Commission Passes an Amended Multi-Year Capital Program

Commissioners approved an amended 2010-2014 Capital Program for the TTC in order to make the TTC’s capital requirements more affordable under the City Budget Committee’s new debt targets.

The TTC’s $848 million shortfall over 10 years was reduced to $300 million by deferring more than 40 improvements and expansion projects, which were initially approved by the Commission at its meeting on Sept. 24. Among those projects are: mid-life bus rebuilds ($258 million), easier access elevator installation ($60 million), fire ventilation upgrades ($55 million), transit signal priority improvements ($51 million) and subway station modernization ($40 million).

Although sufficient funding is available through to 2012, the capital forecast beyond 2012 faces a $300 million shortfall. The 2010-2014 Capital Program is scheduled to go before Toronto City Council in December.

Commission Approves Conceptual Design for Steeles West Station

Commissioners approved the conceptual design for the Steeles West Station on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. Steeles West Station will be diagonally located under the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and North West Gate, on the border of Toronto and the City of Vaughan in York Region.

The station design will be shown at a public open house in the near future, and a second public open house in the summer of 2010. The contract to build the station is scheduled to be awarded in October 2010.

TTC Diversity Update

Commissioners received for information the TTC’s 2008-2009 Diversity Update. The TTC continues to make progress in the hiring of visible minorities and women in all of its occupational groups. In 2008, 259 visible minorities and 41 women were hired as Transit Operators, and in a variety of semi-skilled jobs; 29 visible minorities and 26 women were hired in professional jobs; and persons of Aboriginal origin were hired in five of eight occupational groupings.

Commissioners approved a diversity plan for the TTC in September 2008. The plan’s goal is to reflect the diversity of the Toronto population within the TTC ranks over the next decade.

TTC’s Diesel Fuel Supply Contract Extended

Commissioners approved a six-month extension on a contract for the supply of diesel fuel to the end of 2010 while the TTC and the City of Toronto study the feasibility of establishing a future joint fuel purchasing program. The extension is worth $50 million for the purchase of nearly 89 million litres of fuel in 2010.

95 News Buses Arriving in 2011-2012

Commissioners approved the award of two contract options in the total amount of $51.4 million for the purchase of 95 low-floor, clean-diesel buses. Built by Daimler Buses North America Ltd., 35 buses are scheduled for delivery in 2011, and 60 buses are scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Renewed Safety Vision for TTC

The TTC re-affirmed its commitment to safety with a new policy statement approved by Commissioners. The TTC will conduct its business to systematically control risk and “to eliminate all injuries and occupational illnesses; is committed to protecting the health and safety of those who work for our organization; those who support our organization; those living in the communities in which we operate and the people who use our services.”