LRT service will not resume Monday as OC Transpo misses expected return date

Theexpected Mondayreturn to servicefor Ottawa's light rail transit system is delayed,OC Transpo says.

Rideau Transit Group (RTG), the consortium that built the Confederation Line, toldthe city more work on the tracksis neededbefore service can resume, according to amemo from thecity's general manager of transit servicesRene Amilcar.

RTGis working to ensure wheels on the trains do not contact restraining railsmeantto prevent derailmentslocated along the tracks, the memo said.

That contactmay be putting pressure onthe train bearings, the part behindthe latest shutdown.After a newrisk assessment is completed, Amilcar wrote, work on the track will take about 10 days.

That risk assessment will beginover the weekend, Amilcar saidat a news conference Friday.The full news conference is available in the player above.

OC Transpo will provide an update onrisk assessmentprogress Monday.

Restraining rails will have to be moved by a matter of millimetres in several places along the trackto ensure no contact with the train wheels, Amilcar said.

WATCH |I sincerely apologize,' Amilcar says after announcing another delay of LRT reopening:

'I sincerely apologize,' Amilcar says after announcing delay of LRT reopening

1 year ago

Duration 0:55

Ottawa's general manager of transit services Rene Amilcar said during an update Friday afternoon that the expected Monday return to service for Ottawa's light rail transit system is delayed.

"I can tell you I am sad this afternoon," Amilcarsaid. "I sincerely apologize for not upholding my promise to gradually resume the service on Monday."

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe called the decision not to resume serviceMonday an "incredibly frustrating setback" for OC Transpo passengers.

"This is, to say the least, a significant disappointment," he said.

R1 replacement bus service will continue unchanged Monday.

Amilcardid not directly answer whether OC Transpo isconsidering reimbursement for transit riders.

The shutdown

Ottawa's light railsystem hasbeen shut down for more than a week after it was pulled out of serviceonJuly 17. A bearing problem is behind the latest shutdown, but the city has not explainedwhy the issue keeps happening.

At a Wednesday news conference, OC Transpo saidit expected the LRT to be up and running this Mondaybut withjust eight single-car trains,a fraction of its total 45-car fleet.

That timeline, however, hingedona report OC Transpo expectedto receive Fridayfrom French axle manufacturer Texelis. The report wasthe final of three conditions set by thetransit agency before service couldresume.

OC Transpo received that report Friday.

It had previously said theother two conditionsa draft safety note and a requirement that all trains be inspected were met earlier this week.

However, itwas the safety note, and additional conditions fromAlstom, that ultimatelyled to the delay.