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

[rocketphish]

Line 2 reopens after vandalism caused unexpected closure
Service was halted between Mooney's Bay, South Keys stations

CBC News
Posted: Oct 20, 2025 6:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

The unexpected closure of Line 2 between Mooney's Bay and South Keys on Sunday evening was necessary to allow Rogers crews to perform emergency repairs after vandals caused damage near the tracks, according to the city.

The damage was discovered near Walkley station, acting transit general manager Troy Charter wrote in an update to members of council. He did not elaborate on the nature of the vandalism.

Around 10 a.m. Monday, Charter said Rogers had completed the repairs and LRT service would resume.

R2 replacement buses provided service between South Keys and Carleton stations during the shutdown.

Transit riders are also dealing with a near-total shutdown of Gatineau's STO on Monday due to a strike by some workers.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/line-2-lrt-ottawa-closed-change-9.6944909

[sseguin]

O-Train Line 2 - Limebank to Bayview. In this video, we take a ride on-board O-Train Line 2, from Limebank Station in the South, to Bayview in the North. Travelling a length of 19km through 11 stations, this is the full experience of riding the Trillium Line in Ottawa. The Line operates a mixed fleet consisting of the Alstom Coradia LINT (as featured in this video), along with the Stadler FLIRT, both diesel multiple unit trainsets.

• Video Link

[rocketphish]

Oh-oh. What part of the system isn't designed for winter this time?

Train problem halts Line 4 service to Ottawa airport
Route 105 buses are still running

CBC News
Posted: Nov 10, 2025 8:06 AM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Train service is temporarily suspended on Line 4 to Ottawa's international airport, according to OC Transpo.

Route 105 Airport bus service is running between Airport and South Keys stations.

A stopped train halted service along the four-kilometre spur line on Sunday evening.

OC Transpo hasn't shared details about the problem.

The interruption coincided with the significant snowfall of the season, with Environment Canada recording 11.7 centimetres of snow at the airport on Sunday.

The long-awaited extension launched in January.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-lrt-line4-trains-airport-down-9.6973120

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Oh-oh. What part of the system isn't designed for winter this time?

Reportedly a train broke down at the Airport station.

... One of the same trains that has operated in Ottawa's winters since 2015, so let's just put any wild ideas about winter capabilities based on this one incident to rest right away.

[sseguin]

O-Train Line 4 - South Keys to the Airport and back (Roundtrip in Fall 2025)

• Video Link

In this video, we take a ride on-board O-Train Line 4, from South Keys Station, to the Airport, and then back. Travelling a length of 4km through 3 stations, this is the full experience of riding the Airport Link in Ottawa.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

Reportedly a train broke down at the Airport station.

... One of the same trains that has operated in Ottawa's winters since 2015, so let's just put any wild ideas about winter capabilities based on this one incident to rest right away.

Agreed. The airport branch (Line 4) only uses the older Alstom Coradia LINT 41 trainsets. IIRC, the platforms aren't long enough to use the newer Stadler FLIRT trainsets (at least not in the configuration that we have them).

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by roger1818

Agreed. The airport branch (Line 4) only uses the older Alstom Coradia LINT 41 trainsets. IIRC, the platforms aren't long enough to use the newer Stadler FLIRT trainsets (at least not in the configuration that we have them).

That's correct. Line 4 stations only have 40 meter platforms vs the 80 meters on Line 2.

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

That's correct. Line 4 stations only have 40 meter platforms vs the 80 meters on Line 2.

One of the more reasonable decisions made by our transit overlords.

If I had Elon Musk money I would have financed a 3 track line north of SK with the center track being an express from the Airport. Stops at SK, Carlton and Bayview.

[Richard Eade]

If I had giant buckets of money to ‘invest’ and Elon’s Boring Company, I’d create a subway under Bank Street for Lines 2 (‘TRILLIUM’), and 4 (‘AIRPORT’). A new Line 6, the ‘CARLETON’ line, would also travel between South Keys (maybe even Riverside South) and Bayview, following the existing ‘TRILLIUM’ line. Of course, the tracks would be double-tracked for 4-min. (12-min. per line 2, 4, 6) service, from South Keys to Mooney’s Bay Station. At Billings Bridge, Lines 2 and 4 would go underground to Downtown. If I were really adventurous, I’d even take the lines out the side of the south shore cliff and over the Ottawa River to Gatineau for stops at PdP and Chaud. office complexes.

[urbanforest]

Sometimes I think about how much it would cost to add bypass tracks around every station on Line 1 so that you could actually run a train faster than what certain buses used to do.

Ahh well.

[ponyboycurtis]

I'm still steamed the flyover at the VIA tracks are only fit for a single track. Also the entire Walkley station should have been built as a center platform even if only being used on the one side for the time being

But while we are at it.. Can I get a small people mover type system to the pub down the street? Winters coming.

Coming back home in the evenings (my work vehicle is currently on hiatus) Line 2 SB at Mooneys bay has been quite busy. I'm talking around 7pm too so a little past what you would consider rush hour. The 88 is still absolutely packed at that time.

I'm also an idiot and was taking Line 2 to SK before switching to the 90 ... cuz I forgot I can just get on the 90 at Mooneys bay station/bridge. Anyhow.. Both the NB and SB 90 bus at that time was also quite busy.

So in my limited experience here using the bus for commuting rather than leisure... are we still at 70% recovery post covid which more or less places us the worst of major Canadian cities? I know I am riding a pretty major trunk but it sure feels like busy as ever.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

I'm still steamed the flyover at the VIA tracks are only fit for a single track.

It was apparently designed such that they could widen it relatively easily. It wouldn't be cheap, but neither would have building it for double track in the first place either.

