Bill 98 Lays the Groundwork for a Truly Regional Transit System

Moving around our city and region should be seamless, convenient and most of all easy. Whether you are commuting to work, school, or travelling to see a Jays or Tempo game, residents want a simple, affordable way to take transit to their destination.

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That is why the passage of Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 is such an important step forward. We have long believed that transit riders should be able to move seamlessly across the region without being constrained by municipal or agency boundaries. This legislation represents an important step toward creating a truly integrated regional transit system and establishes the framework needed to make seamless travel a reality.

After many years of advocacy by Toronto Region Board of Trade, we've already seen the positive impact of fare integration through the Province's One Fare program, originally launched in 2024. As of December 2025, this program has enabled nearly 62 million free transfers, making it easier and more affordable to travel throughout the region. As Bill 98 moves toward implementation, it's important that the Province continues to uphold the One Fare principle and ensure that municipal transit agencies are fully compensated for cross-boundary and cross-agency travel. A successful integrated system depends on strong partnerships and sustainable funding for all transit providers.

To further help customers, at the Boad we continue to advocate for a simple, easy-to-understand zone-based fare structure, as outlined in our Faster Commutes report. Such a model would maintain the TTC's flat fare for travel within Toronto while allowing riders to transfer seamlessly between GO Transit and local transit services through a single integrated fare system. Beyond making transit easier to navigate, this approach would improve affordability and reduce pressure on an already stressed subway and surface network, helping to make better use of existing transit capacity across the region. This would also help improve travel times to the downtown core from places such as Main Street station in the east and Liberty Village in the west.

From a customer's perspective, transit should feel like one connected network. We shouldn't have to think about which agency operates a route, where a municipal boundary begins, or whether we are boarding a bus, LRT, subway, or train. We should simply be able to choose the fastest, most efficient way to reach our destination, without worrying about added cost.

As the Province considers other how to move forward on other key parts of the legislation, such as designating priority routes and establishing service standards, ongoing collaboration with transit agencies will be critical. Local operators bring valuable expertise about customer needs, travel patterns and operational realities that can help ensure effective implementation.
With the Toronto Region forecasted to reach approximately 9.4 million residents in 2051, we cannot wait to take a regional approach to transit and transportation integration. By setting the enabling foundations for integration, Bill 98 demonstrates that action can be taken today to prepare for this future. Together, we can use Bill 98 to ensure that a better-connected transit network supports economic growth, improves productivity, strengthens regional competitiveness, and enhances quality of life for residents across the Toronto region.

The Province’s One Fare program has already demonstrated the benefits of fare integration. As implementation of Bill 98 advances, the Province should continue to uphold the One Fare principle, ensuring that municipal transit agencies are fully compensated for cross-boundary and cross-agency fare integration.

The Board also encourages the Province to adopt a simple zone-based fare structure, as called for in our Faster Commutes report. Such a model would preserve the TTC’s flat fare for travel within Toronto while enabling seamless regional trips using GO and local transit withing a single integrated fare system. This approach would improve ease of use, enhance affordability, reduce unnecessary crowding on the subway network, and better utilize existing transit capacity.

Riders should not have to navigate transit agency boundaries, vehicle types, or branding to get to their destination. They should be able to take the fastest and most efficient route - whether that means taking the TTC, GO Transit, or a neighbouring municipal transit service.

In designating new and existing priority routes and service standards, continued consultation with transit agencies will be important to ensure effective implementation, reflecting both customer experience and operational conditions. Improved transit connectivity supports productivity, enhances economic competitiveness and delivers societal benefits.

Tyler Brough

Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Policy

Tyler Brough is the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Policy at the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Prior to the Board, Tyler spent several years with the Province of Ontario, including roles within Cabinet office and Treasury Board and most recently with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), developing the organization’s corporate plan.

Tyler’s work supports the Boards efforts to improve broader economic growth in the region by advocating for policies that support transportation and infrastructure investment. This includes developing approaches for how the region’s transportation and infrastructure can be better utilized to improve the everyday experience of moving around the region, while supporting the region’s competitiveness.

Bill 98 Lays the Groundwork for a Truly Regional Transit System

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