O-Train Line 2/4 [Stage 2 | Greenboro to Limebank/Airport] | In Service

[Coho]

I still wish they had done through service to the airport terminus to avoid another transfer. Someone travelling from uOttawa, for example, would have to take 3 different trains to get out to YOW.

A system like the Canada Line in Vancouver which has alternating terminus' would've been much more passenger friendly. Trains could alternate between the Airport and Limebank.

[DTcrawler]

Yes it will be slower but the option of a train vs. a bus makes a big difference to infrequent or unsure transit users. I’m sure many “casual” transit users are aware there’s a bus route that serves YOW but could not tell you which route it takes or where it connects to Line 1. There is also the underlying fear many people have that a bus may take an unexpected detour and leave them “stranded”. Not to mention the obvious reliability concerns around bus schedules.

There is a level of certainty offered by the O-Train, in that people know there is a minimum acceptable frequency they can expect without having to check the schedule, and there are no detours to worry about. Trains run on fixed tracks, unlike buses, which matters to people who aren’t 100% familiar with OC Transpo’s network.

While I doubt it’ll run at capacity anytime in the near future, I think Line 4 will be more popular than people expect, and at least more popular than the 97. Yes it’s slower than UPX in Toronto but the fare is also less than 1/3 of the cost. In Toronto you need to buy a separate TTC fare on top of the $12.35 UPX fare, whereas here, a single OCT fare gets you to your destination. You also need to consider that UPX serves a single point in downtown Toronto (Union stn.) while the O-Train connects you to multiple downtown stations. And at Union itself, you are walking across the entire station to get between the TTC and UPX.

Considering I live close to a Line 1 station, I’m expecting to use the Line 4 airport service fairly regularly. The only concern I have at this point is the change of plan re: the transfer at South Keys, with the “pocket track plan” having seemingly been abandoned. If they don’t end up going back to the original plan I could see myself favouring Uber/Lyft more often than not.

[Admiral Nelson]

Originally Posted by Coho

A system like the Canada Line in Vancouver which has alternating terminus' would've been much more passenger friendly. Trains could alternate between the Airport and Limebank.

Line 2 already has lower peak frequencies than Line 1. Alternating destinations would literally mean reducing frequency to Limebank or the airport a further fifty percent. It may a PITA to cross a platform and board a third train to get to the airport, but it's something I'd choose anyday over waiting twice as long for the infrequent direct train.

[lrt's friend]

Use of the pocket track at South Keys was abandoned when Line 4 could not make a round trip using the pocket in 24 minutes. I don't expect this to ever change. As I predicted before construction began, 6 minutes will be the minimum wait time at South Keys for a line 2 line 4 transfer.

Alternating Line 2 and 4 to Bayview will result in even poorer service south of South Keys. It is only practical if we fully double track north of South Keys. That ship has long sailed and will never happen in any of our lifetimes. This is the reality of recent decisions. Further upgrades will be so disruptive to not be considered in the future. As I have said in the past, if Line 2 reaches capacity, we will need even longer trains or we need to build the Bank Street subway. When the city reaches 2M, we will need the latter.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by Admiral Nelson

Line 2 already has lower peak frequencies than Line 1. Alternating destinations would literally mean reducing frequency to Limebank or the airport a further fifty percent. It may a PITA to cross a platform and board a third train to get to the airport, but it's something I'd choose anyday over waiting twice as long for the infrequent direct train.

Not to mention that YVR is already a bigger trip generator than YOW, but the Canada Line also has the benefit of serving an outlet mall on the airport terminus to further justify alternating trips away from the Richmond terminus. Here in Ottawa there's the EY Centre on Line 4 but of course that is pretty much a non factor except for when an event is being held there.

Of course, the most obvious solution (in my eyes) would've been to spend all the money we wasted on sending Line 2 out to barren fields in "Riverside South" to instead fully double track the existing length of the Trillium Line. That would've enabled frequencies that would have justified alternating termini between YOW and a future extension further south.

Right now we better hope the extension is a huge hit with south end residents, otherwise it was pretty much a complete waste of money aside from the addition of Corso Italia station and higher capacity trains for CU students.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Others have already commented that overall service to the airport will be significantly slower with Line 2 and 4 compared to bus route 97. I remain skeptical on how popular the new service will be. This is not the UPX which arrives in downtown Toronto in just 25 minutes with trains designed specifically for travellers with luggage.

