'Handful' of LRT vehicles require further inspection but OC Transpo expects 5-minute waits Monday
The Rideau Transit Group (RTG), which built and now maintains the Confederation Line LRT system in Ottawa, says a "handful" of light rail vehicles require further inspection following a minor derailment incident last week.
Despite some trains remaining out of service, however, OC Transpo says service on Monday should not be significantly affected.
An empty train that was leaving Tunney's Pasture Station to return to the maintenance facility on Belfast Road was stopped last Sunday night after the operator experienced an unusually rough ride. One of the train's 10 axles had left the tracks. No one was hurt and the train remained upright.
The entire Confederation Line was shut down and service did not resume until Saturday morning. Crews had to use a rail dolly to walk the derailed train from Tunney's Pasture to the maintenance yard Wednesday, a process that took most of the day.
OC Transpo said an investigation revealed that part of the axle bearing assembly was ever so slightly loose, which caused the initial issue.
"This movement caused damage to the bearings inside the unit and wheel, which in turn lead to the axle coming off the track on Sunday evening," Transportation Services General Manager John Manconi said in a memo Friday night, describing the movement of the component as "fractions of a millimetre."
Every train on the line had to be fully inspected before returning to service.
RTG said in a release Sunday morning that many trains have cleared the inspection and safety certification but they found "a handful of vehicles" that require further investigation.
"The total number of vehicles affected will only be known once the inspections are completed. These vehicles will be removed from the revenue service fleet until the component is replaced," said RTG's director of communications Helen Bobat.
Bobat said RTG plans to increase service on the line as the investigation into the problem—and the work to resolve it—continues.
When service resumed at 6 a.m. Saturday, OC Transpo said trains were running every 10 minutes. By Saturday afternoon, the wait time had been reduced to eight minutes. OC Transpo says there is enough capacity on the line to carry all customers without overcrowding.
Trains are now running every five to six minutes, according to OC Transpo, which is typical for Sunday service. In a memo to city council Sunday afternoon, Manconi said he expects trains will run every five minutes on Monday.
"This a similar service level provided over the past several months, and based on recent ridership counts, will provide enough capacity to accommodate weekday customers. We will continue to work with RTM to increase service further, in preparation for the likelihood of increased ridership in September," Manconi wrote.
"OC Transpo continues to have buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.