O-Train out of service in Ottawa's east end as cold temperatures impact train power
OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance says this extended period of very cold temperatures impacted power to the Confederation Line Saturday morning, causing five trains to stop and shutting down service in the east end.
The transit service reported "local power grid issues" along the Confederation Line disrupted service between Blair and Hurdman stations just after 7 a.m. R1 replacement bus service has been running since between the stations, while reduced O-Train service continued between Hurdman and Tunney's Pasture stations.
In a memo to transit commissioners and council Saturday afternoon, OC Transpo said some of the trains in service experienced a loss of power in the eastern portion of the line at approximately 7 a.m.
"As a precautionary safety measure and according to standard operating procedures, five trains came to a stop along the line," said the memo.
"As the investigation and repairs are ongoing, these trains will remain stopped until they can be safely removed from the line."
OC Transpo says customers onboard the stopped trains were able to exit the vehicles at a station.
Environment Canada reported a low of -29C at 5 a.m., with the wind chill making it feel like -37. The Twitter account YOW_Weather reported the wind chill of -39 at 8 a.m. was the coldest wind chill recorded in Ottawa in three years.
Rideau Transit Maintenance has deployed technicians to assess the line.
"Based on initial inspections, it appears the extended period of very cold temperatures affected the overhead catenary line impacting power to trains," said the memo.
Three trains are currently providing service every 15 minutes between Tunney's Pasture and Hurdman stations. R1 bus service has been implemented between Hurdman and Blair stations.
OC Transpo says service along the Confederation Line is likely to be impacted throughout the day.
"We are working with RTM to restore normal service for Sunday," said OC Transpo.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.