Switch issue disrupts O-Train Line 1 service in east end during morning commute

Transit riders were forced to stand in the cold Tuesday morning, after LRT service was disrupted. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

OC Transpo is investigating after an issue with a switch disrupted O-Train Line 1 service in Ottawa’s east end for two hours during the Tuesday morning commute.

A train came to a “safe stop” east of Tremblay Station due to the issue at approximately 6:20 a.m., OC Transpo said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“As staff responded to the issue, service was temporarily stopped with limited train movements occurring.”

OC Transpo shutdown train service between Blair and Tremblay Stations due to the stopped train, with R1 bus service running between Blair and Hurdman stations.

“So, during that time, we had to bring out crews and our staff to assess what was going on,” OC Transpo spokesperson Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs told CTV News Ottawa.

“And there was limited train movements during that time. So, some trains were in service and some trains were stopped.”

Full service resumed between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations at approximately 8:27 a.m.

This was the second stopped train to cause disruptions on Line 1 on the east end of the system in a 12-hour period.

Last night, OC Transpo said service was only operating on the eastbound platform at Tremblay Station due to a stopped train at 6:37 p.m.

The issue was resolved an hour later, according to the transit service’s social media account.

Camposarcone-Stubbs says OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group are investigating the cause of last night and this morning’s incidents.

“We understand this morning and yesterday evening’s incidents affected transit customer commutes, and we are working to establish the cause of the disruptions,” Camposarcone-Stubbs said. “We thank all of our customers for their patience during this time.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau