After several frustrating days of disrupted service, OC Transpo announced Sunday morning that Line 1 is back to full operation from end to end.
The problems started Wednesday during freezing rain, when arcing forced portions of the line to shut down. The issue recurred on Friday, making for three separate incidents across the week.
What Is Arcing?
Arcing occurs when electrical current jumps between the overhead catenary wire and the train pantograph. It poses a safety risk that requires the affected section to be taken out of service while crews make repairs.
What Got Affected
At the height of the disruptions, service between uOttawa and Blair stations was fully suspended. By Saturday evening, crews restored service as far east as St-Laurent Station, but Blair Station remained under repair overnight.
Full Service Back Sunday
OC Transpo interim general manager Troy Charter issued a memo Saturday evening confirming repair crews would work through the night at Blair Station, targeting full service Sunday morning. By Sunday, riders could travel the full length of Line 1 from Tunney's Pasture to Blair.
Frustration Lingers
For many Ottawa commuters, the multi-day outage is the latest in a long string of reliability issues that have plagued the LRT system. Questions about the durability of the overhead power infrastructure during winter weather are unlikely to fade quickly.
Source: CBC News Ottawa
