Departing TTC CEO calls for transit investment, defends tenure

Investing in the Toronto Transit Commission should be a priority for all three levels of government because maintenance is as crucial as expansion of public transit lines, the TTC's CEO said in an interview before his last day on Friday.

Rick Leary, 61, whose tenure at the helm of the city's public transit system is set to end after six and a half years, said the TTC has a positive economic, social and environmental impact on Toronto and needs more funding. There's much concern about the transit system's age, he said, and all three levels of government need to understand its true needs.

"Everybody loves a ribbon cutting and an announcement. Maintaining existing, not so much. But you can't have something new that can't link and be as reliable as the old," Leary said. "We have to make sure the old is maintained."

In a wide-ranging interview with CBC Toronto, Leary defended his tenure at the TTC, saying he is leaving on his own terms and not because of allegations of bullying and workplace misconduct. A Toronto Star story published in October, cited unnamed sources who said the TTC board would be investigating allegations of workplace misconduct against Leary. CBC News has not independently verified those claims.

Leary told CBC News he has a lot of support in the organization and is not being forced out. TTC board chair Jamaal Myers, councillor for Scarborough North, confirmed Leary will receive a severance.

"I'm the CEO. Not everyone's going to like me, but you have to have thick skin," Leary said.

Leary said he thinks criticisms of his leadership are due to his efforts to find efficiencies at the TTC and new ways to do business. 

"There's been changes here from a focus, and people aren't happy about it," he said.

Asked about a possible internal investigation into the allegations against him, Leary could not confirm. 

"If you're asking me, am I aware of an investigation? I'm not sure if there's an investigation on me right now. I can tell you that for a fact."

Defends subway slow downs

Leary also defended the increasing number of breakdowns and slow downs on the subway system. With aging equipment, the operational challenges underline the need for all levels of government to step in, he said.

The TTC's 2024-2038 capital investment plan totals $47.8 billion in base capital needs over a 15-year period. Of that, $12.3 billion is funded, leaving $35.4 billion unfunded. The plan covers state of repairs needs, along with such capital projects as modernizing the subway and expanding its capacity, electrifying bus service and supporting more streetcars. It also includes purchasing more subway cars.

"I do believe that more money is necessary from all levels of government when it comes to the state of good repair, because when you see what's happening today, you can imagine what it's going to be like five years from now, if the funding does not come in," he said.

The federal government said in March it would create the Canada Public Transit Fund, which will provide $3 billion per year for public transit and transportation infrastructure starting in 2026-27.  

The Ontario government, for its part, announced under its new deal with the city of Toronto last fall that it would provide more than $750 million in funding for 55 new subway trains for the TTC's Line 2, an amount that is conditional on matching federal support. The province said it would also provide $300 million in one-time funding for subways and transit safety.

Critics have slammed the TTC administration for keeping the Scarborough Rapid Transit in operation years past its viable life and not conducting adequate inspections. On July 24, 2023, the Scarborough RT derailed, sending five people to hospital with minor injuries. Broken and loose bolts caused the derailment, which prompted the TTC to close the line permanently. 

Leary acknowledged the agency is lucky that no one was seriously hurt in the train's derailment last summer. He describes the derailment as an isolated incident.

"I'm not worried about that type of issue happening. I consider that a one-off at the TTC," he said.

Leary also said he is proud of finding solutions to logistical problems in his time at the TTC. He said previous TTC CEO Andy Byford asked him to work for the transit agency to help manage the flow of TTC vehicles.

"I was hired to come in and help with that. And so, I'm very, very proud of the fact that I was able to deliver for him — the elimination of the bunching and gapping and short turns," he said.

Oversaw tough times for transit agency

He said he is also proud of prioritizing vehicle maintenance, streetcar procurement and diversifying the TTC workforce.

Leary oversaw tough times for the TTC through much of his tenure, including low ridership numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to service cuts and higher fares, and multiple incidents of public violence on transit that prompted more police presence on the TTC.

The announcement of his resignation came on June 20, shortly after the TTC reached a deal with its largest union partner, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113, which represents nearly 12,000 transit workers. Leary has said he wanted to get that deal "over the finish line" before announcing his retirement. 

Leary became interim CEO in 2017 after Byford left to become president of New York City Transit Authority. Leary took the position permanently in 2018. 

Before joining the TTC in 2014, Leary was the general manager for York Region Transit.

Leary said he started working in public transit as an operator in Boston 40 years ago this past June.

"I just have a passion for this business. I love making a difference. I love helping people. I love customer service, customer experience, all from the days I operated trains," he said.

When Leary announced his resignation, TTCRiders, a volunteer-led organization of transit riders, said the TTC deserves better leadership. The group criticized Leary for a lack of transparency on transit issues. They said Leary also didn't push hard enough for the funding the TTC needs.

"The TTC is falling apart," the statement said. "This is a chance for renewal."