Walkley Yard will be a key component in the Stage 2 Trillium Line South extension. Vehicles will be cleaned, inspected, maintained, stored and operated from the yard. This includes the existing six Alstom Coradia Lint trains that will be fully refurbished, along with seven new Stadler FLIRT vehicles that will support the extension.

Construction of the new Walkley Yard is well underway. After only breaking ground last year, the 200-tonne exterior shell is nearly complete with track installation set to begin. The new Walkley Yard will be a 4,700 m² LEED certified facility that will house the 13 Stage 2 O-Train South vehicles. The new facility will consist of three train maintenance bays, a train wash facility, 1800 metres of ballasted track, and 500 metres of interior track within the facility.

TransitNEXT, the contractor building the Stage 2 Trillium Line South extension, is adding an additional 16 kilometres of track to the current portion of the O-Train Line 2, which runs from Bayview Station to Greenboro Station. Work includes adding passing tracks at South Keys and double tracks south of Leitrim to Limebank Road. Four kilometres of new track will provide a link to the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. The contract with TransitNEXT also includes maintenance of Line 2 for 27 years.

The existing portion of Line 2 will see two new stations added at Corso Italia and Walkley, and other stations will have their platforms extended to accommodate longer, larger capacity trains. The new southern portion of the line will include new stations at South Keys, Leitrim, Bowesville and Limebank. The link to the airport will connect at South Keys Station and will include two new stations at the Airport and Uplands, which will serve the EY Centre.

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2022. The design allows for conversion to twin-track electric LRT in the future. It will also accommodate the planned widening of both the Airport Parkway and Lester Road.

Line 2 will use high efficiency diesel Stadler FLIRT trains. The trains are 80 metres long and can carry 420 passengers, approximately twice as many as the current trains. Trains will be fully accessible and meet the highest international environmental and performance standards.

The current Alstom Coradia Lint trains, with a capacity of 260 passengers, will operate in their current configuration along Line 4 (Airport Link). The 42-metre long trains will be doubled up to run along Line 2 when additional vehicles are needed. These trains also use high-efficiency diesel engines and are fully accessible.

The O-Train Trillium Line South extension is one of three projects that make up Stage 2 LRT. Line 1 is also being extended west from Tunney's Pasture to Lincoln Fields, where it will split, travelling south to Algonquin Station and west to Moodie Drive. Line 1 is also being extended east from Blair Station to Trim Road.

The Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is a $4.66 billion project that is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa.

Stage 2 LRT is good news for our city and its residents, as it expands the reach, comfort and convenience of light rail transit. Using world-class vehicles with low-floor seating and other accessibility features, and stations supporting transit-oriented development, Stage 2 will transform commuting in Ottawa. It will connect communities, including Ottawa's major employment centres, postsecondary institutions, shopping and recreation destinations, and arts and culture hot spots. Stage 2 will relieve congestion, reducing approximately one sixth of Ottawa's total vehicle kilometres travelled and greenhouse gas emissions, and save commuters time and money.

Stage 2 supports healthy commuting, gives residents more options for how they commute, including biking to work. Ottawa is integrating the city's pathway network with all light rail developments in support of mixed-mode commuting.

Quotes

"Affordable and reliable public transit is critical to building sustainable and inclusive communities. Stage 2 Ottawa Light Rail Transit, including the Trillium Line South extension, is a significant project that will help connect residents to essential services and reduce traffic congestion. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."

Chandra Arya, MP for Nepean, on behalf of The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The start of the next stage of this project at the new Walkley Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility is an exciting milestone on the south extension of the Trillium Line. This extension will bring rapid transit to new communities, and connect people to places, which allows more Ontarians to experience all that Ottawa has to offer. Ontario is providing up to $1.208 billion for Stage 2 and is proud to support key infrastructure projects that modernize our transit network, and expand on economic opportunities."

The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and MPP for Nepean

"Stage 2 is being built with the future in mind. It will connect growing communities in Ottawa South, such as Riverside South, Manotick, Findlay Creek, Greely and Osgoode and bring them much closer to high quality train service. It will encourage active transportation through the creation of three new pedestrian bridges and a new 13.6-kilometre multi-use pathway (MUP) along the length of the new extension, connecting Riverside South with adjacent communities, the NCC Greenbelt pathway network, and the City's pathway network. Stage 2 will help ensure that Ottawa continues to be one of the best places in the world to live, work and play."

Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa

Source : City of Ottawa

Siemens Mobility has been selected by TransitNEXT, a wholly owned subsidiary of SNC Lavalin, to provide the Signaling and Train Control (S&TC) Systems for Ottawa's Trillium Line South Extension project. This includes updating the signaling system and installing new Automated Train Protection (ATP) technology that will ensure safe train movements and optimize rail operations. This will be increasingly important given the higher ridership levels expected with the Trillium Line's new south extension and the connection to Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.

"Having prime responsibility to ensure that this project is completed successfully and on-time, we needed to have the right partners," said Robert Alger, President, Infrastructure Projects at SNC-Lavalin. "Siemens Mobility is not only proven as an innovative technology provider, they are a company who has solid track record in completing complex projects regardless of challenges and climates."

"The Trillium extension will provide greater access to Ottawa South and to Ottawa's travelers, including the more than five million passengers that utilize the airport per year," said Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, CEO of Siemens Mobility in Canada. "Our technology will help optimize the operations on this new line and provide an enhanced passenger experience that will feature greater reliability and availability given the new airport service."

Siemens Mobility will provide the engineering, design, integration support, testing and commissioning of Siemens Automated Train Protection (ATP) system – a state-of-the-art proven technology that will be installed on the existing trains, tracks and stations servicing the current Trillium Line, as well as the new trains, 16 km of new track and eight stations to be built for the new extension. Further supporting this newly installed train control system will be Siemens' latest signaling systems, switch machines and signals.

The Trillium Line is one of two rail lines operated by the City of Ottawa servicing the greater Ottawa area. TransiNEXT will construct a new four-kilometer rail link that provides rail access to the airport, providing an easier, more affordable transportation option for airport travelers. It is also expected to help reduce the heavy traffic along Ottawa's Airport Parkway and its neighboring communities.

TransitNEXT is the prime contractor responsible for the design, build, finance, and maintenance of the Trillium Line South Extension project. The operator of the line will be OC Transpo.

Siemens Mobility has been providing solutions to the Canadian transportation industry for more than 40 years, including light rail vehicles in Edmonton and Calgary, trainsets that will be delivered to Via Rail starting in 2021, and the rail electrification of the light rail systems in Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa's Confederation Line.

