After years of anticipation, and a journey fraught with setbacks, Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally began carrying passengers this past Sunday. The opening wasn’t marked by fanfare or a grand ceremony, yet a quiet excitement pulsed through the city as early riders gathered, eager to be among the first to experience the new line.
Before 7:40 a.m., a small but determined crowd assembled at Kennedy station, awaiting the inaugural train. The atmosphere was one of cautious optimism, a collective sigh of relief after a project plagued by delays and escalating costs. Sunday’s rides were offered free of charge, a small gesture acknowledging the long wait.
The 19-kilometre line stretches west from Kennedy station to Mount Dennis, boasting 25 stations along its route. However, the launch is unfolding in stages, with service gradually expanding over the next six months as systems are fully tested and optimized. Full capacity is projected to serve over 120,000 people daily.
The project’s completion marks the end of a complex and challenging undertaking, one that began back in 2011 with an initial target opening date of 2020. The final cost has ballooned to over $13 billion, a figure that has drawn intense scrutiny and sparked debate.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria arrived at Kennedy station later Sunday morning to address the media. Chow expressed gratitude for the line’s opening, while Sarkaria assured the public that train speeds would increase as the system matures.
Despite the line’s opening, questions remain about the project’s troubled history. Calls for a public inquiry into the delays and cost overruns have been repeatedly dismissed by Premier Doug Ford, who argues it would be unproductive despite acknowledging mistakes were made during construction.
Opposition leaders have been vocal in their criticism. NDP Leader Marit Stiles labelled the project an “absolute boondoggle,” highlighting the devastating impact on local businesses, particularly those in the Little Jamaica area along Eglinton Avenue. Approximately 300 businesses were forced to close their doors during the years of construction.
Liberal MPP Andrea Hazell, representing Scarborough—Guildwood, vowed to continue advocating for a public inquiry, determined to uncover the full story behind the project’s difficulties and ensure accountability. The opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is a milestone, but the echoes of its challenging past continue to resonate.
