[FW36]

Travel time using Finch West LRT today at 6pm

From Finch West Station to Albion was 30 minutes.
What this means is LRT was traveling about 16.68 km per hour.
To travel complete 10.3 km would take 37 minutes.

Again LRT still travels slow through intersections. Plus lots of delays that could have been avoided with extended green lights. Overall slight improvement.

 

[hawc]

Why is Line 5 nice and quick in it's outdoor sections, but Line 6 is still miserably slow?

 

[jmi22]

Travel time using Finch West LRT today at 6pm

From Finch West Station to Albion was 30 minutes.
What this means is LRT was traveling about 16.68 km per hour.
To travel complete 10.3 km would take 37 minutes.

Again LRT still travels slow through intersections. Plus lots of delays that could have been avoided with extended green lights. Overall slight improvement.

The whole trentched/tunneled stretch west of Westmore station is basically all between 5-15km/h so it's likely the total route would have been closer to 41 min

 

[ssiguy2]

As I understand it, when first proposed, this line would average 22km/hr. This is what was sold to both the public and QP and until it averages this speed, the TTC/City/ML have lied thru their teeth about the route. I bet if they were to ask the people back then if they would be willing to spend huge amounts of money with 5 years of construction to get a transit line that was only as fast {or even slower} than the current bus route, 99% would state a resounding no. Unfortunately they got exactly what they didn't ask for.

As for the blame in terms of construction, there is a lot by all parties involved but when it comes to operations this is 100% on City Hall and nothing on ML or the TTC. The TTC is nothing but an arm of the City. This is why the City sets the fares, budget, rapid transit expansion etc. The TTC runs the transit but completely under the domain of the City. If the City was to tell the TTC that they had to get rid of 95% of all transit stops or had to slow all buses to 5km/hr, the TTC would bitch but that's all they could do. The TTC cannot take the City to court because the TTC is part of the City. It's no different than the Ministry of Transportation taking Queen's Park to court. The TTC does what's it told. Full stop.

The reason for this line being ridiculously slow is NOT the TTC but the City. The TTC may run it slowly but that is only because the City allows it to. If gutless Chow was to tell the TTC this line must complete the route in 25 minutes, they would have no option but to it. That is the problem, Chow couldn't care less how slow the transit is because she rarely takes it and this line is in a lower income area that she's never been to. Chow, like her late husband, a left-wing Patrician who would probably get a nose bleed if she had to go north of Eglinton.

 

[nfitz]

As I understand it, when first proposed, this line would average 22km/hr. This is what was sold to both the public and QP and until it averages this speed, the TTC/City/ML have lied thru their teeth about the route.

I don't recall a speed faster than about 20 km/hr since Metrolinx became involved back in 2010. And there's indications they may achieve this.

... a transit line that was only as fast {or even slower} than the current bus route, 99% would state a resounding no. Unfortunately they got exactly what they didn't ask for.

Good job it's now beating the bus most times of the day then.

I'm not sure why months-old out-of-date stories are being repeated,

 

[felix123]

The reason for this line being ridiculously slow is NOT the TTC but the City. The TTC may run it slowly but that is only because the City allows it to. If gutless Chow was to tell the TTC this line must complete the route in 25 minutes, they would have no option but to it. That is the problem, Chow couldn't care less how slow the transit is because she rarely takes it and this line is in a lower income area that she's never been to. Chow, like her late husband, a left-wing Patrician who would probably get a nose bleed if she had to go north of Eglinton.

I dunno dude - Chow has done more for transit than Tory did, but she's the one you keep calling "gutless". Where was Tory when we were asking for TSP?

And if you think Layton was more "patrician" than Tory, that's even funnier.

 

[urbanclient]

As I understand it, when first proposed, this line would average 22km/hr.

I don't recall a speed faster than about 20 km/hr since Metrolinx became involved back in 2010.

