Eglinton LRT finally opens as riders line up for first train

The 25-station Eglinton LRT (Line 5) opened for free rides on Sunday, linking Kennedy station to Mount Dennis across 19 kilometres; officials said service will increase in phases over the next six months.

The Eglinton LRT (Line 5) opened on Sunday and the first trains were free to ride. The 25-station, 19-kilometre line links Kennedy station in the east to Mount Dennis in the west. Officials including Mayor Olivia Chow, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Scarborough councillor Michael Thompson spoke to reporters at Kennedy station. Construction began in 2011 and the project had originally been scheduled to open in 2020. Key details: - The line has 25 stations and spans about 19 kilometres between Kennedy and Mount Dennis. - Service was free on Sunday and the line will enter phased service with levels increasing over the next six months. - Mayor Olivia Chow said she was "very thankful" the long-delayed line was open. - Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said train speeds will increase over time and that the line will serve over 120,000 people at capacity. - Construction started in 2011 and the opening had been scheduled for 2020. - Premier Doug Ford dismissed calls for a public inquiry into the rollout, saying it would be a waste of time while acknowledging mistakes were made. Summary: The opening restores an east–west transit connection and will see service levels increase in phases over the next six months. Political attention remains on the project's long delay and on recent calls for an inquiry, which the premier has rejected. Further operational developments were not announced.