O-Train 1 disrupted in east end, repairs underway

OC Transpo said that a portion of O-Train Line 1 in the city’s east end was disrupted late Friday night and will be undergoing repairs on Saturday.

The general manager of the transit system Renée Amilcar wrote in a memo to city council that a driver saw sparks coming from an overhead catenary system support pole west of Cyrville station at around 11:30 p.m.

“Initial observations indicated damage to an insulator that is part of the overhead catenary system,” wrote Amilcar.

For the rest of service day, Line 1 operated with trains between Tunney’s Pasture and St-Laurent stations and R1 service between St-Laurent and Blair stations. Also, an R1 Shuttle operated between St-Laurent and Cyrville stations, according to the memo.

OC Transpo said the following service will be in place starting Saturday:

• Line 1 will run in both directions between Tunney’s Pasture and St-Laurent stations.
• Line 1 will run in both directions on a single track between St-Laurent and Blair stations.

OC Transpo has started an investigation into what caused the sparking. Crews are expected to be on scene during the day, according to the memo.

“The plan is to repair the insulator during the maintenance hours after the end of service on Saturday,” wrote Amilcar. “OC Transpo staff continue to work closely with Rideau Transit Maintenance to restore
full rail service to all stations as quickly as possible.