FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2025
Transit advocates call for immediate solutions to speeding up the Finch LRT
TORONTO, ON – Transit riders, activists, local community members, and TTC Board Commissioners gathered today calling on City Council to urgently fix the slow travel times on the newly opened Line 6 Finch LRT. Opening weekend saw hundreds of excited riders lining up before dawn, only to discover that the long-awaited LRT was crawling across Finch Avenue, which is in many cases being overtaken by the 36 Finch bus it was supposed to replace.
Members of TTCriders were joined by community advocates from Jane and Finch Action Against Poverty, local riders who rely on the Finch LRT daily, and TTC Commissioners Josh Matlow and Alejandra Bravo. Together, they celebrated a new motions on the TTC Board agenda that demands immediate action to give the Finch and Eglinton LRTs and Toronto’s streetcar network real transit signal priority to speed up service.
“Transit signal priority is a straightforward win for riders,” said Andrew Pulsifer, Executive Director of TTCriders. “It’s unacceptable that people waited years for the Finch LRT, only to be stuck at red lights or crawling behind turning cars. Riders deserve better, and the City must move quickly to fix this.”
Advocates say the message from riders could not be clearer. The motion before the TTC Board from Chair Jamaal Myers calls on the City and Metrolinx to work together on urgent improvements so the LRT can move reliably through intersections and stop wasting passengers’ time.
“The city needs to implement full signal priority on the Finch and Eglinton LRT,” said Councillor and TTC Commissioner Josh Matlow. “Otherwise we will have spent billions on transit infrastructure only for vehicles to be slower than the buses they’re meant to replace. That’s why I’m calling for investments in signal priority across major transit corridors — LRTs and streetcars — so we can finally get transit moving.”
“I was eager to ride it for the first time on Sunday after waiting for years,” said Nicholas Christou, a transit rider who lives near Finch. “My excitement turned into disappointment when it took 53 minutes to get from Finch West Station to Humber College. It was painfully slow and, at best, felt no different than the Finch bus stuck in traffic.”
Advocates emphasized that Toronto already knows how that signal priority will make a real difference to travel times and that the Finch and Eglinton LRTs must not be left behind. “Without swift action, Toronto risks undermining public confidence in these important crucial new transit projects.” warns Pulsifer.
About TTCriders
TTCriders is a grassroots, membership-based organization fighting for fast, reliable, affordable public transit in Toronto.
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Media Contact:
Andrew Pulsifer
Executive Director, TTCriders
[email protected]