-2028 Ridership Growth Strategy to the Strategic Planning Committee in 2026 following approval of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets.