We’ve asked candidates whether they’ll invest in more TTC service, protect door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, expand TTC’s low-income discount, approve fare capping and more. View candidates’ detailed answers to our survey, information about their transit platforms, and more.
On Monday, November 4, 2024, residents in Don Valley West will vote to elect a new City Councillor.
TTCriders asked candidates six key questions about their commitments to improving transit service, accessibility and affordability, and their transit priorities if elected to City Council. We have also provided information about candidates’ transit platforms. Your future city councilor will make decisions about how much the TTC costs, how often transit comes, how accessible it is, and more!
If your candidate is not listed here it is because they either did not respond to our survey request, or because they have withdrawn their candidacy.
See how your candidates are promising to improve public transit!
Only candidates who responded to our survey are shown. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Only candidates who responded to our survey are shown. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Rachel Chernos Lin: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“Improving quality, service and safety on the TTC so that residents that can will increasingly will choose to use public transportation when they can. And getting the Crosstown open!”
Rachel Chernos Lin’s website shares her priorities for transit riders:
"Open new transit lines, reduce gridlock, make our streets and neighbourhoods safer and more walkable," and "Enhancing reliability and capacity on Line 1 by investing in more subway cars and focusing on infrastructure maintenance to limit 'slow down' zones".
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Habiba Desai: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“As City Councillor for Don Valley West, I will prioritize improving accessibility, safety, and equity in public transit. One of my key initiatives is advocating for stroller-only buses during rush hour on major routes, improving transit access for families while easing congestion for all riders. Additionally, I will push for women-only subway compartments to create a safer commuting environment and reduce harassment.
Furthermore, my Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for the Thorncliffe Park Transit-Oriented Community (TOC) development includes a proposal for free TTC access, ensuring residents aren't financially burdened by construction-related disruptions. These initiatives reflect my commitment to a more inclusive and equitable transit system for everyone.”
Habiba Desai’s website shares her priorities for transit riders, including stroller-only buses during rush hour, women-only subway compartments, and fare-free TTC for Thorncliffe Park.
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Anthony Furey: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“I will demand a full briefing on the TTC’s plans to commence operations on the Eglinton LRT prior to opening to the public. For the Eglinton LRT I support limited traffic signal priority to keep the trains running on schedule.
We need to confront our fare evasion issue. We lost $128 million last year through unpaid fares because we have allowed a culture of fare evasion to set in. If everyone pays their fare then we can avoid fare increases.”
Anthony Furey’s website does not provide any details about his transit priorities.
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Shakhlo Sharipova: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“Affordability and accessibility, customer service and cleaning services.”
Shakhlo Sharipova’s website does not provide any details about her transit priorities.
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Sheena Sharp: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“Transit ridership has to be integrated into a multi-modal transportation plan that 1. meets climate targets, and 2. Makes sure that the TTC can compete on speed and comfort. I want to see that done and publicly debated.
I want to be proud of our transit system. Some of the most famous architects in the world and in this country have designed our stations. I want that celebrated, and all the stations maintained in top shape.
(Yes 6 min. headways, just not paid for with a parking levy).”
Sheena Sharp’s website shares her priorities for transit riders:
“Improve service on the TTC, in wait times but also making it cleaner and more beautiful.”
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Jason Stevens: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“I have been a transit user myself growing up in Toronto and I want to see the delays to the Eglinton LRT addressed and resolved. I also will find out why since I was a child the subway is closed between Bloor and St Clair regularly for as many years as I recall. Transit is so vital for people, the economy and the climate. The service should be of a quality reflective of the size of a great city like Toronto.”
Jason Stevens' website does not provide any details about his transit priorities.
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Lesley Stoyan: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“The TTC is one of our city's most valuable assets, one that must be protected and supported. Further to our discussion, the role of Councillor is to act as liaison between constituents and our city's amenities, services, and infrastructure. Ensuring that public transit is accessible, reliable, and safe is a top platform priority. If elected, I will continue to enhance my existing collaborative partnerships with community groups and NGOs like TTC Riders, giving them a consistent platform and voice at City Hall. As a community activist, I created a strategic formula two decades ago for successful change in general, and it is easy to implement this into the transit equation in particular: CONNECT with TTC users, employees, lobbyists, and trusted advisors to understand the real challenges that Toronto Transit is facing; COMMUNICATE those issues with City Hall and higher levels of government, lobbying to have those issues dealt with promptly and effectively; and CREATIVELY develop funding models and efficient operational policies to meet those needs and get our city moving optimally!”
Lesley Stoyan’s website shares her priorities for transportation:
“Reviewing road safety strategies and developing fresh concepts for traffic reduction and cityscape aesthetics, a proven method for reducing congestion and encouraging non-vehicular transportation.”
| Support Fare Capping on the TTC | Expand TTC’s Low-Income discount, Fair Pass | Commercial Parking Levy to Invest in Increased Transit Service | Transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and new LRTs on Eglinton and Finch | Protecting full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service |
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We asked Daniel Trayes: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize during your first term as City Councillor?