For more information, please visit new.siemens.com/us/en/products/mobility/rail-solutions/rail-automation.html

Source : Siemens Mobility

As a follow up to the interview with Pat Scrimgeour, Director, Transit Customer Systems and Planning this past March, in which we discussed Stage 2 service patterns on the Confederation Line, I reached out to get some clarification on the points previously raised, in particular due to the fact that we now know that the Confederation Line will be operated as O-Train Lines 1 & 3 once Stage 2 opens. 

Pat Scrimgeour provides the following information in response to my questions below.

---

Please note that operational planning is still under development and may change between now and the Stage 2 opening.

Q1. AM Peak Period

For the AM Peak Period, based on past information can you please confirm or provide additional information on the following points: 

• All trains going to Baseline (Algonquin) will start at Trim.
• Trains going to Moodie will start at Trim with every second train starting at Blair.
• Service through the downtown core every 3 minutes, with trains every 6 minutes on each branch.
• ***All Eastbound trains will go to Trim.

We do not yet know frequencies. Those will depend on ridership levels and operating budget levels at the time.

No, every second trip on Line 3 from Moodie is expected to go to Trim, with the others ending at Blair."

-

Q2. Mid-Day

Will trains operate every 5 minutes through the downtown core, with direct service past Lincoln Fields to Baseline (Algonquin) and Moodie every 10 minutes on each branch?

Response: "Yes in principle, but we do not yet know frequencies. Those will depend on ridership levels and operating budget levels at the time"

-

Q3. PM Peak Period

Will all trains going to Baseline (Algonquin) will start at Trim? Likewise, will trains going to Moodie start at Trim with every second train starting at Blair? Do we anticipate service through the downtown core to be every 3 minutes, with trains on each branch every 6 minutes?

Response: "Any train that is starting at Blair will go to Moodie. We are still determining what ridership volumes warrant a shorter pattern and if so, how many and when these will be deployed. We expect all afternoon westbound trains to start at Trim on both Line 1 and Line 3. All Eastbound trains will go to Trim."

-

Q4. Late Night Service after 11pm (Monday to Thursday)

In the March 2020 interview, you stated that for late night service after 11pm, westbound trains will all offer a direct service to Baseline (Algonquin) every 15 minutes through the downtown core, and a shuttle service will run between Lincoln Fields to Moodie (every 15 minutes) to service that branch.

Response: "This short-pattern arrangement on Line 3 will operate only after 23:00, Monday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday late evening trains will alternate between Line 1 and Line 3. Sundays and holidays, both Line 1 and Line 3 will operate until the last trains at approximately 11 p.m."

-

Q5. All other time periods not outlined above (eg. Weekends, and Friday Late Night Service)

For all other time periods not outlined above, will we see trains running every 5 minutes through the downtown core, with direct service past Lincoln Fields to Baseline (Algonquin) and Moodie every 10 minutes on each branch? Additionally, in the project agreement documents, there is mention of some eastbound trains ending at Blair with others continuing to Trim. Is this another pattern or will all normal eastbound service always go to Trim?

Response: "That is correct. Any train that is starting at Blair will go to Moodie. We are still determining what ridership volumes warrant a shorter pattern and if so, how many and when these will be deployed. Operating plans, as required in project agreement documents, allow starting trains at Blair to better reflect customer demand. These plans are still under development. This is the same pattern (Moodie to Blair) as identified in the peak period service descriptions. We expect every second eastbound trip on Line 3 in the morning peak period to end at Blair. We may also schedule some individual trips to start or end at Blair to provide proper capacity on the busy core section of the system."

You can view the original interview from March 2020 with Pat Scrimgeour below.

Mayor Jim Watson joined Marie-France Lalonde, the Member of Parliament for Orléans, representing the Government of Canada, and Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, from the Government of Ontario to start demolition on the former Highway 174 overpass at Montreal Road. The interchange has been modified to make space for the future Montreal Road LRT station that will be part of the Stage 2 LRT O-Train East extension.

The Highway 174 Montreal Road interchange has undergone a significant transformation as part of the Stage 2 Light Rail Transit O-Train East extension. In less than one year, the Stage 2 team has constructed seven new ramps and two new bridges. With the recent completion of the two new Highway 174 bridges, the old bridges can be demolished making way for construction of the future track and station.

Over the course of one weekend, various pieces of large construction equipment fitted with hydraulic hammers, buckets, forks and shears will demolish 1,456 m³ of concrete and 160 metric tonnes of steel. This significant project milestone will allow the Stage 2 O-Train East extension project to enter a new chapter by setting the stage for Montreal Station construction in 2021.

Montreal Station will be located in the median of Highway 174, above Montreal Road. The platform will span Montreal Road and include bus stops on both sides of Montreal Road beneath the station. Sidewalks and station entry plazas will allow pedestrians and cyclists to move along Montreal Road and in and out of the station. The station will have bus stops to allow customers to transfer between the train and local buses.

East-West Connectors (EWC), the contractor building the Stage 2 LRT east and west O-Train extensions, will extend Stage 2 from Blair Station to Trim Road. Over 12 kilometres of new rail will be added along with five new stations at Montreal Road, Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, Orléans Boulevard, Place d'Orléans and Trim Road.

The dual tracked Confederation Line will continue east from the existing terminus of Blair Station passing under Blair Road, on the north side of Highway 174. The rail line will then cross over the westbound lanes of the highway and run along a widened highway median to the final station at Trim Park and Ride.

The O-Train East extension is one of three projects that make up Stage 2 LRT. Line 1 is also being extended west from Tunney's Pasture to Lincoln Fields where it will split, travelling south to Baseline Station and west to Moodie Drive. O-Train Line 2, the Trillium Line, is being extended south from Greenboro Station to Limebank Road in Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

The Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is a $4.66 billion project that is jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa.

Stage 2 LRT will get you home faster, expanding the reliability, accessibility and comfort of light rail transit. Using world class vehicles with low-floor seating and other accessibility features, and stations supporting transit-oriented development, Stage 2 will transform commuting in Ottawa. It will connect communities, including Ottawa's major employment centres, post-secondary institutions, shopping and recreation destinations, and arts and culture hotpots. Stage 2 will relieve congestion, reducing approximately one sixth of Ottawa's total vehicle kilometres travelled and save commuters time and money.

Stage 2 supports healthy commuting, gives residents more options for how they commute, including biking to work. Ottawa is integrating the city's pathway network with all light rail developments in support of mixed-mode commuting.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada's investments in projects that support affordable, reliable and sustainable public transit options will ensure these resources are available for generations to come. The Stage 2 O-Train East extension is a significant project in the City of Ottawa that will help reduce traffic congestion in residential areas, while improving East end residents' accessibility to other communities and city centre. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."

Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament for Orléans

"Congratulations to the City of Ottawa on this important milestone. Our government is proud to support the expansion of the Ottawa LRT by providing up to approximately $1.2 billion for Stage 2 of this project in addition to the up to $600 million we have committed for Stage 1. Providing funding for local transit projects like this one is a key part of that commitment to building public transit, highways, roads and bridges that connect people to places, make commutes shorter and relieve congestion."

Jeremy Roberts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean

"Stage 2 will help ensure the nation's capital continues to be one of the best places in the world to live and work. It will make it easier for residents to connect between communities, to major employment centres, to post-secondary institutions, to shopping and recreation destinations, and to arts and culture hotpots. This investment will provide environmental benefits and significantly contribute to our local economy. In 2020, Stage 2 LRT has resulted in 1,400 local jobs and more than $500 million worth of contracts issued to local vendors."

Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa

Source : City of Ottawa

Stage 2 station names

Transit station names are effective when they provide clear location information that helps customers to find their way to their destinations.

Names for the new O-Train Stage 2 stations have been selected based on discussion with ward Councillors, the results of public consultation, and with the guidance of a working group convened by the Chair of the Transit Commission. When choosing the stations names, we considered if the name was:

• A meaningful geographic reference
• Easy to understand in English and French
• Easy to pronounce

• Easy to write
• Unique from other stations and city locations
• An established Transitway station name

Light rail transit will extend to Barrhaven if upper levels of government invest in the $3-billion project. City Council today approved extending LRT by 10 kilometres and seven stations from Baseline Station to Barrhaven Town Centre. The design includes three crossings to separate VIA Rail tracks from Woodroffe Avenue, the southwest Transitway and Fallowfield Road, along with interim measures to make transit more efficient and reliable along Woodroffe Avenue. Council previously approved an environmental assessment to extend LRT to Kanata and Stittsville. Together with the Barrhaven extension, these projects comprise Stage 3 of LRT.

To reduce buses downtown and improve transit, Council endorsed the Société de transport de l'Outaouais' all-tram scenario for its proposed transit-system expansion, along with two options to integrate the tramway in Ottawa. The preferred corridor is a tunnel under Sparks Street. Council will only recommend the alternate surface corridor on Wellington Street with traffic maintained if the STO cannot secure funding for the tunnel and resolve outstanding issues with the corridor.

Source : City of Ottawa

The Transit Commission received an update on the Confederation Line service.

----

Transit Commission approves OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget

The Transit Commission today approved OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget and the Revisions to Boundary of Urban Transit Area for 2021 report.

OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget includes the following:

• Freezing EquiPass fares and the Community Pass at 2019 levels.
• A 2.5 per cent fare increase effective January 1, 2021, except for low-income customers and those who are Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients
• Because of the 2020 fare freeze, there is a budget pressure of $5.1 million in 2021 that will be funded from Transit reserves
• Costs of the 2020 fare increase deferral have been included in the RTG claim
• No service expansion on all modes of transit
• Discretionary spending pause continues in 2021

The 2021 Draft Budget will be tabled for consideration and approval by City Council on December 9.

The Revisions to Boundary of Urban Transit Area (UTA) for 2021 report was approved at today's meeting, and areas recommended for inclusion in the UTA will be effective January 1, 2021. The UTA boundaries will now be consistent with the boundaries of the Urban Policy Area and will ensure that funding for urban transit service is consistent across all properties in the Urban Policy Area.

OC Transpo ran Operation Mask Up in October to help change the behaviour of the small number of customers failing to comply with OC Transpo's mandatory mask policy. Between October 9 and 23:

• 48 customers were denied access to the system for refusing to wear a mask
• 10 customers were fined for not wearing a mask
• 602 customers were told to adjust their masks as they were not wearing them properly
• 33 customers had medical exemptions
• 25 written warnings were issued prior to switching to the issuance of fines on October 13

The Commission received an operational update on O-Train Line 1 service today. Rideau Transit Group (RTG) continues to progress through its rectification plan to address the reliability issues affecting Line 1. RTG and Alstom have continued the daily inspection regime resulting from the wheel cracks, and a total of nine vehicles have had their train wheels replaced to date. The Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the wheel crack issue is ongoing. OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance have completed their winter workshops and have reviewed winter operating plans. Specialized rail-borne equipment has undergone winter preparations, switch heather upgrade work is ongoing, and additional personnel resources are being added for the winter months.

Transit ridership in Ottawa has been at 28 per cent of usual levels since the start of the fall service change. Ridership decreased slightly through September and October due to the reinstated Stage 2 COVID restrictions. OC Transpo continues to monitor ridership as more customers return and will make adjustments as necessary.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OC Transpo launched a "Keeping You Safer" campaign in November to reinforce its commitment to customer and staff safety. The campaign includes interior and exterior sticker messages to promote confidence in riding OC Transpo, including: "We're keeping your ride clean around the clock."

Source : City of Ottawa

Confederation Line service update audio and media availability

Confederation Line service update presentation.

Audio of the meeting and media availability.

Please find attached a memo regarding milestones achieved on the O-Train Stage 1 Confederation Line and Stage 2 Confederation Line and Trillium Line extension projects in Q3 2020.

Source : City of Ottawa 

The Transit Commission held a special meeting today to table and receive the 2021 Draft Budget.

Source : City of Ottawa

---

The Transit Commission today tabled OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget and the Revisions to Boundary of Urban Transit Area for 2021 report.

In order to keep transit affordable for low-income residents and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients, OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget includes freezing EquiPass fares and the Community Pass at 2019 levels.

OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget also includes the following:

• A 2.5 per cent fare increase effective January 1, except for low-income customers and those who are ODSP recipients

• EquiPass fares and the Community Pass Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) will be frozen at 2019 levels

• Because of the 2020 fare freeze, there is a budget pressure of $5.1 million in 2021 that will be funded from reserves
• No service expansion on all modes of transit
• Costs of the 2020 fare increase deferral have been included in the RTG claim
• Discretionary spending pause continues in 2021

Additional COVID-related costs of $12.8 million for enhanced cleaning of buses, facilities and trains were included and assumed to be funded from the Safe Restart funding in 2021, in addition to the $50 million to $60 million to account for lower-than-budgeted ridership and fare revenue. Should the Safe Restart funding not cover these costs, the City has backstop reserve funding of $24 million from the financial mitigation strategies implemented in 2020 from deferred projects to assist. Additional strategies would need to be implemented in 2021 to address the remaining shortfall of $23 million to $31 million.

