New TTC CEO Mandeep Lali Pledges to Prioritize Reliability as He Takes the Helm
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has officially welcomed Mandeep Lali as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership shift aimed at tackling Toronto’s most pressing transit challenges. Lali, a seasoned transit executive from New York and London, began his tenure on July 7, 2025, with a clear mission: to improve system reliability and restore public trust.
Bringing Global Experience to Toronto
Before joining the TTC, Lali served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Subways at New York’s MTA, the largest transit agency in North America. His resume also includes over 13 years at Transport for London, along with experience on London’s Crossrail project through his work with OTIS elevators.
Now, he’s bringing that international expertise to Toronto. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lali told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. “If you look at the two brand new lines coming on board, where else are you seeing this level of transit development?”
Eglinton Crosstown & Finch West LRT Still Top of Mind
Lali takes the reins during a particularly tense moment for the TTC. Both the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Finch West LRT have suffered from major delays and budget overruns. The TTC is working alongside Metrolinx, which leads the construction, to ensure the new lines launch safely and reliably.
His goal? To deliver services that people can depend on every day, especially as the city continues to grow.
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Tackling a $8.2 Billion Repair Backlog
Lali also acknowledged the TTC’s $8.2 billion infrastructure repair backlog, calling it a problem that “built up incrementally.” His strategy is to break these issues down into manageable improvements across infrastructure, equipment, and customer experience.
“I’ve done it abroad,” he said confidently. “Now it’s time to do it here.”
A Fresh Start for the TTC
TTC Chair Jamaal Myers described Lali’s appointment as a chance to “fundamentally reset” the TTC’s relationship with riders, employees, and the broader region. Lali replaces Interim CEO Greg Percy, who led the commission for the past nine months following Rick Leary’s retirement in August 2024.
With ambitious goals and a track record of delivering results, Lali’s leadership could usher in a new era of reliability for Toronto’s transit users.
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What’s one improvement you’d like to see Mandeep Lali focus on first? Share your thoughts in the comments.
More…
- https://www.ttc.ca/news/2025/June/Official-Statement
- https://www.cp24.com/video/shows/2025/07/15/it-could-be-better-new-ttc-ceo-on-room-for-improvement-in-the-transit-system
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mandeep-lali-ttc-ceo-reliability-priority-1.7585248
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