Impacts of freezing rain

Mayor and Members of Council,

This email is to provide an update on the work to restore full O-Train Line 1 service.

Line 1 is operating in the west between Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa stations. R1 bus service is running between Lyon and Blair stations.

Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is working through a number of activities required to return Line 1 service to the east end of the line. Over the past day, they have completed inspections, returned two stopped trains to the rail yard and repaired the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) near Lees Station.

After the additional damage to the OCS was discovered early this morning, additional work is now required before Line 1 can safely return to service. RTM is working through these repairs which include:

• Returning one train to the rail yard
• Repairing the OCS near Tremblay Station and at Blair Station
• Inspecting the OCS system and then safely re-energizing it
• Running out–of-service trains along the line to test and confirm the system is safe and ready for operations

This work is expected to continue into Saturday. Every effort is being made to restore Line 1 service as quickly and safely as possible. Service may be adjusted as work is completed between Tremblay and Cyrville stations. Additional updates on the status of repairs and service will be provided as they become available.

All communication channels are being used to keep customers updated, including octrasnpo.com, text messages and social media.

Meetings with RTM are ongoing and a further update will be shared later today. A media availability will also be hosted this afternoon.

Thank you,  

Troy Charter
He/him | lui/il
Interim General Manager, Transit Services Department

Mayor and Members of Council,

Mayor and Members of Council,

This email is to provide an update on the work to restore full O-Train Line 1 service.

Shortly after the start of service this morning, Line 1 experienced two power issues near Tremblay and Blair stations and a short piece of the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) was damaged and fell at Blair Station. Initial reports indicate that these issues resulted from Wednesday’s freezing rain event.

This morning RTM completed inspections between Lees and Blair stations and has started to tow three stopped trains in this area back to the rail yard. Work to repair the OCS at Blair Station will begin when all the vehicles have been removed. This will be followed by inspections and testing of the OCS to ensure no further corrective work is required. Service will then be able to resume.

All efforts are being made to restore Line 1 service. This process is labour intensive and is expected to take most of the day. We will continue to provide updates on progress and timelines.

Customers can continue to expect that:

• Line 1 service will operate in the west between Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa stations.
• R1 bus service will continue to run between Lyon and Bair stations.

Customers are receiving updates on all our communications channels, including octranspo.com, social media and text alerts. We will provide another update this afternoon on the status of repairs and Line 1 service plans.

Thank you,

Thank you,  

Troy Charter
He/him | lui/il
Interim General Manager, Transit Services Department

Mayor and Members of Council,

This email is to provide an update on the work to restore full O-Train Line 1 service.  

Due to a new issue with the Overhead Catenary System (OCS ) in the east end of Line 1, customers can continue to expect: 

• Line 1 service to operate in the west between Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa  
• R1 bus service will continue to run between Lyon and Blair stations  

All efforts are being made to restore full Line 1 service as quickly as possible. 

Overnight, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) completed the removal of ice buildup across the OCS, except near Lees Station, and are also working to remove a stopped train at this station.  

Customers are being updated on all our communication channels, including octranspo.com, social media and text alerts, and we will continue to provide Council and customers with updates on the resumption of service.   

Thank you,  

Troy Charter
He/him | lui/il
Interim General Manager, Transit Services Department