Toronto Gears Up for Increased Traffic as Employers Demand In-Office Work

TORONTO — Commuters in the Greater Toronto Area are preparing for heightened traffic and transit congestion as major employers enforce increased in-office work days. With several large companies, including BMO, RBC, and TD, mandating that employees return to the office four days a week starting in October, experts warn that the city’s already strained traffic systems are at a critical juncture.

Jennifer Keesmaat, former chief planner for the City of Toronto, expressed concern over the impact of these mandates on commuting conditions. “We were already hitting a tipping point because transit ridership has decreased and so many people are getting in their cars,” she stated. The shift back to in-office work comes as Toronto’s roadways face significant challenges, including limited capacity and increased vehicle numbers, which have grown by over one million in the last two decades.

Impending Congestion and Challenges Ahead

Giles Gherson, president and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, pointed out that the city’s infrastructure struggles to support the current volume of traffic. Factors such as street parking, bike lanes, and summer patio spaces have exacerbated congestion on Toronto’s limited arterial roads. The upcoming mandates from various banks and corporations, including Rogers Communications Inc. and Canaccord Genuity, will likely add to the congestion challenges.

The Ontario government has also announced that public servants must return to the office four days a week starting October 20, 2025, with a full-time return anticipated next year. Premier Doug Ford has stated that in-person work enhances productivity, which has driven the push for more employees to return to their offices.

Stuart Green, spokesperson for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), mentioned that the agency typically boosts service levels in September. He noted that Monday and Friday generally see lower ridership, indicating that the system can accommodate an uptick in demand as workers return. “We should be able to accommodate an increase in peak demand within existing service,” Green said. He reassured the public that the TTC is prepared to adjust its services based on changing ridership patterns.

Potential Solutions and Future Outlook

Despite these optimistic statements, Keesmaat cautioned that travel times may increase significantly with the return to in-office work, unless municipalities actively promote public transit usage. She expressed surprise at the lack of proactive measures to address looming congestion issues.

Kalinka Madej, a spokesperson for the City of Toronto, highlighted the municipality’s commitment to monitor travel patterns and adapt congestion management strategies in collaboration with transit partners. “The City of Toronto will continue to encourage commuters to take transit when travelling into the downtown core,” she stated.

While some experts believe that the impact of return-to-office mandates will be minimal, Karen Chapple, director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, argued that Toronto’s congestion problems are likely to persist. “By many indicators, Toronto has the worst congestion in North America. That doesn’t look like it will change any time soon,” she commented.

Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that the proportion of employed Canadians commuting to work rose to 82.6 percent in May 2025, marking an increase of 1.3 percentage points from the previous year. This reflects a shift from the low of 75.7 percent in May 2021, when many workers were encouraged to work remotely during the pandemic.

As more commuters hit the roads and public transit systems this fall, Gherson warned that the pressure on Toronto’s infrastructure could exacerbate existing traffic issues. “Now they have to respond to ensure that congestion isn’t out of control with the number of employees coming back to the office,” he said.

Conversely, downtown businesses are likely to benefit from the influx of office workers. Gherson noted that this could be a significant boost for establishments that have struggled during the pandemic. Additionally, higher office occupancy rates could improve property values, which have been adversely affected by increased vacancy levels.

The Toronto Region Board of Trade presented an action plan on congestion to city officials earlier this year, and all five recommendations were adopted by the municipality. These include establishing a construction planning office to better coordinate lane closures and implementing measures to hold City Hall accountable for gridlock.

Keesmaat stressed the importance of restoring public confidence in transit. “Service levels did go down, and public safety has been compromised. Municipalities should prioritize and elevate messages around transit usage while simultaneously improving service,” she said. She pointed out that the infrastructure to enhance operations already exists, emphasizing the need to utilize it effectively.

As Toronto navigates the challenges ahead, the balance between increasing office attendance and managing traffic congestion will be crucial for the city’s recovery and growth.