Toronto Transit Commission lays off 450 workers

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/27/2020 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The pandemic has resulted in an 80 percent drop in TTC ridership and a loss of $90 million in monthly revenue.Photo – TTC

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) late last week temporarily laid off 450 employees as part of a cost-cutting measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The pandemic has resulted in an 80 percent drop in ridership and a loss of $90 million in monthly revenue — money that was essential to sustain operations, TTC officials said in a press release.

“The decision to lay people off was made only after exploring every possibility — it was a last resort,” said TTC Chief Executive Officer Rick Leary.

In addition to the layoffs, TTC has paused salary increased for nonunion employees and will forgo hiring seasonal staff.