Is 20 or 21 that different from 22 km/h? Metrolinx says 20-21. The difference between 21 and 22 is 80 seconds for 10.3 km.

https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/finch-west-lrt/faqs
https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/...trolinx/Finch-West-LRT-FAQs-Revised-June9.pdf

The 20-21 figure has also been cited by media.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/02/24/ttc-line-6-finch-west-transit-signal-priority-installation/
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/12/09/line-6-finch-west-lrt-trip-time-latest/

Even then, 22 km/h should easily be achievable if Metrolinx bought different rolling stock. If it were up to me, I'd send the Shitadis Spirits to Hurontario. Hopefully there will be more generous curve radiuses in Mississauga.

And there's indications they may achieve this.

Not really? I get where you're coming from since travel times are improved from the high 50, 60+ minute range from December. However, 20 km/h for 10.3 km would be 30 minutes and 54 seconds. The line regularly does low to mid 40 minutes, assuming nothing goes wrong... https://stevemunro.ca/2026/02/24/line-6-finch-west-delays-january-2026-update/

It's an open secret that Finch West's track geometry is ill-suited for its rolling stock. As such, I don't see the line running faster than times in the high 30 minute range (16 to 18 km/h). Even with stronger signal priority and/or signal preemption than what we recently got: https://www.ttc.ca/news/2026/March/First-stage-of-transit-signal-priority-improvements-in-place#:~:text=Enhanced transit signal priority is implemented at all intersections on Line 6

The line needs trains that don't grind against the rail or fall apart after 100,000 km. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-train-wheel-problem-changes-cuts-9.7063407

It's unacceptable for an LRV to have mechanical problems forcing downtime at such a low mileage. Rail vehicles are supposed to withstand millions of km, about 10 times the lifetime mileage of a car. Imagine having a car stuck in the shop for months because the wheel bearings failed at 10,000 km. You'd think it was a lemon.

Travel times in the high 20 minute range should be achievable (21 to 25 km/h) with better vehicles.

Just spitballing, if Finch West's fleet gets sent to Hurontario, it would take at least 4-5 years to get a new fleet. With an extension, it would take another 10 years. Otherwise, we're looking at 30 years before the fleet gets replaced.

 

[nfitz]

Is 20 or 21 that different from 22 km/h? Metrolinx says 20-21. The difference between 21 and 22 is 80 seconds for 10.3 km.

Let me check my math; I had 28 minutes versus 33 minutes.

Ah, typo. 9 km/hr based on the 33 minutes, the (least minutes) that recall since 2010, not 20 km/hr. The much talked of 33 minutes is 19 km/hr (rounded). To get 28 minutes you'd be 22 km/hr.

https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/finch-west-lrt/faqs

Which says 33 minutes, and then they blew the math calculating 20 to 21 km/hr rather than 19 km/hr.

It appears the root cause of their math, is that they use an 11.0 km length - which would have been the length before they cancelled the plan to have the Humber College station at Humber College, and instead moved it to Highway 27. https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/...trolinx/Finch-West-LRT-FAQs-Revised-June9.pdf uses 11.

Not really? I get where you're coming from since travel times are improved from the high 50, 60+ minute range from December. However, 20 km/h for 10.3 km would be 30 minutes and 54 seconds.

The promise was 33 minutes. I think that may be achievable. Whether that require redesigned bogies or different equipment I don't know.

I also don't know why TTC accepted it in the state it was, while rejecting opening Eglinton Line 5 which was more reliable even when Line 6 opened. My only guess is that Aecon/ACS (alias Mosaic) were making bribes. Perhaps if we could find evidence of this, instead of reporting it, we could blackmail them to fix the problem with the threat to go to the police .

(that's a smiley there for the humour-impaired)

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Is 20 or 21 that different from 22 km/h? Metrolinx says 20-21. The difference between 21 and 22 is 80 seconds for 10.3 km.

https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/finch-west-lrt/faqs
https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/...trolinx/Finch-West-LRT-FAQs-Revised-June9.pdf

The 20-21 figure has also been cited by media.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/02/24/ttc-line-6-finch-west-transit-signal-priority-installation/
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/12/09/line-6-finch-west-lrt-trip-time-latest/

Even then, 22 km/h should easily be achievable if Metrolinx bought different rolling stock. If it were up to me, I'd send the Shitadis Spirits to Hurontario. Hopefully there will be more generous curve radiuses in Mississauga.


