# How can a NEW Transit Line be THIS BAD!? (Finch West LRT) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjp7hqXgInI Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Qjp7hqXgInI Generated: 2026-01-18T13:38:46.42+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Finch West LRT is performing poorly upon opening in December 2025 because it is significantly slower than the bus line it replaced, averaging only 14 km/h due to frequent stops at intersections and a car-centric design that prioritizes private vehicles, which is frustrating transit advocates who expected better performance given the project's high cost and the successful modern LRT systems elsewhere. **Key Points:** - The Finch West LRT opened in December 2025, but its travel time for the 10.3 km route was 43 minutes, averaging only 14 km/h, which is slower than the bus route it replaced. - The slow speed is attributed to the LRT stopping at every intersection and having no signal priority, forcing it to wait for cars, buses, and cyclists. - The project cost $3.5 billion, and critics argue that the car-centric design, which includes stations adjacent to surface parking lots, prioritizes private vehicles over transit riders. - The operator for the line is the TTC, which inherited a route design that was already flawed, leading to poor performance. - The speaker contrasts the poor performance with other modern LRT systems globally (like in Bergen, Norway, and Luxembourg) and the successful streetcar operation in downtown Toronto, which prioritize transit. - The speaker notes that the Finch West LRT station design is nice, featuring modern architecture and accessible facilities like elevators and ramps. - The fundamental issue is perceived to be a design philosophy that favors car movement (e.g., slow speed limits for trams at intersections, no transit signal priority) over efficient public transit. ![Screenshot at 00:04: A Metrolinx LRT vehicle is shown stopped at the Humber College station platform, illustrating the new infrastructure being discussed, which is criticized for its slow operation despite its modern appearance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-00-04.jpg) **Context:** The video discusses the disappointing performance of the newly opened Finch West LRT in Toronto, Canada, which began service in December 2025. The speaker contrasts the new line's slow speeds and car-centric design with more successful, modern light rail transit systems in other international cities (like Luxembourg and Bergen) and even Toronto's existing streetcar network, highlighting the frustration among transit advocates who expected better results from such a large infrastructure investment. ## Detailed Analysis The Finch West LRT, which opened in December 2025, is performing significantly worse than the bus line it replaced, taking 43 minutes to travel the 10.3 km route, an average speed of only 14 km/h. The primary cause of this slowness is that the LRT has no priority at traffic lights, forcing it to stop at nearly every intersection, often waiting for cars, buses, and cyclists to clear the way. This is especially frustrating given the project's $3.5 billion cost and the existence of better-designed transit lines elsewhere. For example, the LRT in Luxembourg runs alongside a major suburban arterial road but is designed to be fully accessible without interacting with cars, and the Bergen, Norway line demonstrates efficient operation. The speaker points out that the design of the Finch West LRT appears car-centric, with stations located next to large parking lots, suggesting that the priority was given to drivers rather than transit riders. While the new stations themselves are modern and well-designed, the operational speed is deemed 'awful' and 'unbelievably slow' compared to other systems, leading advocates to pressure the city council for immediate fixes, such as implementing transit signal priority, to prevent the line from being a long-term failure. ### Finch West LRT Performance - Travel time for 10.3 km route was 43 minutes (14 km/h average) - Slower than the replaced bus route - Trains are stuck at red lights due to lack of signal priority. ### Design Flaws - Line runs through the middle of a suburban arterial road next to large parking lots - Design prioritizes cars over transit riders. ### Comparisons to Other Systems - Luxembourg LRT runs alongside a major arterial road but is designed to be fully accessible without car interaction - Bergen, Norway LRT shows better suburban performance - Toronto streetcars in downtown exhibit better operational flow. ### Station Quality - Finch West stations are new, well-designed, accessible (ramps/elevators), and feature clear signage. ### Advocacy & Response - Transit advocates are frustrated; Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledges the issue and promises fixes, but the speaker is skeptical about rapid improvement. ### Speed Discrepancies - Finch West LRT max speed was recorded at 56 km/h briefly, but average speed is extremely low due to signal timing. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The Finch West LRT train arriving at the Humber College station, showing the new infrastructure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:17: A screenshot of a Toronto Star opinion piece titled, "Huzzah! The Finch LRT is finally opening! Now here's the bad news," summarizing the video's critical tone.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-00-17.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:31: The speaker holds up a phone displaying a speed of 69 km/h inside the tram, illustrating the potential, though rarely achieved, speed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-01-31.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:58: The modern, red-tiled interior of the Finch West station concourse, highlighting the quality of the station infrastructure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-03-58.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:12: A close-up of a PRESTO ticket machine at a Finch West stop, showing fare payment options.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Qjp7hqXgInI/00-06-12.jpg)