FIRST RIDE on Toronto's Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown!
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- čas přidán 12. 08. 2024
- On Friday we got the exclusive opportunity to be a part of a media event for Line 5 Eglinton, where we were able to get on a tram in testing and ride along the surface section of the line! Follow along on our journey!
As always, leave a comment down below if you have ideas for our future videos. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won't miss my next video!
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0:00 Introduction
1:14 Some background
1:30 Station platform
3:20 Tram interior
4:40 Riding on the tram
5:29 Green track
6:00 Cab experience
6:47 Overall Comments
#Toronto #Eglinton #Line5
What are you looking forward to seeing in Line 5 Eglinton?
Me
To see the development along Eglinton and get to places along the street
I'm looking forward to seeing it open.
A connection to the airport!
An underground station at u of t and a convenient connection to the airport.
"I am up early today. Ok not really early. About 10 AM." Every student ever
Every Torontonian ever
Haha I am not a student anymore! Its very scary!
Lol and here's me getting up at 4am for work
Maybe he living on Disney time. Of the west coast. 10 am EST = 7am PST
I'll never understand how Metrolinx managed to spend over $1 billion per mile on a light rail line. For comparison, Vancouver's Broadway subway will be fully grade separated, yet the cost is $800 million per mile. Toronto could have gotten a full metro line for the same cost with better management and planning.
I’m sure the surface section was much cheaper than the underground section - which was probably over $1bn/mile with those deep bore stations
New York City was arguably more frugal with their deep bored tube subway under Second Avenue
Hey look, budgeting and cost stuff like this is difficult even for huge corporations to work out, it's way more complicated then it seems. Transit projects are never just transit projects, every time someone offers to dig a hole, a lot more goes in than just tracks. You can build projects on the cheap, but generally you'll be paying for it in the long term. A lot of these projects cost more than they should, but until you work in that field, keep your head out of it if you know what's good for you.
We lost our expertise in engineering and construction during the years of no transit expansion.
Land prices more expensive than Vancouver.
Another advantage of "green" track is reduced external noise.
Yep! It has tonnnns of benefits!
Wow and in 20 more years the public will get to enjoy this ride also.
Great modern vehicles and stations, Septa needs to take notice and do this with their next gen Trolley updates
Septa has def gotta get on with those modern trolleys!
As long as you are willing to put up with more than a decade of chaos.
That is exactly what Philly did.
Purchased a large number of modern day trams, Renovations to stations with some platforms extended.. and changing house optics by assigning letters and numbers to lines.
They are slowly getting their act together.
Now, if we can get some of the other planned routes built, that would even be better
I can't believe this was 2 years ago, and unlike the title of the thumbnail, the Eglinton Crosstown still isn't "here". Obviously, you had no way of knowing it would be this long, but when I saw this pop up in my feed I thought it must be a new video. Looking forward to when anyone can ride the line.
1 YEAR AND STILL NOT OPENED! YES! STILL A DREAM BILLIONS IN THE HOLE LATER!
I really love the green tracks. it really makes the urban environment just that bit nicer. wish more trams/streetcars did that
what about all the rust on the rails, that makes the rails really quiet....because no trains are running on them.
Getting some of those Geoff Marshall perks! Good for u!
The dream!
So lucky to be able to be one of the frist to ride the lines 5
Finally!! This makes it seem like there is actually a light at the end of the tunnel! Glad you got the opportunity to do this!
There is light on both ends of the tunnels!
So amazing to see the video of this transit system at the Golden Mile. I used to live near there and car traffic was always horrible.
@john smith it should if it gets people out of their cars. Anything to make transit easier and driving more difficult and inconvenient.
Well it’s worse now. This is a waste of money and made people who have no option to drive frustrated.
@john smith If the LRT is more convenient than the car, then people will switch to LRT. Will see what happens.
I wish this thing was built about 20 years ago. I rode the bus from Victoria Park to Kennedy station every day back then when I was a high schooler.
When did I get to the age where I actively seek out videos of public transport and find them fascinating...
That grass looks beautiful now but I hope they maintain it! I've seen the city put in planters and other grassy areas and they turned into weeds, never to be touched again.
Just an observation... the stops seem nice now in summer, but they don't look like they will give much protection from the freezing winds of winter.
