The Eglinton Crosstown finally opened after 15 years. Here's what opening day looked like
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT, also called Line 5, opened to riders on Sunday, offering free service for the day to anyone who hopped aboard. Here's what the first day of operation looked like.
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Riders line up to hop aboard Line 5 People wait at Mount Dennis station to ride on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Clear signage spotted There was clear overhead signage guiding passengers along to where they needed to connect to, whether it was the GO Train or transferring to Line 5. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Commuters cheer as they tap through to board the Crosstown LRT People at Mount Dennis station are let through to ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
Presto gates are wide open The gates leading into Mount Dennis Station are wide open on opening day. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Say cheese! A group of riders are seen getting their picture taken at Mount Dennis Station on opening day. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A welcome sign seen at Mount Dennis Station Transit riders were welcomed with brightly-coloured signage, informing them of where they can access GO and UP schedules. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A phonebooth spotted at Mount Dennis Station Anyone in need of making a call without having a cellphone can still make use of a phone booth. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Commuters hop on and off the Crosstown LRT People board the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
Passengers wait on Mount Dennis platform A group of people wait for the LRT to pull up to the station. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
All aboard Line 5 Riders are seen clamoring onto the train that pulled up at Mount Dennis Station. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The back of the train car What the back of the train looks like, with passengers waiting to hop aboard. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
An eastbound Crosstown LRT Passengers are stepping aboard an east-bound Crosstown LRT. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Riders trickle in on Mount Dennis Station Transit takers are seen piling onto the platform and boarding onto the train. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Riders are bundled up on the platform A passenger looks on in hopes of spotting a Line 5 train making its way down the track toward Mount Dennis Station. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The doors are opening at Mount Dennis Station The doors are wide open for passengers to step through on Mount Dennis Station on Feb. 8, 2026. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Inside one of the train cars What it looks like inside one of Line 5's train cars on Sunday afternoon. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
LRT conductor's perspective A view from the Crosstown conductor's seat as the LRT waits at a street light. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
On board Line 5 People ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
New line seen on transit app A passenger looks at their transit app as they ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
A pamphlet on what to know about Line 5 An informational guide on how to "ride smart and stay safe" while riding Toronto's Line 5. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Opening day refuse The garbage and recycling appear to be practically full with various coffee cups in each bin. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Taking a look at Line 5's transit map Passengers point at the map while riding the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
The upcoming station flashes across the screen People ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Protor/The Canadian Press)
Snapshot on board Line 5 A mother photographs her child as they ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
What the seats look like Moving away from the classic red the TTC is known for, the seats inside Line 5 are bluer with flecks of yellow and green. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A furry passenger A dog is spotted taking transit with its owner on Feb. 8, 2026. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The train is full with passengers Transit enthusiasts waiting for the long-over-due Line 5 packed the train on the afternoon of Feb. 8, 2026. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A passenger is all smiles riding the Crosstown People ride the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
On an outdoor platform in Scarborough Passengers exit the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on its first day of service in Scarborough, Ont., on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press)
Kennedy Station signage Commuters can see when the upcoming trains heading westbound will next arrive. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
On the platform of Kennedy Station Hordes of riders are seen waiting on the platform to board the train, after a vehicle was temporarily taken out of service for cleaning. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A busy platform at Kennedy Station Hordes of transit takers flood Kennedy Station waiting for the doors to open to let them board the train. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Claudette and her dog, Kayla Speaking to CP24's Joshua Freeman, Claudette said she rode the entire line with her now-12-year-old dog in celebration of Kayla's birthday. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Kayla the dog waiting at Kennedy Station Kayla celebrated her 12th birthday by riding the entirety of the line with her owner, Claudette. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The view from Kennedy Station's stairwell The stairwell leading toward Kennedy Station. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Working escalators Passengers heading down the escalators to make their way to the station's platform. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Heading out of a Line 5 station The sparkling new Presto gates remained open all day as Line 5 provided free service to all commuters on Sunday. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A "Grand Opening" sale One clothing store is seen offering a sale in honour of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT's opening day. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
A map of the TTC's network A pamphlet containing a practically full map of the TTC's network, including Line 5. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Line 5 station still waiting for business 'New tenant coming soon' posters plastered the windows of this storefront waiting for a business to call it home. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The hours of operation for Line 5 The operating hours for both the Line 5 LRT and the shuttle buses are spotted outside of Kennedy Station. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Outside Kennedy Station The windows of Kennedy Station are seen gleaming brightly on the Crosstown's opening day. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Outside Kennedy Station Outside of the doors at Kennedy Station, the furthest east station on Line 5. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Signs directing towards Line 5 The subway platform is a short connection way from the LRT platform at Kennedy Station, CP24's Joshua Freeman reports. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
The view from an uncovered platform Waiting on one of the uncovered platforms along the Line 5 route. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Card terminal out front of the train Commuters can tap their Presto cards at the card terminal on the platform before hopping aboard the train. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)
Busy opening day There is not an empty seat aboard this train on the afternoon of Feb. 8, 2026. (Joshua Freeman/CP24)