Toronto’s Public Transit Is Running on Borrowed Time

Toronto’s Public Transit: Running on Borrowed Time

Introduction: The Transit System That Keeps Us Moving — Barely

Toronto’s public transit system keeps the city alive — but just barely.
Every day, thousands of TTC employees work tirelessly to keep the network safe, reliable, and on time. Yet behind the daily routine, our system is aging, underfunded, and stretched to its limits.

As an operator, I see both the dedication and the decay: outdated infrastructure, patched-together technology, and the constant balancing act between safety and service. The TTC is doing its best, but without long-term vision, it’s only a matter of time before “maintenance” becomes “beyond repair.”

1. Transit Infrastructure at Its Limits

Toronto’s subway network was born in the 1950s — and much of it still runs on the same foundations.

• Decades-old tunnels and signals struggle to meet today’s demands.

• Frequent shutdowns for repairs show how fragile the system has become.

• Water leaks, corrosion, and electrical issues are constant reminders of a network built for another era.

While TTC maintenance crews deserve credit for keeping the system running at all, these are band-aids on a much deeper wound.

2. ATC and Automation — A Necessary but Sensitive Future

The TTC’s Automatic Train Control (ATC) on Line 1 is a major step forward. It allows trains to run more efficiently and safely, but it’s important to understand what it really is: a retrofit — 21st-century technology mounted on mid-20th-century trains.

The system works, but it’s not flawless. Glitches, connection drops, and delays still occur.
And while automation improves precision and reduces human error, it also raises sensitive questions for the workforce and the unions.

As an operator, I recognize that automation is coming, sooner or later — it’s the direction every modern system is moving. But the transition must be responsible, gradual, and inclusive, ensuring operators remain part of the system’s evolution rather than casualties of it.

3. Platform Cameras: A Safety Net That Needs Maintenance

Contrary to what many believe, platform cameras are installed at every station on Line 1 — and on both sides. These cameras are vital for train dispatching and passenger safety.
However, when they malfunction or lose connection with the operator’s onboard monitors, trains must wait for a certified spotter to safely signal departure.

This process protects lives, but it also adds to delays when equipment isn’t working properly. A reliable, redundant, and well-maintained camera system should be non-negotiable in a network of this scale.

4. Service Reliability: The Daily Struggle

Commuters don’t need statistics — they live the problem daily:

• Signal failures and mechanical issues cause repeated service interruptions.

• Short turns on bus and streetcar routes leave riders stranded mid-route.

• Overcrowded trains at rush hour expose how ridership has outgrown capacity.

• Aging buses and streetcars spend too much time in the garage.

The TTC’s frontline workers absorb the frustration of the public while working in a system that simply hasn’t kept pace with Toronto’s growth.

5. Streetcars, LRTs, and the Inflexibility of Rails in Traffic

Toronto’s streetcars are iconic — but they’re also trapped in traffic.
Unlike subways, surface rail can’t detour around accidents or congestion. The same will likely affect the upcoming Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Finch West LRT, where mixed-traffic sections undermine “rapid” transit promises.

Without fully separated, signal-prioritized corridors, these systems risk repeating the same mistakes: great in theory, slow in practice, and vulnerable to city traffic.

6. The Global Comparison: Where We Stand

Toronto’s situation becomes clearer when viewed next to other major cities:

These examples show that modernization isn’t optional — it’s the only path forward. But it must be done strategically, not politically.

7. Political Cycles: The Real Obstacle

Perhaps the biggest threat to Toronto’s transit future isn’t technical — it’s political.
Every new government seems to rewrite the blueprint: one cancels, another rebrands, the next restarts from scratch. Projects like the Scarborough RT replacement, the Ontario Line, or the Eglinton LRT have all suffered from political interference and short election cycles.

This stop-and-start culture burns money, delays progress, and destroys public confidence. A subway tunnel doesn’t care which party is in power — it just needs consistent funding and long-term vision.

8. The Human Impact

Every “service delay” announcement hides a personal story:

• Missed shifts and appointments.

• Parents rushing to pick up their kids.

• Riders standing shoulder-to-shoulder with no clear updates.

Transit is not just about movement — it’s about dignity, reliability, and trust. When people can’t rely on transit, they lose more than time; they lose faith in the city itself.

9. The Ontario Connected Transit Vision: A Path Forward

Toronto’s struggles are not unique — they’re a symptom of a fragmented approach to transportation planning. That’s where the Ontario Connected Vision comes in.

The Vision proposes a provincially integrated transit network connecting cities through high-speed rail, regional subways, and multimodal hubs — reducing congestion within Toronto and easing pressure on the TTC.

Key solutions from the Ontario Connected framework include:

• High-Speed Rail corridors linking major Ontario cities, diverting long-distance commuters off the TTC core. Do the math using our Trip Calculator.

• Interconnected hubs where TTC, GO, and regional lines meet seamlessly.

• Next-generation automation phased in responsibly — preserving jobs while improving safety and efficiency.

• Stable, multi-level governance that insulates infrastructure projects from political resets.

Under this vision, Toronto’s aging system becomes part of a larger, resilient network — one that doesn’t just move people faster, but connects them to opportunity, affordability, and a higher quality of life.

Conclusion: From Patching to Planning

Toronto can’t patch its way into the future.
If we want a system that reflects the century we live in, we must move beyond reactive maintenance and toward bold, coordinated planning — something Ontario Connected was built to envision.

The question isn’t whether modernization is coming. It’s how we choose to face it — divided by politics and fear, or united by purpose and progress.