The Revisions to Boundary of Urban Transit Area (UTA) for 2021 report was also tabled at today's meeting. The recommendations in the UTA report would make the UTA boundaries consistent with the boundaries of the Urban Policy Area, and would ensure that funding for urban transit service is consistent across all properties in the Urban Policy Area. In the future, staff propose expanding the UTA in conjunction with any expansion of the Urban Policy Area, so that both are consistently aligned.

OC Transpo's 2021 Draft Budget and the Urban Transit Area report will be considered by the Transit Commission on November 18, and then by City Council on December 9. If approved, areas recommended for inclusion in the UTA would be effective January 1, 2021.

Audio of the meeting

Presentation

Stage 2 of Ottawa's LRT system continues moving forward, with funding to expand service east by 12 kilometres and five stations, west by 15 kilometres and 11 stations, and south by 12 kilometres and eight stations – including a link to the Ottawa International Airport. Once Stage 2 is completed, it will feature 24 new stations along 44 kilometres of rail, bringing 77 per cent of residents within five kilometres of LRT.

Draft Budget 2021 includes $6 million to deliver expanded rail service on Lines 1 and 2. It includes $6.2 million to support expanded service as part of Stage 2 and nearly $24 million to purchase and install fare control equipment for all three extensions, along with updates to allow Open Payments.

Draft Budget 2021 commits $13 million to improve Blair and Tunney's Pasture stations, adding canopies and information panels, and replacing and adding an elevator at Blair Station.

The cost of the EquiPass and the Community Pass for Ontario Disability Support Program recipients will remain frozen at 2018 rates for another year. 

Source : City of Ottawa

The Transportation Committee received a presentation on the Barrhaven Light Rail Transit, touching on the Rail Grade-Separations, Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. This proposed expansion route has caused a high level of concern for residents due to the fact that a portion of the recommended alignment of the line will impact countless homes (notably affordable housing).

---

Light rail transit could extend from Baseline Station to Barrhaven as part of Stage 3, if funding from upper levels of government becomes available.

The City's Transportation Committee today approved recommendations from the environmental assessment for Barrhaven LRT and rail-grade separations. The LRT would be extended by 10 kilometres and seven stations. Double tracks would be elevated between Baseline Station and the Nepean Sportsplex, transitioning back to grade and following the existing southwest Transitway alignment to Barrhaven Town Centre.

The design includes three bridges to separate VIA Rail tracks from Woodroffe Avenue, the southwest Transitway and Fallowfield Road, along with interim measures to make transit more efficient and reliable along Woodroffe Avenue.

The estimated $3-billion project could be implemented in two phases. The first would cost $2 billion, extending LRT between Baseline Station and Fallowfield Station and building three bridges over the VIA Rail line. The second would cost $1 billion, extending the LRT to Barrhaven Town Centre, where a new park-and-ride facility would be built.

As the recommended alignment of the LRT extension would affect 120 private rental units, the Committee approved a motion to create a working group to examine options on how to assist the residents who are facing future relocation. The working group, which would include multiple City departments, Ottawa Community Housing, representatives from the affected communities, the Ward Councillor and the Council Liaison for Housing and Homelessness, would make recommendations to the Finance and Economic Development Committee by the end of the year.

The Ministry of Transportation presented its plans to replace the Highway 417 bridges over Preston Street, Rochester Street, Booth Street, Bronson Avenue and Percy Street. Construction is expected to take five years.

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio from the meeting

City Staff Presentation

Please find attached a memo regarding Happy Goat Coffee Company concession stands opening at four O-Train Line 1 stations in November. The stations include Blair, Hurdman, Rideau and Tunney's Pasture. 

Source : City of Ottawa

The Transit Commission received an update today on the O-Train Line 1 and Bus Service. 

----

The Transit Commission today approved the installation of permanent operator barriers on OC Transpo buses. Pending Council approval of the 2021 Capital Budget, the procurement process would begin in 2021 and barrier installations would start in late 2021.

OC Transpo continues to explore and implement new measures to improve safety for customers and operators. Industry-wide, more transit agencies are moving towards the installation of barriers to increase the overall safety of bus operators. In addition to existing safety features and policies, installing permanent barriers on buses will create a physical barrier preventing access to the bus operator's area, which can help prevent assaults. Barrier shields can also help prevent the transmission of viruses, like COVID-19. The total cost to retrofit OC Transpo's current fleet is $6 million, and any future buses purchased would include operator barriers.

OC Transpo launched Operation Mask Up on October 9 to help change the behaviour of the small number of customers failing to comply with OC Transpo's mandatory mask policy. Between October 9 and 18:

• 15 customers were denied access to the system for refusing to wear a mask
• 7 customers were fined for not wearing a mask
• 454 customers were told to adjust their masks as they were not wearing them properly
• 23 customers had medical exemptions
• 25 written warnings were issued prior to switching to the issuance of fines on October 13

Young children and customers with a disability or medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask are not required to wear one.For more information on Operation Mask Up, please visit octranspo.com.

An operational update on O-Train Line 1 and bus service was presented at today's meeting. Rideau Transit Group (RTG) continues to progress through its rectification plan to address the reliability issues affecting the LRT and ultimately OC Transpo customers. RTG and Alstom have continued the daily inspection regime resulting from the identification of wheel cracks, and the replacement of all the train wheels has started. RTG has been able to increase the train count and meet OC Transpo's daily service requirements while continuing the inspections. The Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the wheel crack issue is ongoing.

Transit ridership in Ottawa has been 30 per cent of usual levels since the start of the fall service change. Ridership is the highest its been since the pandemic began in mid-March 2020. OC Transpo continues to monitor ridership as more customers return and will make adjustments as necessary.

On October 18, OC Transpo opened a new bus-only roadway as an extension of Raven Road that connects Bronson Avenue and the Carleton University campus. The new roadway shortens travel times and improves service reliability for buses travelling through the Carleton campus. It supports the current replacement buses during Stage 2 construction on O-Train Line 2, and will remain in place after Line 2 reopens.

OC Transpo began testing a "Virtual Line" at the Customer Service Centre at the Rideau Centre on October 5, which supports physical distancing measures as recommended by Ottawa Public Health. This new system allows customers to take a number upon arrival and watch the call-out screen for their turn in line. In the coming weeks, customers will be able to opt-in to receive a text alert when their spot in the queue is approaching and will also be able to check the wait time in advance and book an appointment remotely.

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio from the Transit Commission Meeting.

