Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and Alstom are undertaking additional precautionary replacements of the vehicle axle hub assembly and an investigation after issues were found in one light rail vehicle.
To ensure the continued highest level of safety, and out of an abundance of caution, RTG and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) took immediate action and commenced the replacement of the axle wheel hub in the leading and trailing wheel assembly of light rail vehicles (LRVs) with more than 175,000 km in service. These replacements continue, and components removed from the vehicles are undergoing further testing. To date, no further issues have been discovered during the replacement of the axle wheel hubs. There are sufficient trains available to meet daily service requirements.
A root cause analysis of this incident began immediately and continues. RTG and Alstom categorized this as a unique event. At this time, the ongoing investigation has revealed that the issue of the recent incident could be the same or related to the axle issue that led to the August 8, 2021 derailment. The root cause analysis of the August 2021 incident is also ongoing.
OC Transpo’s number one priority is the safety of our customers and staff. To ensure the ongoing safety and operation of the LRT system while both root cause analyses continue, a number of precautionary measures have been put in place including the replacement of the axle wheel hubs, an enhanced inspection regime, and temporary speed restrictions along sections of the track.
In addition, OC Transpo continue to review with RTM, Alstom and Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) options to provide longer term solutions to the axle issue, which may include recommendations arising from the final root cause analysis report, track design and vehicle interface analysis.
As previously mentioned, an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is also underway. OC Transpo are fully cooperating with the TSB’s investigation. TRA is also on-site to support OC Transpo and monitor the work of RTM and Alstom.
