Sign in

Andy Takagi

@andytakagi.bsky.social
589 followers 64 following 26 posts

(he/him) Transportation Reporter @ the Toronto Star Have a tip? Email me at atakagi@thestar.ca

PostsRepliesMedia
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
A GO train carrying 120 passengers was within seconds of derailing near Oakville earlier this year, according to an internal Metrolinx report. One expert I spoke to said it was a close call that could have resulted in a "high-fatality" crash. #onpoli www.thestar.com/news/gta/go-...
thestar.com
GO train near Oakville was seconds away from ‘worst-case’ derailment, internal Metrolinx report shows
Experts raise concerns about the GO network’s safety infrastructure and Metrolinx’s transparency.
4146
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Thank you!
010
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Want EVEN MORE Crosstown stories? You can find the rest of my work, and the work of my brilliant colleagues, here: www.thestar.com/news/gta/cro...
thestar.com
Eglinton LRT Crosstown | The Star
The latest news on the long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT and ongoing rapid transit issues in Toronto.
020
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
How did opening day go? Some transit enthusiasts braved the -20 degree weather just to get on the first train. Read about the first train ride, 15-years in the making, here: www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
thestar.com
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT opens after 15 years of construction
Many transit fans braved the cold to be among the first to ride Line 5, which was originally set to open in 2020.
110
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Fifteen years of construction is a long time, and the story goes further back than you might think. Here's a beautifully designed timeline from McKenna Hart and me: www.thestar.com/interactives...
thestar.com
From Mike Harris to Doug Ford: Explore 50 years of Eglinton LRT delays, broken relationships, and lawsuits
For more than five decades, rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue has been a must-have in any city plan. What took it so long?
121
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Want to know how everything went so wrong? Read this tell-all piece from David Rider and me: www.thestar.com/news/gta/off...
thestar.com
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Over the past decade and a half, the Crosstown has cast a shadow on a swath of Toronto and is becoming, to many, a symbol of the city’s inability to fulfil its potential.
210
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
After 15 years of construction, the Eglinton Crosstown is finally open! My life has been consumed by Crosstown coverage over the past few months, (as I assume yours has been, too) so here's a quick recap of my work for the Toronto Star:
2203
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
The long-winding saga for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT goes back further than you think... Check out this super fun and interactive timeline made by McKenna Hart with words from me! thestar.com/interactives... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Relive the twists and turns in the Eglinton LRT’s 50-year odyssey before Sunday’s launch — if you’re game
For more than five decades, rapid transit along Eglinton Avenue has been a must-have in any city plan. What took it so long?
11612
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
You’ll be finished by the time the Crosstown opens!
140
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Here it is: the inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went off the rails. This was the result of months of work, research and sourcing. www.thestar.com/news/gta/off...
thestar.com
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Over the past decade and a half, the Crosstown has cast a shadow on a swath of Toronto and becoming, to many, a symbol of the city’s inability to fulfil its potential.
35122
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
The Eglinton Crosstown has entered its final day of testing, Metrolinx’s CEO announced this morning. Still no opening date or timeline. www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl...
thestar.com
Eglinton Crosstown LRT enters last day of testing
Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay declined to say whether the long-delayed line would open this year, or provide any timeline for an opening date.
010
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
BREAKING: Eglinton Crosstown LRT testing stopped — source says two trains collided www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl... via @thestar.com #onpoli #topoli
thestar.com
Eglinton Crosstown LRT testing stopped — source says two trains collided
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT had begun its final round of testing on Oct. 7, but two trains collided in the Mount Dennis train yard on Thursday, leading to a pause in the test, according to a source.
3106
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
NEW: Ford government promises to keep Bloor bike lane while restoring lane for traffic thestar.com/news/gta/for... via @thestar.com #onpoli #TOpoli
thestar.com
Ford government promises to keep Bloor bike lane while restoring lane for traffic
Ontario’s transportation minister says a vehicle lane will be restored on the 500-metre stretch of Bloor Street West between Resurrection Road and Clissold Road.
020
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
The Finch West LRT will begin a 30-day revenue test on Saturday, beating the Eglinton Crosstown to a major milestone www.thestar.com/news/gta/fin... via @thestar.com #TOpoli #ONpoli
thestar.com
Finch West LRT beats Eglinton Crosstown to a major milestone
The date for revenue service testing was published in a TTC memo sent to staff that was leaked to social media.
020
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Also, shoutout to the brilliant Susan Kao who drew me for this series (yes, this is how I always look...)
TEXT: Toronto Star. Stuck in Toronto's Worst Commute?
ILLUSTRATION: Reporter Andy Takagi, looking disheveled, next to a streetcar.
000
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Commuting sucks, but I want to know why and what we can do about it! In my new series for the Toronto Star, I'm retracing the steps of everyday Torontonians to find the worst commute in the city. You can check out my first in the series here: www.thestar.com/news/gta/sti...
thestar.com
Sticky floors, damp seats, blaring TikToks first thing in the morning: Is this Toronto’s worst commute?
