Delayed launch, stopped train over lunch hour slows service on Confederation Line

An east-bound O-Train pulls in to Rideau Station on the Confederation Line of the Light Rail Transit system in Ottawa, Ont. (Brenda Woods/CTV Ottawa)

Its been a tough Wednesday for Ottawa's light rail system, one day after OC Transpo praised the system for its handling of a record-breaking snowstorm.

The morning launch on the Confederation Line was delayed due to snow removal operations, and then a train stopped at Cyrville Station over the lunch hour.

The problems began at 5:22 a.m., when OC Transpo's Twitter account reported the first trains were departing behind schedule, and service at the Rideau and Parliament stations was only on the eastbound platforms.

At 5:30 a.m., the transit service said the "first trains have departed."  At 6:17 a.m., OC Transpo said the morning launch was continuing with "minor delays at some stations."

At 8:36 a.m., OC Transpo declared, "Full service is running this morning with all stations and platforms open."

"Some trains departed behind schedule this morning to allow for enhanced snow removal operations and so crews could clear a switch where trains access the mainline from the Maintenance and Storage Facility," said Troy Charter, Director of Transit Operations, in a statement to CTV News Ottawa and Newstalk 580 CFRA.

"Later in the morning, prior to 6 am, a brief delay occurred as a technician removed some ice buildup in the tunnel between Rideau and Parliament Stations."

Charter says all 11 trains were in service by 6:30 a.m.

There was another disruption in transit service in the east end over the lunch hour. At 12:01 p.m., OC Transpo reported a train was stopped at Cyrville Station, and service at the Cyrville and St. Laurent Stations is only at the eastbound platform.

The issue was resolved at 1 p.m. and full service was running on the track.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa Wednesday evening, the city said a westbound train came to a safe stop at Cyrville Station and was "unable to continue in service."

"The operator attempted to troubleshoot the issue; however, a Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) technician was required to attend to the train and return it to the Maintenance and Storage Facility," said Charter.

The issues come one day after OC Transpo said it was "quite pleased" with the Confederation Line's performance during Monday's record snowfall.

"That rapid snowfall and that rapid accumulation that affected the roads and all motorists alike, you know, the rail line ran smoothly and ran reliably throughout the day and throughout the entire event, so we're very pleased with what happened yesterday," said Charter.