12, 2021: LRT service returns to Ottawa after the line’s operator completes the first part of its phased return-to-service plan and the work is approved by a city-hired outside consultant, TRA. However, the provincial Progressive Conservative government says it will consider whether to launch an inquiry in light of the city council decision, with cabinet to consider the move a week later. Catherine McKenney brings back the motion for a judicial inquiry, but this time it is defeated. A TSB report released in early November blames “inconsistent and incomplete maintenance of safety-critical components.” Specifically, a gearbox on the train came loose, dragging across the tracks. 20, 2021: The city transit commission is told that improperly torqued bolts caused the Sept. That motion passes, with the auditor general later confirming the investigation is part of the work plan for the year ahead. Catherine McKenney’s motion to hold an inquiry into the problems with the system doesn’t get to a vote at a city council meeting as the motion is supplanted by another one calling for the city’s auditor general to investigate. The derailment puts the city without light rail for 54 days. A gearbox breaks off the train and the derailment destroys a signal mast and switch heater, while other infrastructure, including the Tremblay Station north passenger platform, shows signs of impact. Several panels on one train car are ripped from the vehicle, a window is shattered and the signal box is bent and broken. No one is injured, but one train car is significantly damaged after apparently colliding with a signal box next to the tracks. 19, 2021: A westbound train on the Confederation Line derails west of Tremblay Station. The finding leads to a stoppage of the LRT system for five days while maintenance workers check the fleet, finding nine other cars with a total of 17 loose cartridge assemblies. The nut holds the cartridge assembly together.
Train builder Alstom determines a large locking nut had loosened.
Transportation Safety Board investigators discover the roller bearing rollers on the track near uOttawa Station, suggesting a cartridge assembly failure. Two wheels on an axle on the train derailed and one of the wheels is no longer attached to the axle. 8, 2021: A train with no passengers derails after leaving Tunney’s Pasture.
#THE BUMPY ROAD TO CANBRA CRACKED#
The Transportation Safety Board announces an investigation into the wheel defects on the train vehicles and identifies a fourth cracked wheel.Īug. A safety order requires inspections after each use of a vehicle. Summer-Fall 2020: City staff say three Alstom train vehicles have evidence of defects. June 17, 2020: City reports some progress on repairs to the LRT system, but management still doesn’t know when the Confederation Line will be reliable. RTG subsequently criticizes the city for releasing the letter with “erroneous” claims.Īpril 8, 2020: Council is told RTG’s work plan to fix the LRT system is vague and doesn’t have timelines to indicate reliability. RTG has had 130,000 “failure points” since the start of service, nearly 80 times the permissible level under the contract. March 13, 2020: The city releases a letter it sent to RTG detailing all of the problems with the LRT system. March 10, 2020: The city sends RTG a notice of contract default, alleging the company isn’t meeting performance standards and giving the company until the end of the month to produce a rectification plan. Winter 2019-2020: More delays and problems plague the city, with trains breaking down several times during peak rush-hour periods, requiring replacement bus service. 3, 2019: After a wide array of problems with the system over the fall, ranging from immobilized trains to power outages, then-transportation GM John Manconi tells the transit commission that he has launched a review of RTG’s maintenance operations with help from outside rail experts. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.