Item - 2026.IE30.14

Tracking Status

IE30.14 - Improvement of Tactile Wayfinding in Line 5 Stations

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Adopted
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on June 24 and 25, 2026, adopted the following:

 

1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee on Transit, to improve tactile wayfinding for those with visual impairments in stations along Line 5 to ensure that riders can safely navigate to escalators, elevators and stairs, and to establish this as a standard approach for future stations and existing stations undergoing refurbishment.

Background Information (Committee)

(June 10, 2026) Letter from Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin on Improvement of Tactile Wayfinding in Line 5 Stations
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-287897.pdf

Communications (City Council)

(June 24, 2026) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (CC.New)

Motions (City Council)

Motion to Adopt Item (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item) Jun-25-2026 4:28 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - IE30.14 - Adopt the item
Total members that voted Yes: 20 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe, Neethan Shan, Michael Thompson
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 6 Members that were absent are Rachel Chernos Lin, Mike Colle (Interest Declared), Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Chris Moise, Anthony Perruzza

Declared Interests (City Council)

The following member(s) declared an interest:

Councillor Mike Colle - as his son, Josh Colle, works for the Toronto Transit Commission as the Chief Strategy and Customer Experience Officer.
Written Declaration: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/declared-interest-file.do?id=13146

IE30.14 - Improvement of Tactile Wayfinding in Line 5 Stations

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

Committee Recommendations

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

 

1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, TTC, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee on Transit, to improve tactile wayfinding for those with visual impairments in stations along Line 5 to ensure that riders can safely navigate to escalators, elevators and stairs, and to establish this as a standard approach for future stations and existing stations undergoing refurbishment.

Origin

(June 10, 2026) Letter from Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin

Summary

Since the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, we have heard from many residents about the impact it has made on their day-to-day lives. Having access to higher order transit opens alternative transportation options and connections to the rest of the City – especially for those with disabilities or mobility challenges which may complicate other modes of transportation.

 

Unfortunately, it has recently been highlighted by disability advocates that wayfinding along the new line is not up to standard. In particular, the tactile wayfinding floor tiles in many new stations along Line 5 direct riders only to elevators, not to stairs or escalators. When elevators are out of service for maintenance and repairs, this leaves riders who are visually impaired without guidance to alternatives.

 

The design of stations along Line 5, and throughout our transit network, should prioritize accessibility for all riders. The deficiencies identified in the new Crosstown LRT stations should be addressed as soon as possible.

Background Information

(June 10, 2026) Letter from Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin on Improvement of Tactile Wayfinding in Line 5 Stations
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-287897.pdf

Motions

Motion to Add New Business at Committee moved by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Carried)

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin (Carried)

That Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

 

1. Delete Recommendation 1,

 

Recommendation to be deleted

 

1. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to work with Metrolinx, in consultation with the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee, to improve tactile wayfinding for those with visual impairments in stations along Line 5 to ensure that riders can safely navigate to escalators, elevators and stairs, and to establish this as a standard approach for future stations and existing stations undergoing refurbishment.

 

and adopt instead the following recommendation:

 

1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, TTC, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee on Transit, to improve tactile wayfinding for those with visual impairments in stations along Line 5 to ensure that riders can safely navigate to escalators, elevators and stairs, and to establish this as a standard approach for future stations and existing stations undergoing refurbishment.

Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council