An extended shutdown
of the LRT
Line 1 “remains a possibility,” according to the union representing OC Transpo operators, after Mayor Mark Sutcliffe did not rule out the “contingency plan” during a recent news conference.
Rumours of a Line 1 shutdown have surfaced as OC Transpo and the Rideau Transit Group continue to search for a solution to
the “spalling” issue
that has hampered rail service for more than two months.
“The information I have is that, although (a shutdown) remains a possibility, every effort is being made to avoid it,” Noah Vineberg, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279, said in an email Tuesday, March 31.
During a
news conference on March 27 introducing Rick Leary
as the new general manager of transit services, Sutcliffe was asked about rumours of a Line 1 shutdown as part of a fix for spalling.
The technical issue with the cartridge bearing assemblies in train axles that have exceeded 100,000 kilometres, first identified in January, forced OC Transpo to remove 41 of 59 train cars from service for analysis and repairs. Three train cars have since returned to service, leaving the O-Train to operate with 21 cars on the east-west rail line and leading to longer wait times for riders and crowded platforms at stations.
“We know we’ve had some challenges with
the spalling issues on Line 1
, and of course we have to have contingency plans in place,” Sutcliffe told reporters. “There’s a limit of 100,000 kilometres on every vehicle, so, if we reach a point sometime in the future where it’s no longer possible to have enough vehicles in order to provide the service, we may have to look for a period of time at using R1 (replacement buses), and we have to have those contingency plans in place.
“We plan for all kinds of different eventualities, and many of them never come to pass. As we said (Friday) morning, the number one job for Rick as he takes on this role is to do a full assessment of the situation with Line 1 and make recommendations on the best way forward to restoring full service for our passengers, and that’s what he’s going to do.”
Vineberg said he was still awaiting an introduction to the incoming transit boss, who is taking over the post from interim general manager Troy Charter.
Charter had served as interim manager
since the departure of Renée Amilcar in July 2025
.
“Unfortunately, after speaking to my fellow union presidents, we still have not been approached or contacted by newly appointed Mr. Leary. It certainly would be appreciated to be kept informed as it directly impacts our passengers and our members,” Vineberg said Tuesday.
“It is my understanding that they are looking into all aspects around Line 1 and the recent issues, and I look forward to an official introduction and update.”
Sutcliffe was first asked about the “rumblings” of an LRT shutdown by CTV Ottawa.
When asked directly about the possibility — and the relative likelihood — of an LRT shutdown, OC Transpo communications staff directed the Ottawa Citizen to a media update from last week.
That March 27 update did not directly reference the possibility of a shutdown and repeated previous weekly statements that the O-Train Line 1 continued to operate every three to four minutes during peak periods, with 21 available vehicles below the 100,000-kilometre threshold.
“The number of vehicles in service has fluctuated this week, and at times customers may have experienced longer wait times and some crowding on trains as a result,” the memo said.
“As shared in earlier updates, OC Transpo continues working closely with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to finalize details of a revised containment plan to safely increase vehicle availability. These conversations have been productive and, once finalized, OC Transpo will present details of the containment plan at a technical briefing.”
The date for that technical briefing has not yet been announced.
“We will continue to share regular updates on the progress to resuming full service, including in the weekly updates and at transit committee,” OC Transpo communications staff said in an email Tuesday. “OC Transpo’s priority continues to be the safe restoration of Line 1 capacity to normal levels.”
The next transit committee meeting is scheduled for April 9.
In 2021,
the LRT
line was shut down for 54 days after a derailment near Tunney’s Pasture Station on Aug. 8, and another derailment near Tremblay Station on Sept. 19 that was blamed on improperly torqued bolts.
In 2023, riders were again forced to use replacement buses for 28 days when Line 1 was shut down July 17 after a routine inspection found that a hub on one train appeared to be leaking grease.
According to Marko Miljusevic, a board member of the advocacy group Strong Towns Ottawa, if there is another long-term shutdown of the system, there should be an overhaul of the existing bus system using existing infrastructure to create emergency bus lanes on major roadways such as Bank Street, Carling Avenue, Merivale Road and Baseline Road to ensure that buses run as efficiently as possible.
Miljusevic said he didn’t know if public trust in Ottawa’s transit system could fall any lower. Transparency will be important if there is a long-term shutdown, he added.
“I would hope the city would be able to explain the issues and give a timeline of when things are back to normal,” he said.
Brooke Anderson, a board member of Ottawa Transit Riders and president of Carleton Transit Riders, said the city already had a crisis with bus reliability and fare increases.
“If there is a long-term shutdown, there needs to be a replacement plan,” Anderson said. “We can’t put out enough buses to fill the current routes.”
Transit users are already distrustful of the transit system in general. If there is a shutdown, riders need adequate warning and transparency, she said.
“This would put the city in a tough spot. You would be balancing the public’s perception and their ability to plan their days. I would plan my day quite differently if I knew there was going to be a replacement bus. There needs to be some lead time or people will revolt.”
If there is a long-term shutdown, Anderson said, it will be interesting to see how it plays out, given that there will be a municipal election this fall.
“People are already working to make transit a major issue. Shutting down Line 1 would be the cherry on top,” she said.
