Commuters on Toronto’s Finch West LRT faced significant disruptions Friday morning, with complete service suspension between Finch West and Humber College stations. The transit agency reported “switch issues” as the cause, impacting all 18 stations along the line.
The problems didn’t begin there. Earlier in the day, communication issues halted service between Finch West and Driftwood stations, followed by blocked tracks causing further delays between Driftwood and Humber College. Shuttle buses were deployed to mitigate the impact, but the disruptions left many stranded.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of problems plaguing the recently launched line. Just days after its highly anticipated opening, the LRT experienced two separate shutdowns, again due to “switch issues,” requiring a massive deployment of 40 shuttle buses.
Beyond complete stoppages, riders have voiced widespread complaints about the line’s sluggish speed. The intended schedule promises trains every six-and-a-half minutes during rush hour, and every 10-12 minutes at other times, but these intervals have not been consistently met.
The Finch West LRT, a 10-kilometre project representing the city’s first new transit line in over two decades, has been fraught with challenges since its inception. Originally slated for completion in 2023, the line finally opened this month, two years behind schedule and at a cost $1.2 billion over the initial estimate.
The project’s history is marked by years of debate, funding shifts, and construction setbacks, drawing criticism from local residents. First proposed in 2007, actual construction didn’t begin until 2019, highlighting the lengthy and complex path to completion.
Recent reports indicate the total cost of the Finch West LRT reached $3.7 billion. This pales in comparison to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, also proposed in 2007, which has already exceeded $13 billion in costs and is now projected to open in 2026 – six years later than originally planned.
The slow service sparked a remarkable demonstration of frustration. Toronto resident Mac Bauer took to the streets to challenge the LRT’s speed, and despite navigating snowy, icy sidewalks, he successfully outran the train by a staggering 18 minutes.
The current issues arrive at a particularly sensitive time for the transit agency, already grappling with a surge of complaints regarding the line’s performance. The promise of faster, more efficient transit feels distant for many riders experiencing the reality of the new system.