Yep, winter protection will be an issue
@@RMTransit Your knowledge of transit is amazing! Run for office someday?
I'm not sure how the division of labour is controlled by the TTC and Metrolinx but I'm sure they'll manage it carefully. In York Region VIVA/YRT actually takes decent care of their own flowers/grass planted alongside the BRT lines.
yep, that's what happened to Rio's tram (minus the winter). Thankfully, the new team on the town hall has been doing a *way* better job and I think our grassy trambed will be improved soon!
Great report. Thanks. And, after all the work you've done on these videos, you deserve to get the inside track with these transit authorities. Congrats.
As much as this project has been controversial, It's kind of existing to see them finally rolling out, the green grass just adds a great touch too they could do it at Spadina too.
Couldn't agree more, transit is transit!
This comment aged well. December 2023 now, the CEO Metrolinx still refuses to provide an opening date.
With the exception of the o-train in Ottawa and the Pearson link train between the terminals the ttc chime appears to be standard across Ontario . Ion and the Toronto rockets have the clearest sounding chimes
Finally! Been dying for a video like this..!
Thank you!
I believe the Tramway in Montpellier, France has plenty of greentrack. I can really agree that the little things like a little bit of grass can dramatically improve the rider and non-rider's experience around or on the LRT.
It absolutely has a big impact on the average riders experience!
Also New Orleans St Charles Streetcar line has extensive green track. Enough to be desired.
Loved your update on line 5. Well done. Thank you.
It wasn't noticed but it is important. The biggest benefit of the green track is that it is much more quiet and the other mentioned benefit is a bonus. I am very pleased to see that some north American cities starts to look like an proper Europe I am used to. ;)
Canadian!
Wow, the "green track" is brilliant!
I agree, it really changes the feeling of the street!
I'm working on the designs for this and it's so cool to see the stations built in real life!! Thanks for going and making this video!
Congrats, what a cool experience!
IMO metrolinx should have used tram-trains for this route just because of the potential high ridership. Maybe in the future they will, but overall it’s good to see new transit infrastructure up and running
Metrolinx said they will be starting out with sets of two and the line is ready to handle sets of three.
I mean, the different in tram type is unlikely to effect capacity that much! But, FYI Finch will be operating tram train style vehicles.
@@RMTransit that’s what I was referring to with the Alstom citadis spirit.
I would personally prefer shorter trains that are run more frequently. Previously, Metrolinx said that they would run very long trains at low frequency (only one train every 12 minutes) in order to save money. But with the current bus system, the buses often come every few minutes.
This is really great for toronto an alot more projects needed across cacada thank you for this video.
Recently discovered your channel. I've always been a mass transit geek even though coming from Michigan where the mass transit is basically non existent. I am looking forward watching the other and upcoming videos. Great Job and very informative.
aaaaah, memories of the 34 - always running in packs of 5 - and a mad rush to run to the empty bus at the end of the pack at Victoria Park / Eglinton westbound. Every morning. It was almost as though they were scheduled that way.
Lucky you! Glad you got a sneak peek of LRT vehicles. I look forward to hopping on them when the Eglinton Crosstown line opens next year. (-:
Keep it up! Very informative and a delight to watch...
Interesting how these sets seem really suited to more light rail style running with complete right of way and limited stations along the route. Melbourne's E Class are very similar albeit partially built in Melbourne, but run as regular trams on the road.
What about them makes you say that?
Very cool. I can't wait to ride it.
These surface stations seem really similar to the Ion LRT.
Or streetcars
Traveling to KW just sucks as of right now but literally less than 2 weeks from now there’s gonna be more off peak trains and buses going there so i can’t wait to ride the Ion again!
They are similar but fully build out. ION's stops are meant to be expanded as larger trains are used.
@@RMTransit well, the truth is: Line 5 Eglinton is using the same types of trams (i.e. the Bombardier Flexity Freedom) as ION.
Hoping to ridethis new tramway next year, if able to travel to Canada. I am from Blackpool, England, and worked as a seasonal conductor for 5 years. That was in the days of the old trams, dating from 1934. Best job I ever had, and loved every minute of it.
Jago Hazard
Green tracks! Great to see them in North America too now.
I agree! Its been far too long!
How do they plan to cut the grass? Will it be replaced every spring because of salt damage from the roads running alongside? Will they spray for dandelions and other weeds?
@@andrewmolen5618 Good questions.
Those non-cab ends are really interesting. They show what the experience would be like on an automated low floor train/tram or (or could be like on the Ottawa O Train) which hasn’t yet been done anywhere
Very good point I hadn't considered!
Love the green track! Thanks for this!
@3:55 Just like the currently oldest metro's in Rotterdam.
The RET still regrets that decision, since it has a huge impact on flexibility.
Congrats on your new metro-tram Toronto comrades!
Great video! Really reminds me of the upcoming light rail line in Odense, Denmark, set to open later this year.
I agree, that system in Odense looks great!
nice job good report. I grew up on the TTC going to many locales from my home stop Kipling at Bywood Dr in the west end
When youtube recommends me the "Line 5 Eglinton Is Here!" thumbnail and the video is 2 years old...
….and the system is now two years away from becoming operational.
Reminds me of when I rode on the first revenue train on NYC's Second Avenue Subway, 1/1/17, noon. Of course it left a few minutes late due to crowding but there were many cheers once we were under Second Avenue.
Colouring them silver because that's the "colour" of the subway trains was a dumb move lol
They will have a Green Colour once they start running for public next year
Not a far as I know, no green
Silver, but with an orange band below the windows would be cool. Similiar to DB ICE design
@@RMTransit oops that what the renderings depicted
Did you just say Finch West I did see them doing something but I wasn’t too sure but now I know what’s going on thank you so much.
Nice to see it up and running.
nice video!!!
I will suggest a video about Oporto, Portugal metro system, it's quite new and in rapid expansion, was built on the old small train and offers a view over a city landmark ( Ponte D. Luis I)
I bet it'll be even more exciting when the underground and elevated portions are available to ride.
YESS
100% agree
this came up on my feed again which I find funny considering the last round of litigation
Thank you for the video :)
Great video! Thanks!
Very professional!! In detail
So khool that you got to do this!
I was actually in the area yesterday and saw the trams pass a couple of times, up and down the corridor. My only comment would be some of the station spacing. I don’t think Hakimi Lebovic is needed. It’s in between Pharmacy and Warden, which are going to have high ridership, and than Hakimi Lebovic which feels out of place. It’s too close to Warden and feels like it’s going to slow down the overall travel time.
There is very tight station spacing indeed, I'm also not sure it makes sense because as you say its going to slow things down a ton, for a distance that is very walkable.
The stop seems redundant, but it isn't. That is the middle of that areas shopping district. Makes sense for a stop to be there as it services all of the shoppers.
Can't wait to ride the new Crosstown!
Awesome experience!
Hi Alex I’m ur biggest fan!!
SPAD at 5:24
Vancouver did similar things with the first SkyTrain line, opening bits and pieces for people to ride and see what it was like.
I'm not sure the signals are completely operational yet. You won't see that happen once it is fully operational.
And Ottawa as well. But lots of lessons learned from Skytrain and from Ottawa line - and now Toronto can apply lessons to Eglinton Line. Mind you, Toronto already upgraded their streetcars and learned a lot - just a different variant/model.
would love to see a video on swiss public transit and the construction projects planned for the future
The whole surface section should be green track tbh.
Agreed.
it will be
I've seen the green/grass streetcar track in Germany, so it's nice to see in Canada finally.
very cool outlook of the tram.
Once it opens I'm definitely riding from one end to the other.
"Green Track" is used quite widely across Europe, The UK has a few examples such as Deansgate-Castlefield in Manchester (Which has kinda turned grey after all the years) and a shining example in Birmingham.
3:54 I wish Sydney also had this feature on its CBD and South East LRT, which uses Alstom Citadis 305s.
Wow, that is super cool! Jealous
congrats on the test ride.
We have green track on the Fânzeres Line and some parts of the Maia Line in Porto's metro, "Very nice!", as Borat would say xD
Will do create a video on the St. Louis metrolink? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Hello, I have been watching your videos with great interest. When are you planning on doing a video of the transit system in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area. If you have already done one then I couldn't find it. Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.
love it
The chairs inside looked very comfy
Super cool
I remember seeing the plans for this as a wide-eyed naive College student in 2014-2015 during CNE, thinking how great this would be when it finally arrived. The estimated year was 2017, but plans changed again. It sucks to know that I wouldn’t be able to ride this since we moved to another region and that I am already accustomed to driving. It's so beautiful though.
After a year and a half of not using ION, a system of which I am quite fond, I have happily started using it again. It appears that the stop request buttons have been removed from most, if not all of the trains. The Accessible Stop Request button is of course still in place.
Oh interesting!
This is very big for my dad because he works at Black Creek and Eglinton which is Mount Dennis
I hope this will finish this year!
The green track is also found in Box Hill, Melbourne, Australia and Helsinki, Finland.
It’s proposed to open in February 2022 - May 2022 (With out Eglinton station) Eglinton station will open in September 2022! Great video RM Transit
That was a proposal from the contractor that leaked. Metrolinx commented saying they would never the crosstown without its most important station so who knows what’s going to happen
The “ green track” is also used on the newer tram lines in Paris.
And in Prague…
hell yeah!
Nice moquette!😀
These Bombardier FLEXITY Freedom trams are fitted with Bombardier's MITRAC system 500, which here is divided into two parts; Power (i.e. the VVVF inverters and traction motors), and Control (i.e. the Tram Control & Management System).
loving the green track reminds me of european trams
More Australian, looks like a modded E class tram in Melbourne
I'm so jealous... GUH! 😫
Rumor has it that the Eglinton Crosstown can be further extended west to connect with the Mississauga Transitway at the Renforth bus station.
That would be really usefully if they do that since there are many buses that go into that station and would work great for me since I work in that area
@@johnnyboy830 luckily that extension is in the process of becoming reality
lots of green track in the netherlands! :D
The driver's area reminds me of a shuttlecraft!
You should come to Manchester and try the trams here!!
Metrolink is very cool!
This has a very similar feel to the new lines on the sydney light rail
Other than the track design at the stops and on much of the route.
The green track also looks good.
Yep, though I prefer Sydney's design.
This line should've always ended up at Pearson airport. The fact that it didn't and stops at Mount Dennis is a joke in the same way that most of Canadian real estate is a joke.
It'll get extended eventually, more than 19km as a single project would be a lot.
I was on the first Sydney Metro
Ohh I can't try out this new line myself!
The remark about buses costing more per passenger was interesting and IMO deserves a video on its own. A common criticism of metro rail is it is easier and cheaper to "just use buses". Per the numbers I looked at buses are surprisingly expensive. A new diesel bus in NY costs 500k, it needs to replaced every 12 years (8% annual depreciation cost), they average 7.9 mph, and operating costs (gas + driver + insurance) can average 215 per hour. On top of this buses are crowded, are slow to load, and lack the capacity of metro rail...can you imagine if NY tried to convert all their subway lines to buses? I would be curious to known what Reese thinks about the subject. Personally I only see buses as a necessary evil to provide coverage to density circuitous routes and link to a great rail network...otherwise metro rail is way better.
Have you heard about Line 6 Finch West? This line will use Alstom Citadis Spirit trams.
He just said at the beginning that he wanted to see the trams on the Finch west lrt testing so obviously he knows!
Can't believe Toronto is gonna have this Tram system :D. Btw I was really thinking if you're not interested into Bratislava tram system in Slovakia?
I think a video about Medellin transit system would be e pretty interesting, with all the different modes and all of that. Also maybe yo can made a video about your opinion in the BRT systems that have been popping out in latam recently. Do you think they're an adequate solution or it would had been better to have LRT or Metro System instead ?
Thats a great idea! In the future I will do one!
Really Lucky
@RMTransit, the great tragedy of this (and yes, IMHO this _is_ a tragedy), is that all that we will get, LRT-wise, is this line and the Finch West line, but *_nothing more than that_* as was originally planned by David Miller with Transit City. Even more tragic is that it won't go into Pearson Airport as it was (most likely) supposed to, giving people a cheaper alternative over Union-Pearson Express and that crappy bus to Pearson from Kipling Station.
I don't think that's a tragedy, and Eglinton is already being extended!
Hi,
Can you do a review of the French Translohr (pros, cons, cost/km, maintenance etc)? Thanks in advance
Green tracks remind me of Kolkata trams running through Maidan.