TTC Green Initiatives

Our eBuses operate on truly green technology with the potential for zero tailpipe emissions. The TTC has one of the largest fleets of eBuses in North America, with a fleet of 400 by the end of 2025. This means customers will see more eBuses operating on routes like 35 Jane, 32 Eglinton and 45 Kipling, reducing air pollution and offering quieter rides.

Charge points are installed ahead of eBus deliveries to ensure we continue to provide customers with reliable service. Currently, there are charge points in service across four bus divisions in different areas of the city. There will be 318 more charge points installed by the end of 2025. This means the TTC can charge up to 400 eBuses by the end of next year, in line with our incoming deliveries.

Charger technology continues to evolve and we are on the leading edge. Our gradual installation allows us to install new chargers with twice the power output as the ones installed in 2019 in the same sized package.

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 powergrid 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.

TTC’s hybrid-electric buses incorporate series technology and run off power generated on-board. As opposed to an eBus that is plugged in to charge, our hybrid-electric buses use on-board generators that are powered by diesel engines. Though these vehicles are still using fuel to produce energy, they use a lot less than the average bus. Hybrid-electric buses also incorporate regenerative braking, meaning that energy produced when descending a hill or during braking is fed back to the energy storage system to reuse for propulsion, resulting in an approximately 25 per cent reduction in fuel use, reducing tailpipe emissions.

A total of 336 hybrid-electric buses were procured from two manufacturers: New Flyer Industries and NOVA. These buses are important as they help us transition our fleet to lower emissions technology while ensuring we are still able to offer the TTC service our customers rely on. The TTC’s bus fleet consists of almost 40 per cent hybrid-electric buses. All future bus deliveries will be zero-emissions.

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 up to 10 all-electric Wheel-Trans (eWT) buses. The competitive procurement process will begin in 2024, with vehicles expected to be in service for testing in 2025. In preparation, electric charging infrastructure will be installed at TTC’s Lakeshore Garage prior to vehicle deliveries. The goal is to have a fully electric Wheel-Trans fleet before 2040.

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 eWT buses.

By the end of 2024, all TTC subway stations and platforms will be retrofitted with energy efficient LED bulbs.

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 1 MWdc and generate 1.322 GWh of clean electricity per year. This amount of electricity will help offset approximately 7 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 Eglinton West Station, which contains a 1,085-square-metre garden. Since then, the TTC has implemented green roofs at 11 of its facilities including:

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

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.