TTC to begin phased start to service on Line 5 Eglinton
The TTC will begin an introductory service period on Line 5 Eglinton starting Sunday, February 8, marking the final step toward launching full, regularly scheduled service once the new line demonstrates a high degree of reliability and performance.
This phased opening will allow customers to benefit from rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue while the TTC and Metrolinx fine-tune operations in live-service conditions to deliver consistent and dependable service. Riders may notice service adjustments as real‑world operating conditions emerge with public use. The TTC will continue to share updates as key milestones are achieved and will announce the start of full service once all partners are confident in the line’s performance. A celebratory event will be held at that time.
Phased openings for new LRT lines were a key recommendation in the 2022 final report of the public inquiry into the Ottawa LRT launch.
During the introductory service phase, Line 5 service will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon-Sat and 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun., arriving approximately every four minutes during the busiest periods, and every six to eight minutes at other times.
From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Line 5 shuttle buses will operate every 10 minutes, serving on‑street LRT stops along the Eglinton corridor. The TTC’s Blue Night Network will operate from 1 a.m. until the scheduled start of daily train service.
When full service begins, trains are expected to run until 1:30 a.m. daily, with end‑to‑end travel times of approximately 50–55 minutes. A comparable trip by bus can take up to 105 minutes.
In the event of service disruptions during the introductory period, the TTC will deploy shuttle buses to keep customers moving.
Line 5 Eglinton includes 25 stations and stops between Mount Dennis (Weston Road) and Kennedy Station. It will connect with Lines 1 and 2, multiple TTC bus routes, and two GO Transit lines.
On Sun., Feb. 8, service on Line 5 Eglinton will be free of charge. The first westbound trains will depart Kennedy Station starting at 7:30 a.m., and the first eastbound services from Mount Dennis Station from 7:37 a.m. There will not be a grand opening event.
The TTC serves as the operator for Line 5 Eglinton, bringing more than a century of expertise as North America’s third busiest public transit agency. Under agreements with Metrolinx and the City of Toronto, the TTC is responsible for operating trains, providing security and revenue control, and staffing stations to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction. The line’s infrastructure and vehicles are maintained by Crosslinx Transit Solutions (CTS) under contract to Metrolinx. As operator, the TTC works in close partnership with Metrolinx, the City, and project partners to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service, integrating Line 5 Eglinton into Toronto’s broader transit.