Many Toronto commuters are now describing the new Line 6 Finch LRT as nothing short of a disaster, as the transit line went down for the second day in a row following a severe winter storm that hit the city this week. The transit line, which was only launched on December 7, has already encountered numerous issues, leaving riders frustrated and inconvenienced. The recent storm has further highlighted the problems with Line 6, as it failed to operate during the city’s first major winter weather event.

TTC Announces Continued Closure of Line 6

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announced on Friday morning that Line 6, which had already been out of service all day Thursday, was still closed due to weather conditions. As a result, service was replaced by shuttle buses.

As of 8:03 AM – Line 6 Finch West: No service between Finch West and Humber College stations due to weather conditions. Shuttle buses will operate from Finch West to Humber College Station. Shuttle buses not servicing Driftwood, Tobermory, Sentinel stops due to blocked roadway. https://t.co/Ctls8Ixku8

— TTC Service Alerts (@TTCnotices) January 16, 2026

Multi-day Snow Event Paralyzes the City

Starting Wednesday night, Toronto experienced a multi-day snow event that has already dumped upwards of 40 centimeters of snow on the city, with more snowfall forecasted for Friday afternoon. In anticipation of the storm, the TTC stated that it was taking proactive measures to ensure safe travel. Unfortunately, these measures have not resulted in convenience for riders, as rolling outages and stops being taken out of service across the network have left commuters scrambling for two consecutive days.

Line 6’s History of Outages

The continued closure of Line 6 on Friday is just the latest in a series of outages that have plagued the newly launched light rail line. There have been several lengthy disruptions since its December opening, many of which were not related to inclement weather.

TTC’s brand-new Line 6 Finch West keeps shutting down and causing chaos https://t.co/tKhA8xOvmN

— blogTO (@blogTO) January 12, 2026

Shuttle Buses: A Silver Lining?

Interestingly, the shuttle buses currently running in place of Line 6 may be a blessing in disguise for riders. In a recent test conducted by blogTO, a parallel bus route was found to be significantly faster than the new LRT. So much so that the bus riders even had time to stop for a snack before the LRT passenger caught up.

Lead photo by

Fareen Karim

Conclusion

Given the ongoing issues, it’s clear that the Line 6 Finch LRT has not lived up to expectations. With the line still down following the recent winter storm, it’s evident more needs to be done to ensure the reliability and efficiency of Toronto’s transit system, particularly during severe weather events. As the city continues to experience such challenges, the patience and resilience of Toronto’s commuters are indeed being tested.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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