TORONTO – A significant transit project in Toronto, the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit system, has once again faced delays. Despite these setbacks, officials maintain optimism that the system could be operational by the end of the year.

Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay cited “performance and reliability” issues with the trains during their testing phase as the primary reason for the delays. Initially, the provincial agency had aimed to initiate a 30-day “revenue service demonstration” in September, but this target was not met.

“The target that we had for passenger service in September, unfortunately, is not going to be achieved,” Lindsay acknowledged during an unrelated transit announcement on Friday. However, he reassured the public that the new focus is on resolving existing issues as quickly as possible, stating, “Hopefully it’s just a matter of a couple of weeks.”

The Eglinton Crosstown project was awarded back in 2015, with an original opening scheduled for 2020. Since then, it has been plagued by numerous problems, leading to significant delays. Lindsay emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of the transit line before it begins operation, drawing lessons from the troubled Ottawa light rail transit (LRT) project, which experienced stoppages, persistent delays, and even a public inquiry due to its failures.

Lindsay commented on the painful but necessary nature of the current delays, saying, “I would acknowledge that it’s frustrating that that’s revealing issues that we have to solve. But I’m happy that we’re solving those issues now in this trial running period as opposed to when people are trying to ride this line.”

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria expressed disappointment over the delays but reiterated the government’s commitment to safety. He stated, “We’re right at the finish line on this, and for us, we are not going to release a system that’s not safe and reliable.”

The Eglinton Crosstown line is a 19-kilometre east-west transit route that will feature 25 stations, serving both above and below ground. The project aims to enhance Toronto's public transportation network significantly, offering improved connectivity for residents.

This report highlights the ongoing challenges facing major transit projects and the complexities involved in ensuring that they meet safety and reliability standards before launching public services.