Respectfully... Shut Up. This is a new line experiencing all the new line issues. Issues that will be worked out the longer it operates in revenue service. Your continuous beating of the dead horse is not going to change anything.
These stops don't need to be removed to improve service. All you would accomplish by doing so is removing service from areas that are currently in the works for redevelopment and intensification.
@jordanmkasla2009 They're ragebaiting anyone who still has some sympathy for trams in Toronto. Out of the 4 current LRT projects, the only real defence IMO should be for the Hamilton LRT at this point, even if its 2023 routing change is highly suspect. The Hamilton LRT's route has significantly more density with more significant trip generators in McMaster University, Downtown, MacNab Terminal, and Eastgate Mall. And its future demand growth (related to its proximity to Toronto) is right at a point where a metro wouldn't be needed, or at least wouldn't be needed for a very long time.
Hurontario cuts through the largest CBD outside of Toronto proper, and is poised to be the busiest corridor in Mississauga (aka future West Etobicoke/West Toronto
). Eglinton similar story.
Finch West is not dense enough for a tram, and unfortunately
it doesn't look like it will be dense enough any time soon. Consider the fact that Toronto proper has about 200 tower cranes versus 2nd place Los Angeles with around 50. Toronto is the fastest densifying city in North America in terms of mid/high-rises, and yet there are hardly 3 apartments/condos in pre-construction along Finch West right now, 11, 12, and 30 storeys west to east. Developers have had ample time since Line 6 started early construction in 2016 to build in anticipation of a modal upgrade to tram:
"*Starting Q3 2024, Toronto will report on an altered survey area. We will be implementing a revised radius for crane counting, prioritizing the downtown core area, which has the highest density of construction projects. The revised radius is 3.5km from the Bloor St W and Avenue Rd center. As of Q1 2024, this core area contributes to approximately 35% of the overall Toronto crane count (80 cranes)."
—Rider Levett Bucknall
I concur with
@FW36's post which is why I always say
in hindsight Finch West definitively did not deserve a tram. IMO, without hindsight, it would've been only erroneous to upgrade Finch West
before/without doing bus lanes throughout the city, especially Old Toronto.
To be fair the set of facts before 2020 leaned towards building the LRT
1. The 36 bus ridership was steadily increasing and a lot of buses were running at capacity. I remember during rush hour sometimes multiple buses would pass-by without stopping due to capacity issues or up to 5 buses would be bunched together and all completely full.
2. Around 2010's Humber College announced they would focus there expansion project mostly on there north campus. York University also had expansion plans so it was safe to assume further increase in ridership from the greater amount of students
3. Interest rates before 2020 were low. The city wanted to encourage more private development for housing as there was a lack of new residential construction along the corridor. Historically LRT encourage more development than BRT. This would have resulted in more housing options for those who live around the area
So overall prior to 2020 the big picture was buses already having capacity issues, expected growth of post secondary education in the area, and potential for large scale redevelopment and population growth leading to even higher ridership.
Now let's look at the current set of facts.
1. Ridership for the 36 bus has decreased since the pandemic and has not recovered.
2. Currently there is a decrease in the enrollment of international students and increase in the amount of classes offered online. Humber College North has slowed down its plans as well
3. Interest rates are higher than before plus increase on development charges are making it is harder for developers to build. Most likely a lot of residential projects along the line will be delayed or canceled.
With current set of facts a BRT would be more justified, it would have been cheaper the build and provide required capacity.
However a lot of the draw backs were because the pandemic. If it never occured mostly likely the 36 would have continued to see increased ridership, I imagine online classes would not be as common, and if interest rates remained low I imagine there would have been more opportunities for redevelopment projects.
I don't think planners were thinking what impact a potential world shaking event would have on the Finch West LRT back in 2010.
As the line currently stands a BRT would be acceptable. But an LRT can still be also justifiable, it would just require the city to do more work. Giving the LRT priority, increasing speed limits, and better stop placement would mean faster transit encouraging more ridership. The city could lower development charges and change zoning laws to encourage redevelopment along the corridor. The city could also lower develpment fees for post-secondary institutions to encourage investment. With these changes I would say LRT is perfectly fine and acceptable, but if Toronto tries nothing to improve the current situation than it 100 percent Finch west should have been built as a BRT
