Toronto’s newset transit line was completely shut down for most of the day due to winter weather.
At around 5:15 a.m., the TTC said trains were not running on the Finch West LRT (Line 6) between Finch West Station and Humber College due to a winter snowstorm walloping the city.
As of 5:30 p.m., buses were still replacing regular service on the line.
“Service on Line 6 remains suspended at this time because of the weather. Shuttle busses are operating the full length of the route between Humber College and Finch West stations,” TTC Senior Communications Advisor Susan Nguyen told CP24.
It’s at least the second time the Finch West LRT has been shut down due to poor weather since coming into service in December. The line was also closed for most of the morning on Boxing Day as a smaller storm hit the city.
Speaking with CP24, TTC Spokesperson Stuart Green said the problems are part of the “learning curve” with the new line.
“The TTC is the operator of Line 6. Metrolinx owns and maintains the line through their contractor. So the issues that we’re seeing this morning, as I understand it through an operational lens, is there were some issues with the switches, as well as a couple of vehicle issues,” Green said.
“I think there was also an issue with some snow plowing and getting in and out of the yard up on Finch. So these combination of things, it was decided, in conjunction with our partners in Metrolinx and Mosaic, that we’d stop service until we could confidently get it back and have it running efficiently.”
Speaking at a news conference alongside Mayor Olivia Chow and other city officials Thursday afternoon, TTC Chief Strategy and Customer Officer Josh Colle said Metrolinx and its contractor are responsible for fixing any structural issues with the line.
“This is a new model in Toronto. For the last 100 years or so, the TTC designed, built, operates, maintains our lines. And so now we’re in a new model that the province built and it’s delivered here in Toronto,” Colle said.
“I have to say the communication is excellent between Metrolinx and the TTC, but there’s certain things we cannot do. We can’t touch the infrastructure, and so what we have to do is lend and offer our expertise, and we continue to do that.”
The LRT was also shut down for hours on Monday due to switch problems, and the line has faced criticism that even in ideal conditions, trains move too slowly.
Metrolinx and the city have traded blame and have said they are working to improve service on the new line.
48 bus stops out of service
Nguyen said the TTC is advising anyone who needs to move about the city today to use the subway wherever possible.
“Trains are moving well on lines one, two and four,” Nguyen said. “As a precaution, they are travelling a bit slower in the open (outdoor) areas, but there are no major flags to reports.”
Those taking the bus should be aware the TTC has taken 48 stops out of service in order to avoid vehicles getting stuck at those locations in the poor road conditions.
Nguyen said all express bus routes have also been converted to local service “to ensure that we are reducing wait times and maximizing our service.”
She said anyone getting around should make sure to leave themselves extra time to get where they’re going.
“On our surface, we have several routes on diversion because the weather is making it difficult to navigate some of the routes. There’s lots of blocked roads, stalled vehicles, so give yourself some extra travel time,” she said.
