OC Transpo is targeting a mid-June restoration of full service on O-Train Line 1, as newly appointed general manager Rick Leary unveiled a comprehensive 10-point plan to revitalize the city's struggling transit system. Leary, former CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission, was hired on March 27 and has spent his first five weeks meeting with union officials, employees, and city leaders to form an initial assessment of Ottawa's transit network.
Leary's 10-point action plan
Speaking at a press conference on May 12, Leary outlined priorities aimed at rebuilding customer confidence, starting with a return to double-car service on the east-west Line 1. The line has been operating with single-car trains since January due to a spalling issue that forced many trains out of service for inspection and repairs. Currently, OC Transpo has 27 available train cars, and Leary expressed optimism about having enough spare trains to resume full service by mid-June. Previously, the agency stated that 26 train cars are required for full service.
“We have to have enough spares to stay on top of the maintenance, to stay on top of the work that they’re doing (to address the spalling issues),” Leary said. The timeline had been uncertain under interim general manager Troy Charter, who now serves as associate general manager.
East extension timeline remains fluid
Leary did not commit to a firm date for the much-anticipated east extension of the rail line to Orléans, originally set for the end of March but delayed due to a train shortage. “We’re still working on some additional timeframes,” he noted, adding that the immediate focus is on restoring Line 1 service before staging the extension in steps.
“The focus was to get service fully restored on Line 1, while we look at the east extension to do trial running. So we’re going to be staging this in steps,” Leary explained.
Improving bus reliability
Leary also plans to enhance bus reliability by improving maintenance schedules for OC Transpo's aging diesel fleet. The agency has hired nine mechanics this year and aims to add 11 more by year-end. The maintenance strategy is shifting from corrective to preventive work, targeting an 80-20 split in favor of prevention to reduce breakdowns.
Bus reliability reached 99.5% for service delivery last week, the highest since the pandemic, according to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. He and transit committee chair Glen Gower joined Leary at the press conference, highlighting encouraging signs for the transit system.