The Star is testing Torontonians’ commutes to find the worst in the city. First up: Alisha, a social worker who makers her trip in from Scarborough to downtown every day.
110
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Controversial bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin could see changes following backlash www.thestar.com/news/gta/con... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Controversial bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin could see changes following backlash
Proposed bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets have sparked a debate over how to prioritize road space.
010
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
🚊 My latest: Star Exclusive Eglinton Crosstown LRT documents reveal potential plans for opening, possible delays www.thestar.com/news/gta/egl... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Eglinton Crosstown LRT documents reveal potential plans for opening, possible delays
Confidential documents viewed by the Star show that testing of the Crosstown could extend beyond the expected opening date of September.
020
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
‘This is the largest award of compensation that I have seen’: Metrolinx ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars more than what it first offered for Ontario Line site www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
‘This is the largest award of compensation that I have seen’: Metrolinx ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars more than what it first offered for Ontario Line site
The provincial transit agency had initially appraised the property in Corktown at $46 million — instead it was ordered to pay nearly double.
021
Reposted by Andy Takagi
Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Ontario Line construction has unleashed a rat problem for some residents living nearby. Metrolinx has promised to pay for exterminators — but many say they’ve been left with the bill. From @andytakagi.bsky.social and me: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Ontario Line construction unleashed rats into her home. But Metrolinx has not footed the full bill — and won’t tell her why
After Ontario Line work unleashed rats into a retiree’s home, Metrolinx promised to pay for the exterminator. The agency hasn’t said why the payment was $1,000 short.
078
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
From @robertbenzie.bsky.social and me: Metrolinx parts ways with consulting firm that worked on the Eglinton Crosstown and Ottawa LRTs: sources www.thestar.com/news/gta/met... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Metrolinx parts ways with consulting firm that worked on the Eglinton Crosstown and Ottawa LRTs: sources
The consulting firm and its owner, Brian Guest, were the subject of scrutiny in 2022 when Guest was awarded a vice-president title at Metrolinx.
010
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Scoop from me: TTC chooses new CEO, nearly a year after Rick Leary’s resignation: sources www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
TTC chooses new CEO, nearly a year after Rick Leary’s resignation: sources
Mandeep Lali, with experience working for New York and London’s transit agencies, has been picked by the chair of the TTC board to take over as the new head of Toronto’s beleaguered transit agency.
062
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
The battle for a bus lane: Why rapid transit on this Toronto street is sparking backlash www.thestar.com/news/gta/the... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
071
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
ICYMI: Metrolinx quietly drops Deutsche Bahn, Aecon from multibillion-dollar GO expansion project thestar.com/news/gta/metro… via @thestar.com
thestar.com
110
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
A summer of streetcar chaos is almost upon us. And TTC riders are already frustrated: 'Is this the best plan?' www.thestar.com/news/gta/a-s...
thestar.com
A summer of streetcar chaos is almost upon us. And TTC riders are already frustrated: ‘Is this the best plan?’
Three heavily used downtown streetcars routes are all being funnelled along the same stretch of Queen Street to allow for maintenance and construction.
021
Reposted by Andy Takagi
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 22/04/2025
#Breaking: Court grants injunction pausing bike lane removals on Bloor, University and Yonge
thestar.com
Court grants injunction pausing bike lane removals on Bloor, University and Yonge
The pause on any bike lane removals will continue until the judge in the Charter challenge case issues his decision.
1346896
Reposted by Andy Takagi
Ben Spurr @benspurr.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
From me and @andytakagi.bsky.social: Company at centre of Gardiner Expressway lawsuit could face ban on city contracts www.thestar.com/news/gta/con...
thestar.com
Contractor at centre of Gardiner Expressway lawsuit could face ban on city contracts
Montreal-based WSP currently has 88 active contracts with Toronto totaling nearly $175 million, according to the city.
031
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Metrolinx wanted to pay $14 million to expropriate a Liberty Village property for the Ontario Line. A tribunal ruled they owed millions more thestar.com/real-estate/me… from VictoriaGibson and me
thestar.com
000
Reposted by Andy Takagi
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 14/03/2025
#Breaking: Doug Ford’s removal of Toronto bike lanes can start in March, court rules
thestar.com
Doug Ford’s removal of Toronto bike lanes can start in March, court rules
CycleTO had sought a temporary injunction to stop the Doug Ford government from ripping up Toronto bike lanes before a Charter challenge that’s scheduled to be heard on April 16.
232912
Andy Takagi @andytakagi.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
🚨Big news to kick off the year: I’m taking over as the Transportation Reporter for @torontostar.bsky.social covering everything traffic, transit, and train-related. DM or email me all your tips, complaints, or maybe even some heart-warming stories here or at atakagi@thestar.ca
2101
Reposted by Andy Takagi
Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
More interesting, though, is the Superman creator's deep connections to Toronto (and the Toronto Star). Didn't know this! via @andytakagi.bsky.social www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
thestar.com
Superman has deep connections to Toronto. Here’s how the city (and the Star) helped make the Man of Steel
Toronto was the birthplace of Superman creator Joe Shuster, whose time working as a newsboy at the Toronto Daily Star inspired the superhero's journalist alter ego Clark Kent.
032