Audio from the Media Availability. 

The Transit Commission was today advised that OC Transpo was the first Canadian transit agency to join the American Public Transportation Association's "Health and Safety Commitments Program," the North American public transportation industry's overarching pledge to customers that transit systems are taking all the necessary measures to operate as safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on the Health and Safety Commitments Program, visit APTA.com.

An operational update on O-Train Line 1 and bus service was presented today. Rideau Transit Group (RTG) has met the requirement to provide 15 trains on O-Train Line 1 during the morning peak periods since September 8. The City will continue to review the progress of RTG's rectification work into the fall.

OC Transpo's fall service changes took effect on August 30^th and OC Transpo continues to work closely with all four school boards and the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority and the Consortium de transport scolaire d'Ottawa to adapt to the revised school schedules.

Fare payment by tapping a credit card is being fast-tracked and will be tested starting at the first O-Train fare gate by the end of 2020.

The 2020 Transit Operating and Capital Budget Status Report and the COVID-19 Financial Mitigation Strategies were also presented to the Commission. The City recommended that a report be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation seeking additional funding to support Phase 2 of the Safe Restart funding program. The report on Delegation of Authority contracts awarded for the period of July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 was also provided to the Commission.

OC Transpo will continue with its health and safety measures to help protect against COVID-19, including mandatory masks for customers and staff, enhanced cleaning and signage, and a proactive campaign for mask compliance in early October.

Source : City of Ottawa 

Meeting - Audio Recording

Virtual Media Availability - Audio Recording

O-Train Line 1 and Bus Service Update 

OC Transpo first Canadian transit agency to participate in APTA "Health and Safety Commitments" Program

OC Transpo is the first Canadian transit agency to join the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) "Health and Safety Commitments Program," the public transportation industry's overarching pledge to passengers that public transit systems are taking all the necessary measures to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, OC Transpo has worked tirelessly to keep customers and employees as safe as possible. By signing on to the APTA Health and Safety Commitments Program with more than 100 public transit systems, OC Transpo and the public transit industry are actively working to instill confidence in riders that it's committed to protecting their health and safety.

The program was developed after asking transit users from across the country what measures would make them feel more confident riding public transportation amid concerns about COVID-19. From this research, the industry identified four key areas that transit systems need to address to earn riders' confidence:

• Following public health guidelines from official sources
• Cleaning and disinfecting transit vehicles frequently and requiring face coverings and other protections
• Keeping passengers informed and empowered to choose the safest times and routes to ride
• Putting health first by requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel ill

OC Transpo has pledged to continually meet these commitments and has earned the Seal of Commitment by adopting practices and policies that make sense for our transit system, riders and community. A key component of the Health and Safety Commitments Program is the shared responsibility of our system and our riders to follow the guidelines. Riders rely on us to follow these commitments, and OC Transpo relies on riders to protect themselves and other customers.

We're all in this together. OC Transpo remains committed to the highest standards of health and safety. We're following official public health guidelines; we ask riders to continue following them, too.

The Seal of Commitment will be displayed across the OC Transpo transit system soon.

Source : City of Ottawa

FEDCO received an update on Stage 2 LRT today by Michael Morgan - Director of Rail Construction for the City of Ottawa

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio

Presentation 

This memo is to advise of upcoming planned maintenance activities on the O-Train Line 1. The City is undertaking surveys of the track and the overhead catenary system (OCS) using specialized track equipment.

While some of this work can be undertaken overnight outside of service hours, a video survey of the line must be completed during the day. This activity will provide information on the condition of the track and the OCS infrastructure, and is a standard practice on all rail systems.

On Sunday August 30^th between 8 to 10 am, the R1 replacement bus service will be provided to our customers between Tunney's Pasture and Blair stations to enable us to proceed with the survey work on the rail track. At 10 am, service on the rail system will start.

In advance of the closure, notice will be provided to customers on social media, on octranspo.com, and with signage at stations.

John Manconi - General Manager, Transportation Services Department

Source : City of Ottawa 

OC Transpo is pleased to announce a new agreement with Scheidt & Bachmann (S&B) to fast track additional contactless fare payment technology on its bus fleet and at O-Train stations with fare gates.

Over the next several months, OC Transpo and S&B will work together to develop and test the technology that will allow riders to tap a credit card at fare card readers on buses and at O-Train station fare gates. Testing will take place throughout 2020, with the new system anticipated to be ready for customers next year.

This partnership will result in OC Transpo having one of the most advanced fare payment systems in Canada, giving customers flexibility to choose from a range of payment options.

This enhancement builds on the innovative technology in OC Transpo's fare gates and ticket vending machines installed at O-Train Stations. The addition of new payment options at faregates and fare card readers on buses is being fast tracked in light of the COVID-19 pandemic so that OC Transpo can offer customers additional options to easily pay their transit fare while reducing contact points along the system.

When launched, the new card readers will accept payments made with VISA and MasterCard, or by tapping a smartphone with Apple Pay or Google Pay. In the initial phase, the payment system will only be used for adult single-ride fares but can over time be expanded to other fare types.

As part of testing, customers will have an opportunity to use the new payment system at a fare gate at one O-Train Station by the end of 2020. Subject to the successful results of this trial, it is currently expected that the new payment option will be available on all buses and at all fare gates in 2021.

For more information on transit fares, programs and services, please visit octranspo.com.

Quotes

"This is an exciting partnership that shows how OC Transpo is finding new ways to improve the transit experience for our residents. Contactless payment using a personal credit card is a leading-edge service on transit systems worldwide, and I look forward to using this user-friendly technology on our transit system here in Ottawa."

Mayor Jim Watson

"Flexible, customizable fare payment is just one way we can attract new or infrequent transit riders to the transit system. Riders can determine the fare payment option that makes the most sense for them and how they use the system. By fast tracking the development of this new software, OC Transpo is looking ahead at positive ways to foster growth in the system."

Councillor Alan Hubley, Chair, Transit Commission

"S&B is delighted to expand our partnership with the City of Ottawa to deliver a contactless Pay As You Go transit payment solution. This innovative solution will provide customers with the option of using their mobile phone or credit card to pay their fare in a safe touchless manner."

Karen Swanborough, Regional Vice President, Scheidt & Bachmann 

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find attached a memo regarding maintenance service payment to Rideau Transit Group. 

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise the Mayor, Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the status of pending Monthly Service Payments to Rideau Transit Group (RTG) as a result of its performance of the Maintenance Services.

Source : City of Ottawa

In my first Rail Fans VLOG, I talk a bit about myself, where my interest in transit and rail started, why I launched O-Train Fans, what I think of the O-Train, as well as my favourite transit systems.

