TTC’s 2026 Plan Adds Service Without Sacrificing Affordability
The combined $3 billion operating budgets for the TTC conventional system and Wheel-Trans represent a 6.8% increase over the approved 2025 budgets and will ensure safe, frequent, and affordable service for TTC customers, agency officials said.
The TTC's 2026 budget includes the introduction of a fare capping program so that any trips after 47 per month would be free. In 2027, that number drops to 40 visits.
Credit: TTC
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The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) board approved its 2026 operating and capital budgets, which keep transit affordable through a third consecutive fare freeze and the introduction of fare capping, add nearly 200,000 hours of service, and invest $16.7 billion in long-term capital projects.
The combined $3 billion operating budgets for the TTC conventional system and Wheel-Trans represent a 6.8% increase over the approved 2025 budgets and will ensure safe, frequent, and affordable service for TTC customers, agency officials said.
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TTC 2026 Budget Highlights
Highlights of the TTC’s 2026 budget include:
A fare freeze, keeping fares at 2023 prices.
Introduction of a fare capping program so that any trips after 47 per month would be free. In 2027, that number drops to 40 visits.
Dedicates almost $60 million to preserve and enhance 2025 safety initiatives and operating levels as more workers return to the office, and to address congestion and changes in ridership patterns.
Increases Wheel-Trans funding by $19 million to meet rising demand.
Funds Lines 5 and 6 operations in 2026 through the New Deal with the Province of Ontario.
“These board-approved budgets support meaningful investments in our operations and capital projects upon which we can build the incremental improvements that our customers will benefit from,” said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali. “It also means we will be able to deliver world-class service during the World Cup, which will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city.”
TTC officials said the recommended 2026-2035 Capital Budget and Plan is $16.7 billion.
Credit: TTC
Capital Budget Plan
TTC officials said the recommended 2026-2035 Capital Budget and Plan is $16.7 billion.
Priority projects funded through the capital plan over the next five years include:
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Conventional and Wheel-Trans bus fleet replacements and associated charging infrastructure.
Critical subway systems (signals, electrical, and communications) and equipment (escalators, elevators, ventilation, and subway pumps/backflow preventers) are to be maintained to ensure reliability and enhance the customer experience.
Facility renewal programs, including roofing rehabilitation, HVAC replacements, overhead doors, safety systems, and infrastructure renewal projects, are used to maintain asset integrity.
Streetcar track replacement.
The plan also adds $1.36 billion for critical longer-term state of good repair, reliability, and safety and legislative programs, including:
$302.8 million for subway, bus, and streetcar vehicle overhauls.
$168.8 million for crucial subway and surface track replacement.
$253.4 million for traction power, signaling, communications, and power distribution asset replacement/rehabilitation.
$141.6 million for facility rehabilitation/modifications.
Except for the fare policy items, the TTC Budget now goes to the City for consideration as part of the 2026 budget process.
The plan represents an increase of just 1.9% over the current year, and includes investments in new buses, more full-length fare gates, and other enhancements for customers.
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