TTC Appoints Former NYC Transit Executive as New CEO, Succeeding Rick Leary

Mandeep Lali has been formally named as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), marking a significant leadership change for Canada's largest transit system. Lali, who brings extensive experience from his tenure as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Subways at New York City Transit (NYCT), will be stepping into a role critical to the future of Toronto's transit network.

During his time at NYCT, a division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Lali was responsible for overseeing the complex operations of the subway system and managing a workforce of approximately 22,000 employees. His leadership was instrumental in navigating one of the world's busiest public transit networks through numerous challenges, including service modernization and operational improvements.

Lali is set to replace Rick Leary, whose tenure as TTC CEO began in an interim capacity in December 2017 before being confirmed as permanent leader in July 2018. Leary announced his resignation last June, opening the door for new leadership at a pivotal moment for Toronto’s rapidly evolving transit landscape.

The selection of Lali followed an extensive search and evaluation process led by a dedicated committee comprising Mayor Olivia Chow, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, former Vice-Chair Joanne De Laurentiis, Commissioner Paul Ainslie, and City Manager Paul Johnson. The committee emphasized the need for a leader with a proven track record in transit operations and transformative management experience.

As Lali prepares to assume his new role, expectations are high that he will leverage his background in large-scale urban transit systems to address ongoing service demands, modernization efforts, and the TTC’s commitment to improving rider experience across Toronto.