Ottawa Transit Developments

[smallspy]

Well, that train no longer is being made, so we can't order more.

Thankfully 30 metre LRVs that are configured with 3 trucks and 5 modules are very readily available from a host of different manufacturers, not the least of which is Alstom.

What is, and always has been more important is the fact that the network that they run on is designed and built to a modern standard that requires trains to be minimally customized for operation. As opposed to the Toronto's downtown network, which requires bespoke rolling stock.

Dan

 

[nfitz]

What is, and always has been more important is the fact that the network that they run on is designed and built to a modern standard that requires trains to be minimally customized for operation. As opposed to the Toronto's downtown network, which requires bespoke rolling stock.

LRVs on Toronto's downtown network seem to be more reliable and better-engineered than the Citadis ones used on multiple networks.

 

[urbanclient]

"Ottawa LRT chaos: Passengers walk on tracks after train stalls"

These Citadis Spirits are garbage. At least the Toronto streetcars are decent.

 

[robmausser]

"Ottawa LRT chaos: Passengers walk on tracks after train stalls"

These Citadis Spirits are garbage. At least the Toronto streetcars are decent.

Yep, and the Flexity Freedoms are their cousin, and working great on the Valley Line and ION. Should never have cancelled the order for the Finch LRT, the line wasn't ready in time anyways!

Its funny because during the time, everyone was shitting on Bombardier (if you recall the whole streetcar recall with the bent frames) and glorifying Alstom. At least Bombardier identified the problems and fixed them. Alstom just seemed to be happy with shipping us crap.

 

[nfitz]

Its funny because during the time, everyone was shitting on Bombardier (if you recall the whole streetcar recall with the bent frames) and glorifying Alstom. At least Bombardier identified the problems and fixed them. Alstom just seemed to be happy with shipping us crap.

Very true. Though the huge cost increase to the vehicle purchase by using Citadis vehicles had some shitting on Metrolinx, not Bombardier.

Interesting that there doesn't seem to be a deterioration in quality now that Alstom is running Thunder Bay, judging by the brand new 60 Flexities.

 

[ownthesky]

Is there a legislative requirement forcing Ottawa to stick with 100% low floor trams going forward? Would it be possible for Ottawa to purchase 70% low floor trams with more robust bogies (ex Alstom’s European models or the Siemens S700) or is that an impossibility with with Ontario’s AODA requirements?

 

[smallspy]

Is there a legislative requirement forcing Ottawa to stick with 100% low floor trams going forward? Would it be possible for Ottawa to purchase 70% low floor trams with more robust bogies (ex Alstom’s European models or the Siemens S700) or is that an impossibility with with Ontario’s AODA requirements?

AODA only dictates that the vehicle be accessible to all - not how much of it is accessible. Unless OC Transpo seems to require otherwise, there is seemingly no reason why they should discount the S700 - or whatever is on the market at that point - when it comes time to order replacement stock.

Dan

 

[Bojaxs]

"Mechanics can only fix one axel per day..." (time stamp, 0:20)

Good lord!

Google AI is telling me;

- There are 10 axels per individual Citadis.
- 41 trains were taken out of service for axel repairs.

10 * 41 = 410

So that means even if OC Transpo work every single day, including weekends and holidays, it'll still take over a year to fix all the axels. And that's not including the trains that are currently still in service that will eventually have to have their axels fixed as well.

No wonder they delayed the opening of the eastern extension.

 

[Kyle Campbell]

AODA only dictates that the vehicle be accessible to all - not how much of it is accessible. Unless OC Transpo seems to require otherwise, there is seemingly no reason why they should discount the S700 - or whatever is on the market at that point - when it comes time to order replacement stock.

Dan

No, but Ottawa does have a ban on Siemans due to fallout over the old cancelled North South lrt

 

[Admiral Beez]

We’re here in Ottawa for Winterlude and to revisit some of our university days with my then gf, now wife of nearly 30 years. It’s been fun to return after all these years. We took the VIA from Union to Ottawa. The new Siemens train sets are nice, thankfully so as we were an hour late due to being behind a freight train up to Brockville.

I was very impressed with the O-Train from the VIA station to the Rideau Centre, a 30 second walk to our hotel at the Chateau. There was nothing like that in the early 1990s. My only concern for the O-Train was at OttawaU station where the doors kept closing on people trying to get on. These weren’t platform rushers forcing the doors, but instead passengers who were queuing up to board the train. Shouldn’t the operator wait for everyone to board before closing the doors? I also liked how the train was open end to end, unlike the Eglinton Crosstown. We’re going to take the other O-Train line today.

 

[lrt's friend]

From what I am reading, the LRVs have been taken out of service. ' out of an abundance of caution'. There is some question whether axel replacement schedules are too strict and may be relaxed in the future.. Redesign is ongoing but a prototype has yet to be created and tested. This is a slow process.

The east extension has been successfully tested but there are problems with station cameras needed. to. be accessed by train operators. This is a safety concern. Of course, there are also not enough trains to open the Eastern extension although there are ample numbers of trains in Ottawa to run the extension but not available because of the axel problem.. One East end councillor wonders whether opening can even occur in 2026 given the current problems. He probably has more info than the public but he may be pessimistic to not over promis the opening affecting his own constituents. OC Transpo is a disaster area at the moment with a shortage of both trains and buses, and looming federal back to work orders later this year

To our visitor, the Flirt trains on Line 2 are lovely but their speed is limited by the one track design. The. biggest flaw is the bad bus connections at Line 2 stations

 

[Admiral Beez]

From what I am reading, the LRVs have been taken out of service. ' out of an abundance of caution'. There is some question whether axel replacement schedules are too strict and may be relaxed in the future.. Redesign is ongoing but a prototype has yet to be created and tested. This is a slow process.

The east extension has been successfully tested but there are problems with station cameras needed. to. be accessed by train operators. This is a safety concern. Of course, there are also not enough trains to open the Eastern extension although there are ample numbers of trains in Ottawa to run the extension but not available because of the axel problem.. One East end councillor wonders whether opening can even occur in 2026 given the current problems. He probably has more info than the public but he may be pessimistic to not over promis the opening affecting his own constituents. OC Transpo is a disaster area at the moment with a shortage of both trains and buses, and looming federal back to work orders later this year

To our visitor, the Flirt trains on Line 2 are lovely but their speed is limited by the one track design. The. biggest flaw is the bad bus connections at Line 2 stations

We took Line 2 from Bayshore to Carleton U, today. The train was definitely older, and odd to have a third rail for an above rail line. It was the slow closing doors and comfy seats that I noticed the most.

 

[lrt's friend]

We took Line 2 from Bayshore to Carleton U, today. The train was definitely older, and odd to have a third rail for an above rail line. It was the slow closing doors and comfy seats that I noticed the most.

Probably the older Lint trains, that run in pairs on weekdays and singles on weekends when ridership is lower. Not sure about the door issue but it could relate to timing on the single track sections. The trains can't run at optimal speed because of that and there may be momentary delays to match up properly with the train coming in the opposite direction. These trains and the Flirts are used for regional service in Europe so that is why the seats are more comfortable.