Transit union versus transit riders in Toronto

For transit riders in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), seamless service between different transit operators is not just a convenience but essential. Whether a commuter originates from the outer suburbs and travels to downtown Toronto or elsewhere, the ability to switch between transit vehicles operated by different authorities is crucial for efficient, frictionless travel.

Union concerns about accountability are red herring and overlook the reality many Toronto residents face: living in one municipality while working in another. Since TTC does not operate beyond Toronto's borders, a significant number of workers face unmet transit needs, particularly those living in outer neighbourhoods in Etobicoke, North York, and Scarborough, who frequently commute to places like Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Pickering and more.

However, recent negotiations between Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, which represents transit workers, have undermined this transit integration principle. The province's concession to union demands restricts other operators from offering services within Toronto, marking a regressive step in transit planning that prioritizes territorial control over commuter needs.

This change forces commuters to remain at bus stops, helplessly watching as buses from other transit authorities pass by, despite having available capacity. Such a scenario erodes our ability to plan an integrated transit network across the GTA—an area far broader and more diverse than the interests of TTC union members.

Councillor Josh Matlow of Ward 12 supports the union’s stance, citing accountability concerns. He argues that "only the TTC is accountable to the residents of Toronto." This perspective, however, fails to address the broader implications of restricted transit integration.

Historically, the TTC operated across municipal boundaries long before the amalgamation of Toronto and its surrounding boroughs. Transit was regulated by a regional agency known as Metro Toronto comprising local municipalities of Toronto, North York, York, Etobicoke, East York and Scarborough. Before the amalgamation, did any of the former municipal mayors argue for an exclusive municipal transit operator because TTC was not “accountable” to the residents of their municipality? In fact, transit service operations across these municipalities predate Metro Toronto.

I have generated the following map using 2021 census data with Maptitude software from Caliper Corporation . The map illustrates this point starkly. It shows that while residents near downtown Toronto often work within the city—over 87% in specific red-coloured neighbourhoods—the proportion declines sharply in peripheral areas. In parts of Etobicoke adjacent to Mississauga and Vaughan, for instance, as many as one in three workers live in Toronto but work elsewhere, underscoring the necessity of integrated transit solutions.

During my doctoral studies in transportation engineering, I learned under experts like Prof. Eric Miller and Prof. David Soberman that effective transit planning involves multiple stakeholders, including unions and municipal representatives. Unfortunately, political ambitions can lead to compromised decisions where mayoral hopefuls, like Councillor Matlow, often end up seeking the endorsement of transit and police unions, sometimes at the expense of sound transit planning.

The province must reevaluate its stance. Returning to the bargaining table with the union to discuss more open transit policies would serve the broader public interest. The citizens of the GTA need to be made aware of how local union actions may be detrimental to integrated transit planning in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

An integrated transit system is essential for reducing automobile travel demand and dependency on fossil fuels and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. For the sake of sustainable development, public transit must be integrative and expansive. I urge local councillors and provincial MPs to advocate for all transit riders in the GTA and resist union-led efforts that prioritize protectionism over public service.