Line 5 Eglinton LRVs begin service with Alstom CBTC
10.02.2026
Line 5 Eglinton LRVs are now operating in Toronto. Alstom and its long-time transit partner Metrolinx said 76 Flexity light rail vehicles had entered service on the route, in an Alstom statement. Built and tested in Canada, the vehicles will run alongside a modern signaling system that Alstom is also supplying.
Line 5 Eglinton LRVs and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Meanwhile, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT runs for roughly 12 miles along Eglinton Avenue. The corridor is one of the city’s busiest midtown routes. The line includes 25 stations and stops. It uses a dedicated right-of-way, separate from motor vehicle traffic. Alstom says the service is designed to handle up to 123,000 riders per day.
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Flexity light rail vehicles, connections, and regional links
Also, Line 5 Eglinton connects with 68 bus routes, three TTC subway stations, and two GO Transit regional passenger rail lines. Those links are intended to make transfers easier. They also help connect riders from multiple neighborhoods to a wide range of local and regional destinations across the Greater Toronto Area.
“Alstom’s vehicles and signaling continue to serve as the backbone of a crucial piece of the Greater Toronto Area’s transit system,” said Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas. He added that continued work with Metrolinx and municipal transit partners, including the TTC, is aimed at delivering safer and more reliable mobility solutions for one of North America’s most rapidly expanding regions.
Alstom Citadis LRVs and CBTC signaling for operations
In addition, Alstom notes that the Eglinton LRVs can carry up to 200 passengers, seated and standing. The vehicles are built as 100% low-floor, zero-emission vehicles. The company says more than 8,000 Alstom Citadis LRVs have been ordered or are in revenue service in 140 cities worldwide. It highlights features such as wide doors, air conditioning, accessibility for people with limited mobility, enhanced passenger information, spacious interiors, and a smooth ride.
Separately, Alstom has equipped the line with Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to support passenger safety and on-time arrivals.
The company says it has previously installed CBTC systems in Europe, Asia, and on Toronto’s TTC Line 1. Alstom will also be responsible for maintaining the Line 5 Eglinton fleet, as reported by Metro Magazine. For additional context on Alstom’s Flexity vehicles for Toronto, see related coverage from Railway Supply.
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What is CBTC, in plain terms?
Communications-Based Train Control is a modern signaling approach where trains and trackside equipment continuously share position and movement data over a radio network. That real-time information can support closer, more precisely managed train spacing than traditional fixed-block signaling. It’s also commonly used to automate speed control and enforce safe separation.
What does a typical CBTC deployment involve on an urban rail line?
It usually includes onboard equipment on each vehicle, wayside radios and controllers, and a central system that supervises train movement. Projects often go through staged testing—first in controlled conditions, then progressively in more operational scenarios—before full use in regular service. In many networks, transitions are managed carefully to keep operations stable while the system is introduced.
When an agency says a line “connects with” buses, subway, and regional rail, what does that usually mean?
It generally means riders can transfer between services at nearby stations or shared hubs, often with coordinated wayfinding and timed service planning where possible. The connection can be a same-station interchange or a short walk between platforms or stops. The key idea is interoperability for the passenger journey, not necessarily that services share tracks or signaling.
What can riders typically expect at interchanges between local transit and commuter rail?
Interchanges usually focus on clear station layouts, signage, and predictable transfer paths so riders can switch modes without confusion. Schedules may not always be fully synchronized, but agencies often aim to reduce transfer friction through service planning and station design. In practice, the rider experience hinges on how easy it is to move between platforms, entrances, and stops.
When a supplier is responsible for maintaining a light rail fleet, what does that usually cover?
It typically includes planned preventive work (inspections, servicing, replacements on a schedule) plus corrective repairs when faults occur. It can also involve parts management, troubleshooting, and maintenance documentation and training support. The goal is to keep vehicles available and safe for daily operations.
How is “good maintenance performance” commonly measured for rolling stock?
Agencies and suppliers often track reliability and availability indicators, along with mean time between failures and the time it takes to return vehicles to service after an issue. Preventive maintenance completion and recurring fault trends are also closely watched. These measures are used to spot problems early and keep day-to-day service dependable.
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