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
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Canadian government proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.