Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service 1.0

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

I wonder if they would have made more or less progress had there been no pandemic and transit ridership remained stable? Do you think they would have had to shut down the entire line to make these repairs happen?

I think we might have seen some weekend and early evening shut-downs had there not been a pandemic. Labour and materials would have been easier to obtain, but finding the time to complete the work would have been challenging.

July, the busiest month for the summer (Canada Day, Bluesfest), would have been a —-show with the cracked wheels (thought those might have appeared earlier with higher ridership and fewer shut-downs).

I think new management might have made the biggest difference. Not anything against Lauch, who held both CEO jobs and might not have had the same clout as Turgeon.

[J.OT13]

I wish they could have preserved Hurdman's old bus shelter. They easily could have built the elevated guideway along the north side of the loop and have people cross the old shelters to the bus stops. Far less walking, better layout, more protection from the elements for bus riders.


https://twitter.com/OC_Transpo/status/1306608979053772803

[J.OT13]

Few other things I picked up from the presentation.

• The red vests O-Train Ambassadors will be scaled down and eventually replaced with permanent station attendants, with more responsibilities (and I assume fewer of them);
• Improvements to Blair are still being considered (new canopies, new elevator(s), additional staircase from train level to bus level);
• We're down to 5 R1 buses parked at Lynx Stadium, and soon they will be put back into regular service;
• Push button will be put on hold until after Covid;

[zzptichka]

Permanent station attendants? I don't believe that was the plan...

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Permanent station attendants? I don't believe that was the plan...

Not originally, but the ambassadors were seen to be extremely valuable in the fall, so permanent attendants were included in the 2020 Budget.

[Brannwagon]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Few other things I picked up from the presentation.

• The red vests O-Train Ambassadors will be scaled down and eventually replaced with permanent station attendants, with more responsibilities (and I assume fewer of them);
• Improvements to Blair are still being considered (new canopies, new elevator(s), additional staircase from train level to bus level);
• We're down to 5 R1 buses parked at Lynx Stadium, and soon they will be put back into regular service;
  
• Push button will be put on hold until after Covid;
  

I get that push button has its advantages, but I'm not a fan. Auto open/close gives Line 1 a true metro feel. Plus I can easily see this leading to some confusion for folks who are used to the doors opening automatically. I hope they will use the push button sparingly.

Edit: Forgot to mention, the one time I rode Line 1 when doors were in manual mode, the "doors opening/closing" audio message repeated throughout the entire train for every set of doors. Over the course of the ride, it got a little agonizing. Hopefully they fix that...

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Brannwagon

I get that push button has its advantages, but I'm not a fan. Auto open/close gives Line 1 a true metro feel. Plus I can easily see this leading to some confusion for folks who are used to the doors opening automatically. I hope they will use the push button sparingly.

Edit: Forgot to mention, the one time I rode Line 1 when doors were in manual mode, the "doors opening/closing" audio message repeated throughout the entire train for every set of doors. Over the course of the ride, it got a little agonizing. Hopefully they fix that...

I agree, it could cause confusion. The only time I would consider the push-button useful would be during low-ridership periods like evenings when trains are going by at 15 minute frequencies and on Sundays. Possibly at low ridership stations like Cyrville and Tremblay (though with suitcases and such, it might be challenging to push the button) as long as announcements are clear.

[Admiral Nelson]

Probably some use for push buttons in maintaining temperatures inside the trains during off-peak periods in the dead of winter.

[funforgot]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

Not originally, but the ambassadors were seen to be extremely valuable in the fall, so permanent attendants were included in the 2020 Budget.

If the rail line breakdowns occurred far less frequently, the importance of having permanent and knowledgeable on site staff would have been less obvious to OC.

[TheMatth69]

I noticed quite a few times recently that trains were operated in manual mode by train drivers. You can easily tell by the awkward way the train breaks and accelerates. Also if your lucky enough to be at the very back and take an eye on the cabin you can see the operator computer. When the train is on ATO mode the train is operated automatically, but when the train is on ATPM mode the train is operated manually.
If anybody knows why some trains are operated manually please let me know ?
Is it a way to override a possible computer error ?

