In the Major Projects Update on the TTC Board’s September 2025 agenda, there is a troubling reference under three subway maintenance projects in progress.

Rogers 5G Implementation

“The schedule may be impacted because of workcar and resource availability, which prioritizes state-of-good-repair activities. The TTC will co-ordinate with internal departments to prioritize Rogers work (where possible) so that workcars are available and assigned.” [p. 19]

Line 2 Capacity Expansion Program

“The unavailability of the TTC Operations workforce and workcars is a concern and is impacting the successful delivery of Line 2 Traction Power portfolio projects.” [p. 22]

Line 1 Capacity Expansion Program

“Negative reinforcing cables VMC to Sheppard West: Construction has slowed down due to the unavailability of the TTC Operations workforce and workcars … [p. 25]

“The unavailability of the TTC Operations workforce and workcars is a concern and is impacting the successful delivery of Line 1 Traction Power portfolio projects.” [p. 26]

Reading this, I could not help thinking back to the proposal for renewal and expansion of the TTC’s fleet in the latter years of Andy Byford’s term as CEO. Until 2019, the TTC published its Capital Plan in detail in two large binders commonly referred to as “the blue books”. This practice stopped in 2020, and it was not replaced by an electronic equivalent.

From the 2018 budget, I compiled a list of planned work car purchases. Also, I requested from the TTC a list of new vehicles since 2017. The table below merges this information.

Note 1: At the beginning of the work car plan, TTC owned two tie tampers, RT-21 and RT-41. Descriptions in the detailed plan speak of acquiring two additional units similar to RT-41. However, all that appears to have happened is that one unit, RT-21, was replaced. These units are essential to dealing with track problems that lead to slow orders.

Capital Project Description	Planned Year	Purchases	Year
		Abestos Abatement Cars RT-34-35	2017
Geometric/Non-Destructive Testing Track Inspection Workcar	2017-19	Track Inspection Vehicle RT90-91	2019
Replace RT-7 locomotive	2020-21
Replace RT-16/17 tunnel washer	2021-22
Electric combo flat cars (2)	2019-20	Combo Unit Flatcars RT-30-31 & RT-32-33	2021 2024
Paper Vacuum Car	2015-18	Vacuum Car Debris/Paper RT-89	2017
Vacuum Excavator (2)	2018	Vacuum Excavator RT-6 & RT-46	2019 2020
Multi-purpose Tamper Production Tamper (Note 1)	2018-20 2019	Production Tie Tamper RT-21	2019
Crane Flatcar (2)	2017	Flatcar w/ Crane RT-87 & RT-88	2017 2018
Rail Milling Car		Provided by contracted services. See 2018 and 2024 reports.	Ongoing
Replace dual cab flat cars RT-5, RT-29, RT-28 & RT-55	2020-23
Dual cab flat car	2020-22

Readers will recall the major interruption to subway service in 2024 thanks to an hydraulic oil spill from a work car. This incident triggered a review of maintenance practices revealing problems with the quality and frequency of inspection, and of the general state of the fleet. One issue is the age and condition of some cars which are not always fit for service.

From the table above, it is clear that many planned work car purchases in the 2018 plan have gone forward, but some have not. I asked the TTC about pending acquisitions, but received a generic answer.

The TTC Subway Workcar fleet undergoes a continuous program of growth, replacement, and overhauls, with another 10 vehicles targeted for overhaul/upgrade, or replacement between 2026 and 2032. The usual caveats around timing being dependent on the ability to procure would apply once they are put to tender. [TTC Media Relations email Septmber 8, 2025]

As the subway system grows and ages, the maintenance workload will go up, and with it the need for both specialized staff and work cars. The Major Projects report shows that the TTC is falling behind on both counts.

This is an aspect of “State of Good Repair” that is generally hidden from public view, but is key to maintaining reliability of the infrastructure and the revenue service it supports.