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OC and STO service disruptions

Cre47

By Cre47
in National Capital Region

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GTAmissions1

GTAmissions1

Posted
Posted

Looking at the R1 schedule which is now programmed in. Here is an interesting observation.

Lees shuttle from Rideau operates every half hour departing Rideau at :15 and :45 on the hour for the loop. Though, it could change by a few minutes. Here is the span of hours for the round trip departing from Rideau making the loop around Lees. 

Saturday: 6:15 AM until 1:45 AM the next day

Sunday: 8:17 AM until 11:17 PM 

Weekdays: 5:14 AM until 1:14 AM the next day

Final comments:

Considering the frequency of R1 East still providing service to Lees, I think it may be easier to take R1 East to go one stop which is Hurdman and backtrack on an R1 West bus if going beyond Rideau. Versus waiting half an hour for the Lees shuttle bus unless the end destination is UOttawa or Rideau of course. 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, MCIBUS said:

For the Albert/Slater stops I wish they included Metcalf/Albert & Metcalf/Slater stops?

Slater/Metcalfe would be difficult because the operator would have to do two lane changes to the left after servicing the stop in order to go northbound Elgin from Stlater going towards Rideau Station (Rideau Centre on Rideau St).

And we all know that car drivers will happily yield to buses when signaling left wanting to do a lane change... (sarcasm intended)

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95X Special

95X Special

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, JCL said:

Slater/Metcalfe would be difficult because the operator would have to do two lane changes to the left after servicing the stop in order to go northbound Elgin from Stlater going towards Rideau Station (Rideau Centre on Rideau St).

And we all know that car drivers will happily yield to buses when signaling left wanting to do a lane change... (sarcasm intended)

Should just service makenzie king instead of rideau 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, 95X Special said:

Should just service makenzie king instead of rideau 

If MacKenzie King Bridge wasn't under construction, I'd agree with you.

That construction is suppose to continue until next year (2024). 

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MCIBUS

MCIBUS

Posted
Posted

So if I heard the news conference correctly service is suppose to return July 31 in some degree. As to what exactly times between trains is yet to be known, but at least some trains will be running?

 

Will the city give riders a break like a month or two of free service for the inconvenience we had to put up for not only for this latest shut but for twice in the winter?

 

 

 

 

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Chris_the_traveller

Chris_the_traveller

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, MCIBUS said:

So if I heard the news conference correctly service is suppose to return July 31 in some degree. As to what exactly times between trains is yet to be known, but at least some trains will be running?

 

Will the city give riders a break like a month or two of free service for the inconvenience we had to put up for not only for this latest shut but for twice in the winter?

 

 

 

 

Probably no compensation as that would set a precedent. And OC Transpo knows that this could very well keep happening, since the system is so unreliable.

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GTAmissions1

GTAmissions1

Posted
Posted

Six light rail vehicles have been flagged for loose hubs and are going for further investigation. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lrt-update-july-25-1.6917175

A redesign is planned to address the issue, but it could take 12 to 18 months to design and test a new wheel hub assembly. Pending successful testing of the redesign, it would take at least another 2 to 3 years to implement on all vehicles currently in-service. 

All costs related to design, testing and implementation is covered by Rideau Transit Group and Alstom. 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
Posted

Ahead of the upcoming media brefing, OC has posted a memo to City Council: 

https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/line-1-service-updates#jul26

(Note that emphasis below in this red bold text colour are mine)

Quote

Memos to the Mayor and Members of Council

July 26: Line 1 Service Update

This memo is to provide an update to the Mayor and Members of Council on the ongoing

O-Train Line 1 service disruption and the safe, gradual return to service.

At this time, OC Transpo continues to anticipate that the gradual resumption of service will begin on Monday, July 31. In order to safely resume service, three items are required:

  • Inspection of all rail vehicles, which was completed on July 24; six vehicles are undergoing additional investigations
  • Texelis report based on the manufacturer’s disassembly and analysis of the out of tolerance axle hub, expected on July 28
  • Safety Note from Alstom and RTG, outlining the parameters of the new containment plan for the safe operations of Line 1

Earlier today, Alstom and RTG provided the draft Safety Note. The document is being reviewed by OC Transpo. At a high level, the Safety Note lays out plans for a new inspection and replacement regime that requires:

  • Continuing with all mitigation measures already in place
  • Replacement of the leading and trailing wheel hub assemblies and axles every 60,000 kilometres
  • Implement a new inspection regime for middle bogies

As a result of this enhanced inspection and replacement program, not all trains will be available to operate as they undergo wheel hub assembly replacement based on their current mileage. OC Transpo is committed to restoring O-Train service as soon as it is safe to do so. Based on this information, current reduced ridership levels, and that Line 1 can operate with either single or double-car trains, customers can expect the following progressive return to service:  