Not really? I get where you're coming from since travel times are improved from the high 50, 60+ minute range from December. However, 20 km/h for 10.3 km would be 30 minutes and 54 seconds. The line regularly does low to mid 40 minutes, assuming nothing goes wrong... https://stevemunro.ca/2026/02/24/line-6-finch-west-delays-january-2026-update/

It's an open secret that Finch West's track geometry is ill-suited for its rolling stock. As such, I don't see the line running faster than times in the high 30 minute range (16 to 18 km/h). Even with stronger signal priority and/or signal preemption than what we recently got: https://www.ttc.ca/news/2026/March/First-stage-of-transit-signal-priority-improvements-in-place#:~:text=Enhanced transit signal priority is implemented at all intersections on Line 6

The line needs trains that don't grind against the rail or fall apart after 100,000 km. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-train-wheel-problem-changes-cuts-9.7063407

It's unacceptable for an LRV to have mechanical problems forcing downtime at such a low mileage. Rail vehicles are supposed to withstand millions of km, about 10 times the lifetime mileage of a car. Imagine having a car stuck in the shop for months because the wheel bearings failed at 10,000 km. You'd think it was a lemon.

Travel times in the high 20 minute range should be achievable (21 to 25 km/h) with better vehicles.

Just spitballing, if Finch West's fleet gets sent to Hurontario, it would take at least 4-5 years to get a new fleet. With an extension, it would take another 10 years. Otherwise, we're looking at 30 years before the fleet gets replaced.

Is that with the wind or against the wind? Then what about the crosswinds? They close bridges on the QEW when the winds are very high or force the high trucks to go slow.

 

[urbanclient]

Which says 33 minutes, and then they blew the math calculating 20 to 21 km/hr rather than 19 km/hr.

It appears the root cause of their math, is that they use an 11.0 km length

See you'd think that right, but no... Metrolinx can't do math no matter how you cut it.

11km @ 20 km/h is 33 minutes; and 11 km @ 21 km/h is 31 minutes and 26 seconds.

10.3 km @ 20 km/h is 30 minutes and 54 seconds; and 10.3 km @ 21 km/h is 29 minutes 26 seconds.

Not the "33-34 minutes" @ "20-21 km/h". https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/finch-west-lrt/faqs#:~:text=33-34 minutes to travel from end to end, for an average speed of 20-21 km/h
I didn't want to make my post any longer than it needed to be, so I avoided diving into this farcical incompetence.

And even for 33-34 min, I seriously doubt it, given what all parties know about the Spirits' problems in Ottawa. They're probably bracing for unexpectedly high maintenance/repair costs. Whether Metrolinx or the consortium is on the hook for repairs, I don't know. However, I am not expecting the manufacturer to pay up, since Alstom has tried to dodged responsibility as the manufacturer in Ottawa, even after the Inquiry. Seeing as its been nearly 4 years since the Inquiry and Alstom's redesign has still not been finished, I wouldn't hold my breath for Line 6.

And in Alstom's defence, Finch West was apparently designed for Flexity Freedoms, not Citadis Spirits?

If Ottawa can't fix problems involving tracks and vehicles supposedly designed for each other, even after a public inquiry, then how is Metrolinx supposed to fix problems when the two were not expressly designed for each other?

2024: " 'Alstom has indicated that a sustainable solution can be achieved without a redesign and is not currently working on this initiative,' staff say. 'The City has formally communicated the imperative for the re-design work to re-commence.' "

Alstom hits the brakes on redesigning axles on Ottawa's LRT vehicles

Alstom is hitting the brakes on redesigning the wheel hub assembly on Ottawa's LRT vehicles, which was once billed as a "final fix" to a problem that has caused at least three shutdowns on the Confederation Line over the past three years.

www.ctvnews.ca

2025: " 'Alstom obviously has a vested interest in it not being their problem,' Dumond said, noting that redesigning the axle hub would cost the company money, while changing the tracks would not."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-train-wheel-rail-problem-report-1.7588002

2026: "Metal flaking in wheel assembly appears related to previous issues, according to expert" According to this article, potentially the same issues that led to the 2021 derailments and 2022 Inquiry.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/latest-line-1-wheel-issue-linked-to-overloading-expert-says-9.7056019

 

[jmi22]

I don't recall a speed faster than about 20 km/hr since Metrolinx became involved back in 2010. And there's indications they may achieve this.

