Gebresselassie, MahtotLu, Xinyu2026-11-042026-11-042026-08-31Major Paper, Master of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York Universityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10315/44129This study examines whether recent public transit investments have benefited lower-income residents and neighbourhoods in Toronto. Focusing on the Line 1 Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension, Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown, and Line 6 Finch West LRT, the research combines survey responses from 45 transit users with neighbourhood income data and spatial analysis using ArcGIS. The findings show that recent investments improved mobility for some lower-income transit users through shorter travel times, fewer transfers, reduced walking distances, improved reliability, and more direct journeys. Respondents also reported better access to employment, education, healthcare, shops and services, and social activities. However, these benefits were unevenly distributed; income and geography emerged as the strongest influences on perceived transit benefits. Findings revealed a shift away from systemic inequities in public transit toward lower-income populations as rapid transit continue to expand into suburban neighbourhoods. This study further recommends equal spatial and social distribution of public transit and investment in additional routes, expanded coverage, and increased service frequency and hours of operation to support an equitable transit network in Toronto.enPublic transitMobilityAccessibilityEquityLow-incomeReport