{"id":331462,"date":"2025-12-08T01:58:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T01:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/331462\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T01:58:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T01:58:14","slug":"a-long-time-coming-hundreds-of-ttc-riders-attend-finch-west-lrt-grand-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/331462\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A long time coming,\u2019 Hundreds of TTC riders attend Finch West LRT grand opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

What to know<\/p>\n

The new Line 6 Finch West LRT is officially open for service in northwest Toronto.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of riders and transit-enthusiasts queued at LRT stations to be among the first to board, with giveaways including commemorative coins for the earliest riders.<\/p>\n

Officials say the new line will significantly improve transit access for previously underserved areas like Etobicoke North.<\/p>\n

The launch of Line 6 is part of Ontario\u2019s broader push to expand the province\u2019s transit networks.<\/p>\n

The long-awaited Finch West LRT has finally hit the tracks, marking the first new transit line to be unveiled in the city since 2002.<\/p>\n

The 10.3-kilometre rail with 18 stops will connect Etobicoke North to the subway Line 1 along Finch Avenue West from Keele Street to Highway 27, with its final stop at Humber Polytechnic North Campus.<\/p>\n

\"FinchCourtesy: Metrolinx<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting day for my district and Etobicoke,\u201d Etobicoke North MP John Zerucelli told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cEtobicoke is finally connected to the subway system, which means students can get to Humber Polytechnic from here, and seniors can get to hospitals easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

@nowtoronto<\/a> The long-awaited #FinchWestLRT<\/a> has finally hit the tracks, marking the first new transit line to be unveiled in #Toronto<\/a> since 2002. Hundreds of #TTC<\/a> \u266c original sound \u2013 Now Toronto<\/a> <\/p>\n

Read More<\/p>\n

First proposed in 2007, the construction for the Finch West LRT began in 2019. With the opening initially scheduled for 2023, the Finch West LRT is two years behind schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CelebratingMinister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, Etobicoke North MP John Zerucelli, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow (Dec. 7, 2025)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a long time coming, but Toronto is in its biggest period of transit expansion in decades,\u201d Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told the crowd gathered at today\u2019s opening, as she promised more transit expansions are on the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is so much more coming. It\u2019s proof that we\u2019re stronger together and that we have to work together,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the province, the federal government, and the City of Toronto work together, we can get big things built,\u201d Zerucelli said.<\/p>\n

Torontonians say it\u2019s about time<\/p>\n

\"ModernPassengers board the Finch West LRT (Dec. 7, 2025)<\/p>\n

Hundreds of riders and transit enthusiasts lined up at Finch West Station Sunday morning for a chance to be one of the first to board the brand new trains. The morning was also filled with giveaways, with the first 100 riders at Finch West station receiving a commemorative coin, as well as the first 50 riders at the 17 other stops along the line.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came here at 3 a.m.,\u201d Misty, a high school student and TTC enthusiast, told Now Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201c[The new line] is going to be pretty helpful especially since I\u2019m going to university soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HandMisty holds up her commemorative coin (Dec. 7, 2025)<\/p>\n

The all-new Line 6 is expected to accommodate an average of 51,000 riders each day.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to transform the way many people move around the city, especially in north-west Toronto,\u201d\u00a0 Ontario\u2019s Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said at the opening event.<\/p>\n

Sarkaria also pointed to future transit expansions beyond Finch West, \u201c[Transit systems in] Mississauga, Brampton, York, every single one of them is going to connect into this system and truly transform \u2013 from a regional perspective \u2013 how we get around the city and this province.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Finch West\u00a0 LRT is part of the Ontario Government\u2019s $70-billion commitment to expanding the province\u2019s public transit system. Line 6 will be operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), with its operating costs covered by the province.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see previously underserved parts of the city get better transit service. I think it\u2019s really important,\u201d Zane, a rider aboard the train this morning, told Now.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the first step of Toronto getting out of the mire it\u2019s been in where there\u2019s been no transit expansion. It\u2019s hopefully a step towards a better, brighter future.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, Line 6 will operate under its \u2018soft opening\u2019 hours, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Last trains will depart from east- and west-end stations around 9:49 p.m.<\/p>\n