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After more than a decade of delays, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT officially opens today.
The long-awaited transit line, now known as Line 5 Eglinton, will begin with free service offered all day as riders get their first chance to experience a project that has both reshaped and disrupted Eglinton Avenue for 15 years.
The $13-billion light rail project was originally slated to open in 2020 but was repeatedly delayed by construction deficiencies, legal disputes, pandemic disruptions, and persistent problems, pushing the project roughly $1 billion over budget.
CP24 will have live coverage throughout the day, from the first trains leaving stations to rider reaction and feedback on whether the long-promised line delivers on speed, reliability and convenience.
It should be noted that the TTC is rolling out the Crosstown through a phased opening that will allow officials to monitor performance and address problems as they arise.
Follow along for live updates.
7:50 a.m. – CP24’s Melissa Duggan
CP24 reporter Melissa Duggan is riding one of the first Line 5 Eglinton trains to leave the station, sharing live updates throughout the morning.
She says the very first train was too packed to board, but notes the second train was noticeably more spacious, giving riders room to move as the day’s service ramps up.
CP24 will continue live coverage from stations along the line as riders get their first look at the long-awaited transit route.
7:40 a.m. – Councillor calls for public inquiry
City Coun. Josh Matlow says he is pleased the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is finally open, but argues the project still requires public scrutiny.
“I’m excited that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is finally open. But even good things can be done badly,” Matlow wrote on social media.
“It’s critical that Premier Ford allow a public inquiry into the many years of delays, massive cost overruns, problems with contracts and construction, lack of transparency and the impacts on residents and small businesses. It’s about genuine accountability, and to prevent these mistakes from ever being repeated on future projects.”
LINE 5 CP24’s Melissa Duggan photo on Feb. 8 2026.
7:30 a.m. – Scarborough MPP welcomes opening, calls for public inquiry
Scarborough—Guildwood MPP Andrea Hazell welcomed the opening of Line 5 Eglinton, while also calling for accountability over the project’s long delays and cost overruns.
“This is a great day for Scarborough. I am not going to knock the government, but I just want people to know that I am congratulating the taxpayers of Ontario. This is their project,” Hazell said.
“I want to say congratulations to all the commuters that is going to be using this service today. And what a day for Scarborough. So congratulations to Scarborough, good connectivity for the residents here.”
Andre Hazel
Hazell added that she will continue to push for answers about the project’s troubled timeline and ballooning costs.
“But I want to tell you, I’m still going to push and pressure that government to do a public inquiry unto why this project took this long and $1 billion over over budget, the taxpayers of Ontario they need answers.”
7 a.m. – Long lines form outside Kennedy Station
Long lines wrapped around the building at Kennedy Station early Sunday morning as riders waited to be among the first to board the newly opened Eglinton Crosstown LRT.
TTC LINE 5
Some people told CP24 they began lining up as early as 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, camping out in bitter cold temperatures for a chance to ride the long-delayed line.
LINE 5 TTC
A number of riders said they travelled from as far as Ottawa and China to be part of the opening day, underscoring the high level of public interest after more than a decade of delays.
