Toronto Eglinton Line 5 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx | Arcadis

[Natika33]

I was out of country for the launch, so getting groceries at C&C was my first use case . Though I opted to go backwards first (to start at Kennedy), and had a slightly longer walk outside from the nearest stop to my destination, it was way smoother & about the same amount of time to get there as the old line 2 to Pape with a transfer to bus 25 route. On a bad weather day with heavy groceries, I'd maybe still take the old route home since the bus stop is closer, but will definitely be taking the new route on the way there each time when I'm unencumbered. Big improvement compared to buses!

For my second trip, I decided to incorporate it into a trip to Mel Lastman Square for some skating. Kennedy (line 5) -> Eglinton (line 1)-> North York. Again, it was almost the same timewise despite having to first go backwards AND despite the slower surface portion, but it felt shorter somehow. I liked that I had a quieter "backdoor" option to get to that part of town instead of having to transfer through the perpetually crowded Bloor-Yonge station.

Way-finding was less than stellar. Never got too turned around, but definitely had to cross-check a few times & noticed confusion from other riders, too. The stations feel spacious, but very sterile. I definitely feel they could add more retail. I hope they'll allow temporary seasonal stands, if not for anything else just for some colour!

I was surprised that the washrooms at Cedarvale had only two stalls. For a system that has so few washrooms overall, I'd have hoped they'd be a bit more generous in the few places they actually put some.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the new line. 8/10

 

[Natika33]

Unfortunately I didn't take one when I was there. Maybe someone else had done so.

Apologies it's not the best quality

 

[nottoban]

View attachment 715455
Apologies it's not the best quality

Might be a lateral move as the photo above looked fine to me but sharing one below.

Fun fact: every single Metrolinx map created for lines 5 and 6, including the ones in the digital kiosks, were developed by one person and executed by them along with one other. All the isometric drawings showing the levels within each station were drawn manually (the neighbourhood maps used shape files from open data sources as a base and which was then refined with labels and other elements added on top, the station interiors were all created from scratch). Unlike the rest of the wayfinding scope for line 5, Metrolinx had control over all the maps, except for the line diagrams on the sign band above the platform edge, and everything was done in house.

Each neighbourhood map even has a little isometric drawing of the station exterior near the you are here label.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Unfortunately I didn't take one when I was there. Maybe someone else had done so.

Don't know why the TTC (or Metrolinx) doesn't have a "station map" on their website showing the bus bays (and corresponding bus routes), entrances, and the surrounding neighbourhood. The TTC website needs to be updated big time.

 

[TRONto]

How was Line 5 during regular weekday usage this week? (I didn't see it in the discussion). Anyone use it to get to work 3/5 days this week?

 

[Archii]

How was Line 5 during regular weekday usage this week? (I didn't see it in the discussion). Anyone use it to get to work 3/5 days this week?

I had no issue aside from Monday evening. When frequency is as expected, it’s fine. When there is bunching, it’s bad and crowded. Just my experience. These LRVs don’t handle large passenger loads as well as light metros which can be a real annoyance at times, but that was expected.

 

[GenerationLee]

How was Line 5 during regular weekday usage this week? (I didn't see it in the discussion). Anyone use it to get to work 3/5 days this week?

I do. I find it fine, but, again, I only travel from Mt. Pleasant to Yonge, so...my opinion on the line is rather limited. A little crowded on weekends.
I'm mostly notong design issues in my posts here/places to improve, as I've only ridden this in the stretch from Yonge to Bayview.

 

[A 6264]

View attachment 715455
Apologies it's not the best quality

Thanks to you and Nottoban for posting that map. Interestingly, it does show the elevator which I suspect won't be put in use for years, but does not show a western entrance to the bus bay building, which I assume will finally open at the same time as that elevator.

 

[PinkLucy]

So I log on to a couple of dozen reports about this thread -- the topic is Line 5. Let's stick to the topic, please. There are threads about tourism and Line 6.

 

[MisterF]

The Line 5 stations seem to be mercifully free of the TTC's incessant safety announcements. A nice break from "if you see something say something" every 30 seconds.

On the downside, the trains themselves have too many announcements. Do we really need to be told to hold on while the train is moving at every single station?

I definitely feel they could add more retail. I hope they'll allow temporary seasonal stands, if not for anything else just for some colour!

Architecture in the 2020s: colour is forbidden.

 

[APTA-2048]

On the downside, the trains themselves have too many announcements. Do we really need to be told to hold on while the train is moving at every single station?

Who do you even complain to about this? Metrolinx? TTC?

 

[PL1]

How was Line 5 during regular weekday usage this week? (I didn't see it in the discussion). Anyone use it to get to work 3/5 days this week?

Fine, but I was only going one stop (Laird- Leaside a.m., reverse evening). There was one day with a 10 min wait, but otherwise ok. I'm still trying to figure out my optimal routing... For mornings, it may be Line 2-51-5-11, but evening may be better to go to line 1 (11 or 11-5). Trains are standing room only, but not jammed at 7:40 a m. and 4:30-5:00 p.m.

 

[ThenWhat]

The Line 5 stations seem to be mercifully free of the TTC's incessant safety announcements. A nice break from "if you see something say something" every 30 seconds.

That's the good part --- less audio pollution.
The bad part --- more video pollution, with large screens flashing commercials no matter where you look as you wait on the platform. Fortunately there is no room for such inside the trains.

 

[ShonTron]

Wrote up my thoughts to mark the one-week anniversary of the public opening of Line 5.

I got to ride it a few times - including a complete westbound and eastbound trip on Tuesday - and completely took it in before adding my opinion to the mix. Despite some important problems - bunching and service gaps and some missing elevators are the big ones - it's otherwise not bad, and should get better if signal priority is improved through Scarborough and speeds increased between stops. It's nice to feel optimistic, even if its cautious optimism.

Line 5 is alive

After an embarrassing start to Line 6 Finch West, the long-delayed Line 5 Eglinton-Crosstown quietly opened to great relief. The new LRT offers much-needed optimism for Toronto’s transit futu…

seanmarshall.ca

 

[Johnny Au]

That's the good part --- less audio pollution.
The bad part --- more video pollution, with large screens flashing commercials no matter where you look as you wait on the platform. Fortunately there is no room for such inside the trains.

Too many flashing ads. Pattison, which is the main advertising agency in the subway, says that ads work. Well, they do. To annoy many of us.

Some are useful such as the 2026 Winter Olympics medal count. Some are pure excessive such as Steam Whistle Pilsner.

Don Valley Station:

Source: @Edward Skira

To clarify, I don't drink due to me having the alcohol flush reaction:

Alcohol flush reaction - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Where's the health warning? Alcohol ads, if they must exist, must be paired with health warnings in my honest opinion, especially given the known health risks of excessive alcohol consumption.