Commuters who rely on parking lots at TTC stations should prepare for potential rate increases that could take effect this summer. TTC staff has recommended a price hike, which will be presented to the TTC board on May 14. If approved, the daily parking rates are set to increase to $8, while afternoon rates at high-occupancy lots—those with an average daily peak occupancy of 71 to 100 percent—will rise to $4. This initiative aims to generate an additional $1 million starting in 2026.
For lots categorized as "below-target" (where occupancy averages between 50 and 70 percent), daily parking rates will rise by 25 percent, capping at $8. Conversely, rates for "under-utilized" lots, which see an occupancy of between 0 and 49 percent, will remain unchanged. Moreover, no-charge parking on weekends will continue at "most lots," ensuring accessibility for weekend travelers.
The proposed adjustments, effective July 1 if approved, aim to address concerns about affordability for low-income customers who depend on TTC parking. However, the report acknowledges that these increases are necessary to rectify the imbalance benefiting car drivers. The TTC has not modified parking rates for years, and the new prices will still be more affordable than nearby parking alternatives.
Interestingly, only 2 percent of subway riders utilize the TTC commuter lots for parking. This low usage means that revenue losses are being compensated through fare collections from non-drivers and subsidies from the city. The report also highlighted concerns over increasing operational costs, including rising fees from Hydro One for lots located on its property.
As part of their recommendations, TTC staff also suggested reducing the size of leased areas at Pioneer Village and Finch West stations, potentially saving $1.5 million starting in 2026, as the utilization rates at these locations hover around 18 and 20 percent, respectively. At present, nine lots are leased, with a recommendation to maintain their operation while reviewing those that are under-utilized or below-target.
In 2024, the TTC’s commuter parking lots generated approximately $7.7 million in revenue, but operational costs reached $12.6 million, resulting in a significant deficit. If the proposed changes take effect, this deficit could be decreased from $4.9 million to $1.4 million by 2026, due to higher parking revenue and lower associated fees.
A newly adopted policy regarding commuter parking lots will also mandate periodic reviews and rate adjustments in conjunction with any changes in transit fares. A breakdown of current and proposed rates for various TTC subway station parking lots will also be available as of July 1, 2025.
It is noted that more than half of the current commuter lots owned by the Toronto Parking Authority fall into the "well-utilized" category, while several are "under-utilized." Specific lots, including those at Ellesmere, Keele, Kennedy, Lawrence East, Leslie, and Wilson stations, have been earmarked for potential alternative uses such as housing or other community projects, particularly as the Line 3 replacement busway comes into play for the closed stations.
The table outlining the current and proposed rates reveals significant variations based on utilization, with many stations experiencing occupancy rates that exceed 100 percent. For example, Finch station (west side) is seeing proposed rates climb from $5 to $8, while Highway 407 will see a similar increase. Conversely, stations such as Ellesmere and Lawrence East may maintain their current pricing due to low utilization.
