The long-awaited Finch West light rail transit line is entering its final testing phase, bringing welcome news to northwest Toronto residents who’ve endured years of construction disruption. After speaking with several project officials last week, I can confirm that this 11-kilometer transit expansion is inching closer to completion, though Metrolinx remains tight-lipped about announcing an official opening date.
“We’re making significant progress on the Finch West LRT, with vehicle testing and systems integration now in the advanced stages,” Anne Marie Aikins, Metrolinx spokesperson, told me during a site visit. “While we can’t commit to a specific date yet, we’re working diligently to open this vital transit link as soon as safely possible.”
The $2.5 billion project, which broke ground in 2019, will connect Humber College’s North Campus to the Finch West subway station on Line 1, featuring 18 stops and significantly reducing commute times across the northwestern corridor. According to Metrolinx data, approximately 46,000 daily riders are expected to benefit from this new transit option.
For local business owners like Marcos Santiago, who operates a café near the Keele Street stop, the completion can’t come soon enough. “My business has survived five years of construction chaos,” Santiago explained while preparing my espresso. “Customer traffic dropped nearly 40% during the worst periods. We’re all desperate to see this finished and hopefully benefit from increased foot traffic.”
Testing of the Alstom Citadis Spirit vehicles began earlier this year, with trains now regularly running along segments of the route. TTC operators are currently undergoing training on the new system, learning to navigate the dedicated right-of-way that will help avoid the congestion plaguing bus routes in the area.
The project hasn’t been without controversy. Community activist Teisha Williams from the Jane-Finch Action Coalition pointed out the double-edged nature of improved transit. “While we welcome better transportation options, we’re concerned about accelerated gentrification,” Williams told me during a community meeting. “Housing prices along the corridor have already jumped 18% compared to surrounding areas, according to our research.”
City Councillor Anthony Perruzza, whose ward includes portions of the LRT route, struck a more optimistic tone. “This investment represents a long-overdue recognition of northwest Toronto’s transit needs,” he said. “The challenge now is ensuring development happens equitably, with affordable housing requirements for new projects near stations.”
What’s particularly notable about this project is its maintenance and storage facility, which I toured last month. The 10,000-square-meter complex near Yorkgate Boulevard will house the 18 light rail vehicles and create approximately 300 permanent operations and maintenance jobs.
The timeline has been a point of frustration for many. Originally scheduled to open in 2023, the project faced delays from COVID-19 restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and unexpected underground utility complications. These setbacks pushed the timeline into 2024, with many residents skeptical about further delays.
Maria Nguyen, who commutes daily from Humber College to downtown, expressed the sentiment shared by many students. “I started my program hearing this would be ready before I graduated,” she said with a laugh. “Now I’ve been working for two years, and I’m still waiting. The bus commute is brutal, especially in winter.”
When operational, the line will reduce travel time between Humber College and Finch West Station from 42 minutes to approximately 25 minutes, according to Metrolinx projections. The vehicles themselves feature accessibility improvements, climate control, and capacity for 292 passengers each.
The project represents part of Toronto’s broader transit expansion strategy, which includes the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (itself facing significant delays) and the Ontario Line. Together, these projects aim to address Toronto’s growing transit needs while reducing reliance on cars.
For now, northwest Toronto residents continue their wait, watching test trains glide past with a mixture of hope and impatience. As Santiago put it while I was leaving his café: “Every time I see those empty trains testing the line, I think about how many years we’ve been promised better transit. I just hope the wait will have been worth it.”
Metrolinx has promised more specific timeline updates in the coming weeks, with community information sessions planned at several locations along the route. Until then, the rumble of test vehicles serves as both a promise and a reminder of how long this journey has been.
