On Monday, September 29, residents in Scarborough-Rouge Park will vote to elect a new City Councillor. 

TTCriders asked candidates seven 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 councillor will make decisions about how much the TTC costs, how often transit comes, how it's funded, and more!

Scroll down to see how your candidates are promising to improve public transit! 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candidate is not listed here, it is because they either did not respond to our survey request, or because they have withdrawn their candidacy as of September 18.

Table of Contents

1. Key Transit Issues
   1. Fare Capping
   2. Fare Freeze
   3. Dedicated Transit Lanes
   4. Eglinton East LRT
   5. Eglinton Crosstown Transit Signal Priority
   6. Scarborough RT Replacement Busway
   7. New Revenue Tools to fund the TTC
2. Overview of Candidates' Responses
   
   1. Walter Alvares-Bardales
   2. Anita Anandarajan
   3. Darrell Brown
   4. Zia Choudhary
   5. Ashan Fernando
   6. Reza Khoshdel
   7. Brian Matthews
   8. Neethan Shan
   9. Shean Sinnarajah
3. How to vote

Key Transit Issues

Fare Capping: Pay-as-you-go flexibility on the TTC

Many cities are switching to “pay-as-you-go” transit options instead of expensive monthly passes that need to be purchased “up front”, which is a critical step towards free transit. 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, and staff are recommending implementation in the 2026 TTC Budget. Read more and take action for Fare Capping.

We asked candidates: Will you vote YES to implement fare capping on the TTC?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

TTC Fare Freeze

We asked candidates: Will you vote to freeze TTC fares?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

Dedicated Transit Lanes for faster, more reliable buses

RapidTO bus lanes on Kingston Road, Morningside Avenue, and Eglinton Avenue East have made schedules 10% more reliable and reduced travel times by up to 6 minutes for over 30,000 daily transit users. The TTC plans for similar RapidTO measures to be implemented on Lawrence Avenue East, and other major transit routes across Toronto. Dedicated transit lanes and other priority measures are proven solutions to improve transit reliability and cut down on congestion.

We asked candidates: Will you fully support existing dedicated transit lanes in Scarborough and vote YES to expanding dedicated transit lanes to other TTC routes?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

Fund and build the Eglinton East LRT

The Eglinton East LRT is an unfunded 18.6 kilometre, 27-stop light rail line that would connect University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Malvern, and other important destinations in eastern Scarborough. Federal funding could be secured for this priority transit project through the Canada Permanent Public Transit Fund.

We asked candidates: Will you support funding the Eglinton East LRT, and work to secure funding from upper levels of government?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

Transit Signal Priority on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Transit riders need the green light to beat traffic congestion. Transit signal priority modifies traffic signals to prioritize moving transit vehicles across intersections with minimal delay. Important new rapid transit projects won't truly be rapid if they get stuck at red lights. When it finally opens, the $12.6-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 to implement transit signal priority on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

Scarborough RT Replacement Busway

After the derailment of the Scarborough RT in 2023, TTCriders advocated and won funding for a replacement busway to serve transit riders in its place in 2024, in absence of the Scarborough Subway Extension. The busway would save transit users up to 14 minutes per day and support more reliable transit in Scarborough. The busway is currently under construction, with a completion date of 2027. Transit users have faced a 14 year delay for the Eglinton and Finch LRT and are looking for a champion to fight for this to be expedited.

We asked candidates: Will you commit to opening the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

New Revenue Tools to fund the TTC

The TTC relies entirely on fares and property taxes to fund day-to-day operations, and receives the least public investment per capita compared to other major transit systems in North America. Alternative revenue tools that the City could implement include a Commercial Parking Levy, which could raise $108 million per year from corporate landlords of shopping malls and big box stores. Another potential revenue tool is a rideshare tax, which charges wealthy rideshare corporations like Lyft and Uber on a per-ride basis to fund public transit and address congestion and gridlock.

We asked candidates: Will you support new alternative revenue tools to fund the TTC, such as a Commercial Parking Levy or Rideshare Tax?

Walter Alvarez-Bardales
Anita Anandarajan
Darrell Brown
Zia Choudhary
Ashan Fernando
Reza Khoshdel
Brian Matthews
Neethan Shan
Shean Sinnarajah

Here's how each candidate is promising to improve public transit

Only candidates who responded to our survey are shown. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Candidates were invited to explain their priority when it comes to transit - if they did not provide a text response, it is not shown.

Walter Alvarez-Bardales

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

We asked Walter Alvarez-Bardales: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"As someone who hasn’t owned a car in over two years, I rely entirely on the TTC to get around. I know firsthand how frustrating it is to wait up to 30 minutes for a bus — especially in Scarborough–Rouge Park, where service gaps can make daily life harder. As City Councillor, I will prioritize more frequent and reliable bus service, with a focus on underserved routes. I will push for better scheduling, real‑time service monitoring, and investment in dedicated bus lanes where possible to keep transit moving. I’ll also advocate for safer, more accessible stops and shelters, so riders aren’t left standing in unsafe or uncomfortable conditions. Public transit should be a dependable, affordable option for everyone — and I’ll work to make sure Scarborough residents can count on it every day."

