Toronto family carries out opening day transit tradition with Finch West LRT

A father, son and grandson trio honoured a seven decade family tradition on Sunday by jumping aboard the newly-opened Finch West LRT.

It’s a tradition that started in 1954 when Michael Doucet said he rode the Yonge Line, Canada’s first subway, on opening day with his father.

Since then, the family has continued to ride on every Toronto Transit Commission subway and streetcar on the first day.

“It's always nice to be part of history, the unveiling of a new transit line in an area of Toronto that hasn't been particularly well served,” said Michael, who is professor of geography at Toronto Metropolitan University.

But this year is extra special, said Michael, as a new generation is being welcomed aboard with his 7-year-old grandson Hugo joining in.

“It's quite exciting because young people see the city in different ways. And Hugo's enjoyed the ride today and [he's] observing what we see as we go along,” he said.

Sunday brought a variety of curious first day riders, said son Brian Doucet, with some interested in the technology and others taking the opportunity to learn how to use the new line.

While there’s bound to be issues with Line 6, he said most people were excited to be a part of a historic moment.

Both father and son shared that they hope this ongoing tradition will continue in the years ahead and inspire others to take joy in transit and their cities.

“[Sunday is] really about a new line, a new part of the city to explore new places that are connected to that transit map,” said Brain, an associate professor of planning at Waterloo University. “This whole corridor of Finch is now connected.”

While Toronto residents have a love-hate relationship with transit, Michael says the city is actually quite fortunate to have a growing system with frequent arrivals – something he says many North American cities lack.

But with the newest option on the map, Brian says more people should take time to explore the different transit lines as well as the neighbourhoods nearby.

“I would encourage people who are curious about Toronto, who are curious about their city: just pick an afternoon, ride around, pick a line, go somewhere new,” he said.

Brian said he was inaugurated into the tradition at just 4-years-old, when he rode the Scarborough Rapid Transit on on its opening day in 1985.

While the tradition is mandatory, they’ve snuck in a few last day rides as well for the Presidents' Conference Committee streetcars in 1995 and the Canadian Light Rail Vehicles in 2019.

As for Hugo, the journey was an “exciting” experience and his most favourite train ride to date.