Toronto’s transit system entered another period of scrutiny this week as the long delayed Finch West LRT finally met its first rush hour test. After years of stalled construction, rising costs, and rising frustration from residents in northwest Toronto, the new Line 6 service officially opened to riders on Sunday. On Monday morning, CBC News reported that the first full east to west trip along the 10.3 kilometre route took approximately fifty five minutes. For context, hundreds of runners completed a ten kilometre distance at this year’s Toronto Marathon in less time. The comparison quickly became a talking point for transit watchers and commuters trying to determine whether the new line represents progress or another reminder of the city’s slow pace of transit improvement.
The Finch West LRT links Humber College to Finch West Station and the broader TTC subway network, with eighteen stops along an above ground route on Finch Avenue West. Although large crowds came out Sunday to celebrate the opening, Monday’s commute revealed persistent issues. Riders told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning that the previous bus service along Finch was often faster and offered better access because of shorter stop spacing. CBC journalists observed that westbound travel hovered around fifty five minutes and the return trip was only slightly better at forty seven minutes. These early travel times raise concerns because they exceed the TTC’s own projected running time of forty six minutes.
According to TTC spokesperson Stuart Green, the line is currently operating with schedules based on its testing phase. He told CBC News that travel speeds should improve once operators become more familiar with the route and as the city adjusts traffic operations along Finch Avenue. Transit consultants interviewed by CBC noted that trains were moving cautiously, stopping for red lights, and often holding short of intersections. They said the most immediate improvement would come from applying transit signal priority, a system that gives trains the right of way and helps them maintain speed across surface routes. Experts emphasized that this adjustment is primarily a software change that requires political approval rather than major construction.
The opening of Line 6 also highlights the broader challenges facing Toronto’s transit expansion. The Finch West LRT was first proposed in 2007 and then delayed for more than a decade due to political changes, funding debates, and construction setbacks. The final price tag is now estimated at three point seven billion dollars, well above its original estimate. It is not the only project facing difficulty. Metrolinx reports show that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT has exceeded thirteen billion dollars in total costs and remains unfinished. Premier Doug Ford said recently that the Crosstown is expected to open in 2026 or soon after, although previous opening dates have repeatedly been pushed back. It has been nearly a quarter century since Toronto last opened a major new transit line, leaving residents with little confidence that these investments will deliver the speed or reliability the city urgently needs.
Beyond travel times, the Finch West LRT is already shaping conversation about community change along the corridor. Local organizations told CBC News that gentrification became a concern long before the line opened. Staff at the Jane Finch Centre reported hearing about renovictions and sudden rent increases in buildings that had seen little maintenance prior to LRT construction. Community workers worry that improved transit access could accelerate displacement in neighbourhoods that have long provided affordable housing for newcomers and lower income families. Many residents welcome the new connection, especially students at Humber College who expect easier access to campus, but uncertainty remains about the long term impact on affordability.
The launch of Line 6 captures the core tension in Toronto’s transit future. Residents want faster, more reliable service, but long delays, rising costs, and slow travel times continue to test public patience. The Finch West LRT has the potential to reduce commute times and improve mobility for thousands of riders, but real improvements will require operational changes that prioritize transit over traffic. As CBC News reports, the city now faces a familiar challenge. After investing in major infrastructure, Toronto must decide whether it will take the steps needed to unlock its full potential.
