O-Train East extension to undergo ‘Performance Test’ weekend of Sept. 13-14

The O-Train operates on Line 1 on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)

The O-Train eastern extension will face a key test during the second weekend of September ahead of the expected opening of the light-rail transit line between Blair Station and Trim Station later this year.

A report for the Transit Committee meeting on Sept. 11 provides an update on construction for the eastern extension of O-Train Line 1 and outlines the four key milestones that must be “successfully achieved” prior to the trial running.

The four milestones are: 1. Testing and Commissioning. 2. Performance Test. 3. Substantial Completion. 4. Pre-Trial running.

The report, submitted by interim Transit Services general manager Troy Charter, does not provide an expected opening date for the O-Train Line 1 East extension, but does outline the steps ahead before trial running.

“In the East, final construction activities and train control and communication system testing are well underway and nearing completion. Major fleet activities, including software upgrades, remain to be completed,” says the report.

The Performance Test is expected to be held on the weekend of Sept. 13-14, with O-Train Line 1 out of service between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations.

“During the Performance Test, 23 trains will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations and multiple test scenarios will be conducted to demonstrate that the integrated system can achieve the service levels specified in the Project Agreement,” Charter said.

“After the successful completion of the Performance Test and Substantial Completion, Pre-Trial Running will start. The Pre-Trial running period is designed to validate that the system and stakeholders are ready for Trial Running and to allow for any final preparations or adjustments to be made ahead of the 21-day Trial Running evaluation period.”

Charter said following the successful competition of pre-trial running, the trial running evaluation period will be held to validate the full integrated system functions as intended.

“Trial Running will evaluate the performance of system infrastructure, subsystems, vehicles, operating and maintenance personnel, as well as operating procedures to demonstrate the reliability of the system and its ability to deliver passenger service without interruptions,” Charter says.

The report for the Transit Committee provides an update on the construction of the Line 1 East extension:

• Station occupancy for the East stations is “nearly complete,” with the report saying deficiency closeout, Building Code service reviews, and occupancy permits are expected by the end of September.
• Integration of communication systems for the East extension, with the existing live systems on Line 1, “is progressing well,” according to the report. Transit Services expects integration to be completed by the end of September.
• The hiring of new Electric Rail Operators and familiarizing training is “underway.”
• Twenty-seven of the 38 LRVs for Stage 2 have been delivered and accepted by the city. Four additional vehicles are at “various stages of testing and acceptance.”

Pre-trial and trial running

O-Train Line 1 will run as scheduled on the existing line between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair Station during the pre-trial and trial running periods, but passengers will have to disembark at Blair Station prior to the trains continuing to the east extension.

Bus service

OC Transpo plans to continue to run buses along the O-Train East extension once it opens.

In a memo to the Transit Committee, staff say the bus network will “initially remain unchanged” after the East extension opens.

“During this interim bus service period, customers in the east will have the option to connect to the O-Train at a nearby Line 1 station or continue to Blair Station by bus and transfer to Line 1,” staff say.

“Bus network modifications will be made as part of a following seasonal service change.”

Staff say buses in the east will be modified to improve connections to local communities and to Line 1 service at Montreal, Jeanne d’Arc, Convent Glen, Place d’Orleans and Trim stations.

The East extension is expected to replace approximately 28,000 hours of bus service a year.