Good job it's now beating the bus most times of the day then.

I'm not sure why months-old out-of-date stories are being repeated,

"Beating the bus most of the day"

Ahhh the things we celebrate in this bustling metropolis

 

[jmi22]

See you'd think that right, but no... Metrolinx can't do math no matter how you cut it.

11km @ 20 km/h is 33 minutes; and 11 km @ 21 km/h is 31 minutes and 26 seconds.

10.3 km @ 20 km/h is 30 minutes and 54 seconds; and 10.3 km @ 21 km/h is 29 minutes 26 seconds.

Not the "33-34 minutes" @ "20-21 km/h". https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/finch-west-lrt/faqs#:~:text=33-34 minutes to travel from end to end, for an average speed of 20-21 km/h
I didn't want to make my post any longer than it needed to be, so I avoided diving into this farcical incompetence.

And even for 33-34 min, I seriously doubt it, given what all parties know about the Spirits' problems in Ottawa. They're probably bracing for unexpectedly high maintenance/repair costs. Whether Metrolinx or the consortium is on the hook for repairs, I don't know. However, I am not expecting the manufacturer to pay up, since Alstom has tried to dodged responsibility as the manufacturer in Ottawa, even after the Inquiry. Seeing as its been nearly 4 years since the Inquiry and Alstom's redesign has still not been finished, I wouldn't hold my breath for Line 6.

And in Alstom's defence, Finch West was apparently designed for Flexity Freedoms, not Citadis Spirits?

If Ottawa can't fix problems involving tracks and vehicles supposedly designed for each other, even after a public inquiry, then how is Metrolinx supposed to fix problems when the two were not expressly designed for each other?

2024: " 'Alstom has indicated that a sustainable solution can be achieved without a redesign and is not currently working on this initiative,' staff say. 'The City has formally communicated the imperative for the re-design work to re-commence.' "

Alstom hits the brakes on redesigning axles on Ottawa's LRT vehicles

Alstom is hitting the brakes on redesigning the wheel hub assembly on Ottawa's LRT vehicles, which was once billed as a "final fix" to a problem that has caused at least three shutdowns on the Confederation Line over the past three years.

www.ctvnews.ca

2025: " 'Alstom obviously has a vested interest in it not being their problem,' Dumond said, noting that redesigning the axle hub would cost the company money, while changing the tracks would not."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-train-wheel-rail-problem-report-1.7588002

2026: "Metal flaking in wheel assembly appears related to previous issues, according to expert" According to this article, potentially the same issues that led to the 2021 derailments and 2022 Inquiry.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/latest-line-1-wheel-issue-linked-to-overloading-expert-says-9.7056019

Agree, even with no engineering/track design background it's quite clear from riding the line for even just 5 minutes something is fundamentally wrong with the way the vehicles moves along the tracks. Whether or not that's being caused by poor vehicle construction (which with the manufacturers track recorded I lean toward this scenario), or messed up track geometry I can't say, but the grinding sensation is insane.

 

[nfitz]

"Beating the bus most of the day"

Ahhh the things we celebrate in this bustling metropolis

The bus was still faster at the times of day late at night when few used it.

This means most riders are now getting a faster trip. It's not like they were ever going to get a subway. And they haven't yet achieved the final schedule.

 

[McGillicuddy]

"Beating the bus most of the day"

Ahhh the things we celebrate in this bustling metropolis

At the right time of night, the Bloor-Danforth night bus can reliably beat the subway.

Does that make the subway a failure?

 

[Obsidian]

At the right time of night, the Bloor-Danforth night bus can reliably beat the subway.

Does that make the subway a failure?

For some reason people who i assume don't use buses often think it's slow when they can often times faster than the subway when traffic is light,
especially now that ATC has slowed down the subway.

here is the Finch shuttle bus, it made this trip at 37km/h, which is faster than the subway which is around 32km/h for Line 2.
At off peak hours buses are often he fastest form of public transit in Toronto.

Here is a discussion with recipts about the differences in speed of different operators:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TTC/comments/1rwkdy9/ttc_line_6_lrt_time_difference_between_operator