Also I witnessed that when the train is operated manually doors are automatically in manual mode and the driver has to switch them back to automatic in order to open them, hence why you'll notice the green light and 1 or 2 seconds after the doors will all open (simply the latency time for the operator to open the doors)

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by TheMatth69

I noticed quite a few times recently that trains were operated in manual mode by train drivers. You can easily tell by the awkward way the train breaks and accelerates. Also if your lucky enough to be at the very back and take an eye on the cabin you can see the operator computer. When the train is on ATO mode the train is operated automatically, but when the train is on ATPM mode the train is operated manually.
If anybody knows why some trains are operated manually please let me know ?
Is it a way to override a possible computer error ?

Also I witnessed that when the train is operated manually doors are automatically in manual mode and the driver has to switch them back to automatic in order to open them, hence why you'll notice the green light and 1 or 2 seconds after the doors will all open (simply the latency time for the operator to open the doors)

I don't think it can be used to bypass computer errors since the whole trains control and protection system depends on the computers.

I heard on Twitter that there were/are novice operators running trains in manual mode, so it's probably only happening for the sake of practice.

[OTownandDown]

What about the train whistlers? When will the train whistlers be able to retire their old-timey whistles?

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

What about the train whistlers? When will the train whistlers be able to retire their old-timey whistles?

That's dependent on the CCTV system. Who knows.

[Brannwagon]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

That's dependent on the CCTV system. Who knows.

The fact that they haven't been able to fix the CCTV system in over a year reminds me of why I remain worried that other, more crucial, parts of the system won't be fully fixed for a while. Sigh, we'll see.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

Not originally, but the ambassadors were seen to be extremely valuable in the fall, so permanent attendants were included in the 2020 Budget.

In addition to being there in case something goes wrong, there's a benefit to having staffing from a safety/security perspective, as well as ensuring cleanliness, checking on things, etc.

Originally Posted by TheMatth69

I noticed quite a few times recently that trains were operated in manual mode by train drivers. You can easily tell by the awkward way the train breaks and accelerates. Also if your lucky enough to be at the very back and take an eye on the cabin you can see the operator computer. When the train is on ATO mode the train is operated automatically, but when the train is on ATPM mode the train is operated manually.
If anybody knows why some trains are operated manually please let me know ?
Is it a way to override a possible computer error ?

Also I witnessed that when the train is operated manually doors are automatically in manual mode and the driver has to switch them back to automatic in order to open them, hence why you'll notice the green light and 1 or 2 seconds after the doors will all open (simply the latency time for the operator to open the doors)

There have been new operators training lately, as well as existing operators who drive manually occasionally to maintain proficiency.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

• The red vests O-Train Ambassadors will be scaled down and eventually replaced with permanent station attendants, with more responsibilities (and I assume fewer of them);
  

I finally got around to listening to the entire meeting and media availability. It seems they will be hiring 12 full-time Station Attendants.

When the reporter pushes for more info, i.e. how many new attendants vs former ambassadors, Pat Scrimgeour indicates that at busy stations where people could expect to see 3-4 ambassadors, they might se 2 attendants.

Clearly, that doesn't really drive with the 12 figure given. Will there be part-time attendants as well? The reporter ran out of questions.

For audio of meeting and media availability:

https://otrain.railfans.ca/news/confederation-line-update-transit-commission-september-16-2020

[J.OT13]

Tunney's Pasture.







https://twitter.com/HansontheBike/status/1308439396467855360

Rideau. Looks gross.



https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308459092332236802

[J.OT13]

Double elevators at Lyon. The one aspect for which Ottawa went beyond the standard.


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308209275093819395

If you don't look to close, Rideau looks amazing.




https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308160044119322625

Blair's also quite nice.


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308164406036004867

[J.OT13]

Nice shots of Cyrville.




https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308181270879522818

For St-Laurent, I wish they did something with the ceiling.


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308186202307260416

I'm glad they preserved the surface level bus loop honestly. The O-Train pylons on each side of the station house look great IMO.


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308186837064839168

[J.OT13]

Big fan of the big, full-length concourses at Lyon and Parliament.




https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308197472561516545


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308202947013218304

Lots of fare vending machines at Parliament.


https://twitter.com/Chris_Livett/status/1308203181311221763

I apologize for all the O-Train images tonight. I noticed a thread on Twitter I thought I would post to remind people and myself what we have. I do miss taking it multiple times a week.