TORONTO — Ontario has officially opened the long-anticipated Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, a major addition to Toronto’s transit network that provincial leaders say will ease gridlock, shorten commutes and connect tens of thousands of residents to jobs and services across the city’s northwest.
Set to begin operations on December 7 under the Toronto Transit Commission, the new Line 6 Finch West stretches more than 10 kilometres along Finch Avenue West, linking Finch West Station on TTC Line 1 to Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. The line features two stations and 16 stops, and is expected to move more than 51,000 riders each weekday, eventually carrying 12 million passengers annually by 2031.
“The opening of the Finch West LRT is terrific news for commuters, delivering a fast, reliable and affordable way to travel across Toronto’s northwest,” Premier Doug Ford said at the announcement. “Our government will continue investing in the largest infrastructure plan in Canadian history — building highways, roads and subways — to get families and workers out of gridlock and keep Ontario moving.”
The province says the launch brings 230,000 more people within walking distance of rapid transit. The LRT will also integrate with TTC buses, GO Transit, MiWay, York Region Transit and Brampton Züm, offering riders a single-fare option through the province’s One Fare program.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is delivering results for Ontarians by making historic investments in transit infrastructure in the GTA and beyond,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “The Finch West LRT will give hundreds of thousands of commuters more options to get where they need to go and help protect Ontario by connecting more workers to good-paying jobs.”
The project forms part of Ontario’s multibillion-dollar transit expansion, which includes the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, said, “The Finch West LRT will make it faster, easier and more affordable for people to get around the city while reducing gridlock and boosting regional economic competitiveness. Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is delivering the largest infrastructure plan in Canadian history valued at more than $220 billion.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow praised the line’s completion and highlighted the city’s three-year TTC fare freeze. “Line 6 Finch West is here and it belongs to the people who will ride it every day,” she said. “Thank you to the builders, the TTC workers who will operate the line and the neighbourhoods along the corridor who made this possible.”
Federal representatives also lauded the line’s opening. “The public transit system in Toronto is the third largest in North America, and today it grows in a way that truly matters for our community,” said John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and MP for Etobicoke North. MP Judy Sgro added, “By opening Line 6 Finch West, we are cutting down transit times, reducing traffic congestion and making it easier for more people to get where they need to go.”
Local leaders emphasized the project’s long-term community impact. “I’m pleased to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Finch West LRT, a transformative project that will deliver faster, more reliable transit for residents and businesses across our community,” said Etobicoke North Councillor Vincent Crisanti.
Partners involved in delivering the line — from Metrolinx to construction firms and technology suppliers — echoed that sentiment. “We are thrilled to be announcing the opening of the Finch West LRT project alongside our provincial and federal partners,” said Michael Lindsay, CEO of Metrolinx. Angela Clayton, CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, called the achievement “a remarkable journey” supported by a “community of builders and partners.”
Industry stakeholders including FlatironDragados, TRACCS, CRH Canada, Alstom, Hitachi Rail, the Canadian Urban Transit Association and Aecon Group highlighted the line’s engineering, signalling systems, Canadian-made components and long-term economic value.
The Finch West LRT reached substantial completion on November 12 following a successful testing phase. Its fleet of zero-emission vehicles can hold up to 300 passengers and travel at speeds up to 60 km/h. The federal government contributed $333 million toward the project.
As the line prepares to welcome its first riders, officials say the opening marks not just the end of construction but the beginning of a new era of mobility in Toronto’s northwest.