Yes but at under $4 it's good value for those not checking luggage to avoid those fees. It's for sure inconvenient for most but it looks good for those who take expensed taxis to the airport. It would be nice if public servants at least for short trips when they are leaving from downtown directly were required to take it.

[rdaner]

I have heard from someone at Carleton that no-one can wait for this too open as it will transform their lives!

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Others have already commented that overall service to the airport will be significantly slower with Line 2 and 4 compared to bus route 97. I remain skeptical on how popular the new service will be. This is not the UPX which arrives in downtown Toronto in just 25 minutes with trains designed specifically for travellers with luggage.

True, it's not UPX. Transferring from UPX to TTC requires 20x walking compared to transferring from Line 2 to Line 1. And you get to pay 3x more for that.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by rdaner

I have heard from someone at Carleton that no-one can wait for this too open as it will transform their lives!

I am sure. Line 2 was mainly for Carleton students. It is crazy to close a rapid transit line for 4 1/2 years, but the piles of money spent was to attract new non-student riders. We will see how successful that investment is.

[eltodesukane]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

It is crazy to close a rapid transit line for 4 1/2 years, ...

And still no double tracks.

[kmcamp]

The official schedule, anyway for a trip to the airport starting at 9:12. It's not fantastic speed wise, but unlike the bus the timing is guaranteed. The 97 is faster, if it shows up. But even the 97 has a surprising number of late or skipped trips, so reality is a closer race than you would think

9:12 Bayview
9:31 arrival at South Keys
9:38 line 4 departs
9:47 Arrival at Airport

[kmcamp]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

Not to mention that YVR is already a bigger trip generator than YOW, but the Canada Line also has the benefit of serving an outlet mall on the airport terminus to further justify alternating trips away from the Richmond terminus. Here in Ottawa there's the EY Centre on Line 4 but of course that is pretty much a non factor except for when an event is being held there.

Of course, the most obvious solution (in my eyes) would've been to spend all the money we wasted on sending Line 2 out to barren fields in "Riverside South" to instead fully double track the existing length of the Trillium Line. That would've enabled frequencies that would have justified alternating termini between YOW and a future extension further south.

Right now we better hope the extension is a huge hit with south end residents, otherwise it was pretty much a complete waste of money aside from the addition of Corso Italia station and higher capacity trains for CU students.

The Canada line is another example of poor future planning though. The platforms are ridiculously short, and because it's mostly underground prohibitively expensive to expand. It's in the right place, right frequency, but eventually it will be so crowded as to be useless. It was already getting pretty near capacity before the pandemic. The only expansion possible is a tiny little 1/3 car addition to the train, or hoping they can achieve the maximum theoretical headway with enough trains, though it's theoretical max pphd is less than the confed lines max

[sseguin]

O-Train FAQ: Your Questions on Lines 2 & 4 – The Trillium Line & Airport Link Answered
With the opening of Ottawa's O-Train Lines 2 and 4 just around the corner, we're here to answer your most frequently asked questions about the newly upgraded Trillium Line and the Airport Link!

In this video, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from the new stations and improved technology to how the lines operate, service patterns, and winter readiness. Whether you're curious about the diesel-powered trains, single and double-track sections, or future plans for increasing service capacity, we’ve got you covered.

• Video Link

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by kmcamp

The official schedule, anyway for a trip to the airport starting at 9:12. It's not fantastic speed wise, but unlike the bus the timing is guaranteed. The 97 is faster, if it shows up. But even the 97 has a surprising number of late or skipped trips, so reality is a closer race than you would think

9:12 Bayview
9:31 arrival at South Keys
9:38 line 4 departs
9:47 Arrival at Airport

If I have time, I will do a timed run from the Westin Hotel lobby to the airport using the current Route 97 bus and again when Line 2 and 4 open. Let's see what our tax money bought.

[zzptichka]

They really screwed up the South Keys station design to save a few bucks.

Should've been 3 tracks, 2 platforms, so when you arrive by L2 your L4 train is already waiting for you with open doors across the platform on the middle track. Without any of that complicated train shuffling that's destined to produce delays and confusion.

