At a glance
Key takeaways
- Transit Committee was introduced to new General Manager Rick Leary
- Updates were provided on restoring Line 1 capacity
- The latest information on Zero-Emission Buses was shared
- Other exciting updates for April were provided
In case you missed April 9th’s Transit Committee presentation, The Next Stop Blog is here to highlight all the updates and items covered.
Introducing General Manager Rick Leary
The presentation began with an introduction of OC Transpo’s new General Manager, Rick Leary. GM Leary received a warm welcome from Chair Gower and the rest of the attendees, marking his first Transit Committee meeting in Ottawa by addressing the committee and thanking Troy Charter for his stellar work in the Interim General Manager role.
Updates on Restoring Line 1 Capacity
Following the introduction and opening remarks, important updates were provided concerning Line 1, and the work that is underway with Alstom and Rideau Transit Group to fully restore the fleet’s capacity.
The plan to safely restore Line 1 capacity focuses on adding a condition monitoring system, replacing Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs), and continuing the initial containment measures. Ongoing monitoring and technical analysis of CBAs will continue, and safety will always remain the top priority.
Every effort is being made to safely accelerate this work. Based on the latest information, it is anticipated that Line 1 capacity will continue to increase and may be fully restored by the end of May. The timing for East Extension trial running will continue to be evaluated based on increasing vehicle availability.
Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Update
Speaking of increasing vehicle availability, OC Transpo also provided an update on the recent progress made in developing the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) fleet. 109 ZEBs are now in Ottawa and 90 are commissioned for service. Work is well underway on the charging infrastructure, with 68 chargers now available for use and 36 more being commissioned. To date, over 2 million kilometres have been accumulated on the ZEBs, which has led to fuel savings of 930,000 litres of diesel and a reduction of over 2,600 tonnes of C02. As the ZEB fleet grows, so will these significant savings.
Upcoming in April
A new bus seat pilot launched in early April. The Committee learned that a 40-foot bus has been equipped with new plastic seats, with customer feedback to be collected over the next six months. Other transit agencies have found that hard shell seats are easier to clean, reduce maintenance costs and increase durability. OC Transpo riders are encouraged to share their feedback through a survey on Engage Ottawa, by calling 613-560-5000, or by scanning the QR code displayed on the pilot bus. More information is available here.
Later in April, OC Transpo will join in celebrating the first annual World Public Transport Day. The global launch of this day will recognize the vital role transit plays in everyone’s lives, placing a spotlight on the many benefits it brings, such as reducing emissions and traffic congestion, and connecting us all.
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