Ottawa Councillor Demands Audit of O-Train Line 1 Interruption
Frustration among Ottawa residents is mounting due to ongoing service disruptions on O-Train Line 1. In response, Councillor David Hill is urging OC Transpo to conduct an audit focused on safety, regulatory, and technical compliance. This comes after a significant operational issue led to 70% of Line 1’s vehicles being out of service since January 21.
Current O-Train Service Status
OC Transpo identified a problem with the cartridge bearing assemblies on train vehicles. Consequently, all trains exceeding 100,000 kilometers in mileage have been removed from service. The transit authority is working diligently with experts to rectify the maintenance issues, but the service remains significantly reduced.
Service Metrics
- Current vehicles in service: 21 (up from 18)
- Vehicles required for regular peak service: 26
- Service frequency during peak periods: every 3 to 4 minutes
OC Transpo is providing updates on service status weekly, but improvements are slow to materialize. To assist passengers, staff will be stationed at busy stops during peak hours. Interim General Manager Troy Charter acknowledged the service could improve.
Audit Proposal and City Council Motion
Councillor Hill is set to present a motion to the City Council on February 25. The proposal directs OC Transpo’s Quality Assurance Team to conduct an audit addressing the safety issues that led to the train removals. This audit aims to ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulations.
Future Oversight
Although Ottawa’s Auditor General has an agile audit of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) scheduled for 2026-2027, Councillor Hill’s motion seeks to prioritize this report. The goal is to initiate work promptly after OC Transpo submits its findings to the Auditor General.
Bus Service Performance
During the week of February 8 to 14, bus service efficiency slightly decreased, with 95.3% of trips successfully delivered. This decline was attributed primarily to operator availability issues. Out of 2,087 undelivered trips, 884 were due to a lack of available operators.
New Electric Buses
In a positive development, four new electric buses have passed inspections and are scheduled to enter service this week, bolstering the fleet. On average, OC Transpo has 495 buses available every weekday, slightly below the required 500.
As the situation develops, city officials and residents alike await enhancements to Ottawa’s transit services, particularly focusing on the oversight of the O-Train Line 1 interruptions.
