By Sean Delaney
Sunday, December 7th was one of those days you could feel coming long before it arrived. After years of planning, construction, delays, and a pandemic that slowed everything down, the Finch West LRT finally opened its doors — and what a day it was.
I was there early, surrounded by families, seniors, transit fans, strollers, kids holding hands, and neighbours who simply wanted to say, “We were part of this.” There was an excitement that felt almost like the CNE — people smiling, talking to strangers, taking photos, and lining up for their first ride. I had the chance to ride in the lead train, and the experience was impressive from start to finish. The trains are bright, clean, quiet, and comfortable. The stations are modern, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed. This is transit built for the future.
The 10.3-kilometre Finch West LRT, now known as Line 6, runs along Finch Avenue West from Keele Street to Highway 27, with its final stop at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. With 18 stops, it connects Etobicoke North and northwest Toronto directly to Line 1, opening up easier access to schools, jobs, hospitals, and services across the city.
Ward 7 Councillor Anthony Perruzza, who has been a strong advocate for the line from the beginning, spoke about what this moment means for Finch West and the surrounding communities. He noted that the LRT helps close a long-standing gap, fully integrating the area into Toronto’s transit network. Perruzza praised the line for transforming Finch Avenue, saying it has urbanized the street, improved predictability, and even made the corridor work better for cars. He acknowledged early concerns about speed but expressed confidence that synchronized signals and operator familiarity will make the line faster over time. “It’s a wonderful transit product,” he said, adding that it will move a lot of people and help renew Finch Avenue for residents and businesses alike.
MPP Tom Rakocevic highlighted the patience shown by residents and businesses that endured years of construction. He called the opening a long-awaited milestone and emphasized how reliable transit supports equity, opportunity, and daily life for people who depend on it most.
MP Judy Sgro echoed those thoughts, noting the disruption the community lived through and the importance of getting the line running smoothly. She pointed to the significant federal investment — more than $300 million — as part of a shared effort between all levels of government to improve quality of life in Humber River–Black Creek and beyond.
The opening was made even more special with free rides for the day, a move requested by Councillor Perruzza and approved through the province, allowing everyone to experience the line together.
After a long journey, Finch West is moving forward. I encourage residents from every neighbourhood to give Line 6 a try. This is our line, our moment, and a strong step toward a more connected future.