LRT service resumes after damaged wire disrupts travel for hours
OC Transpo says LRT service has resumed in full after more than seven hours of disruptions Wednesday.
The transit service announced just after 10 a.m. that there was a stopped train, and passengers could only use the eastbound platforms between uOttawa and Hurdman stations.
At 10:55 a.m., the transit service announced there was no LRT service between the three stations.Transit Services General Manager Renée Amilcar said in a memo that damage was found on the wires that power the train near Lees Station, described by Amilcar as a "gouge" in the overhead catenary system.
A stopped LRT train near Lees Station. Feb. 14, 2024. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)
R1 bus service ran between Rideau and Hurdman stations, while LRT service continued to operate between Tunney's Pasture and uOttawa and between Blair and Hurdman stations for much of the day.
Amilcar said in a second memo at around 5:30 p.m. that full service had resumed.
"Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) were able to complete a splice repair to the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) near Lees Station and have completed all necessary inspections to confirm the system is safe to operate in the area. R1 bus service between Rideau and St-Laurent stations will conclude shortly," she wrote.
In a memo to council late Wednesday evening, Amilcar provided more details about the issue with the overhead catenary wire and the reason for the full LRT line was shut down between uOttawa and Hurdman stations.
Just before 10 a.m., a westbound train with approximately 50 customers onboard stopped outside of Lees Station after the vehicle experienced a power loss.
"Preliminary indications are that the power loss may have been due to a mechanical fault with the pantograph which subsequently caused minor damage to the overhead catenary wire," Amilcar wrote.
At 10:40 a.m., a second train stopped near uOttawa Station due to an "unrelated mechanical issue," Amilcar said.
"Due to the location of this stopped train, it was no longer possible to continue travelling through the single track corridor, and R1 bus service was implemented to keep customers moving," Amilcar wrote, adding it was cleared from the line around 12:30 p.m. while repairs near Lees Station continued.
Both vehicles are undergoing further testing.
Amilcar says Rideau Transit Maintenance will continue a "more permanent repair" to the overhead wires this weekend during the maintenance period.
"At this time, it is not believed that this incident is related to current weather conditions or the issue that affected the OCS over the weekend."
Passengers forced to disembark stopped train
Passengers on one of the trains that stopped on the line were forced to disembark and walk back to the nearest station Wednesday morning.
The wind chill was around -20 at the time.
"Pretty stressful, especially because there's no answers on what's going on," said passenger Taylor Watson-Fluker, who goes to Carleton University.
Watson-Fluker ultimately chose to take an Uber instead of waiting for a bus.
Others chose to walk.
"It's an awfully expensive thing to have not working. But I love the train when it's running," one passenger said.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling and Josh Pringle
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.