TTC station accused of having 'stupidest accessibility ramp' in the world

A newly opened connection point at Toronto's Finch West Station is drawing criticism after an accessibility advocate referred to it as the "stupidest accessibility in the world." 

In a YouTube video uploaded this week, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance chair David Lepofsky criticized the accessibility ramp connecting the TTC's Line 1 subway with the new Finch West LRT that opened up late last year, arguing that it creates an unnecessary barrier for people with mobility disabilities. 

As Lepofsky points out, the newly renovated station has an elevator from Line 1 to ground level and another from Line 6 to ground level, but there's no direct elevator connecting the transit lines for those who are transferring between the two. 

Instead, transit users transferring from one line to another must use what he describes as an almost 80-metre-long ramp that climbs approximately 11 feet over multiple sections and landings.

"I've never seen a ramp in a building that expects you to go up an entire floor using a ramp," Lepofsky says. "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." 

In the four-minute video, Lepofsky tests the usefulness of the ramp by walking up at a steady pace versus taking the stairs nearby. While walking up the ramp took roughly one minute and 45 seconds, taking the stairs only took 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. "I hope you're in shape." 

Lepofsky also compared Finch West Station 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. 

The video quickly garnered thousands of views, as well as multiple comments echoing Lepofsky's concerns. 

"I'm partially paralyzed from the waist down and can't walk long distances, I also can't push my own wheelchair that far. This is so ridiculous. I literally wouldn't be able to use it," one person commented. 

In a statement to blogTO, Metrolinx said it's "dedicated to building a transit system that's safe, accessible and inclusive for all customers." 

"Metrolinx consulted with TTC and the TTC's Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit with regards to the design of the connection between Line 1 and Line 6," the statement reads. 

"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. We continue to work closely with the TTC to ensure customers continue to have safe, convenient, and accessible access at all of the Line 5 and 6 stations."