  • Eight single-car trains serving all stations on Line 1, approximately every seven to eight minutes
  • R1 bus service will continue to operate in parallel to Line 1 service
  • OC Transpo staff will continue to be at key stations to support customers during their trip
  • The Transit Operations Control Centre will be closely monitoring passenger volumes at stations

This fleet size in combination with the ongoing R1 bus service will provide the capacity required to meet current customer volumes. This temporary single-car train configuration enables OC Transpo and RTG to manage the supply of rail vehicles while meeting the more frequent inspection and replacement regime in order to ensure the sustainable delivery of service.

OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group (RTG) conducted a risk assessment and confirmed that since the system was originally designed to accommodate both single and double-car train operations, there are no additional risks to customer safety at station platforms.

As RTG progresses with the wheel hub assembly replacement, more trains will become available to maintain the sustainability of the eight trains in operation. Once OC Transpo can be assured that there is a sustainable number of vehicles available for service, we will assess an increase to the number of operating trains.

OC Transpo continues to work with RTG and Alstom to finalize the Safety Note and the gradual safe return to service plan.  Once plans are final, full details will be communicated to customers prior to the start of service through all of OC Transpo’s channels.

There will be a media availability at 4 p.m. today and we will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Original signed by,
Renée Amilcar

c.c.:     Senior Leadership Team
Transit Services Departmental Leadership Team
Director, Public Information and Media Relations        

 

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Shaun

Shaun

Posted
Posted
On 7/25/2023 at 5:47 PM, GTAmissions1 said:

Six light rail vehicles have been flagged for loose hubs and are going for further investigation. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lrt-update-july-25-1.6917175

A redesign is planned to address the issue, but it could take 12 to 18 months to design and test a new wheel hub assembly. Pending successful testing of the redesign, it would take at least another 2 to 3 years to implement on all vehicles currently in-service. 

All costs related to design, testing and implementation is covered by Rideau Transit Group and Alstom. 

It seems to me that either they did not design the wheel hub assembly with the duty cycle of this system in mind or the curves are too tight given the tolerance allowed by the design of the vehicle causing excessive amount of stress causing the part to fail sooner than the recommended interval. Or both.

 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
Posted

Today's media briefing at 4pm. 

Note that there is indication (based on a Councillor's tweet via a memo sent by OC Transpo staff o Councillors this afternoon ahead of this media briefing) that service will NOT resume on July 31, 2023 as originally hoped. 

 

 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
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Here is today's memo posted on OC's web site: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/line-1-service-updates#jul28

(Note that emphasis below in this red bold text colour are mine)

Quote

This memo is to provide Mayor and Members of Council with an update on the ongoing O-Train Line 1 service disruption and the safe return to service.

R1 Service

  • R1 bus service continues to operate in place of the rail alignment. An update was sent early this morning regarding the status of service.

Ongoing Investigation:

As previously indicated, to safely resume service, there are three milestones that must be achieved:

  • Inspection of all light rail vehicles:
    • This was completed on July 24; six vehicles are undergoing additional investigations.
  • Texelis report based on the manufacturer’s disassembly and analysis of the out of tolerance hub:
    • The Texelis report has been received. Rideau Transit Group (RTG) is currently conducting a review.
  • The final safety note from RTG, outlining the parameters of the new containment plan for the safe operations of Line 1:
    • A draft Safety Note was received on July 26
    • RTG informed us that the Safety Note requires additional actions to ensure that there is no contact between the train wheel and the restraining rail.

RTG and Alstom have conducted numerous instrumented bogie tests, which have resulted in the need for additional track infrastructure work to ensure that the train wheels do not make contact with the restraining rail. The need for this additional work means that the gradual resumption of service, initially anticipated to occur on July 31, will be delayed.

OC Transpo is working with RTG to determine the next steps, including a new risk assessment for the work to ensure that the track infrastructure conforms to the new Safety Note.    

Work on the risk assessment and next steps for adjusting rail infrastructure will proceed through the weekend. Once the risk assessment is complete, it will take approximately 10 days to complete the track infrastructure work.

More information on the requirements for this work and timelines for the safe resumption of service will be provided on Monday, July 31.

In the interim, RTG will continue to change the wheel hub assemblies. This will increase the number of light rail vehicles available for operation, when it is determined service can safely resume.

OC Transpo recognizes that the ongoing service disruption is frustrating for our customers. However, the safety of our customers and employees is paramount.