[J.OT13]

My frustrations are Walkley not being double tracked to increase frequency, and the Dow's Lake keeping its single platform despite the 600 bed trauma centre being built next door.

There are other things that frustrate me to a smaller extent, but I'll leave it at that.

[lrt's friend]

I went out with a friend who lives in rural Osgoode today. She recently rode Line 2 with her husband from Bowesville to downtown. It took 75 minutes. She said it was very slow, at times travelling at walking speed. She said that it's only advantage was not having to find parking downtown.

it appeared that the 93 bus departing Leitrim at 1 p m. today had no or next to no passengers. The New Ways to Bus is doing are remarkable job in serving Findlay Creek badly.

[ponyboycurtis]

I am surprised this hasn't been posted yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLD0L63QgxU

"The Dude Where's my Bus" fellow has made another high quality video with several interviews with ex city councillors and other relevant persons.

One thing that stuck out to me as a point of interest was that Larry O'Brien was Ottawas 58th Mayor. I wouldn't have guessed it was that high.

I think in the grand scheme of things cancelling that original plan was probably the right move. I respect Bob Chiarelli for wanted to get something done and seemingly pushing a move/plan forward harder than any Mayor in my lifetime as far as I see it.

It's also insane to remember in this day in age, the OG pilot project costing $21M. I don't think there has ever been smarter money spent in the history of the city. The lamenting over the 2/3 month delay at the time was cute. The notion that the line wasn't ever bumped down to SK or even a simple platform added at Walkley stood out to me as well over the life of an 18! year pilot project. Not much of a pilot project at that point.

PS.. I don't know how to make YouTube thumbnails.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

I am surprised this hasn't been posted yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLD0L63QgxU

"The Dude Where's my Bus" fellow has made another high quality video with several interviews with ex city councillors and other relevant persons.

One thing that stuck out to me as a point of interest was that Larry O'Brien was Ottawas 58th Mayor. I wouldn't have guessed it was that high.

I think in the grand scheme of things cancelling that original plan was probably the right move. I respect Bob Chiarelli for wanted to get something done and seemingly pushing a move/plan forward harder than any Mayor in my lifetime as far as I see it.

It's also insane to remember in this day in age, the OG pilot project costing $21M. I don't think there has ever been smarter money spent in the history of the city. The lamenting over the 2/3 month delay at the time was cute. The notion that the line wasn't ever bumped down to SK or even a simple platform added at Walkley stood out to me as well over the life of an 18! year pilot project. Not much of a pilot project at that point.

PS.. I don't know how to make YouTube thumbnails.

For many years, council and mayor's only had one year terms.

One point that was made clearly was the awful bus connections are at Limebank station. I remember the lady crying because the transfers were taking so long.

This video is very well produced which outlines history very well. It tries to be balanced by providing the pros of Line 2 while pointing out the many flaws.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I went out with a friend who lives in rural Osgoode today. She recently rode Line 2 with her husband from Bowesville to downtown. It took 75 minutes. She said it was very slow, at times travelling at walking speed. She said that it's only advantage was not having to find parking downtown.

it appeared that the 93 bus departing Leitrim at 1 p m. today had no or next to no passengers. The New Ways to Bus is doing are remarkable job in serving Findlay Creek badly.

I've said it before and will say it again, the south would have been far better served by an extension of the Transitway, than by the extension of Line 2.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by roger1818

I've said it before and will say it again, the south would have been far better served by an extension of the Transitway, than by the extension of Line 2.

in hindsight, you are right, but originally, they were building on the success of the original O-Train, there was already rail tracks to Leitrim, and it was running through sensitive. wetlands. The 2006 plan was really cheap for its length and gave us double tracking and electrification. Of course, it had flaws but the replacement plan is worse in so many respects.

One of the lessons we failed to learn is that running shorter more frequent trains like REM and the Canada Line means that we don't need such massive stations

As it stands, we can't run more frequent trains, less frequent trains or interline Line 2 and 4. The design is very limiting.

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

For many years, council and mayor's only had one year terms.

One point that was made clearly was the awful bus connections are at Limebank station. I remember the lady crying because the transfers were taking so long.

This video is very well produced which outlines history very well. It tries to be balanced by providing the pros of Line 2 while pointing out the many flaws.

It was very well done. Especially with all those first source interviews.

I still remember taking the O-train from my apartment downtown to Greenboro. Walk up to the Transitway stop and grab any ole bus and take the transfer. I know it was THE trunk route but man life is easy when you don't even bother looking up a schedule. Even at 15 mins frequency on the train. Ok by the time I walk up to Albert.. grab a bus.. etc. No point in looking anything up. Just grab your cap and walk out the door.

I do the same thing here at SK when I want to go downtown. I take the 15 min walk to SK and grab the first train to Bayview. I don't bother trying to time anything. I know we don't like the 12 min service but it certainly beats the Transitway which at times can leave you waiting 20 minutes for a NB bus in the middle of the day.

[lrt's friend]

For me, it is a 30 minute walk to SK and there is missing sidewalk, so it is not practical. I use transit less and less. So, when I use transit on rare occasions, I drive to Greenboro. Someone on the video from the neighbourhood commented how much the local bus has deteriorated since 2019. Too many transfers that you can't count on working. Trips from downtown to SK have doubled in time. Sure, it works for some people but if you are a busy person, your time is valuable. People were conditioned by how bad the R2 bus was for 5 years that they are relieved that it has improved but it is overall significantly slower than before 2020.

I am in Montreal this morning and the speed of the metro is so much faster than both Lines 1 and 2. Then I turn on the news and Line 1 is partially shut down again. At least both Montreal and Toronto have multiple routes into downtown, so if one goes down, there is an alternative that is not a bus in mixed traffic.