Finch West LRT Set to Transform Transit in Jane-Finch on Dec. 7

UPDATE: The much-anticipated Finch West LRT is set to open on December 7, 2023, promising to revolutionize transit in Jane-Finch and surrounding areas. This $3.5 billion light-rail line, spanning 10 kilometers with 18 stops, aims to significantly improve travel times and reliability for riders.

Residents, like filmmaker Paul Nguyen, who grew up in the Jane-Finch neighborhood, express a mix of hope and apprehension. Nguyen emphasized the importance of transit for lower-income communities, stating, “Transit is an integral part of the community. Having good transit is like a lifeline.”

The Finch West LRT, the first new TTC line in over a decade, will connect to existing subway and transit services, offering a vital link from the Finch West subway station to Highway 27. After years of delays due to construction challenges and the pandemic, its opening is now just under two weeks away.

Local Impact: Residents are cautiously optimistic about the new line. Nicholas Christou, a local resident, noted, “Construction clogged up traffic… but I want to see a return on the city’s investment.” However, concerns loom over potential rent increases and displacement as property values may rise following the LRT’s launch. “I don’t want to see an area that has been equity deserving for decades get a transit line, and then in a few years everybody gets displaced,” he stated.

As the opening date approaches, community members like Mary Laurel, a mother with a young child, hope the LRT will ease their transit struggles. She described her frustration with overcrowded buses, saying, “The bus is often too crowded for me and my stroller.”

The LRT’s construction has caused significant disruptions, and many businesses near the Finch West station have struggled. Farzad Amery, who owns a shoe store in Jane Finch Mall, lamented, “We had less people coming into the mall.” He fears that if rents increase post-opening, his business may not survive.

Community advocates, including Clara Stewart-Robertson from the Jane Finch Centre, stress the need for ongoing investment in the community beyond just transit improvements. “I think (the LRT will) improve the experience, but it isn’t the sole solution,” she said, urging for more support in areas like food justice and community safety.

As Khudaija Sheikh, executive director of Albion Neighbourhood Services, pointed out, “Connecting the city is a good first step,” but it is crucial to ensure current residents can afford to stay in their homes.

With the LRT’s launch imminent, local sentiment is building. Many are hopeful this development will attract new visitors and businesses to an area often overlooked. Yet, the community remains vigilant about ensuring that the benefits of the new transit line do not come at the cost of their homes and livelihoods.

The countdown is on, and as the Finch West LRT prepares to welcome its first passengers, the future of Jane-Finch hangs in the balance. Will this transit line transform the area for the better, or will it accelerate gentrification? Only time will tell as the community awaits its grand opening.