Toronto Mayor Pushes for Faster Finch West LRT, delays Crosstown Opening
Key Takeaways
- Olivia Chow will introduce a city council motion next week to enhance transit signal priority for the Finch West LRT. This will allow trains to proceed before turning vehicles.
- Chow recognizes rider complaints about slow Line 6 travel times. She expects improvements by January or February if the motion passes.
- The Eglinton-Crosstown LRT isn’t ready to open. Chow emphasizes safety and cites Ottawa’s problematic 2019 LRT launch as a warning.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow aims to speed up the Finch West LRT, addressing criticism of its current travel times.She plans to submit a motion to city council next week to increase transit signal priority for the line.
Speaking to Now Toronto on Thursday, Chow explained the motion would give the LRT priority at intersections, allowing it to move ahead of turning cars. “When the train gets to a traffic signal,they should have priority,” she stated. “Previously, they didn’t because Metrolinx had a conditional system. They need much higher priority because three or four cars making left turns can block a train carrying 40, 50, 80, or 100 peopel. There’s no reason to do that.”
This declaration follows the Line 6 opening last week, which quickly drew complaints about slow speeds from riders.