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

[A 6264]

I hope everyone understands my comment about 2000, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 was just a quip.
However, it's worth noting that in each of those years, there were many people saying it was virtually impossible that Line 5 would not open in that year.
That was the point, and it could be a mistake to dismiss those past predictions from your memory. Especially when they've been wrong 5 years in a row.
Of course I am hopeful it will open this year, and I'd even lay odds on it. But I'm not going to say a 6th consecutive year of it not opening, is impossible.
And keep in mind, nobody has actually PROMISED it will open as of any date.
Target dates are always assumed from what's been said off the record, or inferred from leaked memos, which also make no promises or state an actual date.
Am I wrong to be saying this out loud?

 

[smallspy]

I'm guessing the final class needs to be trained before revenue demonstration can begin?

Only for Finch West.

For Eglinton, there are just enough operators already trained (or are finishing the last components of their training, as opposed to those still in class) to operate the projected service.

Dan

 

[Cyrobyte]

If there are enough trained operators why have they not started the 1-month revenue service test?

 

[smallspy]

If there are enough trained operators why have they not started the 1-month revenue service test?

Because there aren't enough trained as of this moment to do the testing. As I wrote above, there are some that are finishing the final stages of their training, and they will be signed off on in the next week or so.

For the record, Metrolinx's 1 month revenue service test is not the final step of the process before opening the line. The TTC will operate the line in full service but without passengers for at least 2 board periods - with the exception of the Christmas board, each board period is about 6 weeks - as the final step prior to opening the line for revenue passengers.

Those two processes may overlap - the Metrolinx 1 month test may coincide with the TTC's pre-revenue service.

Dan

 

[TOtramz]

I can’t understand how it’s a good idea to run the trains empty for 2 months to prove that is is safe for passenger service, when so many mishaps during service involve passengers getting in the way

 

[bearcat]

I can’t understand how it’s a good idea to run the trains empty for 2 months to prove that is is safe for passenger service, when so many mishaps during service involve passengers getting in the way

I would love to volunteer to be a trial passenger, if that was a thing.

 

[Steve X]

I can’t understand how it’s a good idea to run the trains empty for 2 months to prove that is is safe for passenger service, when so many mishaps during service involve passengers getting in the way

I can't understand how treating riders as guinea pigs is a good idea. What if riders are trapped in tunnels cause of a catastrophic failure?

How do you know what is the cause of problems if you never fully operated the system with isolate of riders when it happens? Some problem's don't happen till rush hour loads trigger the problem.

Then there a legal issues. Even if they forced ever rider to sign a liability waiver, they still owe riders a duty of care. If trains suddenly quickly stops (which is possible with ATO) under a rare situation and people are injured. They still have the rights to sue as TTC/ML is suppose to have a functional system. They must avoid these at all cost.

Finally, doing what Ottawa did is not a good idea. Doing the opposite by not testing properly. Thanks to these fools, ML is more worried and wants more testing than ever: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-light-rail-inquiry-problems-testing-1.6499918

 

[nfitz]

I can’t understand how it’s a good idea to run the trains empty for 2 months to prove that is is safe for passenger service, when so many mishaps during service involve passengers getting in the way

Offhand, I can't think of an example where this hasn't been done for a good period - other than Ottawa; perhaps the worst opening nightmare in Canadian transit history, since the introduction of the CN Turbo.

 

[Kyle Campbell]

Offhand, I can't think of an example where this hasn't been done for a good period - other than Ottawa; perhaps the worst opening nightmare in Canadian transit history, since the introduction of the CN Turbo.

Actually even in Ottawa it was done for months with the original Confederation line. The 14 day trial was the final test. The pre-final tests actually showed there were unresolved issues before the trial but the mayor had staked his whole clout on "On TIme, On Budget", RTG wanted to get paid which they couldn't until the test passed, and people were getting antsy about trains running for months with no signs of opening, so they changed the conditions of the test to ensure it passed. The obvious happened as we all know.

 

[TOtramz]

Actually even in Ottawa it was done for months with the original Confederation line. The 14 day trial was the final test. The pre-final tests actually showed there were unresolved issues before the trial but the mayor had staked his whole clout on "On TIme, On Budget", RTG wanted to get paid which they couldn't until the test passed, and people were getting antsy about trains running for months with no signs of opening, so they changed the conditions of the test to ensure it passed. The obvious happened as we all know.

If angsty people watching empty trains go by was a strong motivator for Metrolinx, this line would have been opened in 2022

I do wonder if the MX 1 month test and TTC 3 month test will actually overlap, if so there may still be hope for a September opening....

Does the TTC 2 board demonstration have to begin on the beginning of the next board period or can it start any time?

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Still black smoke on opening of Line 5. Will there be white smoke by the end of May?

 

[cplchanb]

well we just got white smoke just now... so signs of things to come?!

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Still black smoke on opening of Line 5. Will there be white smoke by the end of May?

View attachment 649625

Maybe we should lock up the Metrolinx executives (121 vice presidents) into a chapel until they make the opening announcement.

 

[Abdullah77]

Do any of the underground Line 5 stations have kiosks in them in the paid fare zones? Like Gateway stores?
Is Gateway still responsible for the stores in the existing subway? I know they had financial difficulties in 2022.

I think the plans for Mt Dennis showed something - but I can’t find it now.

Gateway hasn’t opened in any of the TYSSE stations, and those opened 7 years ago. They only recently installed those expensive luxury vending machines at VMC and YorkU.

Based on this we’ll be well into the 2030s before in-station retail on Lines 5/6 is launched.

 

[smallspy]

Gateway hasn’t opened in any of the TYSSE stations, and those opened 7 years ago. They only recently installed those expensive luxury vending machines at VMC and YorkU.

Based on this we’ll be well into the 2030s before in-station retail on Lines 5/6 is launched.

I don't know about Gateway kiosks down in the depths of the stations, but....

Almost every station headhouse has been built with some measure of lease-able commercial space. I suspect a fair number of them will be taken up by coffee houses.

Dan