TTC Green Initiatives

The TTC’s Green Bus Transformation Program is transforming the future of transit in Toronto. As one of the largest electric bus initiatives in North America, it is accelerating the shift to clean, quiet, zero-emissions mobility across the city. At the end of 2025, the TTC had 206   eBuses – approximately 13% of the bus fleet – and is on track to have 336 eBuses in service by mid-2026, supported by new charging infrastructure.

For customers, this means more electric buses on more routes, delivering smoother, quieter trips while reducing air pollution  and noise in the neighbourhoods they travel through. For the city, it marks a major step toward a modern, climate-ready transit network built for the future.

This transition is essential. Diesel buses account for more than 79.5% of the TTC’s direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. With the streetcar and subway fleets already fully electrified, the Green Bus Transformation Program represents the single most impactful action the TTC can take to cut emissions and support Toronto’s climate goals.

Currently, charge points are installed across seven bus garages. A total of 298 charge points will be in place by the end of this year to support the TTC’s growing eBus fleet.     

Charger technology continues to evolve, and the TTC is on the leading edge. Our phased installation allows us to install new chargers with twice the power output as the ones installed in 2019. 

An important piece of the Green Bus Program’s success is the implementation of the charging systems ahead of bus deliveries. We are fortunate that Ontario’s energy sector is among the cleanest in North America. We have power generation (nuclear, hydro, thermal, and wind) from Ontario Power Generation, power transmission through HydroOne, and power distribution from Toronto Hydro all providing primary power to our grid. Substations are then used as an interface from the power grid to our depots to enable the TTC’s microgrid.

The TTC microgrid showcases how

• The substation provided by Toronto Hydro ensures enough electricity is distributed to the site;
• An energy storage system accepts energy, stores energy, and releases energy as needed, providing operating efficiency. It also helps us lower our demand on the grid during peak times;
• An emergency backup generator that provides resiliency to the microgrid, should there be an outage from the main source of energy; and
• Renewable energy that is provided through solar.

Hybrid buses are an important step toward full electrification, as they help us transition our fleet to lower emissions technology while ensuring we are still able to offer the service our customers rely on. The TTC’s bus fleet is almost 30 per cent comprised of hybrid buses.

The TTC is also growing its streetcar fleet by 30%, which is 60 more low-floor streetcars by the end of 2025. These new vehicles will support existing ridership demand and attract new ridership, while significantly reducing city-wide emissions from higher carbon transportation options.

A larger fleet will support an expanded streetcar network, bringing lower-carbon mobility choices into additional areas of the city through the development of new, more sustainable neighbourhoods.

The TTC is evaluating battery-electric alternatives for Wheel-Trans vehicles by procuring and testing five all-electric Wheel-Trans buses. The vehicles are expected to be in service for testing in 2026. The goal is to have a fully electric Wheel-Trans fleet before 2040, in alignment with TransformTO.

Through this energy transition, our primary goal remains to provide a fully accessible vehicle that meets the needs of our customers. As such, the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) will be a key evaluator for new electric Wheel-Trans buses.

As of 2025, all subway station platforms have been successfully retrofitted with energy-efficient LED light bulbs. Between 2019 and 2025, the TTC has replaced approximately 58,000 light bulbs across the system.

The TTC has partnered with PowerON, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, to implement rooftop solar panels at TTC facilities. The initial installation will take place at Hillcrest Complex in 2025 on the following facilities: Subway Operations, Streetcar Way, and Harvey Repair Shop.

Renewable energy generation at Hillcrest Complex is estimated to be a total size of 900 Wdc and generate 1.070 GWh of clean electricity per year. This amount of electricity will help offset approximately 6 per cent of electricity usage at Hillcrest substation.

Green roofs are roofs of buildings that are covered either partially or completely with a thin layer of vegetation. They offer benefits such as air purification, stormwater runoff control, energy load reduction, and habitat creation.

The TTC’s first green roof was installed at Cedarvale Station, which contains a 1,085-square-metre garden. Since then, the TTC has implemented green roofs at 13 of its facilities including:

• Downsview Park Station
• Finch West Station 
• York University Station
• Pioneer Village Station
• Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Substation
• Victoria Park Station
• Dufferin Station
• McNicoll Bus Garage
• Leslie Barns Carhouse
• Roncesvalles Carhouse
• Wilson Carhouse
• Hillcrest Complex’s Streetcar Way Building
• Cedarvale Station

The TTC has also partnered with LEAF for over a decade to support five Urban Forest Demonstration Gardens. They are located outside High Park, Bathurst, Old Mill, St Clair, and Spadina stations. These gardens are comprised of native plant species that enhance our communities and biodiversity, and are maintained by generous volunteers.

The TTC works to maximize the benefits of the green spaces we maintain to support local biodiversity.

The TTC also completed a feasibility study on the viability of using a Wayside Energy Storage System within the subway network, which would capture waste energy from accelerating and breaking subway trains and store it for other uses. While the ROI did not prove viable, the knowledge gained in trialing new technologies helps to inform the TTC on future technologies and decisions as well as the industry.   

• In 2025, the TTC initiated its first facility HVAC decarbonization project at Greenwood Shop to reduce emissions and add cooling to support worker health and operational resilience.
• By switching from gas-powered to electric hand tools, a TTC pilot program is expected to cut nearly 3 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.