The TTC released its 2025 budget package on January 7 including the proposed Operating Budget, the Capital Budget and Plan, and the Real Estate Investment Plan. The TTC Board will discuss this package at its meeting on January 10.

• Recommended 2025 TTC Operating Budget; 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan and 15-Year Capital Investment Plan and Real Estate Investment Plan Update

This article is a preliminary review of the Operating Budget. I will turn to other parts of the package in separate articles, and will add follow-up articles after the Board meeting.

Highlights:

• Fares continue to be frozen at 2023 levels.
• The total Operating Budget for 2025 is $2.819 billion of which $1.387 billion will be covered by City subsidies. This is broken down as:
  • Conventional system: $2.636 billion with a subsidy of $1.214 billion
  • Wheel-Trans: $182.6 million with a subsidy of $173.2 million
• Service hours will be increased by 5.8%. There are some specifics in the budget, but more details are to follow.
  • 1.7% increase to account for ridership growth and new services for accessibility pending completion of the Easier Access program.
  • 2.2% increase for off-peak service.
  • 1.9% increase for opening Lines 5 and 6 together with bus network changes (tentatively planned for July and August, respectively, subject to Metrolinx confirmation of dates).
• Specific service improvements listed in the budget include:
  • Implementation of 6 minute service or better from 7am-7pm, 7 days/week on 505 Dundas, 511 Bathurst and 512 St. Clair.
  • Return to pre-pandemic wait times on subway lines during off-peak periods.
  • Restoration of pre-2023 off-peak crowding standards. Service will be increased starting in April on nine priority routes (not listed).
• Increase in Wheel-Trans service to handle an expected 4 million more rides in 2025.
• Increase in capacity to recruit, train and develop the workforce.
• A pilot program on 10 key routes to reduce bunching and gapping.
• A pilot program to improve cleanliness in six key subway stations (Scarborough Town Centre, Kennedy, Dundas, Finch, Spadina, Lansdowne).
• Improved maintenance and asset management for key items such as subway work cars.
• Beginning an environmental resiliency program.
• Expanding the fare compliance program to increase revenue.
• Cost savings of $37.2 million from budget reviews and efficiencies.

These items are discussed in more detail in the main part of the article. Many parts of the budget are presented here only in summary with tables showing financial breakdowns. Readers interested in further details should consult the TTC’s budget report linked above.