Anita Anandarajan

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

We asked Anita Anandarajan: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"I will support fare capping and freezing transit fares because transit is a public good and I will prioritize reliable, accessible and sustainable transit solutions. I will support a regional transit plan for Scarborough and work to build vital connections. I will call for adequate funding and make bold proposals to improve transit, as it is essential community infrastructure, including required engineering studies. I will restore accessibility and commuter supports, such as parking and elevators. This is my commitment to the residents of Scarborough-Rouge Park: I will take on the hardest challenges and work to establish the right to mobility."

Darrell Brown

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

We asked Darrell Brown: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"As stated above, public transit has to be the most economical and efficient means of travel to generate full usage. That requires significant revenue and planning commitments."

Zia Choudhary

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

Ashan Fernando

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

"I will support dedicated transit lanes with priority hours during morning and evening rush hours."

We asked Ashan Fernando: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"As City Councillor, I will prioritize making public transit more reliable, affordable, and accessible for Scarborough–Rouge Park residents. That means pushing for better bus service, faster connections to rapid transit, and ensuring our community has safe, well-maintained stops and stations. I will also advocate for investments in infrastructure that keep pace with growth, reduce congestion, and support a greener future for Toronto."

Reza Khoshdel

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

We asked Reza Khoshdel: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"Reliable, accessible, and affordable transit is critical, and as City Councillor, I will prioritize projects that directly benefit Scarborough, including the Eglinton East LRT, dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, and the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway. I also support fare capping, fare freezes, and sustainable funding tools like commercial parking levies and rideshare taxes. Transit is about more than moving people - it’s about improving daily lives. Faster, more reliable service gives residents time back in their day, reduces stress, and increases access to jobs, schools, and essential services. Affordable fares ensure that transit is accessible to everyone, not just those who can pay. By investing in equitable, efficient transit, we strengthen communities, reduce congestion and emissions, and make Toronto a city where all residents - regardless of income or background - can thrive and fully participate in the life of their city."

Brian Matthews

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

"The fare system is outdated. It should be a pay per distance to encourage shorter trips with a fare cap and perhaps a reward points system."

We asked Brian Matthews: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"We should encourage shorter trips by making them cheaper. We need to move forward and stop the cycle of approving, cancelling, re-approving. We need to follow the long-term transit plan. We need to finish the Sheppard E subway and the better parts of Transit City Plan. GO needs to study where the parking customers come from at Rouge GO station and implement express buses from car-pool lots closer to the origin point. Steeles (end to end) needs a subway/lrt or brt (york region hwy 7 style). Councillors should ride the TTC to City Hall or distant Wards regularly to understand frustrations/problems."

Neethan Shan

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

"I support more TTC and bus service in Scarborough and whatever is needed to get Scarborough moving quickly."

Shean Sinnarajah

View candidate's website

Implement Fare Capping on the TTC	Freeze TTC fares in 2026	Expand bus lanes and protect existing bus lanes in Scarborough	Fund the Eglinton East LRT

Implement Transit Signal Priority on the Crosstown LRT	Open the Scarborough RT Replacement Busway in 2027	Support alternate revenue tools to fund the TTC

We asked Shean Sinnarajah: When it comes to public transit, what will you prioritize as a City Councillor?

"As City Councillor, my priority will be to restore confidence in public transit by focusing on reliability, affordability, and equity. That means delivering projects on time — such as accelerating the Scarborough Busway to 2026 and advancing the Eglinton East LRT — while ensuring new lines like the Crosstown open with true rapid transit features, including signal priority. I will champion fare capping to make transit more affordable and fair, while supporting alternative revenue tools like a Commercial Parking Levy and rideshare tax to strengthen TTC’s finances without burdening riders. Above all, I will prioritize the customer experience: investing in service frequency, station accessibility, and dedicated bus lanes that riders notice every day. Transit is the backbone of Toronto’s economy and climate goals, and I will ensure Scarborough and the city as a whole receive the sustainable, reliable system residents deserve."

How to vote

Am I eligible to vote?

You are eligible to vote if you are:

• A Canadian citizen
• At least 18 years old
• A resident in Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park OR a non-resident of the City of Toronto, but you or your spouse own or rent property in Ward 25
• Not prohibited from voting under any law

When to vote?

• Advance Vote: Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
• Voting Day: Monday, September 29, from 10:00am to 8:00pm

What do I need to bring with me to vote?

• Bring one piece of identification that shows your name and Ward 25, Scarborough-Rouge Park address
  • You can bring a paycheque stub, bank account statement, transcript, report card or other forms of identification. See here for a full list of acceptable IDs.
• If you received a Voter Information Card in the mail, bring it with you to speed up the process. If not, that’s okay! You can still vote without a Voter Information Card.

Where can I vote?

• You can see your voting location by using MyVote. Enter your address and then go to the “My Voting Places” tab
• Remember, you can only vote at your assigned voting location!