Restore Safe, Accessible Local Transit Along Finch West Before Winter

We, the undersigned residents and transit riders, petition the Toronto Transit Commission to urgently restore safe, accessible local bus service along Finch West, operating alongside Line 6 Finch West.

The opening of Line 6 brought rapid transit to Finch West, but replacing the former 36 Finch West local bus service also removed convenient neighbourhood stops.

For residents with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mobility limitations or injuries, longer walking distances can create significant barriers to accessing healthcare, employment, groceries and essential services.

The TTC knew residents were concerned about losing access before these changes were implemented.

During the TTC's 2022 public consultation, 81% of the 100 people who answered a question about proposed Emery Village service changes identified destinations they expected to lose access to between LRT stops.

The TTC's own service standards recognize the importance of walking distances. However, the corridor-specific calculations have not been independently verified to establish whether disability-related walking speeds, winter conditions and individual safety impacts were adequately assessed.

The replacement of local buses also removes access to the TTC's nighttime Request Stop protections for passengers travelling on the LRT. While the 336 overnight bus remains operational, it does not replace neighbourhood bus service throughout the day.

With winter approaching, snow, ice and unsafe pedestrian connections will make these barriers even more difficult for residents to navigate.

We petition the TTC to:

1. Urgently restore accessible local transit coverage through the former 36 Finch West local bus service, or an equivalent arrangement that effectively addresses neighbourhood accessibility barriers, alongside Line 6.
2. Provide service throughout the day including early mornings, midday and evenings, with convenient local stops and nighttime Request Stop protections where bus service operates.
3. Conduct and publish a disability-focused accessibility assessment examining walking distances, travel times, transfers, pedestrian safety, winter conditions and impacts on residents with different mobility limitations. Publish the original corridor-specific calculations and assumptions supporting the service changes.
4. Provide a documented accommodation decision including consideration of effective alternatives and interim measures while permanent restoration is assessed. If accommodation is refused on grounds of undue hardship, provide the objective evidence, financial figures and legal grounds supporting that decision.

The TTC's Annual Public Forum on Accessible Transit takes place on November 10, 2026.

The next scheduled TTC Board meeting is December 15, 2026.

We request immediate referral to TTC staff for an urgent accessibility assessment, with findings and recommendations presented to the Board at its December 15 meeting.

We request that a TTC Board member raise this petition at the November 10 Annual Public Forum on Accessible Transit, allowing these concerns to be addressed publicly before winter.

We further request that the TTC expedite every stage of the process, including assessment, recommendations, decisions and implementation. Decisions should be made at the earliest opportunity, without waiting until December 15 where existing authority permits earlier action.

Effective interim accommodations should be implemented without delay while permanent restoration is assessed.

Residents should not have to wait until another winter has passed to have these accessibility concerns meaningfully addressed.

• TTC 2023 Annual Service Plan: Public Consultation Summary
• TTC Service Standards, May 2024
• Ontario Regulation 191/11, Section 41: Accessibility Requirements
• Ontario Human Rights Commission: Disability Accommodation and Undue Hardship
• TTC Request Stop Program

Submitted under Section 18 of the TTC By-law to Govern Board Proceedings.