Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT Opens After 15 Years of Delays

After fifteen years of construction and numerous delays, Toronto’s Sunday, February 8th launch of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT marked a significant, if somewhat bumpy, milestone for the city’s transit infrastructure. While the opening was met with enthusiasm from commuters eager for faster commutes, initial service experienced mechanical issues and slow speeds, raising questions about the line’s operational readiness.

The 19-kilometre Line 5, running from Mount Dennis to Kennedy station, began a phased opening with trains departing Kennedy Station at 7:29 a.m., a minute ahead of schedule. However, the inaugural train immediately encountered delays, halting at two red lights within a few city blocks, a frustrating start for those who had waited in sub-zero temperatures to be among the first riders. This initial hiccup echoed concerns following the “snail’s pace” rollout of the Finch West LRT in December, prompting renewed calls for transit priority measures.

The project’s long and troubled history dates back to 2007, when then-Mayor David Miller introduced the Transit City plan, an ambitious proposal for seven LRT lines. That plan was later scrapped by Rob Ford, but the Eglinton line persisted, with ground broken at Mount Dennis in 2011 and an initial completion target of 2020. Multiple delays and technical issues pushed the opening back six years, and the final cost ballooned to over $13 billion, up from the $11.78 billion projected in 2018.

Despite the protracted construction period, the launch was met with palpable excitement. Riders like Rockwell Cui described the opening as “the end of the suffering” for Toronto commuters, while others, such as transit enthusiast Marcelo De Oliveira Medina, expressed relief that a long-awaited transportation option was finally available. One rider, who camped outside Mount Dennis station since 9 p.m. Saturday, celebrated the line as a “big milestone” that would benefit generations to come.

The TTC implemented a phased rollout to allow for fine-tuning of schedules and monitoring of performance. During this initial phase, trains are running every 4 minutes and 45 seconds during peak times, operating from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. most days, and are free to ride. The agency plans to increase the number of trains from 24 to 28 at a later stage and eventually extend service hours until 1:30 a.m. once full service is operational.

The first day of operation wasn’t without its challenges. Just thirty minutes into service, a mechanical issue caused westbound delays at O’Connor Station, though service was quickly restored. Later in the day, further disruptions occurred between Pharmacy and Birchmount stations due to an investigation, again with a swift return to regular service. These incidents underscore the potential for ongoing operational issues during the initial phase.

Gavin Elliott, the operator of the first train departing Kennedy Station, marked the end of his 27-year career with the TTC by “christening the line with passengers.” He described the ride as “very comfortable” and expressed optimism about future improvements. The TTC is also planning to install “enhanced” signal priority systems before the end of February to address concerns about train speeds.

While the initial journey from Kennedy to Mount Dennis took approximately 55 minutes – comparable to the travel time on the shorter Line 6 – riders expressed hope that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT would ultimately deliver on its promise of faster and more reliable transit. Young commuters, like 11-year-old Isaac Mandelzys and 12-year-old Luis Mario Carrington, were particularly enthusiastic, noting the line’s speed compared to existing routes. Carrington predicted the line would be “quick, reliable, fast” and “get people where they want to go.”

However, some riders remained cautiously optimistic. One transit advocate expressed concern that the line’s performance might fall short of expectations, potentially damaging the credibility of Toronto’s transit system. The phased rollout and ongoing monitoring will be crucial in identifying and addressing any remaining issues, ensuring that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT ultimately delivers the improved transit experience that Toronto commuters have long awaited.