Ottawa mayor demanding more from O-Train builder, as problems persist
Posted Oct 30, 2019 06:18:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As many OC Tranpso customers, even transit commissioners, express frustrations with glitches in the city's new light rail transit system, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is holding the O-Train's builder accountable.
He met with executive members of Rideau Transit Group (RTG) earlier this week, to express his own frustrations with the product.
“We are not satisfied. We need to get these problems resolved and we need to get the bus issue resolved,” said Watson.
After his meeting, the mayor said there has been “significantly” more staff and technical expertise sent to the city to help address issues with the trains.
On Monday, three city councillors demanded an emergency transit commission meeting be held to discuss Confederation Line issues. Transit Commission Chair Allan Hubley denied the request. Watson added, a meeting would not help fix the existing problems.
“I think some of the councillors who are critical [of the O-Train] have not taken the time to ask what are we doing behind the scenes,” said the mayor. “Having a press conference is not going to fix the problem, it's going to communicate to people, but we are doing that through social media.”
“We are putting enormous pressure [on RTG] and holding back funds to the consortium until these problems are resolved,” continued Watson.
The city also plans to announce extra funds for the 2020 budget to enhance bus services, in order to solve some of the crowding issues with when it connects with the Confederation Line.
