Work to fix LRT issues continues this weekend, OC Transpo ‘anticipates’ system can resume on Aug. 14

As work begins to fix issues plaguing the city’s LRT system, OC Transpo believes vehicles will be ready by Aug. 14 for a safe resumption of service.

In a memo to Ottawa city councillors on Friday, Aug. 4, OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar said work will continue over the August long weekend to reposition the restraining rails.

“At this time, OC Transpo continues to anticipate full Line 1 service will safely resume on Aug. 14,” said Amilcar in the memo. “OC Transpo is closely following this progress and will continue to provide updates on the
timing to gradually restart service.”

Amilcar said Rideau Transit Group (RTG) continues to replace the wheel hub assemblies on light-rail vehicles, and a safety note requires the replacement of the leading and trailing wheel hub assemblies and axles every 60,000 kilometres.

OC Transpo received the draft Atkins Global restraining rail report on Aug. 2. Atkins and OC Transpo, along with Transportation Resource Associates (TRA), are working together to finalize the report.

“In the interim, RTG has enough information to begin repositioning some of the restraining rails, and this work began today,” Amilcar said. “The risk assessment is also almost complete.”

RTG anticipates completing the work in 10 days. Repositioning the restraining rails is expected to take some strain off the wheel hubs, preventing the failures at the centre of the latest LRT shutdown.

OC Transpo’s general manager noted RTG is working at the 16 locations that have been identified for adjustments. A few remaining items in the Atkins Global report are being finalized, and the risk assessment is almost complete.

“To date, 19 trains have had their hub assemblies replaced,” she said. “RTG can replace two hubs every two days. The ongoing replacements increase the number of cars available to operate when it is safe to resume service.”

The entire O-Train line has been closed until further notice due to a mechanical problem discovered during a routine inspection.

All O-Train service was suspended, and all stations closed around 5 p.m. on Monday, July 17 due to a technical issue.

On July 31, the City of Ottawa’s transit services launched a new R1 Express route as the LRT system enters its third week of being shut down to transit users.

OC Transpo started a new R1 Para bus service in addition to the newly launched R1 Express route and regular Para Transpo service.

“R1 Para will service Line 1 stations between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations,” said Amilcar. “Customers can book this service the same day or speak to OC Transpo staff at stations
to request the service.”