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

For the first time since January, the LRT’s Line 1 has returned to full service with double-car trains. CTV’s Leah Larocque reports.

O-Train Line 1 returned to regular service with double-car trains on Monday for the first time since January following an issue with the train’s cartridge bearing assembly that forced OC Transpo to reduce service.

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.

Transit Services general manager Rick Leary says the milestone is a significant achievement, as OC Transpo aims to rebuild rider confidence.

“We’re excited now,” Leary told CTV News Ottawa at uOttawa Station. “I was tasked with getting two-car trains back in, increasing the reliability and increasing the capacity of Line 1. Today’s the first day doing that.”

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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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.

“The contractors were working really hard to meet the (June) 15th date,” Leary said. “The materials showed up, installation work progressed faster, and they made the decision that they could get it out a week earlier.”

According to Leary, OC Transpo aimed to have 13 double-car trains available on the first day of restored service.

“My last check-in was that we had 12 out there and they were preparing to get the 13th train into service,” he said.

Leary used the return to full service on O-Train Line 1 to challenge what he sees as a persistent negative perception of Ottawa’s rail network.

“I always try to change the narrative about how reliable the system is. It’s very reliable on Line 1,” Leary said.

In a memo to council on May 27, 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.

Despite the restoration of full capacity on O-Train Line 1, Leary confirmed that work on the cartridge bearing assembly program is ongoing.

“There is still an ongoing program,” he said. “We’re really focused on investing in maintenance, monitoring of the system and reliability of the system.”

Part of that work includes installing monitoring sensors designed to provide early warning of potential bearing issues. Leary says the technology has already been installed on some trains and is expected to be rolled out across the entire fleet in the near future.

“We do have the sensors on the trains and we’re monitoring that,” Leary said. “The intention is to get those sensors on the entire fleet in the very near future.”

The 100,000 km limit remains in effect on the axles for O-Train vehicles, but Leary stressed that it is not preventing OC Transpo from restoring service levels.

“It’s a threshold that we’re using for checking and monitoring the cartridge bearing assemblies,” he said.

Leary also credited Metrolinx with helping the city accelerate its recovery efforts by providing parts and components needed for maintenance work.

“Metrolinx has been very helpful,” he said. “Whether it’s some of the cartridge-bearing assembly parts or harnesses, they’re a good partner for us.”

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe previously said that Metrolinx would assist OC Transpo by providing axle and bearing-related components to help restore full service more quickly.

With full-capacity service restored on the existing Line 1 network, attention is increasingly turning toward opening the O-Train Line 1 East Extension.

Leary confirmed that planning for the next phase is underway and said more information could be presented to transit committee members on Thursday.

“That’s the next step,” he said. “We’re still refining the details and working with our contractors.

“We all have to get together and have the same goal and objectives: provide great quality transit here,” he said. “That’s everybody’s intention.”

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 a 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.

June 8: Double-car service resumes during weekdays

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