Item - 2026.DM41.3

Councillor Lily Cheng, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers, recommends that:

1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission board to work with the City and Metrolinx to examine the feasibility of:

a. creating a design standard for all new transit stations that includes platform screen edge doors, public washrooms, bike parking and bike share, and well-lit two-storey high ceilings above subway platforms, and maximizing the creation of real estate assets for commercial and community use; 

b. including passenger pick-up and drop-off and commuter parking lots with electric vehicle charging solutions in the design plans for all new subway stations outside Downtown Toronto; and 

c. installing platform edge doors on all new stations along the Yonge North Subway Extension and Scarborough Subway Extension, and request the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission provide updates to the Toronto Transit Commission Board through the Toronto Transit Commission’s regular Transit Expansion Updates, and the City Manager provide those updates to City Council. 

2. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to work with Metrolinx, in consultation with the Executive Director of Transit Expansion, the Executive Director of Corporate Real Estate Management, the Executive Director of the Housing Development Office, the Chief Executive Officer of CreateTO and the Executive Director of Social Development to initiate conversations regarding the feasibility of a more visionary station design at Steeles Station and Sheppard-McCowan Station that incorporates surface transit operations, new housing, affordable housing, underground real estate opportunities, including potential community space, and the integration of the Station with surrounding buildings, and provide an update to City Council.

3. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, the President, Toronto Parking Authority, the Chief Strategy and Customer Experience Officer, Toronto Transit Commission and local Business Improvement Areas, to explore the need and opportunities for commuter parking at Steeles Station and Sheppard-McCowan Station, while also considering future parking in nearby developments. 

4. City Council direct City Manager and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide all updates to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to strengthen collaboration on future transit stations.