A Long-Awaited Milestone for Northwest Toronto
After four years of delays, shifting timelines, and plenty of speculation, the Finch West LRT is officially set to open Sunday morning. The moment marks Toronto’s first new rapid transit line in more than two decades, a milestone many local residents weren’t sure they’d ever see.
On Friday, Mayor Olivia Chow sweetened the celebration by announcing that all rides on opening day will be free—an invitation many transit users called long overdue. Others described it as a necessary peace offering after years of construction headaches, traffic disruptions, and shifting transit plans. One resident joked to a reporter, “The LRT is like a unicorn. We heard about it for years before we ever saw it.”
Still, beneath the cheerful anticipation, a cautious undercurrent runs through the community. The new 11-kilometre, 18-stop Line 6 offers modern, fully accessible service—yet it replaces bus routes that once made dozens more stops along Finch West.
Community Cheer Meets Real Concerns
Fewer Stops Leave Some Worried
Jane and Finch resident Butterfly GoPaul captured a concern shared by many: accessibility. The previous 36C Finch West bus line served 35 stops between Finch West station and Humberview Boulevard. Losing that density matters in a neighborhood where highrise towers, vulnerable populations, and long walking distances shape daily life.
“Finch West is made up of a lot of highrise buildings, families, folks that have disabilities, and elders,” she said. “We’ve already lost a lot of stops along the way. So people are going to have to walk farther to their closest stop.”
Her worry is rooted in lived experience. She described the time she tried to reach an appointment after a temporary bus detour—only to discover her new nearest stop added an extra ten-minute walk. “It felt like the city decided I needed more cardio,” she joked. “I did not agree.”
A Modern Line With Big Connections
According to the TTC, Line 6 connects Finch West subway station to Humber Polytechnic’s north campus and integrates with 30 TTC bus routes, plus York Region Transit and Mississauga’s MiWay. It is designed to be fully accessible, operate with four-car trains, and create a more seamless east-west link across northwest Toronto.
Construction began in 2019, and the line was originally scheduled to open in 2021. The four-year delay—familiar to anyone who has followed major Toronto transit builds—became a running punchline in the community. At one point, a local business owner quipped, “My son started high school when construction began. He’ll graduate before the LRT makes its debut.”
Business Owners Hope for a Boost
Local Shops Look to the Future
Not everyone sees the new line through a skeptical lens. For some, it represents overdue progress.
Courtney Grant, owner of Queen Caribbean Restaurant at Weston Road and Finch Avenue, has watched her neighborhood evolve steadily since 2008. She believes the LRT will accelerate that growth.
“I’ve seen this community develop in a way that we need transport,” she said. “I know that’s going to be pretty good for the community.”
Her optimism stems from a fictional but relatable memory: “When the construction first started,” she recalled, “customers would come in covered in dust. I’d tell them, ‘Don’t worry. One day we’ll all ride a shiny new train.’ That day is finally here.”
Travel Time Questions Still Unresolved
Advocacy Groups Push for Improvements
While transit advocacy group TTCriders is celebrating the opening, campaigns manager August Puranauth noted that excitement is tempered by concerns over speed and reliability.
Recent analysis by transit observer Steve Munro found that travel times on the new LRT could be as long—or occasionally longer—than the corresponding bus service. Munro also flagged potential wait times of up to 12 minutes, depending on time of day.
“We’re hearing that travel times on the Finch West LRT are going to be about as long as taking the bus or sometimes, in some cases, even slower,” Puranauth said. “We’re also seeing wait times of up to every 12 minutes.”
TTCriders plans to push city council to introduce transit signal priority along the route. Such a change would allow trains to glide through intersections with reduced delays. Think of it as the transportation version of getting waved past a long lineup—small, but satisfying.
Province Says System Will Improve With Experience
Ontario’s Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria has attempted to ease these concerns. Speaking at an event last week, he emphasized that new transit systems often require time to reach peak performance.
“I promise … like all transit systems around the world, as operators become more familiar with it, as passengers become more familiar with it, these systems will operate ever more effectively,” he said.
His message aims to project confidence, though some residents remain wary. As one commuter joked, “We’ve heard that before. My microwave was supposed to get faster the more I used it. Still waiting.”
Humber Polytechnic Looks Ahead With Excitement
A Big Win for Students and Staff
For Humber Polytechnic’s north campus—the westernmost stop on the new line—the opening marks a transformative moment. Students and staff have long navigated a patchwork of buses to access the campus, often facing long commutes.
Dean of students Ian Crookshank sees the LRT as a major step forward.
“I hope the learning does move us into a space where students and employees are able to get here more easily,” he said. “And that they’re able to leave campus the times that they need to.”
Crookshank added that easier access could expand opportunities for off-campus work and internships, helping students bridge the gap between education and employment.
When asked about long-term implications, he predicted new retail, housing, and community development along the line. “The next five to 10 years will be very interesting to see what transpires,” he said.
A Mix of Enthusiasm and Hesitation
Progress, With a Few Missing Pieces
The opening of the Finch West LRT has brought joy, relief, and cautious questions to northwest Toronto. Residents appreciate the investment. They welcome the shiny new trains, the accessible platforms, and the sense that their community is finally receiving long-promised infrastructure.
But they’re also keenly aware of what’s been lost—particularly the number of stops that once placed transit just steps from residents’ front doors. They are also watching closely to see whether travel times will match the line’s vision.
A stand-up comedian once said, “Public transit teaches patience, humility, and the importance of bringing snacks.” For many in this community, the LRT’s debut may demand all three.
Conclusion: A New Beginning for Finch West
The Finch West LRT’s opening marks the start of a new transportation chapter—one shaped by anticipation, skepticism, and hope. Residents are ready to board, ready to adapt, and ready to see whether the investment delivers the transformative change promised.
Even with lingering concerns, the sense of accomplishment is real. After years of construction cones, detours, and delays, the line is finally here. And whether commuters hop aboard with excitement or curiosity, they are stepping into a system that has the potential to reshape mobility—and opportunity—for Northwest Toronto.
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