TTC Capital Investment Plan (CIP)

With over 104 cranes in the sky, Toronto is now the fastest growing city in North America. Our population is projected to rise from 2.93 million in 2017 to 3.91 million in 2041, an increase of 33.5 percent. As the third largest transit system in North America, one of the most significant challenges for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is maintaining and improving our network to meet future demand.
 
This winter, the TTC published the 15-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP), 2019-2033. The CIP is the first-ever comprehensive report on the various initiatives required to maintain and improve our existing transit network.
 
The numbers are staggering. Over the next 15 years, the TTC will require $33.5 billion in capital investment to improve capacity and keep the system in a state of good repair. Of the investment required, $23.7 billion is currently unfunded. As the new TTC Chair, I've directed TTC staff to continue to provide honest assessments of our capital needs and financial challenges going forward.  
 
The TTC's major capital challenges were exacerbated by the Province's sudden cancellation of planned capital funding over the next ten years earlier this spring. Under the previous government, the Provincial Gas Tax contribution to Toronto was set to increase on a yearly basis. Despite a campaign promise to the contrary, the Province suddenly cancelled the planned increase last month. As a result, the TTC will lose $1.1 billion over the next ten years.  
 
At the April meeting of City Council, I moved a motion asking the Province to restore this critical funding. The TTC had already budgeted $585 million for major capital projects including the Line 2 subway car fleet overhaul, bus improvements, and track upgrades.
 
The TTC needs a plan for transit expansion, but more importantly, we need a plan to maintain and improve our existing network to serve Torontonians for decades to come.