Here’s what to know before O-Train Line 2 and 4 launch

It’s almost here: The launch of the highly-anticipated Line 2 and 4 of the O-Train system.

In the most recent memo from Renée Amilcar, general manager of transit services, to council, it states that all preparations are complete for the O-Train to welcome its first passengers on Jan. 6.

“Staff have now completed hundreds of drills, practiced diversion scenarios and refined standard operating procedures,” she wrote.

According to Amilcar, this will help staff respond quickly to disruptions and minimize impacts to riders.

After years of waiting for the system to be ready, customers can finally ride the new larger, and more efficient trains from Riverside South to downtown and out to the airport.

O-Train Line 2, 4 schedules

At a technical briefing in early December, officials said it is not common practice to launch a major transit system in the middle of winter. To help mitigate issues there will be a phased approach to the opening.

The lines will begin a five-day service on Jan. 6 (Monday through Friday) and will continue for a minimum of two weeks. Buses through routes B2 (formerly called Line 2 buses), 99 and 97 will run parallel seven days a week in case of any issues.

Trains will start the first run at 6:00 a.m. during the week and will reach stations every 12 minutes until 12:00 a.m.

From Limebank Station on Line 2 to Bayview Station, people can get across the city in about 36 minutes, a fact sheet on the system notes.

It will take about eight minutes from South Keys Station to the airport on Line 4.

If all goes well with the initial launch, it’s possible the service will be boosted to six days a week (including Saturday) on Jan. 20. Once operational, the system will run from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. By early February, the system should be running seven days a week with a 7:30 a.m. start on Sundays until 11:30 p.m.

Open Gallery 4 items

Upgrades from previous line

Officials have touted the upgrades made to the opening of Line 2 and 4 from the previous version that closed for the full revamp in 2020.

According to the fact sheet from OC Transpo, there are seven new train vehicles known as Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Trains) cars. They will only operate on Line 2, are 80 metres in length and can carry 420 passengers at a time.

Six other vehicles running on the tracks are refurbished Alstom LINT (Light Innovative Local Transport) cars, which will mostly operate on Line 4 and sometimes on Line 2. They can carry 262 passengers.

Officials have also doubled up tracks in more areas along Line 2 allowing for more capacity and fewer chances of delays.

There is six kilometres of track from Leitrim Station to Limebank Station that is doubled tracked, and the terminal stations at Bayview and Limebank have two tracks to allow out-of-service trains to be parked while the line is open.

All stations are accessible and platforms are longer at Bayview, Dow’s Lake, Carleton, Mooney’s Bay and Greenboro stations.