Toronto 
Toronto’s long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT is set to officially open this weekend, marking a major milestone for transit riders across the city.
Credit: Protect Ontario
The 19-kilometre line, known as Line 5 Eglinton, will begin operating under the Toronto Transit Commission on February 8, 2026, with free service offered throughout opening day.
The new light rail line stretches along Eglinton Avenue from Kennedy Station in the east to Mount Dennis in the west, with more than 10 kilometres running underground. It includes 25 stations and stops and is expected to carry more than 123,000 riders each weekday. According to the province, trips between Kennedy and Mount Dennis will be nearly an hour faster compared with current travel times.
Premier Doug Ford called the project a significant step for commuters in the Greater Toronto Area, pointing to the role transit plays in easing congestion and supporting workers and families. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the line will cut travel times across the city by as much as 60 per cent, helping people get to jobs and services more quickly.
The Crosstown connects with a wide network of transit options, including 54 bus routes, three TTC subway stations and two GO lines. Riders will also be able to use the province’s One Fare program, allowing transfers between the LRT, GO Transit and participating local transit agencies on a single fare.
Mayor Olivia Chow noted that service will roll out gradually, with frequency and signal priority increasing over time. She said the city remains focused on keeping transit affordable while expanding service, including fare freezes and the introduction of fare capping this year.
Operational control of the line was transferred to the TTC on December 5, 2025, following a successful revenue service demonstration. On opening day, trains will run from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., arriving every four minutes and 45 seconds during peak periods. Within six months, service will expand to longer hours from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., with trains every three minutes and 30 seconds during peak periods.
The opening comes as the province continues work on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and advances a broader $70-billion transit expansion plan across Ontario.
