UPDATE: Section of Confederation Line remains out of service, repairs to stretch into weekend

By Alex Black

A section of the Confederation Line is still out of service.

Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) has cleared the ice buildup on the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) from Blair to Tremblay stations and two trains ran throughout the night to keep the wires clear of ice. 

As of 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, the line was operating at about 75 per cent, but unfortunately for commuters, not consecutively. Trains were operating between Blair and Tremblay stations in the east and from Tunney's Pasture to uOttawa in the west, with R1 bus service operating between St. Laurent and Rideau stations.  

The service issues come after numerous issues related to freezing rain, including a power outage and ice buildup on the OCS, which delivers electricity to the trains.

That led to numerous immobilized trains and a temporary shutdown of the entire line on Thursday, Jan. 5. 

An OCS wire was also damaged near Lees Station while two immobilized trains were being transported back to the maintenance yard. The general manager of Ottawa's transit services department said RTM repaired the overhead wire through the overnight hours.

OC Transpo boss Renée Amilcar said RTM is still working to move two stopped trains near Lees Station to the maintenance yard, and once that's been done, a full inspection will have to take place before service can resume. 

In a memo released in the afternoon of Jan. 6, Amilcar said repairs are expected to continue into the weekend after efforts to remove ice caused further damage. 

“We will provide updates as soon as more information is available,” the latest memo stated. “I know that this service disruption is frustrating to our customers, especially after reliable service has operated since March 2022. I appreciate the ongoing patience of our customers as we work to return to normal service.”

Speaking on The Sam Laprade Show in Jan. 6, Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower, who also serves as the chair of the City of Ottawa's transit commission, said trains won't be running until until OC Transpo feels it's safe to do so. 

“Anytime we have freezing rain, it has a major impact on other City services,” he said. “It should not have a major impact on train service. We have had freezing rain before and had no issues. There are procedures in place and we need to ask what practices are in place and were they being followed. Are they on par with other cities and if not, then why not and how can we ensure this doesn't happen again.”

Crews are removing the ice manually, Mario Guerra, RTM's chief executive officer (CEO) and acting general manager said in a news conference on Friday afternoon. 

“We have our staff up in the bucket truck removing the ice,” he said. 

Listen to the full interview with Coun. Gower below: 

 

 

 

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