O-Train sidelined indefinitely while TSB investigates derailment; loose bracket possible cause - Ottawa Citizen

"We know there's concerns about safety and confidence out there."

Author of the article:

Blair Crawford

Publishing date:

Sep 20, 2021 • 8 hours ago • 4 minute read • 5 Comments

Emergency officials were on the scene of an LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

Sunday’s derailment of an O-Train near Tremblay Road caused extensive damage to the LRT’s infrastructure that may take as long as three weeks to repair, the CEO of Rideau Transit Maintenance said Monday.

An investigator from the federal Transportation Safety Board was at the accident site on Monday and the train cannot be moved until the TSB gives its OK. Because OC Transpo operates across the Ontario-Quebec boundary, it falls under federal regulation.

“We have realized attending the scene today with the TSB that there’s a lot more infrastructure damage than we thought,” RTM chief executive, Mario Guerra, told reporters after Monday’s marathon transit commission meeting.

“That may be on the critical path: our ability to get in there and repair all the damage to the ties, to the clips, to the switch machine. There’s a lot of work to be done. I said a week yesterday. I think getting the entire system up to running, assuming we can convince everyone that it’s safe, I would say three weeks, probably.”

But just when the train starts running again — whether with complete or partial service — remains an open question. A very early assessment of the accident points toward a loose bracket holding the mechanism that disperses sand onto the rails in winter, transit general manager John Manconi told the commission.

OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. People that were on the train stood near the scene. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. People that were on the train stood near the scene. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. People that were on the train stood near the scene. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. People that were on the train stood near the scene. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Scene of an LRT derailment near Tremblay Station, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
The scene of an apparent LRT derailment west of Tremblay Station, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Scene of an LRT derailment near Tremblay Station, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. People that were on the train stood near the scene. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OTTAWA -- September 19, 2021 --Emergency officials were on the scene of an apparent LRT derailment near Tremblay station, Sunday, September 19, 2021. ASHLEY FRASER, POSTMEDIA Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Ottawa police and OC Transpo officials were on the scene of an LRT derailment near Tremblay station on Sunday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
Signage and caution tape closed off the Tremblay LRT station Sunday afternoon. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Signage and caution tape closed off the Tremblay LRT station Sunday afternoon. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Ottawa police and OC Transpo officials were on the scene of an LRT derailment near Tremblay station. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

The derailment does not appear to have been caused by the same type of axle failure blamed for the Aug. 8 derailment at Tunney’s Pasture that shut down the LRT for five days. The train that went off the tracks Sunday had only returned to service about a week ago after it was inspected and found to have the same fault as the Aug. 8 train. Repairs were then made to the train’s axles.

“Yesterday was a difficult day for our customers again,” Manconi said at his final commission meeting before his retirement at the end of the month. “We know that. We understand that. It was difficult for our customers, for you as councillors and members of commission. And it was difficult for the hundreds of staff who were out there yesterday.”

“What appears to may have caused what occurred yesterday is a sander that is used around the world that dispenses sand at the wheels during cold weather or icy climates for rail traction,” he told the commission. “A bracket that holds that unit could have become dislodged and caused the derailment.”

“These are very preliminary findings that have not been approved or signed off by anybody,” Manconi said. “I thought it would be prudent [to mention the probable cause] because I’m aware that there are concerns about the overall safety and reliability of the system.”

Sunday’s derailment occurred at 12:15 p.m. and 30 minutes later OC Transpo made the decision to shut down the entire Confederation Line. R1 buses are now operating on the line and Manconi said OC Transpo was adding more and larger buses to the service after seeing online complaints about long waits and overcrowded buses during the day Monday.

“We’re not tone deaf. We know there’s concerns about safety and confidence out there,” he said.

Commission members voted to have the city’s independent monitor of the LRT, Sam Berrada, retain an expert or experts to make sure RTM’s return-to-service plan is safe before the train is allowed to run again. No trains will run — even with partial service — until that assessment says it’s safe to do so, Manconi said.

Partial service could include single line service with trains switching tracks to bypass the damaged section near the Tremblay Road station. Or trains could shuttle back and forth on either side of the damaged section.

“There is a whole oversight piece in place, whether it’s partial or full service,” Manconi said.

Officials will have a better sense of when service might resume in the next day or two.

FILE: John Manconi, who has announced his retirement effective in September, took the reins of OC Transpo in February 2012 in a major management reorganization for transit services. Photo by Errol McGihon /Postmedia

During the five-hour meeting, commissioner after commissioner expressed their frustration with the O-Train’s service and the repeated breakdowns and accidents. Coun. Catherine McKenney said she had “zero confidence” in the system. Coun. Jeff Leiper said he was losing sleep worrying about the LRT. Coun. Riley Brockington worried about what would happen if a future derailment occurred at high speed with more serious results. Coun. Diane Deans called OC Transpo a “system in crisis” while Coun. Laura Dudas said she was “exhausted” by the LRT problems.

“What is the root cause of all of these issues?” Dudas asked Manconi. “Did we accept a new model of train and we’re the guinea pigs? Is it that we don’t have enough trains so that when something happens we have to shut down the entire system? Or is it that we bought a lemon?”

Manconi pointed his finger at the train’s manufacturer: Alstom.

“You’re all asking the same thing. How do we get to the bottom of this vehicle issue? The CEO of Alstom has to get any and all resources into Ottawa — the best of the best — and figure it out. I’m not trashing Alstom. They build some of the best vehicles across North America,” he said.

“They need to stop talking about legalities in their boardroom, and who pays for what. They need to send an army of people in. Enough is enough. Fix the vehicle and get it consistently reliable.”

Meanwhile, OC Transpo ridership continues to be a fraction of pre-pandemic levels. In August, ridership was at just 34 per cent of expected levels. The loss of revenue means OC Transpo is projecting a $17-million deficit for the year.

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