Will Toronto's new Finch West LRT be free on opening day?

Toronto's new Finch West LRT is set to finally open this coming Sunday, Dec. 7, and there's a push to give the public free access to the 18-stop, 10.3-kilometre light rail line when it enters service as the TTC's Line 6.

But will the new LRT be free to ride on Sunday?

Past major TTC expansions have been celebrated with free rides for the public. In December 2017, when the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension was completed, all fare gates were opened across the transit network, allowing riders to experience the new stations for the first time free of charge. The TTC also offered free rides and a public open house for the 2002 opening of the Line 4 Sheppard subway.

However, with just days to go before the Finch West LRT's opening, Metrolinx has yet to announce any celebratory events or free rides for the new route — something a local politician is hoping to change.

A Toronto city councillor has issued a public plea to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, asking for the public to be granted free rides on the new line.

Anthony Perruzza, councillor for the Humber River Black Creek ward the LRT passes through, wrote an open letter to Ford asking that the line offer free rides on opening day, writing "I am writing to ask you to allow all residents wishing to do so, to ride on line 6 for free this coming Sunday."

Perruzza wrote that such a move would show gratitude to "local residents and businesses [that] have endured 7 years of construction hell."

I have sent Premier Doug Ford a letter regarding free rides for the public on the opening of the Finch West LRT on Sunday, December 7th. pic.twitter.com/scF7qyItHZ

— Anthony Perruzza (@PerruzzaTO) December 4, 2025

"When we recently opened the Spadina Subway extension into Vaughan, the Federal Government picked up the bulk of the cost of the rides that day," wrote Perruzza, adding that such a move "would be a wonderful gesture on your part if your Government could do the same this coming Sunday."

Ontario NDP MPP Tom Rakocevic, representing the Humber River – Black Creek riding, has echoed Perruzza's call for free rides on opening day.

"The Finch West LRT is finally opening this weekend, and it is a big moment for our city and for our neighbours in the Jane and Finch community," said Rakocevic on Thursday.  

"That's why we're calling for the province to work with the city and TTC to offer free first rides on the Finch West LRT to mark its opening day." 

"But these past few years have not been easy for the communities and businesses along Finch, and they deserve something special to mark this occasion: something that helps them celebrate this project and give back to the community. Don't be the Grinch on Finch."

On Thursday afternoon, the TTC announced its planned Line 6 Finch West opening day celebrations, which will include a celebratory opening at Finch West Station.

The transit agency has also announced the line's opening day schedule for any riders hoping to be on the very first train.

Here is the full opening-day schedule for the Finch West LRT:

• 7:00 a.m. – Remarks from dignitaries.
• 7:25 a.m. - Ceremonial first train (reserved for media and invited guests) will depart Finch West Station. 
• 7:30 a.m. - The public will be able to board the second train, which will depart from Finch West Station and travel to Driftwood Station before returning to Finch West, with no stops being served on this initial public train.
• 7:33 a.m. - The first in‑service train will finally depart Norfinch Oakdale Station, heading west.

UPDATE: On Friday morning, Mayor Olivia Chow announced that rides on the Finch West LRT will indeed be free on opening day.