Metrolinx and TTC Clash Over Eglinton Crosstown LRT Opening Date

Tension escalates between Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) over the opening date for the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. During a meeting on December 5, 2025, provincial officials proposed a launch date in the final week of December, while the TTC expressed concerns and pushed for an opening in early February 2026.

Sources familiar with the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Global News that Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation set their sights on a December 28 opening. This plan faced opposition from TTC CEO Mandeep Lali, who advocated for a more cautious approach due to unresolved technical issues. The meeting included high-level participants such as Premier Doug Ford, Mayor Olivia Chow, and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria.

As both sides deliberated, Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay insisted that outstanding issues could be resolved in time for the proposed December opening. The TTC, however, highlighted the importance of thorough preparations, drawing parallels to the troubled launch of the Ottawa LRT, which faced significant operational challenges.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Premier Ford appeared to lean towards the TTC’s cautious stance, acknowledging that more work was needed before the line could be safely opened. He stated, “There are a couple of things we’ve got to tweak. I’d rather wait and get it done properly. God knows we’ve only waited 15 years for this.”

The delays surrounding the Eglinton Crosstown LRT are not new. Originally slated for completion in 2019, the project has faced numerous setbacks. The provincial government has repeatedly cited safety concerns as a reason for postponements, aiming to avoid the pitfalls encountered with the Ottawa LRT, which incurred substantial costs and public dissatisfaction.

During discussions, the TTC emphasized the necessity for a bedding-in period to address lingering technical problems. This approach mirrors the launch strategy of the Finch West LRT, which, despite achieving substantial completion in November, did not begin operations until December 7. Lindsay countered these concerns by detailing Metrolinx’s preparedness and the successful testing of the Eglinton line over 11,000 kilometers in varied conditions, including winter weather.

Frustration within the provincial government has surfaced over comparisons drawn between the Finch West and Eglinton projects. Sources indicated that training for operators on the Eglinton line has been more extensive, with a greater number of test runs conducted. Lindsay has asserted that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT has undergone some of the most rigorous assessments of any transit system in North America.

Control systems for the Eglinton line have been located at the TTC’s Hillcrest facility since June 2025. Metrolinx reiterated its position during the meeting, suggesting that the line could be ready for operation within weeks. However, in a public address post-meeting, Ford expressed doubt about the December timeline, suggesting a safer estimate might be early 2026.

As discussions continue, the TTC has proposed February 8 as a more realistic opening date, avoiding service initiation in January. Should this timeline hold, it would mark approximately two months between the project’s substantial completion and the start of passenger service.

A spokesperson for Mayor Chow confirmed that both the mayor and the premier agreed on the proposed timeline, emphasizing the necessity for reliability in the system. “The Mayor and Premier are working together and are in agreement over the timeline,” the spokesperson said. “Any suggestion that the TTC is slowing the opening is rooted in a misunderstanding of the remaining technical and operational issues.”

As both agencies navigate this impasse, the focus remains on ensuring that the Eglinton Crosstown LRT meets safety and operational standards before commencing service. The outcome of this conflict may set a precedent for future transit projects in the region.