[txlseries4]

Earlier this week TTC Chair Jamaal Myers was on CP24 and was asked what's happening with the Eglinton LRT and what's the latest:
"You're right [Sept opening is] probably not happening. We still have to do 30 day non revenue service. [...] It won't be a September opening. In terms of what is happening, I understand they're going through testing. [...] At the end of the day this has to be delivered by Metrolinx and their contractor"

 

[Steve X]

We all know how long it took for TTC to get those streetcars to do 35,000 km MDBF. We spent years talking about it. ML thinks they can solve it when a month.

 

[jordanmkasla2009]

We all know how long it took for TTC to get those streetcars to do 35,000 km MDBF. We spent years talking about it. ML thinks they can solve it when a month.

This is not exactly a new vehicle that's never been used before... It's been running in revenue service in Waterloo since 2019 and in Edmonton since 2023 so it's not unreasonable to believe they can achieve that target that quickly considering the experiences of those two systems...

 

[Undead]

Olivia's expression speaks for all of us.

 

[TOtramz]

We all know how long it took for TTC to get those streetcars to do 35,000 km MDBF. We spent years talking about it. ML thinks they can solve it when a month.

what's the significance of reaching that milestone? Is that required for opening the line?

 

[drum118]

Lane Closure at Eglinton Avenue East and Ferrand Drive​ ​

​

What Work is Taking Place?​

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025 , crews continued to perform utility works at Eglinton Avenue East and Ferrand Drive. To facilitate this work safely, short-term lane closures will be required in eastbound lanes on Eglinton Ave East, west of Ferrand Drive. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. Property access will be maintained. Temporary pedestrian rerouting around work zones will be in effect. Utility work will include decommissioning part of the stormwater system (a storm chamber). This work is expected to take place between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. , for approximately two (2) weeks. Upon completion of this work, short term lane reductions may be required to facilitate special activities.​

What to Expect​

Concrete barriers, fencing, and signage will be in place to delineate the work zones. Noise from construction activities can be expected. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. Expect delays while travelling through the area.

Hours of Work​

As early as Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for approximately two (2) weeks. Work is expected between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Work may be rescheduled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Duration may vary.

Traffic Details​

Short term lane closures going eastbound on Eglinton Ave East, west of Ferrand Drive. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained.

Pedestrian Details​

Property access will be maintained. Temporary pedestrian rerouting will be in place around work zones.

Transit Information​

Access to TTC will be maintained. For the latest updates, visit ttc.ca.

See construction notice​

 

[Steve X]

what's the significance of reaching that milestone? Is that required for opening the line?

Who knows what the requirements are since ML is being secretive. There must be one cause that’s how they track performance and chances riders will face a delay.

The problem with the TTC streetcars wasn’t a systematic design problem but issues with individual cars like a malfunctioning door. Now that the cars are being used regularly as intended, these teething issues are showing up.

 

[T3G]

what's the significance of reaching that milestone? Is that required for opening the line?

35,000 km was the target MDBF the TTC had for the downtown streetcar order, and if memory serves it being reached was also what was supposed to trigger the (lapsed) option order.

 

[Steve X]

35,000 km was the target MDBF the TTC had for the downtown streetcar order, and if memory serves it being reached was also what was supposed to trigger the (lapsed) option order.

It was and still is the expected MDBF for these vehicles operating in TO downtown traffic.

I expect they should operate at least 100,000 km on the crosstown. The TRs operated with 500k-800k km while the T1s are around 300k-500k km average.

 

[ElrondHubbard]

My favourite part of today's Star article:

In a public presentation to the TTC board that same month [June], staff explained that three testing steps remain to be completed before the Eglinton Crosstown can open to the public: a 14-day trial run to ensure that the systems, infrastructure and trains are ready, followed by a revenue service demonstration where trains operate on the line for at least 30 days as they are expected to when it opens to the paying public.

A 14-day trial run, followed by 30 days of revenue service demonstration: apparently that's three items, totaling 45 days. Later when it actually turns out to be 6 months, they'll claim that item #3 was always on the list and the timing was always what they told us it would be.

 

[officedweller]

My favourite part of today's Star article:

A 14-day trial run, followed by 30 days of revenue service demonstration: apparently that's three items, totaling 45 days. Later when it actually turns out to be 6 months, they'll claim that item #3 was always on the list and the timing was always what they told us it would be.

I would expect that if there is any major deficiency during either of those testing phases, that phase of the process restarts.

 

[A 6264]

I would expect that if there is any major deficiency during either of those testing phases, that phase of the process restarts.

I would expect "major" defiiciency means one that requires some portion of the line (or even a platform) has to be ripped out and replaced, with the change being significant enough to have to start the tests again..
Such a change should be major enough that it would be in the news, and we would know about it, as opposed to reasons for delays that are kept secret.
The problem is, we're talking about this using vague examples and unnamed hypotheticals, and not even defining "major".

 

[dowlingm]

A software change to the underground signalling system would not be visible enough to tip off non-employees but would need repetitive testing to try and discover any new problem the fix created

 

[T3G]

I would expect "major" defiiciency means one that requires some portion of the line (or even a platform) has to be ripped out and replaced, with the change being significant enough to have to start the tests again..

Why would this extreme scenario be the case?

When the TTC is stress testing new streetcars, they are required to rack up 600 km before being given the green light to enter service. Any major problems can reset the counter to 0. I would assume there is a version of this problem that can be extrapolated to a whole line without the line actually needing to be ripped up, in the same way a new streetcar doesn't need to be scrapped and a replacement built when it suffers a setback that resets the km counter to zero.

As dowlingm noted, a major software upgrade could easily fit the bill here. As could any changes to the infrastructure, such as the overhead wires, switch mechanisms, etc.

 

[smallspy]

I would expect "major" defiiciency means one that requires some portion of the line (or even a platform) has to be ripped out and replaced, with the change being significant enough to have to start the tests again..
Such a change should be major enough that it would be in the news, and we would know about it, as opposed to reasons for delays that are kept secret.
The problem is, we're talking about this using vague examples and unnamed hypotheticals, and not even defining "major".

That depends on what the problem or deficiency is.

When the TTC has done its simulated service testing for any of its previous line openings, any failure was first deemed a way to review the procedures for repair and returning to service. A review is then done to see what the root cause of the failure was, whether it is deemed detrimental to the schedule for actual revenue service to be started, and the likelihood of it happening again. I don't know of too many failures that they've had that have caused them to push back the launch of revenue service - but yet in the past 30-plus years we have had revenue service launches with faulty escalators, wonky fire alarms and other incomplete or in-operational systems that, while are necessary in the grand schemes of things, are not absolutely essential for revenue service to begin on a certain date.

Dan