One broken elevator can derail an entire trip, TTC riders with disabilities push for better accessibility
What to know
- A North York resident says broken TTC elevators caused him and his grandfather to miss a medical appointment, highlighting ongoing accessibility barriers for riders with disabilities. Accessibility advocates and TTC riders report frequent elevator outages, limited entrances, and poor wayfinding that force them to reroute trips or face long delays. Disabled riders also say TTC buses present challenges, including lack of space, inconsistent driver training, and safety risks during boarding and securing mobility devices. The TTC says it is committed to accessibility and has upgraded most stations through its Easier Access Program, with several remaining stations slated for completion by 2026–2028. Advocates argue progress isn’t enough, calling for real-time elevator updates, faster repairs, better driver education, and system-wide planning that prioritizes disabled riders.
When North York resident Daniel Mhogul took his grandfather to a routine downtown appointment a few months ago, he expected a smooth commute on the TTC. That changed when they arrived at Queen’s Park subway station.
“One of the station’s elevators wasn’t working, we didn’t know that beforehand. We only found out when we got there,” Mogul said.
With no accessible way to exit the station, Mhogul and his grandfather, who uses mobility aids, were forced to reroute their trip, ultimately missing the appointment.
Mhogul says this wasn’t the first time it had happened.
“That was the second time, actually, the first time it happened, it was a similar situation, but we were able to get to the appointment,” he said.
After experiencing repeated disruptions, Mhogul decided to take action. He launched a petition (https://www.change.org/p/toronto-s-subway-system-is-still-not-accessible) urging the TTC to make the station fully accessible and to improve accessibility across the transit system.
His calls to action include showing real-time elevator status on the TTC website or transit apps so riders can plan ahead, implementing a fast-response repair system for broken elevators, and installing elevators in all remaining subway stations to ensure full accessibility.
“It shouldn’t really be an issue anymore in a city like Toronto, everyone needs to be able to use public transit. Being disabled shouldn’t restrict you from that, and it just helps, for people who are disabled, I can imagine how often they have to take different routes and how often it’s going to mess up their schedules,” he said.
A COMMON EXPERIENCE FOR MANY RIDERS
It’s a situation Adam Cohoo, co-chair of the TTC’s accessibility committee and a wheelchair user, understands all too well.
“There were instances where an elevator would be out of service so I would have to wheel several blocks in the rain to the next station or take an extra few buses and delay myself extra hours,” Cohoon said.
Even when elevators are operational, Cohoon says accessibility barriers remain. At some stations, elevators are located at only one entrance, forcing riders to travel further than others.
“So, that may mean you have to go around to a different entrance, and it may not be the most popular entrance, so they aren’t adequately cleared, and in weather extremes, that’s when you also notice the distance,” he said.
BUS ACCESSIBILITY ALSO A CONCERN
Accessibility challenges extend beyond subway stations. Yuki B. Ng, a disabled performer and activist who uses a wheelchair and scooter, says TTC buses often present obstacles, particularly due to limited space.
Ng says they must enter from the front of the bus to reach the wheelchair-designated area, then turn around to face forward for a safer and more comfortable ride. However, they say drivers often allow other passengers to board before they’re able to reposition, leaving no space to turn.
“Oftentimes I will ask the bus driver to hold off on letting people on until I can arrange to situate myself. But there’s [times] when the bus drivers themselves don’t know what to do… They don’t know that they’re supposed to hold people so that I can turn around and be safe,” they said.
Ng adds that some drivers begin moving the bus before they’re fully secured.
“Some bus drivers don’t even ask me if I’m ready, because I need to have the brakes on my wheelchair before the bus can move. This is safety… they’ll just go,” they said.
Weather conditions can further worsen accessibility. Ng says poorly cleared sidewalks and bus stops have made exiting buses nearly “impossible” in some situations.
“In our position, we feel like there’s nothing that can be done, right? We raise our voices as much as we can. We talk and we bring it up, but every single year, nothing has changed,” they said.
TTC SAYS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE
In a statement to Now Toronto, the TTC said it is fully committed to accessibility.
“That’s why many years ago we began converting our vehicles to ensure they are accessible and making sure all stations have elevators,” the TTC said.
The agency says this includes ensuring vehicles are accessible and low-floor, and highlights its Easier Access Program (https://www.ttc.ca/accessibility/easier-access-program-schedule) , which focuses on upgrading all stations to meet accessibility standards.
The program includes installing elevators, accessible doors, and updated signage and wayfinding at subway stations.
As of January 2026, 63 of the TTC’s 70 subway stations have elevators. Spadina, Greenwood, College, Museum, King, and Islington stations are expected to have elevators by the end of 2026, with Old Mill slated for completion by the end of 2028.
ADVOCATES SAY MORE WORK IS NEEDED
Despite these efforts, advocates say further investment is required, especially at busy stations such as Union Station and Bloor–Yonge.
“The elevators are so popular, like at Union station, that one is constantly being in and out of service, just because it is a very popular elevator for people to use,” Cohoon said.
He also says improved wayfinding would make a significant difference.
“For some people, the only real thing that is easy to see is the bright blue sign of the Elevator Accessibility Act,” he said.
Ng says changes to bus design, such as placing ramps at the back of the bus to allow more room to board, could greatly improve the experience for wheelchair users. They also want the TTC to explore better contingency plans when elevators are out of service and to improve driver education.
“I meet so many of them that don’t seem to have any ideas of how their vehicle even becomes more accommodating,” they said. “For the general public, I don’t expect them to be aware of a lot of these intricacies, but I do expect a TTC worker to be aware of the accommodations that TTC has to offer.”
