OC Transpo resumes double-car service on O-Train Line 1

OC Transpo is running full service, with double-car trains, on O-Train Line 1 Monday morning. (Leah Larocque/CTV News Ottawa)

O-Train Line 1 will be running regular service today with double-car trains for the first time since January following an issue with the train’s cartridge bearing assembly.

OC Transpo announced on Jan. 22 that single-car service would be running on the east-end line after “spalling” was discovered on the Alstom Citadis Spirit trains. A 100,000 km limit was imposed on all cartridge bearing assemblies while an investigation was conducted on the trains.

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Starting this week, OC Transpo will be running double-car service on all trains operating on Line 1 on weekdays, with trains running every five minutes during peak periods.

OC Transpo began ramping up service on Line 1 on May 14 with a mix of both double and single-car trains running on the line.

Single-car service will continue to run on weekends along O-Train Line 1.

In a memo to council on May 27, OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary said OC Transpo has conducted a “deliberate process that focused on ensuring the safety of our customers and staff.”

“This progress is possible due to an adequate supply of Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs) and advancements in implementing a condition monitoring system on Line 1,” Leary said.

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Leary said OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance have a number of vehicles below the 100,000 km limit to allow for the return of full capacity.

A condition monitoring system has been installed on several vehicles to monitor the cartridge bearing assembly for any spalling issues.

“Testing and validation exercises are in progress,” Leary said.

“Once the results from this phase are assessed, the system will be implemented across the remaining fleet. This system will provide near real-time monitoring of the CBAs, helping increase the number of trains available for service and strengthening the resiliency of Line 1.”

Rideau Transit Group and Alstom continue to conduct a root cause analysis.

Timeline of O-Train Line 1 issues in 2026

Jan. 22: OC Transpo announces a spalling issue was discovered in the cartridge bearing assemblies. Single-car service begins as OC Transpo imposes a 100,000 km mileage limit on all CBAs.

March 5: O-Train Line 1 Eastern Extension achieves substantial completion. No date announced for 21-day trial running period and opening date.

March 11: O-Train service halted east of uOttawa station after train stopped during freezing rain. Service did not resume until March 15.

May 14: Officials with Alstom and Rideau Transit Group say a redesign of the axle hub could still be years away. The transit committee was told the redesign was moving from the design phase to the prototype phase.

May 14: O-Train Line 1 resumes some double-car service.

May 27: OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary announces double-car service will resume on June 8.

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