Finch West LRT Citadis vehicles enter service in Toronto

Finch West LRT Citadis vehicles have now entered service on the new light rail line in Toronto, marking a major milestone for the city’s growing northwest communities.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Eighteen modern Alstom Citadis light rail vehicles operate along the 10.3-kilometre Toronto Finch West Light Rapid Transit (LRT) line, stopping at 16 stops and 2 stations.

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These made-in-Canada LRVs were engineered and manufactured in Ontario at Alstom’s Brampton facility and then tested at its site in Kingston. Under a long-term agreement, Alstom is responsible for maintaining the vehicles, the track and the catenary system for the next 30 years. The Finch West LRT project is intended to bring faster, more reliable transit to northwest Toronto.

The announcement, dated 5 December 2025, comes from Alstom, described as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, working in partnership with Metrolinx on the Finch West LRT project. The commissioning of this Finch West LRT Alstom Citadis fleet is presented as a major step in delivering sustainable, efficient transit to Toronto’s growing communities, drawing on the company’s innovation capabilities and Canadian expertise.

“Alstom is proud to deliver rail-mobility solutions that are engineered and manufactured in Ontario,” said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas. He thanked Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for their trust and long-term partnership, noting that the new line contributes to the development of Toronto’s booming public transit system and showcases best-in-class mobility technology “made by Canadians, for Canadians.”

Finch West LRT Citadis vehicles on a dedicated Toronto corridor

The Toronto Finch West light rail vehicles run on a dedicated right of way that is physically separated from road traffic. The line extends 10.3 kilometres from Finch West station in the east to Humber College Station in the west, with 16 intermediate stops and 2 terminal stations. At its eastern end, the Finch West LRT line connects to the TTC’s Line 1 Finch West subway station via a pedestrian portal, making transfers between light rail and subway more convenient for passengers.

By using its own corridor and avoiding mixed traffic, the service is expected to cut journey times and significantly improve schedule reliability. The project is part of the Ontario government’s multibillion-dollar investment in public transit systems that will help connect Ontarians for generations to come.

Made-in-Ontario Alstom Citadis light rail vehicles

Each Finch West LRT Citadis vehicle is 48 metres long and offers a spacious interior designed to accommodate up to 300 passengers comfortably. The trains are 100% low-floor, which ensures full accessibility for people with mobility needs as well as for passengers travelling with strollers or other wheeled devices. This layout supports inclusive urban mobility on the Finch West LRT line.

To meet the demands of the Canadian climate, the Toronto Finch West light rail vehicles are winterized for operation in temperatures as low as –38°C. They are equipped with reinforced insulation, powerful heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, and dedicated snow and ice management solutions. Together, these measures are intended to maintain reliable performance in harsh winter conditions while optimizing passenger comfort and overall travel experience throughout the year.

Metrolinx, TTC and Alstom’s role in Canada’s rail sector

The Finch West LRT fleet forms part of Alstom’s global Citadis platform. To date, the company has delivered more than 8,000 Citadis LRVs to 140 cities in more than 30 countries worldwide. Taken together, these light rail vehicles have travelled over 1 billion kilometres in service and carried 10 billion passengers since first entering operation, underlining the maturity and scale of the technology now deployed on the Finch West LRT line in Toronto.

Vehicle assembly for the Finch West LRT Citadis vehicles took place in Brampton from 2020 to 2024. At peak production, this contract supported over 180 jobs in Ontario and helped expand the critical workforce needed for the province’s growing rail sector. In the months leading up to commissioning, Alstom worked closely with Metrolinx and the TTC to test the vehicles, refine maintenance procedures and prepare for the launch of these modern and efficient light rail services. As part of its long-term responsibilities, the company will continue to handle maintenance of the LRVs, the track and the catenary system for the next 30 years.

Alstom’s work on the Finch West LRT, a topic regularly covered by industry media such as Railway Supply, builds on its strong presence in Ontario and across Canada. The company employs over 5,000 highly skilled Canadian staff and is the only rolling stock manufacturer in the country.

Beyond supplying Alstom Citadis LRVs in Canada, it provides signalling solutions and full operations and maintenance services for multiple rail projects. In urban mobility, Alstom is involved in systems in Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo and Ottawa, as well as projects in Edmonton, Montreal, Vancouver and, in the near future, Quebec City.

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