The Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) line is set to open its doors to the public on December 7, as confirmed by sources at 680 NewsRadio Toronto.
Officials from the Ontario government announced that the Finch West LRT has successfully completed its final major test for operation, paving the way for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to launch this highly anticipated line in the northwest part of the city.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the government revealed that the TTC will assume full operational control of Line 6 Finch West by November 3. Following this transition, the opening date will be determined by the transit agency as staff members undergo further training and commissioning preparations.
When CityNews reached out to the TTC for comments on the announcement and the upcoming launch plans, no immediate response was provided. Updates will be shared as soon as a statement is received.
The crucial 30-day revenue service demonstration, which began on September 21, marked the final evaluation period to ensure that the Finch West LRT functions according to its intended design. The TTC took over operational oversight of Line 6 Finch West earlier in September.
Throughout the process, extensive driver training was conducted by the TTC while the Mosaic Transit Group, a private-sector consortium responsible for the project’s construction and maintenance, continued their efforts.
Despite past challenges, including a lawsuit in 2024 over a contractual dispute and concerns about maintenance following the appearance of cracked station shelter walls, the successful completion of the final testing phase brings a sense of progress and achievement to the project.
Connecting 18 stops along Finch Avenue West, the Finch West LRT route spans from Finch West subway station at Keele Street to Humber College station at Highway 27. Construction commenced in 2019 and was initially scheduled for completion by the end of 2023. The project’s tendering process was initiated in 2015 under the previous provincial Liberal government, with a contract signed shortly before the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario took office in 2018.