Finch West LRT Launches Sunday, Offering Free Rides
Toronto’s Long-Awaited LRT Line Debuts This Weekend, Connecting 18 Stops Along Finch Avenue W
After six years of construction and decades of planning, the Finch West LRT officially opens to the public this Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The new light rail line, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), marks a rare on-time completion for a major provincial transit project and offers a stark contrast to the beleaguered Eglinton Crosstown, which remains months away from service.
On opening day, Sunday’s free fare will allow residents to experience the 11-kilometre route connecting Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus to the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 1 at Finch West Station.
Sunday’s Opening Festivities and Free Fare
Excitement is building as the Finch West LRT prepares to welcome its first passengers this weekend. The TTC will mark the occasion with an opening party at Finch West Station, turning the station into a community hub for the day.
Sunday’s free fare applies to the entire line, offering Torontonians a chance to ride both the first official westbound train and the first eastbound train without charge. The opening ceremonies will begin in the morning, followed by ribbon-cutting events and speeches from city and provincial leaders.
While the celebration marks a significant milestone, commuters will have to pay for their trips after Sunday. Regular TTC fare payment begins Monday, as the line officially joins Toronto’s day-to-day transit network operations.
A Closer Look at the Finch West LRT Route and Construction
Stretching from Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus in the west to the intersection of Finch Avenue West and Keele Street in the east, the line features 18 stops along Finch Avenue W.
Key stops include Norfinch Drive, Oakdale Road, and the Jane Street intersection, finally terminating at a new hub connecting to the TTC’s Line 1 (Yonge-University) at Finch West Station. This connection is pivotal, enabling riders to travel seamlessly south to Cedarvale Station, TMU Station, and the downtown core.
TMU Station is the new name for the Toronto subway station at Yonge and Dundas, previously called Dundas Station, on Line 1 Yonge–University.
Cedarvale Station is the new name for the TTC’s Eglinton West subway station on Line 1 in Toronto, located at Allen Road and Eglinton Avenue West. The upgrade is an interchange with the future Line 5 Eglinton.
A Long-Awaited Link in the Transit Network
Construction on the Finch West LRT began in 2019, carving out a dedicated light rail corridor through one of Toronto’s busiest suburban corridors. The new 11‑kilometre line represents a crucial investment by Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission to improve east–west mobility across the city’s northwest.
Unlike the troubled Eglinton Crosstown, which has faced repeated delays and public frustration, the Finch project largely stayed within revised timelines. Officials have emphasized that the two LRTs are separate projects, managed under different delivery models. For residents and students in the area, this difference will soon be felt in reliable service rather than delayed updates.
Each of the 18 stops along Finch Avenue W has been designed to integrate seamlessly with existing TTC bus routes, helping reduce congestion and travel times for communities from Etobicoke to North York. Modern shelters, real‑time arrival screens, and accessible platforms align the system with Toronto’s broader push toward sustainable urban mobility.
What the Finch West LRT Means for Commuters
The new line is more than just another addition to Toronto’s transit network. By linking Finch West Station with Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus, the Finch West LRT provides students, workers, and residents with a faster, more consistent connection to Line 1 and the downtown core.
Transit analysts say this alignment fills a longstanding gap in northwest Toronto, where daily ridership volumes have long overburdened buses. The dedicated LRT tracks are expected to cut travel time and reduce crowding, offering an alternative to the driving routes that dominate Finch Avenue West.
For institutions like Humber and communities near Highway 27, the service change opens new opportunities for development and accessibility. City transportation staff note that the line’s completion will also strengthen east–west links toward Cedarvale Station and TMU Station, both projected hubs in future LRT or subway expansions.
Looking Ahead After the Opening Day Celebration
When the ribbons cut and the last of Sunday’s free fare rides conclude, Toronto’s newest rail line will begin its regular schedule. Starting Monday morning, commuters will have to pay for their trips, integrating the Finch West LRT into the TTC’s fare system and daily travel routines across the northwest corridor.
For Mayor Olivia Chow, the opening signals renewed progress in city transit expansion after years of controversy around project delays. For Premier Doug Ford and provincial officials, it offers a chance to highlight infrastructure delivery amid lingering scrutiny over other long-awaited LRT lines.
Despite years of planning and construction detours, many residents see the Finch corridor transformation as proof that improved transit remains possible—one project at a time.
The Finch West LRT may not share the scale or struggles of the Eglinton Crosstown. Still, its on‑time arrival signals a promising direction for future rail projects across the GTA.
Officials hope this Sunday’s celebratory mood will carry into Monday’s commute, when trains begin regular service—marking not just the end of construction, but the start of a new chapter for Toronto’s transit network.