[DTcrawler]

The botched Line 2 <-> Line 4 transfer situation still has me absolutely enraged. The original plan would’ve made the extra transfer basically a non-factor. The pocket track plan was supposed to be the saving grace of the whole decision to run airport service as a spur line.

As I said before, this better be a temporary measure simply to finally get the delayed project open, because I’m not going to let them get away with trying to let us forget what the original plan was.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

As I have said in the past, if Line 2 reaches capacity, we will need even longer trains or we need to build the Bank Street subway. When the city reaches 2M, we will need the latter.

We really ought to be engaging in, at minimum, some future-proofing about this (and a few other transit-connected transportation issues), if it's too early to do any actual planning.

[Uhuniau]

Getting closer:

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/trillium-line-...running-period-oc-transpo-says-1.7089062

OC Transpo is pausing running on the new north-south light rail transit line over the next three days for “minor construction activities,” after the Trillium Line pulled into the station to complete the 21-day trial running period.

In a memo to council Monday morning, Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar said work was completed over the weekend “that closed out the second phase of trial running,” and more information on the next steps before launch will be released later today.

...

OC Transpo says the 14-day rolling average on-time performance was 99.5 per cent, ahead of the 98.5 per cent target.

...

Amilcar says OC Transpo is suspending running on the Trillium Line until Wednesday, with a “temporary pause” on train movements.

“During this time, we will be suspending train movements so that TransitNext can safely conduct minor construction activities, including track maintenance, graffiti removal, and other works required as we work towards achieving Substantial Completion,” Amilcar said.

Also, mad kudos to the team who dreamed up the "scenarios" for disaster-testing, including a track-disrupting protest at Carleton!

[kmcamp]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Getting closer:

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/trillium-line-...running-period-oc-transpo-says-1.7089062



Also, mad kudos to the team who dreamed up the "scenarios" for disaster-testing, including a track-disrupting protest at Carleton!

I guess they can't give an exact date of opening until they have that certificate in hand from Transport Canada. Hopefully we'll learn of a date this week.

[rocketphish]

Trains on OC Transpo Trillium Line halt for maintenance work
After finishing the second phase of testing, train builder TransitNEXT starts the finishing touches.

Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citien
Published Oct 28, 2024 • Last updated 49 minutes ago • 2 minute read

Three weeks of trial running have been successfully completed on the Trillium Line LRT, but another three weeks are needed before the city accepts “substantial completion” of its newest train line.

Transit general manager Renée Amilcar presented a final summary of the trial running in a memo to the mayor and city council on Monday. The seven-day Operational and Maintenance Evaluations segment of the trial run concluded on schedule Sunday.

“With trial running activities having now successfully concluded, the O-Train South Extension project will move towards substantial completion, final readiness work, and regulatory approvals. This is expected to take a minimum of three weeks,” Amilcar’s memo said.

As part of the readiness work, trains along the Trillium Line’s two tracks — Line 2 between Bayview and Limebank, and Line 4 between South Keys and Ottawa Airport — were halted Monday so builder TransitNEXT could make final fixes as the program enters its final phase.

The pause will last until Oct. 30.

Amilcar said TransitNEXT will be doing track maintenance, removing graffiti and making other final touches this week.

“This is planned work and an important step to advance us on the path to passenger service on Lines 2 and 4,” she said.

Later this week, OC Transpo will deliver a memo to city council with a “deep dive” technical briefing with the full results of the trial run and “a confirmation of the launch timelines,” her memo said. “It will be the last briefing before the Trillium Line opens to customers.”

Over the first 14 days of trials, TransitNEXT achieved a 99.5 per cent reliability rating, easily meeting the 98.5 per cent passing grade the city had set for it. While the seven days of testing in the Operational and Maintenance Evaluations was not part of that pass/fail grade, it gave operators experience dealing with a number of incidents they might face when the train starts carrying passengers.

That included what to do if a train breaks down between stations, how to respond to a fire alarm, even what to do if a student protest at Carleton University blocks the tracks.

The Trillium Line was originally set to open in the fall of 2023 but is now more than two years behind schedule. If all goes well, the train could be complete, licensed and ready to carry its first passengers toward the end of November.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...-trillium-line-halt-for-maintenance-work