Eglinton LRT Opening

 

Taking the maiden trip on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT!

It felt like a day that might never actually arrive, but on February 8, 2026, history was made across Toronto. After more than a decade of construction detours, orange cones, and endless debates, the Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown LRT officially opened its doors to passengers!

Getting here was a massive test of patience. Ground broke way back in 2011, and over fifteen long years, the budget swelled past $12.8 billion. Let’s be realistic for a moment: as a public service, this line is never going to "pay for itself" or turn a financial profit in our lifetime. Public transit rarely does. But measuring it purely in dollars misses the bigger picture—because in terms of civic value, connection, and pure daily convenience, it’s already paying massive dividends.

The Maiden Trip: West to East

We decided to celebrate opening day by doing the entire route from start to finish. We hopped on at the very first stop at Mount Dennis in the west end, and took it to all 19 kilometers across the city to Kennedy Station in the east.

The first thing you notice when stepping onboard is how smooth, clean, fast, and remarkably quiet the light rail vehicles are. It completely transforms how it feels to cross midtown. As we glided through the central stretch, we passed right by so many familiar neighborhood spots and shopping plazas that we usually cycle to during the warmer months. While nothing will ever replace the joy of a sunny bike ride, having Line 5 up and running is going to be an absolute lifesaver when winter hits, the snow starts falling, or it's simply way too freezing to ride outside!

The atmosphere inside the train was pure magic. The train was packed with fellow Torontonians, and everywhere you looked, there were friendly, smiling faces taking photos, chatting with strangers, and just soaking in the collective relief and excitement of the day.

Effortless Connections Around the City

Beyond how great the ride feels, the transit integration makes getting around completely seamless. Tapping in with a PRESTO card or credit card is as easy as ever, and transferring at major hubs like Eglinton, Cedarvale, or Kennedy connects you straight into the subway and GO network without missing a beat. Moving across midtown without getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic is going to change how so many of us navigate the city year-round.

Now I’d love to hear from you! Have you had a chance to take a trip on Line 5 yet? How has the opening of the Crosstown changed your daily commute or weekend routines around Toronto? Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!