TORONTO (Diya TV) — The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is poised for a major transformation with the appointment of Mandeep Lali as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 7, 2025. Announced by TTC Chair and Scarborough North Councillor Jamaal Myers on June 5, the decision marks a pivotal leadership shift for Canada’s largest transit agency.
Lali brings more than two decades of international transit expertise to Toronto, having served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and spending over 13 years at Transport for London (TfL). His work on major capital projects—including the Crossrail initiative and accessibility upgrades with OTIS Elevators—has earned him recognition as a forward-thinking, systems-oriented leader.
“This permanent appointment gives us a unique opportunity to fundamentally reset our relationship with our customers, employees, and the broader City Region,” said Myers, emphasizing Lali’s potential to reinvigorate public trust and grow ridership.
Lali takes over from Greg Percy, who served as interim CEO since late 2024. While Percy navigated the TTC through fiscal strain and service disruptions, Lali’s appointment signals a new era defined by strategic modernization and service reform.
In his first address as incoming CEO, Lali outlined four core priorities: safety, reliability, affordability, and accessibility. “These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the foundation of our roadmap,” he said, committing to measurable progress that rebuilds trust with riders and employees alike.
A key part of Lali’s early strategy involves data-driven problem solving. He’s already initiated a full-scale operational review to tackle immediate challenges such as overcrowded platforms, slow-order zones, and vehicle bunching—issues that have long frustrated daily commuters. Short-term solutions will aim to reduce travel times and alleviate congestion, providing fast relief while larger infrastructure plans unfold.
Lali’s record at the MTA includes overseeing subway operations in one of the world’s most complex transit networks, balancing real-time service delivery with multimillion-dollar infrastructure upgrades. His time at TfL further solidified his credentials, especially through his hands-on role integrating vertical transit systems into London’s growing rail network.
But Lali’s mission in Toronto extends beyond engineering. He faces pressure to modernize the TTC within a constrained fiscal environment—a challenge made more complex by rising operating costs and heightened public scrutiny. He has pledged to align operational improvements with revenue recovery and cost efficiency, including exploring public-private partnerships to modernize the TTC’s aging fleet.
Accessibility also ranks high on his agenda. Lali is targeting older streetcar stops and station infrastructure for upgrades, aiming to make Toronto’s system more inclusive. His team is working on securing federal grants and tapping into private capital to accelerate these upgrades.
What may ultimately define Lali’s success is not only what he builds, but how he communicates. With expectations high from stakeholders across city hall, TTC staff, and Toronto’s 1.7 million daily transit users, Lali has emphasized transparent communication and collaborative leadership. He’s already formed cross-functional teams that include operators, planners, and maintenance staff to co-design solutions from the inside out.
Industry experts say Lali’s arrival offers Toronto a rare opportunity to reclaim the TTC’s status as a world-class transit system. His combination of operational rigor and a customer-first mindset could set new standards for urban mobility in North America.
Whether it’s through upgraded infrastructure, cleaner stations, or faster commutes, Mandeep Lali’s leadership represents what TTC Chair Jamaal Myers calls a “once-in-a-generation reset.” If successful, Toronto’s transit system could become a model for cities worldwide—efficient, accessible, and ready for the future.