Thank you for watching. 

---

There is currently a technical issue on the site preventing the video from being embedded, so please click the button above to view it on Youtube directly.

OC Transpo has launched a public consultation to select the names for the 24 new stations that are part of the Stage 2 O-Train expansion and wants to hear from you!

From August 5 to 26, 2020, you are invited to weigh in on the following station names, or propose different names:

Stage 2 West – Baseline Branch

1. Westboro
2. Kìchì Sìbì
3. Sherbourne
4. New Orchard
5. Lincoln Fields
6. Iris
7. Algonquin
   

1. Queensview
2. Pinecrest
3. Bayshore
4. Moodie
   

1. Montréal
2. Jeanne d'Arc
3. Convent Glen
4. Place d'Orléans
5. Trim
   

1. Gladstone
2. Walkley
3. South Keys
4. Leitrim
5. Bowesville
6. Limebank
7. Uplands
8. Airport / Aéroport

• Meaningful geographic reference
• Easy to understand in French and English
• Easy to pronounce
• Easy to write
• Unique from other stations and city locations
• Established Transitway station names

To find out more about why each name has been proposed, read about OC Transpo's full naming criteria and see renderings of what each station will look like, visit octranspo.com.

You are invited to provide comments on the proposed names or suggest new names through the following ways:

• Online at octranspo.com
• By phone at 613-741-4390 (TTY: 613-741-5280)
• By writing to: 925 Belfast Rd Ottawa ON K1G 0Z4 (Attention: Stage 2 Station Names)

After the consultation period, the results will be reviewed by a panel and the final selected names will shared with the Transit Commission, Council, customers and residents this fall.

Source : OC Transpo

Please find attached a memo update on O-Train Line 1 Confederation Line's Fleet Availability.

Source : City of Ottawa 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and Members of Council and Transit Commission with an update on the availability of the O-Train Line 1 fleet.

RTG has been working to increase the vehicle count to 15 trains in service,plus two spares, during the morning peak period. RTG has confirmed that 15 trains, plus two spares, are available to support service starting today, Tuesday, August 4, 2020. While 15 trains are available to the City, the enhanced daily wheel inspection regime only allows for 13 trains, plus two spares, to be deployed into service during peak periods, with trains arriving approximately every 4 minutes.

With the reduced passenger loads, 13 trains can accommodate customer volumes and allows for opportunities for physical distancing. RTG is making progress with the investigation and resolution of the wheel issue and as they make further progress, additional vehicles may be added to the morning peak service if required. 

-John Manconi - General Manager of Transportation Services

Please find attached the O-Train Stage 1 and Stage 2 Quarterly Memo to Council (Q2 2020).

Source : City of Ottawa 

The following information outlines the milestones achieved in Q2 2020 and provides an overview of the planned work for Q3 2020.

The City of Ottawa's Rail Construction Program continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to delivery of maintenance services on the Stage 1 Confederation Line, impacts to Stage 2 vehicle manufacturing efforts being undertaken by Rideau Transit Group (RTG), and the Stage 2 design and construction of the Trillium Line and Confederation Line extensions. The various maintenance, design, and construction teams working on light rail in Ottawa are adhering to all guidance provided by Ottawa Public Health and the Province of Ontario. Construction continues in all geographic areas of the project and the City is monitoring the potential impacts on the projects closely.

The contractors have been implementing additional safety measures at their construction sites and have implemented additional measures such as remote working for their design and administrative staff. The City is working closely with the contractors to understand if there will be any long-term impacts to these projects as a result of the current environment.

The critical focus on the Stage 1 Confederation Line remains the implementation of RTG's rectification plan to improve the performance of the system. As part of that plan, RTG and the City have agreed that this current period of low ridership provides an opportunity to temporarily close the system to undertake work relating to initiatives that are part of that plan to improve system performance. Specifically, the Confederation Line was temporarily closed over the following periods:

• May 2-3, 2020

• May 9-13, 2020

• May 31-June 3, 2020

• June 21-28, 2020

Over the course of the temporary service closure periods, the following works were completed:

• Implementation and testing of updated train control software and communication system software to improve vehicle and system performance;

• Installation of new passenger door software to reduce door-related disruptions and door faults;

• Detailed cleaning and inspection of the overhead catenary system to remove buildup of road chemicals and to replace compromised catenary mechanical supports (Parafil);

• Track works including adjustment of the ballast to correct settlement issues and adjustment of the rail to deal with high heat conditions (kinking and/or ride quality issues);

• Injection repair to seal an area near Rideau Station where water was entering the tunnel; and,

• Vehicle retrofit work and modification work, routine inspections, and corrective maintenance.

Outside of the items identified in RTG's rectification plan, Line 1 has experienced two new issues that affect availability, reliability and performance of the system: wheel cracks and track alignment in hot temperatures. Following the identification of these issues, RTG undertook a full inspection of the fleet and established a regimented ongoing wheel inspection routine to ensure that customer safety remains paramount. As outlined in the July 10, 2020 memorandum, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has advised the City that they will be initiating an investigation into the wheel cracks experienced on some of the Confederation Line trains. City staff will provide updates to the Mayor and Members of Council as they become available.

As it relates to Line 1 track alignment issues, in July 2020, RTG was given several opportunities to close the Line 1 system early before the end of service to undertake short term repairs and adjustments to mitigate issues caused by the hot temperatures. Under the project agreement RTG is required to provide a plan to the City that corrects the ongoing track performance issues on a permanent basis. While the heat-related issues are not uncommon on rail networks, the effect on Line 1 is greater than expected and RTG is required to implement a permanent fix to the track.

As RTG executes the work associated with their plans and identifies additional technical enhancements, there may be a need for future temporary service closures to Line 1 later in 2020. In addition to the work on rectification, there are ongoing activities related to project close-out, including minor deficiency work, final reporting to the funding partners and close-out of project documentation. Stage 1 Confederation Line project close-out activities will continue in Q3 2020.

Additionally, Rideau Street is now closed to permit the final segment of the Rideau Streetscaping work to occur between Dalhousie Street and Sussex Drive. More information about the project and timelines of the work are available here:

https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/rideau-street-renewal-sussex-drive- dalhousie-street#open-house-boards-june-19-2019

The City of Ottawa has decommissioned and archived the Confederation Line project's construction website (ligneconfederationline.ca). Project agreement documentation remain available on ottawa.ca. Any updates on operations, repairs and service will continue to be made available on octranspo.com.

