O-Train Line 2 [Stage 1 | Bayview to Greenboro] | In Service

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http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/12/10/taxpayers-railroaded-on-trillium-line-frequency

Taxpayers railroaded on Trillium Line frequency

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun

First posted: Thursday, December 10, 2015 09:02 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 10, 2015 09:08 PM EST

The O-Train Trillium Line upgrade hasn't delivered on the train frequency that was pitched to council when it approved the $60-million expansion.

OC Transpo assistant GM Troy Charter says the original design -- which projected trains coming every 8-10 minutes -- was "an ambitious goal for a rail system with a passing track configuration."

"The anticipated frequency was not realized due to a variety of factors including timing delays in the safe clearing of critical signals and reduced average speeds across the system," Charter said in an e-mail Thursday.

There wasn't enough of a buffer built in for minor delays, such as passenger loading at stations, and waiting for Via Rail trains to cross the Trillium Line, Charter said.

It means Transpo needs to make technical changes, which will include updating signal cable infrastructure and replacing switches and track alignment at Carleton University. Technical improvements could also happen during the Stage 2 rail extension to Riverside South.

Council in 2011 approved the current upgrade based on service going from 15 minutes to eight minutes.

The city's key messaging on the frequency eventually turned into 8-10 minutes.

The service expansion of the Trillium Line put six new Alstom trains on the 8-km track last March.

Charter said most passengers travelling to and from Carleton University -- which makes up the bulk of the train's riders -- have been seeing a reduced trip time after the upgrade.

But for those passengers riding between Greenboro and Bayview stations, the trip time on average has added nearly two minutes. One of the reasons is the new passing tracks, since trains need to travel at lower speeds.

The upgrade does, however, provide more capacity and better comfort on the new Alstom trains, Charter said.

Regular Trillium Line customers have noticed a difference -- so much so that some south-end community groups raised the issue recently with Mayor Jim Watson.

Barbara D'Amico, president of the South Keys Greenboro Community Association, said residents frequently complain about the new Trillium Line service. She said the neighbourhood has many Carleton University students and downtown workers who count on the train.

The train scheduling seems off and residents are disappointed when the train has to be replaced with a bus route during a service blip or maintenance, D'Amico said.

"It's deterring people from using it because it's not dependable anymore," she said.

Goretti Pernitzky, president of the Emerald Woods Resident Association said there isn't a huge outcry in her area, but "it is being chatted about."

Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Diane Deans said she often hears from constituents who complain the train service is lagging behind expectations.

"They're feeling it's less reliable," Deans said.

Twitter: @JonathanWilling