OC Transpo aiming to launch LRT east extension before July
Update comes as OC Transpo looks to 'finalize' plan to get train cars back on the rails
Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News
Posted: Mar 12, 2026 4:59 PM EDT | Last Updated: March 12
The head of OC Transpo says the LRT’s new link to Orléans is expected to open by the end of June as work on a plan to get more train cars on the rails shows promise.
Interim general manager Troy Charter told members of council’s transit committee on Thursday that "we still believe that we are on track for Q2 public service launch of the east extension."
The project has already passed a key milestone known as "substantial completion," but a shortage of train cars had raised questions about whether OC Transpo will be able to move on to a formal three-week testing period known as "trial running."
"I think in order for people to have faith that things are going to improve, we need to move beyond the point of having 21 trains available per day," said Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr.
OC Transpo needs 46 train cars to do the testing. But for weeks, just 21 available have been available as a stubborn bearing issue keeps most of them out of commission.
Metal has been flaking off inside the component that links the axles to the wheels, prompting OC Transpo to live by a simple rule: any train with axles above 100,000 kilometres of mileage is off the rails.
Carr asked OC Transpo about the slow progress on getting more cars into service. Charter said OC Transpo and its contractor are trying to "manage" the stockpile of those components, known as cartridge bearing assemblies.
"It’s not something that is readily available that you can purchase off the shelf," he said.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/oc...lrt-east-extension-before-july-9.7126409
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