Design Progress

In Q2 2020, design work continued for the Stage 2 O-Train Trillium Line and Confederation Line project teams, TransitNEXT and East-West Connectors (EWC).

In Q2 2020, City staff reviewed TransitNEXT's preliminary designs of specific Trillium Line extension elements, including design drawings for the New Walkley Yard, guideway design drawings for the existing portion of the alignment, final design drawings for the south extension of the alignment, and the preliminary operational modelling for the system. Staff also reviewed pre-final designs of the new signaling and train control system, the communication systems drawings for the New Walkley Yard, utility relocation plans, structures, and various Stadler vehicle elements, including final design information of the brake system and interior lighting. Additionally, City staff also reviewed design packages for stations along the existing portion of the alignment, including Greenboro, Walkley, Carleton, Mooney's Bay and Carling stations.

In Q3 2020, City staff will complete the review of the construction documents submission of the guideway for the Airport Link, the re-submission of the preliminary design drawings for the new Walkley Yard, and final design drawings for the Dow's Lake Tunnel. Finally, City staff also expect to receive the final design package for the signaling and train control system, additional final design packages for elements of the Stadler vehicles, and pre-final and final design packages for Bayview, Gladstone, Carling, Carleton, Mooney's Bay, Greenboro, South Keys, Uplands, Airport, Leitrim, Bowesville and Limebank stations.

In Q2 2020, City staff reviewed EWC's designs of specific Confederation Line extensions elements, including stations, trackwork, utility expansion works, Highway 417 interchanges, roadway works including Highway 174 and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, bridge structures and the Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility.

In Q2 2020, City staff reviewed EWC's designs of specific Confederation Line extensions elements, including stations, trackwork, utility expansion works, Highway 417 interchanges, roadway works including Highway 174 and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, bridge structures and the Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility.

Preliminary designs for stations including Orléans Boulevard, Montreal Road, Iris and Bayshore stations and final designs for Moodie Station, Queensview Station, Lincoln Fields Station were also reviewed. Several stations, including Pinecrest, Baseline, Place d'Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc and Trim are awaiting resubmissions of final design packages after initial review. The City expects to review the resubmitted final design packages in Q3.

Preliminary infrastructure designs for the tunnel work for the Connaught area, overall track and alignment designs along the entire alignment, and designs for existing bridge structure rehabilitation on Highway 174 have also been reviewed by the City. The Hazard Log for the east extension, as well as various preliminary hazard analyses were also reviewed.

City staff also reviewed the final designs of the Highway 174 bridges at Montreal Road, Lincoln Fields flyover and several utility design packages that have now been issued for construction. Other final designs reviewed include the Moodie Light Maintenance Storage Facility, Moodie Station, Queensview Station, Lincoln Fields Station, and west alignment roadways.

In Q3 2020, staff anticipate reviewing preliminary designs for the remaining Confederation Line stations and structures. The ongoing design review of roads, bridges and utility work throughout the east and west alignments will continue in Q3 2020.

TransitNEXT and EWC are well into construction work along their respective alignments. The Rail Construction Program will continue to work with City Councillors to advise where work is underway and provide public notifications, as required.

In Q2 2020, the Line 2 Trillium Line was closed on May 4, 2020 and the existing guideway, stations and vehicles were turned over to TransitNEXT in order to begin construction works. A multi-use pathway detour was implemented at the future Gladstone Station and rock removal through blasting and other means is underway and will continue in Q3 2020. Tracks were removed between Young Street and Gladstone Station to allow for rock cut and guideway widening.

At the VIA-Trillium Line Rail crossing, the existing Line 2 tracks have been cut and barriers placed to prevent access to VIA Rail right-of-way. Caisson drilling has commenced and will continue in Q3 2020 to support the elevated guideway over the VIA tracks.

Construction at the New Walkley Yard continues with grade beam and maintenance pit foundation work. Culverts and underground storm water retention structures are being installed at the west end of the site. The tracks leading to the old Walkley Yard facility have been removed allowing for full use of Walkley Yards project lands by TransitNEXT.

Along the new guideway alignment between Greenboro to Limebank stations, earthworks, ditching, grading and culvert installation continue. Excavation for South Keys Station is underway. Girders were installed at Uplands, Bowesville and Airport Parkway rail bridges. Caisson, pier and pier cap work will continue in Q3 2020 at Lester, Leitrim, Earl Armstrong rail bridges, as well as the Limebank and Ottawa Airport elevated guideway structures.

EWC has completed the geotechnical investigation and is nearing the completion of survey work along the Confederation Line East and West extensions. Some intermittent night work may be required to minimize impacts to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Applications for noise exemptions will be submitted to Ward Councillors.

Construction of the eastbound lane realignment of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (SJAM) commenced and will be ongoing in Q3 2020. Pedestrian and cyclist access through this area, via the Ottawa River Pathway, will be maintained throughout the construction of new traffic lanes, and the south pedestrian access has been detoured to make room for the parkway tunnel works. The final SJAM traffic change is expected mid Q3 2020, with a few interim changes expected to accommodate this work. Site preparation has started at Rochester Fields for a Parkway tunnel construction staging and laydown area.

Construction of new Goldenrod bridge is expected to start in early Q3 2020. This bridge will enable the removal of the embankment road in the rock cut just west of Tunney's Pasture Station.

Work along Richmond and Byron avenues in preparation for the Parkway tunnel started in Q2 2020 and included utility relocations and construction of a sidewalk along the south side of Byron Avenue. Utility relocation work is expected to continue into Q3 2020 in advance of the support of excavation installation.

Construction of a storm sewer in proximity to Lincoln Fields Station near Carling Avenue is ongoing and is anticipated to be completed in Q3 2020. Modifications to Carling Avenue are ongoing and are required to facilitate the watermain relocation and storm sewer connection. Additional utility work will be ongoing in Q3 2020 through the east and west alignments to relocate utilities to avoid conflicts with future works.

Further in the west, the retaining walls and start of the construction for Iris street culvert north of Iris began in Q2 2020 and will continue in Q3 2020. Various utility works (Hydro and Rogers) will continue in this area in Q3 2020. The excavation for the future Pinecrest Creek Pond and the construction of the Baseline Station bus operator building are expected to begin in Q3 2020.

In the east, work began on the reconfiguration of Ottawa Regional (OR) 174 in Q2 2020. Ramp modifications at Montreal and Champlain Interchanges are underway, while ramp modification at Jeanne D'Arc are expected to start in Q3 2020. Drainage works, including storm sewer and culvert extensions, are ongoing on the north and south side of OR 174 between Blair Road and Champlain in preparation for the realigned OR 174 lanes.

