The TTC last won the award in 1986.

In 2013, the TTC set out to change itself. It developed a five-year plan that put the customer at the centre of all that it does, from service planning to service delivery, including a new station management model, customer charter, fleet and infrastructure renewal, and how it manages its people — its most important asset.

“I am immensely proud of this award and accept it on behalf of the 14,000 people who work for the TTC,” said CEO Andy Byford. “Culture change and how we inspire, develop and manage people is at the heart of our renaissance, led by our belief that it is through a transit system’s people and their embrace of a common goal, that sustainable improvement is achieved. We set out to deliver a transit system that makes Toronto proud. This honour reflects the hard work we’ve done for our customers and the people of Toronto.”
 
“I would like to congratulate Mr. Byford, his executive team and all 14,000 women and men of the TTC in this magnificent achievement,” said TTC Chair Josh Colle. “It has been my pleasure as Chair, to announce record increases in operating subsidy and in capital investment, thereby enabling the TTC to add service and to build on the successes to date. I look forward to the next five years where our next plan - which is well advanced - will build on the great news that we have heard about today.”

“Congratulations to the Toronto Transit Commission for being selected as the best large public transportation system in North America,” said APTA Acting President and CEO Richard A. White. “Receiving the 2017 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award is a very prestigious honour. The TTC’s successful implementation of a five-year modernization program demonstrates that it is a leader in the public transportation industry and a role model for other public transit systems.”

The TTC will be officially recognized at APTA’s annual conference later this fall. The attached logo that recognizes the TTC’s achievement on behalf of the people of Toronto will begin to appear on vehicles in the coming weeks.

After almost 100 years in service and 31 billion trips taken, the TTC has grown to become one of the most visible and vital public services in Toronto. By passenger volume, the TTC is North America’s third largest transit system, after only New York and Mexico cities.
 
While there is still much to do, a number of achievements over the past five years include:

  • A cleaner, more punctual and exponentially more responsive service
  • Unprecedented capital investment
  • Introduction of new vehicles – buses, streetcars and trains
  • PRESTO is now available in all subway stations and vehicles
  • Completion of the spectacular Leslie Barns
  • Delivery of a world-class transit plan in support of the 2015 Pan Am Games
  • A more accessible TTC with the addition of external announcements on buses, subways and streetcars and more fully-accessible subway stations
  • One Person Train Operation on Line 4 Sheppard, improving the safety and reliability of the service
  • A reduction in the number of delay minutes across the subway network
  • A second subway platform at Union Station, reducing over-crowding and improving customer circulation
  • Increased service on more than 40 routes, operating all day, every day and 52 routes now operate every 10 minutes or better
  • Increased service on the Blue Night Network so that 99 per cent of Toronto residents now live within a 15-minute walk of overnight bus and streetcar service
  • Real-time travel information (next train times and other service information) is made available on Platform Video Screens
  • Implementation of a new wayfinding system that uses consistent symbols, colours and numbers to clearly communicate to the city’s diverse audience
  • Underwent a brand revitalization moving the brand from one of a utility to what it really is: a critical part of Torontonians' everyday lives
  • Recognized as one of the Greater Toronto Area’s Top Employers.

The most recent customer satisfaction survey results show that TTC customers are satisfied at a record of more than 80 percent. The TTC will continue to work hard for the people of Toronto as it modernizes its signal system, fare system and its workplace. And later this year, it will open a six-station, 8.6km extension of Line 1 Yonge-University.