Passengers on Toronto’s newest rapid transit line faced another disruption Friday afternoon, as service ground to a halt between Martin Grove and Humber College stations. The Toronto Transit Commission reported a “mechanical problem” as the cause, leaving commuters scrambling for alternative routes.
This latest incident follows a day already marred by issues on the Finch West LRT. Earlier, “communication problems” escalated to “switch issues,” impacting all 18 stations. Service was briefly restored between Finch West and Tobermory, only to be followed by a complete shutdown between Driftwood and Humber College due to blocked tracks.
The line, celebrated with much fanfare just weeks ago, has quickly become plagued by problems. Riders have voiced growing frustration over consistently slow service, a stark contrast to the promised efficiency of modern rapid transit.
The delays are particularly unwelcome given the line’s troubled history. Originally proposed in 2007, construction finally began in 2019, facing years of political debate, funding changes, and construction setbacks. Locals grew increasingly critical as the project languished.
The final cost of the 10-kilometre line ballooned to $3.7 billion, a staggering $1.2 billion over the initial estimate. This makes it a costly debut for Toronto’s first new transit line in over two decades.
The issues have become so pronounced that one Toronto resident took matters – and his feet – into his own hands. Mac Bauer famously raced the LRT, and despite challenging winter conditions, he arrived at his destination a full 18 minutes *before* the train.
The Finch West LRT was envisioned to operate with trains departing every six-and-a-half minutes during rush hour, and every 10 to 12 minutes at other times. However, current performance falls far short of these expectations, fueling rider discontent.
The struggles of the Finch West LRT mirror those of the Eglinton Crosstown, another long-delayed project. That line, also first proposed in 2007, has already exceeded $13 billion in costs and is now projected to open in 2026 – six years behind schedule.
The repeated disruptions and slow speeds raise serious questions about the planning and execution of these ambitious transit projects. As the city strives to expand its public transportation network, ensuring reliability and efficiency will be paramount.
