TTC's Finch West Station criticized for 80-metre accessibility ramp between subway lines
An accessibility advocate called the ramp connecting Line 1 to Line 6 "the stupidest accessibility in the world," saying it takes nearly two minutes to traverse.
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A newly opened connection point at Toronto's Finch West Station is drawing sharp criticism from an accessibility advocate who called it "the stupidest accessibility in the world."
In a YouTube video uploaded this week, David Lepofsky, chair of the AODA Alliance, criticized the accessibility ramp connecting the TTC's Line 1 subway with the new Finch West LRT that opened late last year. The ramp requires users transferring between lines to navigate an almost 80-metre path that climbs approximately 11 feet over multiple sections and landings.
While the newly renovated station has an elevator from Line 1 to ground level and another from Line 6 to ground level, there is no direct elevator connecting the transit lines for those transferring between the two.
"I've never seen a ramp in a building that expects you to go up an entire floor using a ramp," Lepofsky says in the video. "I'm sure it's good if you're a Paralympian or a heavy-duty weight lifter, but for many people with disabilities, elderly people, people using strollers, people who just can't handle stairs, an 80-metre ramp is just plain absurd."
Lepofsky tested the ramp by walking up at a steady pace versus taking nearby stairs. Walking up the ramp took roughly one minute and 45 seconds, while taking the stairs took just 18 seconds. "Imagine pushing a wheelchair using upper body strength to get up this ramp for at least a minute and 45 seconds," he said.
Lepofsky compared Finch West with Cedarvale Station on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, where passengers can use an elevator to travel between the east-west Line 5 platform and the north-south Line 1 subway platform. In a statement, Metrolinx said it consulted with the TTC's Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit regarding the design. "We recognize the importance of ongoing feedback and continuous improvement. Metrolinx is pursuing user testing with individuals representing a range of disabilities to better understand customer experiences."
The facts
How long is the accessibility ramp at Finch West Station?
The ramp connecting Line 1 to Line 6 at Toronto's Finch West Station is almost 80 metres long and climbs approximately 11 feet over multiple sections and landings.
How long does it take to traverse the ramp at Finch West Station?
Walking up the ramp at Finch West Station at a steady pace takes roughly one minute and 45 seconds, compared to 18 seconds for nearby stairs.
Why is there no direct elevator between the transit lines at Finch West Station?
The article does not explain why no direct elevator was installed; it only notes that while the renovated station has an elevator from Line 1 to ground level and another from Line 6 to ground level, there is no direct elevator connecting the two transit lines for transferring passengers.