There will be a media availability at 4 p.m. and we will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Original signed by,
Renée Amilcar

c.c.:     Senior Leadership Team
Transit Services Departmental Leadership Team
Director, Public Information and Media Relations  

 

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JCL

JCL

Posted
Posted

Starting tomorrow (July 31, 2023), OC Transpo will be implementing R1 Expresses during the AM rush hour in the westbound direction; eastbound direction in the PM rush hour.

They will operate between Blair and Lyon (similar routing to the September 2021 derailment, except for the portion west of Rideau Station where they will operate on Albert/Slater instead of Queen Street).

Below are the tweets from OC Transpo, as well as an e-mail to City Council from OC Transpo management staff

E-mail from OC Transpo management to City Council: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/line-1-service-updates#jul30Email

(Note that emphasis below in this red bold text colour are mine)

Quote

Good morning, Mayor and Members of Council.

I am writing to provide a brief update on the service levels customers will have today and what they can expect on Monday, July 31.  

Sunday, July 30 

R1 service began this morning at 8am.

  • R1 bus service uses Albert and Slater streets downtown, instead of Queen Street: 
  • Westbound R1 buses are running on Albert Street, with stops at Bank and Kent 
  • Eastbound R1 buses are running on Slater Street, with stops at Kent and O’Connor 
  • Westbound R1 service is running from Blair to Tunney’s Pasture, stopping at each station, except for Lees 
    • A shuttle operates between Lees, uOttawa, and Rideau stations: 
    • Customers travelling to Lees station from the east can connect with the shuttle and eastbound R1 service at uOttawa station 
    • Eastbound R1 service will continue to serve Lees station 
  • A shuttle is running between Cyrville station and St-Laurent station in order to connect customers with R1 service 

Monday, July 31

OC Transpo has listened to and heard the feedback from customers on R1 bus service and is responding. Beginning on Monday July 31, a new R1 Express shuttle will be introduced. The R1 Express will operate between Blair Station and the downtown stations. This service will be in addition to the existing R1 bus service, which continues to operate on the same service pattern and schedule. The R1 Express service will run westbound on weekday mornings and eastbound during weekday afternoons and will offer our customers an additional travel option during the busiest commuting times.

The R1 Express will initially operate with 12 buses, running approximately once every 15 minutes. OC Transpo will continue to monitor and adjust where possible.

R1 Express will operate on:

  • Monday to Friday, from 6:30 to 8:30am: Blair Station to downtown, with service on Mackenize King Bridge and on Albert Street at Bank and Kent
  • Monday to Friday, from 3 to 6pm: Downtown with service on Slater Street at Bank and Kent and Mackenize King Bridge to Blair Station

The R1 Express buses will be easily identifiable as R1 Lyon Express in the westbound direction and R1 Blair Express in the eastbound direction. There will also be staff and signage at stations to assist customers.

Line 1 stations remain closed, and our staff are at major transit stations providing support to customers during their trip. Social media updates continue to be shared and customers are encouraged to check OCTranspo.com for the latest information regarding their trip.  

Please rest assured that work on all key areas of the investigation will continue throughout the weekend. 

On Monday, July 31, an update will be provided on the ongoing investigation and safe return to service, following the memo sent on Friday.

Thank you,  

Renée Amilcar
General Manager, Transit Services Department
Directrice générale, Services de transport en commun
City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa
1500 St-Laurent Boulevard |1500, boulevard St-Laurent
Ottawa, ON  K1G 0Z8

 

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Loud-Invero

Loud-Invero

Posted
Posted

Yet again, the services being added are targeted to ONLY public servants. Everyone else can go ____ themselves if they dare think the city will offer the same R1 Express during non rush hour periods. If I'm in downtown and need to head to Orleans. Do you think I want to stop at Hurdman, Tremblay, St. Laurent myself? Of course not, so why the double standard?

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Centralsmt

Centralsmt

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Loud-Invero said:

Yet again, the services being added are targeted to ONLY public servants. Everyone else can go ____ themselves if they dare think the city will offer the same R1 Express during non rush hour periods. If I'm in downtown and need to head to Orleans. Do you think I want to stop at Hurdman, Tremblay, St. Laurent myself? Of course not, so why the double standard?

They are targeted to get people to and from work, they are not intended for casual travellers.

There are lots to complain about with OC during this period but some people are just looking for things to complain about now., no matter how trivial they are.

 

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MCIBUS

MCIBUS

Posted
Posted

I need to get work as well and I take the bus from Hurdman. So if they going to have the Express run and I'm assuming there not going to stop at Hurdman, where are they going to get the extra buses to run the Express>? Take some from the regular R1 meaning longer wait times for those individuals?

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