This Saturday marks six months since Toronto's long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally began carrying passengers, and for many commuters the early verdict is a positive one. After more than 15 years of construction and billions of dollars in overspending that forced many businesses along the route to close their doors, the line is now in operation, and riders say it has transformed the way they move across the city.
The system itself is substantial. The 19-kilometre light rail line runs along Eglinton Avenue between Mount Dennis and Kennedy Station, with 25 stops spread across sections that travel both above ground and underground. Along the way it links to dozens of bus routes and three TTC subway stations, connecting parts of the city that had long been difficult to travel between.
For the commuters who now rely on it, the experience so far has been largely favourable. "For Line 5, it's been amazing so far. There's nothing wrong with it. It's not dirty. It's clean. It's very, very amazing," one rider said. Travellers have credited the line with cutting commute times and making it easier to get across town, six months into daily service.
Not everyone came away without complaints. Some riders pointed to the design of the deeper stations, saying the connections can be a scramble. "When you get down here, I feel like there's not enough time to get all the way to the bottom, to the LRT, and then just take off before you can even get there," one commuter said. Others simply noted the climb involved, describing the stairs as "a workout."
The project has also come at a steep price for some of the neighbourhoods it passes through. Little Jamaica, the stretch of Eglinton long known for its businesses, has been hit hard, with one local describing the area as being in a state of emergency. Jason McDonald, who owns Casual Beauty Salon and has been in the area for 25 years, is running for Eglinton Lawrence councillor and says the toll is easy to see. "If you go outside today, it's Thursday, and you'll see that there's no foot traffic," he said.
Others along the route say the change has already started to help. "Before they couldn't even park, but right now it's different. It's much, much better," one business owner said. Nick Alampi, who owns Andrews Formals and serves as vice chair of the Little Jamaica BIA, is calling for more support from the city, listing better signage, more accessibility and benches for the elderly, along with a broader physical makeover. "Better planting. Better upkeep. Street sweeping," he said of what the area still needs.
Eglinton Lawrence councillor Mike Cole says work is being done and points to signs of revival tied to the transit investment. "The iconic Randy's is now back in Eglinton because of the subway. I've got a new car wash gas station. I've got new doctor's offices. I've got new dentist's offices," he said, calling the LRT a success. "We've delivered a subway with the help of the provincial government and that $15 billion with a B to bring people to the stores." Cole urged struggling businesses to reach out to their local BIA or the federal government for support.