For the period ending end of day September 19:
- The LRT delivered 2,450 train trips on the Confederation Line;
- Trains traveled over 30,000 kilometres; and
- No major issues with train operations, stations and fare gates.
As expected with every new system, there were some minor issues experienced during the week. In all instances, staff acted quickly and effectively to help customers, minimize delays, restored quickly service and resolved minor issues.
The following are the few issues that did occur:
- One occurrence where a train experienced a minor delay as a result of a customer holding the doors open;
- 2 incidents with trespassers who were in the guideway who were arrested and charged under the By-Law;
- One occurrence where an operator had to respond to a brake reset on a train, which resulted in an 8-minute delay;
- Some short disruptions with escalators and elevators; and
- Odours at Parliament and Rideau stations.
Customer concerns at Tunney’s and Blair terminal stations relating to bus transfer operations. To address this issue, the LRT team have made some adjustments and deployed extra resources:
- Installed additional signage;
- Providing additional buses;
- Deployed additional customer service staff, supervisors and Special Constables; and
- Increased reminders to customers through various channels that within the paid fare zones they can board using all doors and that they do not need to tap or pay. This is one of the areas identified as adding extra time to the operations that is not required at Tunney’s and Blair terminal stations.
Parallel Bus Service
Parallel bus service will continue until October 6, which enables customers time to transition to using the train at their own pace and also increases the robustness of the entire transit network during this period of change. As this transition continues over the next two weeks, we will continue to monitor the service as we expect additional customers to make their trip by train until all customers are doing so at the conclusion of parallel service on October 6.
Look Ahead
The team’s focus is now on October 7 when the network service change comes into effect – the largest and most significant change in OC Transpo’s history.
October 7 also marks the day when those customers who stayed on the bus must now transfer to the train for the first time, resulting in busier bus and train platforms, and requiring another stabilization period for our customers. To prepare and support our customers the LRT team is:
- Continuing and enhancing monitoring of Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations and bus transfer operations;
- Examining drone footage of bus transfer stations to identify opportunities to assist customers with transfers at these locations and to implement any quick wins and potential medium term improvements;
- Deploying additional staff to all platforms across the system to assist with the anticipated additional rail customer loads;
- Deploying additional staff to the platforms to assist customers as required;
- Continuing to deploy O-Train Ambassadors in red vests; and
- Continuing outreach through various channels to assist customers with our new multimodal service.
Important Information for Customers
The LRT Team encourage all Transit customers to use the OC Transpo Travel Planner on OCtranspo.com to find out how their route will change when parallel bus service ends. For more information on the new Confederation Line system and the upcoming service changes, customers can:
- speak to O-Train Ambassadors wearing red vests at stations and key points throughout the transit network;
- call OC Transpo 613-741-4390;
- follow @OC_Transpo on Twitter; or
- visit OCTranspo.com/Ready-For-Rail
