Disability advocates are calling for an independent accessibility audit of Toronto’s newest transit lines, citing the lack of an elevator connecting Line 6 to Line 1 at Finch West Station. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance argues that the 80-metre ramp currently in place creates an “illusion of accessibility,” forcing users to navigate a steep, exhausting incline that excludes many riders with physical disabilities, chronic pain, or strollers.
The Accessibility Gap at Finch West Station
The core of the dispute involves the transition between Line 6 and Line 1 at Finch West Station, which opened to the public last December. According to the AODA Alliance, the station lacks a direct elevator connection between the two lines. Instead, transit users must rely on a 261-foot ramp featuring three distinct inclines and two landings.
David Lepofsky, chair of the AODA Alliance, described the experience as physically demanding, noting that the 11-foot vertical climb is prohibitive for many. “If you’re powering your own wheelchair up this ramp, I hope you’re a Paralympian,” Lepofsky told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. During a video demonstration produced by the group, Lepofsky reported hearing a woman using a walker struggling to breathe while navigating the incline.
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The AODA Alliance reports the current ramp at Finch West Station spans nearly 80 metres in length. For riders unable to use this ramp, the only alternative is to exit the station via two elevators to the street level and re-enter through a separate surface entrance.
Metrolinx and TTC Response to Transit Design Concerns
Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, maintains that it remains dedicated to building a “safe, accessible, and inclusive” system. Spokesperson Lyndsay Miller stated that the agency is currently pursuing user testing with individuals representing a range of disabilities to better understand customer experiences. Miller confirmed that the design of the connection between the lines involved consultation with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and its advisory committee on accessible transit.
The TTC is also facing pressure to address these infrastructure shortcomings. Stuart Green, a spokesperson for the TTC, reiterated the agency’s commitment to accessibility as it prepares to review a five-year accessibility plan for 2024–2028. August Puranauth, campaigns manager for the advocacy group TTC Riders, noted that the issues with the station’s layout were identified by commuters immediately upon the line’s opening.
The Future of Universal Design in Transit
The controversy at Finch West highlights a broader debate regarding the standard of accessibility in new transit construction. Advocates are drawing comparisons to other renovated stations, such as Cedarvale Station, which integrates elevator access between Line 1 and Line 5. The AODA Alliance is now pushing for a formal, independent audit of both Line 5 and Line 6 to ensure that future infrastructure projects do not repeat the design choices made at Finch West.
For transit planners, the incident serves as a case study in the necessity of early-stage, meaningful consultation with riders who have disabilities. As transit agencies look to expand, the demand for “reality of accessibility”—rather than infrastructure that merely meets the technical letter of the law—is becoming a central pillar of public transit advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is there no elevator at the Finch West connection?
Metrolinx has stated the station design was developed in consultation with the TTC and its advisory committee, though advocates argue the resulting ramp fails to provide adequate access. - What is the alternative to using the ramp?
Riders must take two elevators to street level and re-enter through a separate entrance to access the other subway line. - What are advocates calling for?
The AODA Alliance is requesting an independent accessibility audit of Lines 5 and 6 to identify and rectify similar design failures.
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