Toronto’s long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT is now open to riders. The new route is officially called Line 5 Eglinton. The TTC is starting service with a phased (soft) opening, and rides on Line 5 are free today (Sunday, Feb. 8) during service hours.
Eglinton Crosstown LRT opens: what Line 5 is
Line 5 is a 19-kilometre east–west light-rail line with 25 stations and stops, running from Mount Dennis in the west to Kennedy Station in the east. It connects riders to Line 1, Line 2, several TTC bus routes, and GO/UP connections at key stations.
What’s new today
- Service begins today (Feb. 8) with the TTC operating trains during an “introductory service period.”
- Free rides on Line 5 only today. If you transfer to other TTC routes, you still need to pay your fare and be ready to show proof-of-payment.
- The first trains left Kennedy at about 7:30 a.m. and Mount Dennis at about 7:37 a.m.
Why there wasn’t a big grand opening
This launch is meant to be calm and careful. The TTC says the goal is to run Line 5 in real conditions, then fix issues as they show up, before switching to full, regular service. The TTC also points to lessons from Ottawa’s LRT launch, where a phased opening was recommended.
CityNews reported there was no rider celebration event today, with officials saying a bigger celebration will come later, after the line has been running for months.
What riders should expect during the “phased” opening
During the introductory phase, trains run shorter hours than what is planned for full service later.
Train hours (intro phase):
- Mon–Sat: 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Sun: 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
How often trains come (intro phase):
- About every 4 minutes in the busiest periods, and every 6 to 8 minutes at other times (TTC estimate).
CityNews also reported more detailed ranges by time/day, with peak service around every four minutes.
Late-night shuttle buses (for now):
- Shuttle buses run along the corridor between about 10:00 p.m. and 1:20 a.m. while crews get longer windows for maintenance access.
Trip time: how long end-to-end?
The TTC says full service later is expected to deliver about 50–55 minutes end-to-end, compared with bus trips that can take up to 105 minutes for a similar corridor trip. CityNews also cited an end-to-end estimate in the 55–59 minute range during board discussions.
Paying your fare (important detail for riders)
Line 5 works more like rapid transit than a streetcar: you pay before you board.
- Underground stations use fare gates.
- Above-ground stops use PRESTO / payment machines (and you may need a paper transfer as proof-of-payment if paying with cash).
A line with a long history — and a big bill
Construction on the Crosstown began in 2011 and the line was originally expected to open around 2020, but it faced years of delays.
Critics have called for a public inquiry into the delays and cost overruns, but CityNews reported Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly dismissed those calls. CityNews also reported a Metrolinx report last fall put the project cost at over $13 billion.
What riders were saying on opening day
Local reports described a mostly smooth start, mixed with small hiccups. CityNews quoted TTC’s Josh Colle thanking riders for their patience and calling the first day “a smooth ride so far.”
NOW Toronto also reported early optimism from riders, while noting a short delay early in the day.
Impact box: who this helps (and what to watch)
If you ride across mid-Toronto:
- Faster east–west travel and easier connections at Kennedy and Mount Dennis.
If you live or shop along Eglinton:
- The line may bring more foot traffic, but the launch period means service levels will still be improving.
What to watch next:
- The TTC says the line will move to full service after it shows strong reliability; a formal celebration is expected later.
Key numbers
- Length: 19 km
- Stops/stations: 25
- Intro hours: 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. (Mon–Sat), 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. (Sun)
- End-to-end target: ~50–55 minutes in full service (TTC estimate)
- Reported cost: over $13B (Metrolinx report, per CityNews)
Timeline
- 2007: Crosstown proposed as part of Toronto’s Transit City plan (reported by CityNews).
- 2011: Construction begins.
- 2020: Original target opening year (later delayed).
- Feb. 3, 2026: TTC announces phased start and service plan.
- Feb. 8, 2026: Opening day; free rides on Line 5 during service hours.
- Next 3–6 months: Intro service period before full service (reported by CityNews).
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