TTC celebrates Earth Day, reinforces commitment to sustainability

Today is Earth Day, and the TTC is reaffirming its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. With partnerships from government and customers, the TTC is on its way to electrifying 50 per cent of its fleet by 2030.

“On Earth Day, and every other day, I am proud to work with the TTC and our government partners to deliver a low-emissions transit service for the people of Toronto,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Congratulations to the TTC on the progress made on fleet electrification to date.”

“Zero-emission vehicles are the future of sustainable transit,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. "Our goal is to run a sustainable transit system that customers can rely on and be proud of. These significant strides toward a zero-emissions future are a big step in that direction.”

“We have an obligation to our customers, the city and our planet to do more for the environment, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “I am so proud of the great work the TTC team is doing in transitioning to a cleaner, greener future.”

This Earth Day, the TTC is sharing a progress update on its Green program.

Buses

In recent months, the TTC has received 74 new battery-electric buses and will receive an additional 266 in the near future. This will bring the total eBus fleet to 400 – the largest in North America! These buses will serve communities all over the city and are funded jointly by the federal government and the City of Toronto.

The TTC also has an impressive fleet of hybrid-electric buses, which currently make up approximately 29 per cent of the TTC's entire bus fleet. These vehicles cut emissions by nearly 50 per cent and run as zero-emission buses in Green Zones—locations where the diesel generator turns off completely, improving local air quality.

Streetcars

All TTC streetcars are already zero-emissions. The TTC is currently receiving 60 new streetcars, jointly funded by contributions from the federal government, the Ontario government, and the City of Toronto. By the end of 2025, there will be 264 streetcars in the fleet, delivering a 30 per cent increase in capacity, with the ability to carry the equivalent of nearly 700 buses!

Subways

Subway trains are also zero-emissions, and in 2024, the TTC launched an RFP for 70 new trains. Fifty-five of these will replace aging trains on Line 2 and are jointly funded by the federal government, the Ontario government, and the City of Toronto. The remaining 15 trains will serve extensions to Lines 1 and 2 and are fully funded by Metrolinx. 

Wheel-Trans

The Wheel-Trans fleet of vehicles is also on its way to becoming zero-emissions by 2040. This year, the TTC awarded a contract for five battery-electric paratransit buses, which will arrive in 2026. Eight chargers will be installed at Lakeshore Garage to support these vehicles.

The TTC will conduct a two-year evaluation to inform future battery-electric Wheel Trans procurements, planned to start in 2028. Subject to a successful pilot, the last gasoline Wheel-Trans bus will be delivered in 2029.

Electrification Infrastructure

Charging equipment to support the TTC’s eBus fleet is being installed across the commission. To date, 111 high-powered chargers have been installed across Arrow, Eglinton, Mt Dennis, and Birchmount garages. By the end of 2026, the TTC will install 207 charge points across the commission.

Thirty charge points will be installed this year for employee use, and 25 charge points will also be installed for non-revenue TTC vehicles.

Innovation and Sustainability

In 2024, the TTC launched an Innovation and Sustainability Strategy to identify innovative technologies that maximize benefits to customers, the people of Toronto, and the environment. Early wins include retrofitting all subway platforms with LED lights and piloting electric maintenance tools and equipment to reduce environmental pollutants.

In 2025, the TTC intends to launch multi-year programs to improve energy and water conservation at TTC facilities and enhance the TTC’s climate resilience, including a partnership with PowerON to implement rooftop solar panels at TTC facilities, beginning this year at Hillcrest Complex.

This Earth Day, the TTC reminds everyone that by taking transit, they are making the environmentally responsible choice to protect the health of people and the planet.

To learn more about how the TTC makes Toronto a cleaner, greener place to live and work, visit ttc.ca/green.