Toronto commuters already weary after more than a decade of construction on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT are voicing fresh frustration this time over a social media video showing the project’s light rail vehicles (LRVs) being cleaned despite the line still not being open to the public.
The video, posted Thursday on the official Eglinton Crosstown Instagram account (@eglinton_crosstown), shows multiple LRVs parked at the Mount Dennis maintenance and storage facility, followed by footage inside a train wash building where at least one vehicle is being washed. The post opens with the question: “How do we clean so many light rail vehicles?”
While intended as a behind-the-scenes look at operations, the post quickly drew criticism from transit riders who have been waiting 13 years for the 19-kilometre, 25-station line to open.
“Why are we cleaning vehicles not even being used?” one commenter asked.
“I’d prefer trains that are servicing the population of Toronto, but are a little dirty, over clean trains that I can’t ride,” another wrote.
“I feel like this post is mocking me,” a third user commented.
The video has since been shared on X and attracted dozens of comments questioning not only the timing of the post, but also the continued lack of clear information about when the long-delayed project will finally open.
“Nobody is asking how you keep your trains clean,” one user wrote. “You’re doing everything to dodge answering when the thing will actually open.”
One of our reporter contacted Metrolinx, the provincial agency that operates the Eglinton Crosstown account, seeking clarity on the opening timeline, recent progress, and the rationale behind the post.
In a statement released Friday morning, Metrolinx said the project remains in the “testing and commissioning phase,” a process designed to ensure the system operates safely and reliably.
“We need to have confidence that key milestones are being met, and once we have an opening date, we will share that with the public,” the statement read.
Metrolinx added that the video was produced by in-house staff and was intended to provide regular process updates about the project.
However, critics point out that while there have been nine posts on the Crosstown Instagram account since the start of 2024 covering topics such as heritage plaques and station features none have directly addressed the causes of recent delays or provided a concrete update on the opening schedule.
The last detailed public briefing on the Crosstown took place in early December. Since then, information has been limited.
During a Press Conference “Your Community” tour of Mount Dennis station in May, Metrolinx officials said the physical work appeared nearly complete. Still, no opening date was offered.
“We’re in testing and commissioning. That process is still ongoing, so I don’t have a date right now,” said Andrew Hope, Metrolinx’s chief rapid transit capital officer. “We’re continuing to make good progress every month.”
Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster has previously identified two major factors behind the delays: software issues and certification requirements.
At a March news conference, Verster said problems with the software system that controls train movements had slowed progress. While improvements have been made, he acknowledged the pace was “not as fast as we would like it to be.”
A brief update at the June 27 Metrolinx board meeting indicated that software issues had been addressed sufficiently to allow the resumption of training for approximately 20 TTC instructors and 90 TTC operators.
Once training is complete, Metrolinx plans to conduct a “revenue service demonstration,” during which trains will operate on a full schedule for about a month without passengers. This must be followed by a further familiarization period before public service can begin.
Another major hurdle involves construction and occupancy certificates official documents confirming the system meets required specifications.
As of March, only one of 46 construction certificates had been issued, though others were reportedly in progress. Verster also noted that 36 of 41 areas accessible to customers and workers had received occupancy certificates, a number that Metrolinx confirmed has not changed since.
Although Verster has said all major construction is complete, work continues to fix deficiencies, including replacing tiles and addressing water leaks. Eglinton station was cited as the largest remaining concern.
Earlier this year, also reported that newly rebuilt sidewalks along the eastern portion of the route were being dug up again just a few years after completion, adding to public skepticism about the project’s management.
Despite repeated questions, Metrolinx continues to avoid committing to a specific opening date. Verster reiterated in March that the agency will only announce a date once it is within three months of opening.
“The schedule is moving forward relentlessly,” he said.
For now, commuters remain stuck watching clean trains they cannot ride an image that, for many, has come to symbolize the ongoing uncertainty surrounding one of Toronto’s most delayed transit projects.
