Transpo ran a modified replacement bus service to supplement the LRT system Tuesday morning.
The one open platform at Tunney’s Pasture LRT station was congested but still moving Monday (Jan. 20, 2020) evening. Only ten of the 13 trains were in operation during rush hour, leaving the exit stairwells somewhat clogged as people made their way up top to catch their connection buses. Julie Oliver/Postmedia
OC Transpo is learning hour-by-hour how many trains will be available after the contracted maintenance company only made eight out of 13 trains available for the start of the morning peak period Tuesday.
Nine-to-five workers went to bed Monday night knowing their morning transit commute downtown could be awful. Transpo warned them that Rideau Transit Group, through its maintenance arm Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM), could only have 10 trains available for the rush hours.
Turns out, RTM could only produce eight functional trains for the morning peak period before adding a ninth train just after 8 a.m. The nine trains were providing service every six minutes.
Transpo ran a modified replacement bus service to supplement the LRT system Tuesday morning.
Transit commission chair Allan Hubley said he wasn’t shocked to hear RTM didn’t meet the expected service regime.
“I wasn’t surprised because it wasn’t the first time,” Hubley said after peak service ended Tuesday morning.
Eleven trains usually deliver service for non-peak parts of the business day. Instead of a train arriving every five minutes, a train will arrive every six minutes with the nine trains.
Now, another maintenance dilemma has surfaced, and it has to do with the Alstom Citadis Spirit trains being maintained properly so the wheels stay round.
Hubley said RTM has the equipment to maintain the wheels properly, and in fact, it should be part of a regular maintenance program.
One of the things that has dumbfounded senior managers at city hall is RTM’s level of preparedness, and the wonky train wheels are exposing another potential hole in the maintenance program. City transit general manager John Manconi started putting RTM on watch last month to make sure the company has enough resources for LRT upkeep.
The transit commission is holding a special meeting Thursday afternoon on the LRT problems, which in recent days have included a broken overhead power wire near St. Laurent Station, malfunctioning track switches and ineffective switch heaters.
However, the troubles over the past week are part of a larger narrative when it comes to the unreliability of the $2.1-billion LRT system. There have also been door faults often caused by customers trying to pull the doors open, and issues with the train computer systems.
RTM has a 30-year contract with the city to maintain the LRT system. The city hasn’t been transferring the monthly maintenance payment to RTM.
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