Metrolinx has not announced an exact opening date for the much-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT, but the TTC has hinted at a possible opening date for the line.
The report analyzes transportation details. Next year’s operating and capital budgetsincludes operating and maintenance costs for the opening of Line 5 (Eglinton Crosstown) and Line 6 (Finch West LRT) “based on the anticipated Department of Revenue date of September 2024.” was.
However, staff said it was still subject to change.
Eglinton Crosstown was originally scheduled to open in 2020, but construction began in 2011 and is still ongoing.
Last week, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster still couldn’t commit to a launch date for Crosstown and apologized to the community for the delay.
“I want to unequivocally apologize. I apologize to businesses, to the community, to the people of Toronto for the fact that this project has been delayed,” he said.
Verster did not give a specific date for the LRT’s opening, but said Metrolinx would release that information three months in advance.
“I do not believe it is prudent or responsible to declare an opening date now. However, I would like to remind you and the community that the risks, deficiencies, and “Once we get through the issues, we give you an absolute promise to declare a date,” he said.
Meanwhile, TTC staff recommends freezing next year’s fares at 2023 rates. This year, his cash and pay-as-you-go PRESTO fares for youth and adults increased by 10 cents.
“This decision follows a 10-cent fare increase in 2023 and is borne out of a commitment to protect the economic accessibility of transit service. “Although this helped fund accessibility investments, it also created an undue hardship on the riders who rely on transit the most,” staff wrote in the budget report.
“Given the current economic climate, this action is necessary to minimize the impact on TTC riders.”
The TTC needs $2.57 billion next year to operate the city’s transit system, according to staff.
With files from Codi Wilson
