OC Transpo says ‘sufficient’ staffing to conduct O-Train East Extension trial running, but no date for opening

An O-Train vehicle travels along Line 1 on Thursday, April 9. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

OC Transpo says staffing levels are “sufficient” to conduct trial running on the O-Train East Extension, but there is still no timeline to begin the trial running and open the light-rail transit system into Orléans.

During the Victoria Day long weekend, service on O-Train Line 1 and Line 4 was temporarily suspended for an evening due to temporary staffing shortages.

While OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary has promised to outline an “integrated workforce strategy” that outlines hiring and training needs at the Transit Committee meeting on June 11, a report for the meeting says staffing levels are “sufficient” for the 21-day trial running period once its begins.

“As part of OC Transpo’s Customer-First Action Plan, an integrated workforce planning strategy is being developed that will review the number of Electric Rail Operators (ERO) and Electric Rail Controllers (ERC) that are required for the East Extension,” the report said.

“Staffing levels have been confirmed to be sufficient for Trial Running, the next step towards revenue service.”

The report, submitted to the committee by Leary, says Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is “fully staffed and resourced for maintenance responsibilities” for the O-Train East Extension.

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No date for O-Train East Extension

The report on Stage 2 of the light rail project outlines the work continuing on the O-Train East Extension ahead of the trial running and launch but doesn’t provide a date to begin the 21-day trial running period.

East-West Connectors achieved substantial competition on construction of the O-Train East Extension on March 4, but the trial running and launch has been delayed after spalling was discovered on the Line 1 LRT vehicles in January. Single-car service has been running on the line as a 100,000 km/h limit has been imposed on the cartridge bearing assemblies.

“Following Substantial Completion, work on the East Extension has continued and has focused on system refinements and outstanding items,” the report said.

“This includes upgrades to the train control software and the passenger information display system, as well as adjustments to the CCTV camera views to enhance operational safety. Additional work is expected to continue in June 2026. Deficiency close-out activities for the East Extension are also ongoing, including repairs to platform snow melt systems.”

The trial running period will be a minimum of 21 days, and then final safety approval is required before revenue service can begin.

According to the report, eight perquisites must be completed before trial running begins. The four steps completed as of June 2 are:

• Substantial completion has been achieved
• All safety and systems assurance requirements need to be achieved. Statement of no objection has to be provided by the Independent Safety Assessor and Auditor
• The city must be fully mobilized, trained and ready to operate the system
• RTM must be fully mobilized, fully trained and ready to conduct maintenance

The other perquisites to be completed are:

• Technical briefing held to share further details of the Trial Running plans
• The appropriate number of light-rail vehicles for Trial Running operations and Revenue Service
• Trial Running oversight resources have to be mobilized and ready
• Pre-Trial Running needs to be successfully concluded

“Trial Running will run for a minimum of 21 days and is designed to exercise all aspects of the system,” the report said.

“Line 1 will continue to operate as scheduled during the Trial Running period.”

OC Transpo says 30 of the 38 LRT vehicles for Stage 2 have been delivered and accepted. Of the remaining eight vehicles, seven are in production and one is in the testing phase.

OC Transpo and RTM are expected to resume full double-car service on O-Train Line 1 on Monday.