“The Eglinton Crosstown! This project has been decades in the works. Holes were filled in years ago with nothing to show for it.
The people of Ward 15, as well as a few other wards deserve to have it running. Businesses and people have sacrificed and lost so much to see this happen. It is time for results. I would also prioritize the issue with Wheel Trans. That 1 should be a no brainer. Ive forged the necessary relationships to add a voice which will request action on all these fronts.”
Daniel Trayes does not have a candidate website.
Many cities are switching to “pay-as-you-go” transit options instead of expensive monthly passes that need to be purchased “up front.” Fare capping means riding free after paying for a certain number of transit fares in a given time period (a day, a week, or a month). For example, in Hamilton you ride free for the rest of the week after paying for 11 trips. In Edmonton, you ride free the rest of the day after paying for 4 trips.
The TTC Board endorsed the idea of fare capping in February 2022, because monthly pass options are no longer encouraging people to choose the TTC. Canadian transit systems with fare capping include Edmonton, Hamilton, Durham Region, and York Region. Read more and take action for Fare Capping.
We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to support fare capping on the TTC?
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Rachel Chernos Lin |
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Habiba Desai |
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Anthony Furey |
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Shakhlo Sharipova |
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Sheena Sharp |
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Jason Stevens |
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Lesley Stoyan |
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Daniel Trayes |
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TransformTO, Toronto’s climate plan, has a goal of free transit by 2040. In 2016, Toronto City Council approved the Fair Pass TTC discount program: $2.10 single fares and $123.25 passes for Toronto residents receiving OW, ODSP, a Child Care Fee Subsidy, and those living in Rent-Geared to Income housing. The final phase of the discount, for residents earning less than the Low-Income Measure + 15% (approximately $29,000 for a single adult), has not yet been fully funded.
We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to funding an expansion of the Fair Pass program?
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Rachel Chernos Lin |
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Habiba Desai |
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Anthony Furey |
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Shakhlo Sharipova |
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Sheena Sharp |
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Jason Stevens |
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Lesley Stoyan |
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Daniel Trayes |
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The TTC has a plan to increase subway and streetcar service to every 6 minutes or better, expand and increase service on the Blue Night network and express bus network, implement more measures to prioritize and speed up buses and streetcars, and much more. However, these proposed improvements would cost the TTC $203.6 million from 2025 to 2028, and remain unfunded.
A commercial parking levy on big malls and corporate landlords could raise between $100 to $150 million per year for transit and climate, according to the most recent estimates by City of Toronto staff, allowing for critical improvements to transit service. The rate of the levy would be higher downtown, where transit service is more accessible, and the levy would not apply to small businesses with 10 parking spots or fewer, or to schools, places of worship, hospitals, parks, or museums. Read more about our campaign for a commercial parking levy to fund transit.
We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to implementing a commercial parking levy?
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Rachel Chernos Lin |
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Habiba Desai |
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Anthony Furey |
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Shakhlo Sharipova |
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Sheena Sharp |
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Jason Stevens |
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Lesley Stoyan |
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Daniel Trayes |
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Transit riders need the green light to beat traffic congestion. Transit signal priority modifies traffic signals to ensure buses and streetcars can avoid delays and transit riders can get to work, school, and home on time.
Important new rapid transit projects won't truly be rapid if they get stuck at red lights. The $5.5-billion Eglinton Crosstown LRT should not get stuck waiting at traffic lights for single-occupancy vehicles to make left turns.
We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to implement transit signal priority for buses, streetcars, and rapid transit projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Finch West LRT?
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Rachel Chernos Lin |
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Habiba Desai |
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Anthony Furey |
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Shakhlo Sharipova |
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Sheena Sharp |
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Jason Stevens |
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Lesley Stoyan |
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Daniel Trayes |
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Public transit is a lifeline and must be accessible to all. The TTC plans to reduce the Wheel-Trans budget by restricting some users from door-to-door Wheel-Trans trips and forcing them onto streetcars, subways, and buses. This plan, also known as the "Family of Services," will result in isolation and less access for seniors and people with disabilities. Wheel-Trans users need choice and safety. Read more about our campaign to protect door-to-door Wheel-Trans service.
We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to keeping full door-to-door Wheel-Trans service for those who need it?
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Rachel Chernos Lin |
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Habiba Desai |
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Anthony Furey |
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Shakhlo Sharipova |
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Sheena Sharp |
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Jason Stevens |
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Lesley Stoyan |
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Daniel Trayes |
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Malvern, Lawrence Heights, and Rexdale would be most impacted by planned restrictions to door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by transit advocacy organization TTCriders.
(Toronto, ON) – Neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of racialized and low-income residents will be most impacted by planned restrictions to door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by transit advocacy group TTCriders. The group held a press conference at Toronto City Hall on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, in advance of a TTC Board meeting.
(Toronto, ON) – Transit advocacy organization TTCriders is celebrating today’s announcement that the federal government has approved the TTC’s request for federal funding for new subway trains on Line 2 Bloor-Danforth.