TTC & transit

GO DEEPER · POLICY & PRIORITIES · What will you do?

P02 · question 2 of 10

What are the three most important changes you would make to transit in Ward 14, and how would you pay for them?

Quick version: S02 · What is the one change to transit in Ward 14 that matters most to you?

Approach & proposed action

Susan Chapelle

I grew up in this ward and have used transit throughout my life. My priorities are simple: service you can depend on, journeys that feel safe and access for everyone. First, I would tackle long waits, bunching and overcrowding on our buses and streetcars, including Queen, Dundas and Gerrard and connections to the Danforth subway. I would ask the TTC to review where service breaks down, improve dispatching and schedules, and add service where needed. Better signal timing and construction coordination can help keep vehicles moving. I would push for cleaner vehicles and stations, visible staff and a consistent response to threats, harassment and discarded needles. People should feel safe getting home. Transit workers deserve that same protection. We need enforcement when necessary, alongside health and crisis teams who can help people in distress. I would focus on the whole accessible journey, from a cleared sidewalk and safe crossing to a usable stop, working elevator and dependable Wheel-Trans. Ontario Line construction must include accessible detours and replacement service. I would bring costed proposals through the TTC and City budget, pursue government funding partnerships and publish results. Residents deserve to know what we are paying for and whether it works.

Jason Stevens

no fare increases

Maria Voutsinas

Transit must remain affordable for low income residents, and that means maintaining the Fair Pass program to provide targeted support to low income residents. We need to work with the provincial government to ensure adequate funds exist for repairs and service improvements. People rely on the TTC but make other plans when TTC breaks down too frequently or there are drops in service levels. As a last resort, if necessary to maintain adequate repairs and service levels we might have to increase fares but I would insist on a thorough review of budgets and potential funding sources before taking that step.

Cost & funding

Susan Chapelle

More frequent service, cleaning and safety staff need dependable annual funding. I would pursue these investments through the TTC and City budget and press Ontario for ongoing operating support. Better scheduling can help, but reliable service still requires enough operators and vehicles. Stop upgrades, traffic signals and accessibility improvements require capital funding, including provincial and federal contributions where available. For Ontario Line construction, seek agreements with Metrolinx to fund replacement service, accessible temporary stops and safe detours. Each proposal would identify upfront costs, annual expenses and funding sources. Administrative savings alone will not pay for better transit service.

Trade-offs & affected groups

Susan Chapelle

Transit improvements benefit riders, especially workers, students, seniors, people with disabilities and households without cars. Operators and other staff need safe workplaces and realistic schedules. More frequent service costs money, affecting taxpayers and competing with other City priorities. Signal priority or street changes can affect drivers, deliveries, parking and nearby businesses. Designs must preserve accessible loading and safe crossings. Construction detours can disproportionately burden people with limited mobility. Safety measures must protect riders without treating poverty or disability as misconduct. I would involve affected groups early and assess travel times, access and safety before expanding pilots or making changes permanent.

Authority & feasibility

Susan Chapelle

I have chaired a municipal transit committee, so I understand that improving service takes budgets, staff and cooperation. Council approves the City budget and appoints the TTC Board. The Board sets service and fare levels; staff run daily operations. I would bring motions, pursue funding and build support. Reliability pilots and stop improvements are practical, but additional service needs operators, vehicles and ongoing funding. Street changes require Transportation Services involvement, and Ontario Line construction requires cooperation with Metrolinx. I would pursue achievable improvements, identify who is responsible for delivery and explain what requires support to constituents, colleagues and partners.

Deliverable & timeline

Susan Chapelle

I would request a Ward 14 transit review covering service gaps, bunching, safety concerns, accessibility barriers and construction impacts. I would seek a public baseline so residents can track results. With current construction, gaps with Metrolinx and transit rerouting may be difficult to assess. Pursue a funded reliability pilot on priority routes, fast bus, an accessibility improvement list and coordinated safety measures with clear responsibilities. Seek successful pilots becoming ongoing service improvements and deliver funded stop and street upgrades. Progress reports should measure waiting times, service gaps, completed accessibility work and safety responses, explaining delays and outstanding funding needs.

Supporting sources

Susan Chapelle

TTC 2024–2028 Service and Customer Experience Action Plan, reviewed for service reliability, route planning and improvements to the rider experience. TTC Service Standards, reviewed for evaluating demand, crowding and service changes. TTC Community Safety, Security and Well-Being Plan, reviewed for staff presence, coordinated responses and support for people in crisis. TTC 2024–2028 Accessibility Plan and 2026 Status Report, reviewed for accessible journeys and Wheel-Trans. TTC 2026 Operating Budget and Capital Plan, reviewed for service funding, staffing and infrastructure investment. Toronto RapidTO priority solutions, reviewed for signal priority and measures to reduce delays. City TTC governance framework, reviewed for decision-making responsibilities.

Responded, but not to this question

Denise Walcott

No response yet

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