Service Disruption on Line 1
“Transpo anticipates Line 1 service between Tunney’s and Blair stations will be restored by the afternoon commute,” said Troy Charter, a representative from OC Transpo.
The ongoing repairs are a response to damage caused by freezing rain, which has left Line 1 closed east of uOttawa station. In the interim, R1 replacement buses are operating between Lyon and Blair stations, while trains are still running between uOttawa and Tunney’s Pasture.
Electrical arcing was reported on trains between Hurdman and Lees stations, further complicating the situation. The damage to the overhead catenary system appears to be related to the adverse weather conditions experienced recently.
Repairs to the overhead catenary system are expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon. OC Transpo staff will be present at key stations to assist customers during their trips, ensuring that passengers have the support they need during this disruption.
It is worth noting that service on Line 1 has already been reduced due to a wheel problem detected in January, which has compounded the current issues.
As of the start of the day, approximately 11,900 Hydro-Québec clients were without power, a number that had decreased to 5,000 by noon. This widespread power outage is indicative of the impact of the freezing rain storm.
“Focus is now on recovering from the freezing rain storm and preparing for tomorrow’s transit service,” Charter added, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to restoring normal operations.
The overhead catenary system has been a recurring source of problems on the LRT network in previous years, raising concerns about the reliability of the service.
As the situation develops, OC Transpo will continue to provide updates to the public regarding the status of Line 1 and any further disruptions that may arise.
