OC Transpo is planning a return to full service on O-Train Line 1 in the coming weeks.
Troy Charter, the city’s interim general manager of transit services, told council’s transit committee on Thursday that it would happen in May.
“Every effort is being made to accelerate the work that is required,” said Charter. “We’re trying to accelerate as much as we can to restore the service for our customers.”
The current issues with Line 1 were first identified in January, when providers Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and Alstom found spalling on the Line’s vehicles’ Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs).
Since then, long wait times and overcrowding on key light rail platforms across Ottawa have been ongoing. Delays to full service were further pushed back when RTG and Alstom discovered additional safety concerns while replacing the CBAs.
Charter said he understands the timelines offered for return to service “may be disappointing for our customers,” but OC Transpo’s commitment is “always to support the safe operation of our service.”
“We do anticipate that our customers will see the effects of gradual improvements to capacity on Line 1 in the coming weeks, and our work on Line 1 will ensure that we’re ready to keep customers moving during the summer festival season.”
Coun. Tim Tierney (Beacon Hill-Cyrville) highlighted the link between Line 1 and the East End expansion of the Line, which continues to be delayed.
“Obviously Line 1 is critical, but there’s a lot in the east end, there is a real linkage, so we need a commitment when we’re going to get an update specific to the east end,” said Tierney.
“If we don’t have trains running by September in the east end, that has massive impacts on the entire system.”
Charter confirmed that a detailed update would be provided at the next Transit Committee meeting in May.
“We want to give you that detailed information about trial running, what it means for our customers, what they can expect, and the timelines associated with that.”
Coun. Marty Carr (Alta Vista) shared Tierney’s concerns, and wondered who was paying for the various additional measures being undertaken to address the safety issues discovered by Alstom and RTG.
“RTG and Alstom are wholly responsible for the design manufacture of the vehicles and the system, so those are costs for them to bear,” said Charter.
Carr noted that operational costs to the service, in terms of the required extra operators and busses, still fell on the city.
The next Transit Committee is expected to take place on May 14.
