Metrolinx sends replacement axles to Ottawa for the O-Train

An O-Train on Line 1 travels toward Tunney's Pasture Station. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says Metrolinx, the provincial agency that operates public transit services in the GTA and Ottawa’s Presto card, has sent the city axles for O-Train Line 1.

This comes amid ongoing reduced service on the line because of spalling and other damage to the axles that had been discovered on some trains.

“Thank you to our provincial partners at Metrolinx for sending us axles for our LRT vehicles at this critical time. These axles will help us restore full service on Line 1 faster,” Sutcliffe said on social media. “This demonstrates the value of having Metrolinx as a partner to improve transit for Ottawa residents.”

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Troy Charter, Director of Transit Service Delivery and Rail Operations, said Metrolinx sent nearly a dozen replacement parts to the city.

“We are working with our partners to secure additional parts to continue required replacements of the Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs) in the Line 1 trains. The CBA is a component of the vehicles’ axle, and these replacements allow Line 1 to operate safely and for the restoration of double-car train service,” Charter said.

“OC Transpo appreciates the support of Metrolinx, who have agreed to supply 11 axles to support the current replacement regime. Rideau Transit Group (RTG) is also pursuing additional supply chains to ensure adequate, ongoing supply of these parts.”

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters

O-Train Line 1 has been running at reduced service levels since January after a spalling issue was discovered on some trains’ axles. This prompted OC Transpo to issue a strict safety request that required any train with axles that have more than 100,000 kilometres of mileage to be pulled from service to have its axles replaced.

Ultimately, this meant the line no longer had enough vehicles to operate at normal levels, so the system has been running with single-car trains instead of the usual double-car setup. To alleviate crowding on vehicles and platforms, trains are running more frequently during peak periods.

At last week’s transit committee meeting, councillors heard that it could be several more weeks before regular service could be restored.

In addition to the spalling — an issue that involves flakes breaking off the metal surface inside the axle bearing, creating pits that grow over time — a more severe issue called “shelling” was also discovered on two vehicles, which staff described as having more depth of damage with more material flaking off the axle bearing assembly.

Charter said OC Transpo continues to anticipate a return to regular Line 1 capacity by the end of May.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The mayor said the Ontario government’s promise to have Metrolinx take over the LRT would help improve service.

“The upload of Ottawa’s LRT to the provincial government and Metrolinx will increase that collaboration and lead to a more reliable service. The team at OC Transpo is moving as quickly as possible to safely restore full service and expand LRT,” he said.

There is no timeline for the LRT to be uploaded. There was no mention of the process in the 2026 Ontario budget, but there was a mention in the 2025 budget about exploring options.