Toronto faces rising traffic and transit pressure as workers return to offices

September 2, 2025

RED FM News Desk

In the coming months, traffic and transit congestion in Toronto are expected to worsen as major employers call employees back to the office, with many requiring four to five in-office days per week.

Experts warn that Toronto’s roads, already heavily congested, may buckle under the added strain. A growing number of commuters are turning to cars instead of public transit, despite limited roadway capacity. If car usage increases further, commute times could stretch, causing frustration and productivity loss.

Congestion spikes during summer months as well, thanks to street‑level patios, bike lanes, and on‑street parking—factors that reduce roadway space. Over the past two decades, more than one million additional cars have joined Toronto’s roads.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) reassures the public that each September, service levels are boosted in anticipation of returning commuters. The system has the capacity to add more trains or buses if needed, and typically absorbs higher demand on its usually quieter Mondays and Fridays.

However, some experts worry that without proactive planning by the city and transit agencies, the situation could deteriorate. They emphasize that reliable transit service and rebuilding public confidence are critical.

Toronto already faces some of the worst congestion in North America, though projections suggest it isn’t expected to escalate dramatically—just enough to remain a nagging issue. On the brighter side, increasing office attendance is seen as a boon for downtown businesses. Cafes, restaurants, and shops dependent on office workers could see a revival, and office building values and property tax revenues may feel the boost.

The city has also adopted several measures to ease congestion, such as improving coordination of construction lane closures and tightening permit thresholds for disruptions.

Ultimately, the key will be rebuilding trust in transit and reinforcing its reliability. In a post‑COVID world, residents remain understandably cautious about public transit. Boosting service and building that trust back is essential to shifting commuters back from car use.

In short, as more people head back to offices, Toronto must ramp up its travel infrastructure quickly—otherwise, the daily commute could become a real headache.