A new artery pulsed with life in Toronto this Sunday as the Finch West Line finally opened its doors to the public. The inaugural run wasn’t just a ride; it was a symbolic moment, packed with elected officials eager to celebrate a milestone long in the making.
This 10-kilometer light rail transit line represents the city’s first major expansion of its transit network since 2002. However, the journey to completion was far from smooth, marked by significant delays and a ballooning budget that ultimately surpassed original estimates by $1.2 billion.
Despite the financial hurdles and timeline setbacks, the atmosphere was celebratory. Mayor Olivia Chow, alongside key figures like Ontario’s Transportation Minister and the CEOs of both the TTC and Metrolinx, boarded the train for a ceremonial first journey, acknowledging the line’s importance to the city’s future.
The TTC marked the occasion with a touch of nostalgia, handing out commemorative coins to the first passengers at Finch West Station and other stops along the route. These small tokens served as a tangible reminder of a project years in the making.
“Today is a great day for transit users,” Mayor Chow declared, emphasizing the line’s potential to dramatically improve commutes for residents in the northwest. The promise of faster connections to work, school, and home resonated with those anticipating the line’s impact.
The Finch West Line boasts 18 stations stretching from Humber College to Finch West Station, seamlessly integrating with the existing Line 1 subway, an extensive network of 30 bus routes, and regional transit systems like GO Transit and MiWay. This interconnectedness aims to create a more unified and efficient transportation experience.
During peak hours, trains will arrive every 6 1/2 minutes, offering frequent service for the daily commute. At other times, service will be maintained with trains running every 10 to 12 minutes, ensuring consistent accessibility throughout the day.
TTC Chair Jamaal Myers hailed the opening as the most significant expansion since the Spadina subway extension, predicting that thousands of riders will benefit from the improved connections to communities, jobs, and educational opportunities.
The story of the Finch West Line began in 2007, during a different mayoral administration. But the path forward was fraught with challenges – years of political debate, shifting funding priorities, and repeated construction delays fueled frustration among local residents.
Construction finally commenced in 2019, with an initial target opening date of 2023. However, the final cost reached $3.7 billion, significantly exceeding the original $2.5 billion estimate. This cost overrun mirrored similar issues plaguing other major transit projects in the city.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT, another project first proposed in 2007, has now surpassed a staggering $13 billion in costs. While the Finch West Line is now operational, the Crosstown’s opening is currently projected for 2026, further illustrating the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects.
These delays and escalating costs highlight the inherent difficulties in bringing ambitious transit plans to fruition, demanding careful planning, consistent funding, and effective management to deliver on the promise of improved urban mobility.
