Aug. 28, 2025: O-Train Line 1 Service Adjustments in September and October

The purpose of this memo is to inform the Mayor and Members of Council of service adjustments required on O-Train Line 1 in September and early October.

August O-Train Line 1 Work

As outlined in the memo of August 5, O-Train Line 1 operations will begin at noon on Sunday, August 31. This will allow for Stage 2 East Extension integration activities. R1 bus service will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations during the planned closure.

OC Transpo staff will be at key locations to support customers during their trips, and notifications are being shared through social media, text messages, and alerts on octranspo.com. Customers are encouraged to use the Travel Planner or Transit app to plan their trips.

O-Train East Extension Performance Test

The successful completion of integration activities on August 31 will allow performance testing to be conducted on the entire system between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations on September 13 to 14. This milestone involves confirming that the integrated system can achieve the expected service levels upon public launch and in the future, as outlined in the Project Agreement.

For customers, this means that on September 13 and 14:

• Line 1 service will not operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.
• R1 Bus service will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.
• Shuttle bus service will run between St-Laurent and Cyrville stations.
• Customers may see out-of-service trains during regular service hours while tests take place.

Further information regarding this work will be provided at the Transit Committee meeting on September 11.

During the same weekend, OC Transpo and Infrastructure and Water Services Department (IWSD) will continue the work identified as part of the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) inspections in the St-Laurent tunnel. Coordination of this necessary work with other activities further minimizes the number of disruptions to customers.

September and October O-Train Line 1 Maintenance Work

Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) will be conducting maintenance work from September 26 to October 5 to continue to ensure long-term sustainability and improvements to the service reliability of Line 1. OC Transpo and RTM have worked collaboratively to reduce the impacts to customers and minimize disruptions wherever possible, including after the East Extension is open to the public.

For customers this means that:

• Line 1 will not operate after 8 pm on September 26, and R1 will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.
• Line 1 service will only be available at one platform at some stations after 11:30 pm on September 27 and 29 to October 2.
• Line 1 will not operate on October 4 and 5, and R1 will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.

During this time, RTM will conduct various activities including:

• Rail replacement between Rideau and uOttawa stations.
• Rail grinding across the entire system.
• Ongoing upgrades of supporting cables (parafils) of the overhead catenary system, to make them more resilient and durable.
• General station maintenance and seasonal cleaning.

Customers are encouraged to use the Travel Planner and Transit app to plan their trips. Customers can also visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-560-5000. Information, reminders, and updates will be communicated to customers through various channels, including public service announcements, customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and on octranspo.com.

Every effort was made to streamline and coordinate work to minimize customer disruptions. Should any changes occur, notifications will be provided. OC Transpo thanks customers for their patience as this work is completed and positive progress is made as we prepare for the opening of the O-Train East Extension.

OC Transpo understands the disruption that these service adjustments may cause and thanks customers for their ongoing patience as these important works are completed.

If you have any questions, please contact Joel Lemieux, Acting Director, Transit Service Delivery and Rail Operations, at [Personal information redacted.] or me at [Personal information redacted.]