Modification to the OR174 and ramps will allow future guideway work to begin in the centre median area of OR 174, away from active traffic lanes. All traffic will be maintained in both directions throughout the duration of the project; however, minor off-peak delays to eastbound traffic may occur at times.

Finally, construction of drainage work and new parking lots at the Trim Park and Ride started in Q2 2020 and is ongoing.

As part of the Stage 2 Project, TransitNEXT will be supplying seven Stadler FLIRT vehicles. These vehicles are being designed and manufactured in Switzerland and progress will continue through the summer to complete the final design of onboard systems, seating layouts, design and specification for integration of various onboard systems, exterior paint design (livery) and other system designs ahead of start of manufacturing later in the year.

Rideau Transit Group (RTG) is providing 38 additional Alstom Citadis Spirit light rail vehicles to ensure that the expanded Stage 2 Confederation Line operates as a single, uniform service. The Rail Construction Program is monitoring the production of this expanded fleet with special attention being placed on ensuring that all hardware and software improvements and upgrades resulting from the in-service experience of the Stage 1 fleet are applied to the new vehicles.

Despite supply chain impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, RTG completed and the City accepted three vehicles from the Stage 2 order, bringing the total operational fleet count to 37 vehicles out of 72. Vehicle 38 is in testing and expected to be added to the fleet shortly.

Customers may notice some testing activities currently underway along the existing Confederation Line alignment during evening and weekend hours. Test vehicles are easily identifiable to ensure passengers are aware the vehicle is 'not in service'.

The Stage 1 Confederation Line Contingency Fund is $100M. To date, $85.9M from the total fund has been spent. Remaining funds are earmarked for potential future changes, primarily related to property requirements and transit priorities. When funds are reserved for contract variations, the upper cost limit for the variation is used and upon completion of the work, unspent monies are returned to the Contingency Fund. For this reason, the funds reserved figure is an estimate that may be higher than the actual amount spent.

The Stage 2 Trillium Line Extension project budget includes an amount of $138.5M net of HST rebates, which represents the private partner's capital investment to be repaid during the maintenance period.

The Stage 2 program budget has been updated to reflect current forecasts, net of HST rebates.

In keeping with Council's approved 2017 Stage 2 Report (ACS2017- TSD-OTP-0001) and 2019 Stage 2 Report (ACS2019-TSD-OTP-0001), approximately $998.9M has been spent as of June 30, 2020 and relates to RTG MOU for Belfast Yard and vehicle assembly mobilization ($323.8M), Confederation Line extension mobilization and construction period payments ($405.3M) and Trillium Line extension construction period payments and financial close for the Revenue Vehicle Supply Contract ($63M). The remaining $206.8M was spent for planning, procurement, project delivery and City retained scope.

RTG achieved Revenue Service Availability on August 30, 2019 and was eligible for a pro-rated monthly service payment for a single day of service on August 31, 2019. The performance deductions that accumulated for this single day of service were applied to the September 2019 payment per the Project Agreement. As discussed previously, a single payment was made for Maintenance Services to RTG for August and September 2019, less deductions, as required by the Project Agreement.

The City is currently working through an invoice review to ensure that we meet all of our contractual obligations under the Project Agreement. Based on ongoing reviews of the invoice period for October to June reflecting the system performance of September to May, we do expect to make maintenance payments to RTG less the appropriate performance deductions.

The City of Ottawa originally posted redacted versions of the Stage 2 Confederation Line and Trillium Line Project Agreements and Technical Schedules on November 15, 2019 to the City's Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Plans website on www.ottawa.ca.

Recently, staff undertook a review of the redactions that were applied to a number of technical sections in an effort to release additional information and assist in answering commonly asked questions relating to station design, vehicles, testing and commissioning and maintenance activities.

As with the Stage 1 documents, aspects of the Stage 2 documents continue to be redacted. These redactions continue to allow the City to balance transparency with the protection of third party and/or commercially sensitive information. East-West Connectors and TransitNEXT are aware of the changes. Additionally, staff have reformatted the Stage 2 documents into separate documents to increase the public's ease in accessing and reading the information.

This additional information is posted on the following site: https://ottawa.ca/en/routine-disclosure- and-active-dissemination-plans#transportation-services-department.

Building on the Stage 2 LRT Connectivity Study completed in 2017, the Rail Construction Program has proposed additional measures to better connect stations with the surrounding community. Staff has consulted residents on how they will get to their Stage 2 station. Public consultation was rolled out in three phases focusing on O-Train East, South, and West stations. In each phase of public consultation, connectivity enhancements were presented via Zoom to Public Advisory Committees (PACs) comprised of local community associations, ward Councillors, business improvement areas, and special interest groups. In total, the Rail Construction Program coordinated nine PACs which included a total of 133 participants from 35 organizations. Feedback from each phase of public consultation will be consolidated and published to ottawa.ca/stage2.

The Rail Construction Program hosted an information meeting on the future Rideau River pedestrian bridge that will connect Vincent Massey Park and Carleton University. Staff presented preliminary design details via Teams to numerous online participants and answered questions in real time. Information regarding the Rideau River Pedestrian Bridge has been posted to ottawa.ca/stage2 along with a survey allowing residents to provide feedback and ask questions.

The Rail Construction Program continues to encourage residents to subscribe to the Stage 2 LRT newsletter to receive monthly progress updates, construction photos and video and area specific notifications regarding upcoming works. Residents can subscribe to the electronic newsletters by visiting ottawa.ca/stage2 or by emailing stage2@ottawa.ca. 

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting a class 3 investigation after cracks were found on a total of four wheels on three separate Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) vehicles during maintenance and inspection activities.

See investigation page for more information.

Source : Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Rolling stock damage without derailment

Ottawa Light Rail Transit
2 July 2020

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting an investigation after cracks were found on a total of four wheels on three separate Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) vehicles during maintenance and inspection activities in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.

On 02 July 2020, during maintenance activities, cracks were found in the area of two wheels that were secured to the axle by bolts in both wheels of a wheelset of Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) 1113 (R20H0079).

On 03 July 2020, two additional wheels with similar cracks were identified, one cracked wheel on LRV 1108 (R20H0080) and one cracked wheel on LRV 1133 (R20H0081). The affected LRVs were taken out of service for bogie replacement.

To date, OLRT fleet inspections have identified cracks on a total of four wheels from three different LRVs.

Following the detection of the cracks, half of the OLRT vehicles fleet has been taken out of service. 

Please find attached a memo regarding the notification of Transportation Safety Board investigation into Confederation Line wheel cracks.