TSB report states issues that caused LRT derailments still ‘pose a risk to safety’
Posted Feb 15, 2023 08:30:00 PM.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is warning that the problems that caused two O-train derailments in 2021 will “continue to pose a risk to safety” until OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) resolve the issues.
In letter issued to OC Transpo on Feb. 3, the TSB said the wheel assembly failures that caused two derailments nearly two years ago and the axle hub failure last July can't be blamed on just one factor, and the design of the trains themselves may play a key role.
The City said it has met with TSB and has written confirmation from the Rideau Transit Group (RTG) that the O-train's Line 1 is safe.
In the letter from the TSB, the agency stated the problems that caused the derailments are still out there on the Confederation Line.
The City admitted that the analysis into the wheel assembly failures have not they concluded, and in the meantime, said it regularly inspects the wheel assemblies and replacing parts before they wear out.
Laura Shantz, a board member with the Ottawa Transit Group, told Wake Up With Rob Snow on Feb. 16 that it's very concerning to have vastly different statements from the parties involved.
“We hear talk that there are ongoing safety issues and that, for them, it's concerning,” she said. “On the OC Transpo end, it seems everything is fine, there's nothing to look at and there isn't the same level concern that the TSB has.”
Listen to the full interview with Laura Shantz below:
