The purpose of this memo is to provide the Mayor and Members of Council with notification of an important milestone achieved on the Stage 2 O-Train East Extension.

The O-Train East Extension will extend OC Transpo's rail network east from Blair Station to Trim Road. It will add 12.5 kilometres of rail to Line 1 along with five new stations at Montreal Road, Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, Convent Glen, Place d'Orléans and Trim Road.

Last night, after regular O-Train Line 1 service ended, an Alstom Citadis Spirit train was operated on the O-Train East Extension for the first time from Blair Station to Montréal Station. This milestone was achieved following testing activities including track commissioning, traction power substation testing, and overhead catenary system (OCS) testing. This series of tests culminated in the successful energization of the OCS from Blair Station to Montréal Station.

Travelling at walking speed, the train was escorted by staff on foot to verify the interface between the train's pantograph and the OCS while the train was in motion. Additional testing between Blair Station and Montréal Station is anticipated later this week as crews continue to test and validate the OCS system. Testing of the signal and train control system is expected to start this spring, after which residents will see regular, slow speed testing of trains on the line.

Further information regarding the O-Train East Extension project will be shared at the February 29 Light Rail Sub-Committee meeting. To stay informed of O-Train Extension progress, sign up for the project newsletter, follow OC Transpo on Instagram, or visit the project website. 

Source : OC Transpo

Photos : David Bellerive

Today, the Blue line extension project office awarded the contract for the line's new train control system. The adoption of a communications-based train control (CBTC) system, which is already used by the vast majority of subway network operators around the world, is an opportunity to modernize the Montréal métro's train control system for the entire Blue line.

Train control systems are the brains of underground networks; the use of CBTC will thus be a high‑value upgrade for the Blue line system. The $217,173,941 contract was awarded to Ground Transportation Systems Canada Inc. and includes installation, maintenance and certain options for the CBTC system. The project is funded primarily by the Quebec government, with support from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Replacing the system on the existing Blue line became necessary because the current system is outdated and couldn't be used to operate the extension. The new system consists of devices placed at different points along the tracks and on the train cars themselves that make it possible to detect the location of each train and communicate effectively with them.

The new system will improve train reliability, frequency and passenger comfort when trains stop and start. It will be installed first on the existing Blue line and later on the line extension. The system on the métro network's other three lines will also eventually need to be upgraded.

The Blue line extension is currently under construction. The project office recently issued the final call for tenders for the construction of the tunnel and the excavation of some of the future stations and auxiliary structures (CI12). The project office is currently analyzing the bids received; the bid analysis and assessment results will be available in summer 2024.

The Blue line extension project will add five new stations east of Saint-Michel station, all the way to Anjou, over a distance of some six kilometres.

"Awarding this major contract is another step toward completing the Blue line extension. We've been waiting for this for decades, and now, it's finally happening! This is further proof of our commitment and the significant investments we're making to support and develop public transit in Montréal's east end."

Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Minister and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility

"We're proud to have found the way forward for a public transit project so vital to Montréal's east end. This new milestone shows real progress on the Blue line extension, which has been eagerly awaited for the past 30 years. These five new Blue line stations will see the addition of nearly 15,000 new housing units to the area, fostering growth in Montréal's east end."

Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal

"The adoption of a new train control system reflects our shared commitment to efficient public transit for people in the Greater Montréal area. That's why we're here: to meet the needs of our users by delivering fast, reliable, high‑quality public transit."

Benoit Gendron, Chief Executive Officer of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM)

"By 2030, 93% of the STM's infrastructure will be more than 40 years into its useful life. We need to take every opportunity to modernize our network, which is what we're doing by replacing the train control system. The extension will allow all Blue line users to benefit from the new system and its advantages. Modernizing the existing network is the best way to boost the appeal of mass transit while improving service quality."

Éric Alan Caldwell, Chair of the STM Board of Directors

"Awarding this contract is a major step toward completing the Blue line extension. The train control system will help coordinate activities at existing and new stations across the Blue line. It's state‑of‑the‑art technology that will benefit both our customers and our operations teams and improve service delivery."

Maha Clour, Lead Project Manager for the Blue line Extension

Source : STM

At a joint meeting today, the Transit Commission and Light Rail Sub-Committee received progress updates on transit projects completed this year and information on plans for 2024.

Staff updated the Commission and Committee on OC Transpo's winter readiness plans which include improving communications and planning processes with Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM), enhanced monitoring for O-Train Line 1 during storms, and implementation of a Severe Storm Schedule for buses in the event of significant snowfall of 31 cm or more.

OC Transpo is also making improvements to real-time customer information systems. Recent Transit app updates have introduced additional customer benefits including improvements to information on cancelled trips and crowdsourcing capabilities. Data shows there is an increase in the number of customers using the app to see accurate departure times, track buses and plan trips. Updates were also provided about the on-demand transit pilot project scheduled to launch in early 2024. OC Transpo will share more information about the launch through its regular communication channels, including social media, website and on-street signage.

Staff also presented an update on the wheel bearing issue related to O-Train Line 1 service. Testing will start in the coming weeks on the nut pining of the wheel hub assembly. Data will be gathered and analyzed for safety and improved performance. Staff will continue to provide further updates on the progress of this work as it becomes available.

Members heard that O-Train and conventional bus ridership was at 6.4million trips in October 2023, which was an increase of 800,000 compared to October2022. In November, 97.4 per cent of bus trips were fulfilled and Para Transpo ridership was at 70,600customer trips.

The expansion of the O-Train network is progressing well. This year, many milestones were achieved in the south, east and west. On the O-Train East extension of Line 1, track installation is complete and overhead catenary system work is underway and expected to be complete in early 2024. Construction on stations and pedestrian bridges is also advancing well.

Track installation and station construction is progressing on the O-Train West extension. The cut and cover tunnels have been fully excavated and pouring of concrete roof and walls of the tunnels is underway. Next year, the tunnel structural work will be completed, and track work will begin.The City continues to target an opening in Spring 2024 for O-Train Lines 2 and 4, serving communities to the south. Station construction is almost complete and in November, testing achieved a new milestone when nine trains, the number required for revenue service, began operating on the system. This process tests the integration of the control and signaling systems, vehicles, track infrastructure, operating procedures, and training programs.

A successful full-scale emergency response training exercise with 144 participants was also held at the Ottawa Airport to validate the effectiveness of new emergency responder procedures. 

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find attached a memo regarding the first anniversary of the OLRT Public Inquiry.

Source : City of Ottawa

Following the service disruptions and, in particular, the issues encountered in communicating information to users of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), CDPQ Infra would like to apologize to those affected by this situation and reiterate its commitment to providing users with reliable, high-quality public transit service.

In the wake of recent events, CDPQ Infra has taken a series of measures to ensure that the incident management carried out by the Groupe des partenaires pour la mobilité des Montréalais (GPMM) consortium, which is made up of Alstom and AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin), is significantly reinforced. These measures should enable CDPQ Infra to meet its standards and adhere to the terms of its agreement with the consortium as quickly as possible.

As such, CDPQ Infra has asked that its partners:

• Provide a corrected plan to better ensure the quality of operations and significantly improve incident management, ensuring that users are the highest priority
• Implement appropriate resources to adhere to planned response and evacuation times
• Better communicate the backup plan to users
• Reinforce GPMM's communications teams to ensure fluid, real-time communication with users in stations, in REM cars and on digital platforms

CDPQ Infra will be closely monitoring the rollout of this plan, which will take effect immediately and will continue to be implemented in the coming weeks in order to provide the best possible service to users. Although incidents and breakdowns may occur during the operation of a recently commissioned public transit system, the system must be managed in accordance with the highest service standards for users.

Source : CDPQ Infra 

Source : City of Ottawa 

 The City's Light Rail Sub-Committee received a detailed presentation on construction activity for the three O-Train extension projects and a status update on the work being done by the City to address the recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan.

O-Train Lines 2 and 4 are progressing well, with station construction nearing completion. Works along the alignment include communications equipment installation, station occupancy approvals, and ongoing construction of park & ride facilities.

The Sub-Committee also received an update on steps required before revenue service. Testing and commissioning is ongoing and will continue through the fall. The Rail Activation Management Program (RAMP) scorecard, which identifies critical activities essential for a successful public launch, was presented, and the committee received an update on the status of each component.

An update on O-Train Lines 1 and 3 progress was also provided. The O-Train East Line continues to make progress with rail and overhead catenary system (OCS) installation advancing well, and stations continuing to take shape. Rail installation at the Corkstown Yard (formerly called the Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility) on the O-Train West Line has begun. The cut and cover tunnels continue to advance, with excavation nearing completion; walls and roof concrete pours are advancing, and backfilling in some areas is now underway. Videos on the progress of the O-Train Lines 1 and 3 east and west extensions are now available.

A status update on the 103 recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan was given; this update identifies progress on the 95 recommendations which lie within the City's power to action. The remaining eight recommendations lie within the jurisdiction of the provincial and federal governments.

As of September 20, 2023, a total of 56 recommendations are considered complete or have been incorporated into ongoing City policies for implementation in future projects. Of note, the City has updated its P3 Policy and Administrative Procedures to incorporate lessons learned for future major infrastructure projects.

Staff expect to have approximately 75 of the 95 recommendations fully completed by the end of 2023, with the remaining substantially complete or fully incorporated into ongoing work or processes.

The status update on recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan will rise to Council on October 11.

Source : City of Ottawa

Media representatives were invited to an update on the first weeks of operation of the REM South Shore branch, the next stages of work to be carried out on the entire network, and a financial update on the project.

• More than one million passages reached on the South Shore branch, with a 99% service reliability rate from the first few weeks
• Of 67 km of network, including 17 km already in service, 85% is completed in unprecedented construction circumstances
• Additional costs of $1.65 billion represent a 26% increase over the cost presented when bidders were selected, for a total of $7.95 billion
• Excluding the exceptional $800 million impact of the pandemic limits the cost increase to 13%

"The past few weeks have seen us reach a very important milestone with the commissioning of the South Shore branch, linking Brossard to Montréal's Central Station. In the context of recent years, to have delivered this, in addition to having completed 85% of the network's other branches, within an extremely competitive budget, is exceptional. I salute the commitment of the thousands of people who are still hard at work on completing the REM and creating the world's largest automated light rail transit line, right here in Quebec," said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of CDPQ Infra.

Since July 31, REM cars have made over a million trips. With a daily average of 30,000 trips, the busiest day was September 7, with 35,000 passages.

From the start of its run-in period, the REM's reliability rate was high at 99%, i.e. 860 hours of operation and six service interruptions, for a total of eight hours.

Over the course of the run-in period, the teams identified elements that are currently being upgraded, mainly escalators, elevators and communications during service interruptions. The REM team recognizes the importance of quickly solving the issues, and is working on them with its operator GPMM, made up of teams from Alstom and SNC-Lavalin.

For the West Island and North Shore branches, the civil engineering work is largely complete, and CDPQ Infra is now starting to finalize the 19 stations, install the control systems, finalize the rail tracks and electrification. Testing on the branches will begin in spring 2024.

On the airport branch, teams will soon be busy installing the rail tracks in 2024. Commissioning for this section is scheduled for 2027, in line with Montréal Airport's timetable for completing the station.

Over the past five years, the REM construction period has been marked by extraordinary circumstances and exceptional technical challenges. Despite these constraints, CDPQ Infra and its partners were able to keep the project within a very competitive budget compared with other similar major transportation projects around the world.

The project cost $7.95 billion, up $1.65 billion from the original $6.3 billion confirmed when bidders were selected in 2018. This is a 26% increase over the original cost. Excluding the impact of the pandemic limits the cost increase to 13%.

The increase in project costs breaks down as follows:

• Global pandemic ($800 million): the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine had a major impact on supply chains, the price and availability of goods and labour both local and international. Additionally, it led to the closure of worksites and the adoption of stringent sanitary measures for several months. These items account for half of the increase in project costs.
• Mount Royal Tunnel and condition of the underground vault ($350 million): starting in 2020, REM teams had to adopt innovative measures to meet the multiple construction challenges associated with the discovery of a century-old dynamite charge in the Mount Royal Tunnel and the severe deterioration of its central wall in the southern section, under McGill College Avenue. The vault under McGill College Avenue has been completely replaced, and the central wall is now complete. With investments of $350 million, we can count on major transportation infrastructures that have been renovated for the coming decades.
• Optimization, upgrades and improvements ($500 million): This amount includes costs from two sources.
  • $350 million related to work optimization and infrastructure developments carried out by third parties and rail operators.
  • $150 million in response to various requests received from communities to improve access and layout around REM stations to better serve future users.

It should be noted that for the planning period from 2016 to 2018, the value of the project had already been adjusted from $5.5 billion to $6.3 billion to take major improvements into account, including the addition of three new stations and 40 cars to enhance service quality.

Under the REM financing package, the additional $1.65 billion investment required to complete the project will be fully absorbed by CDPQ Infra. In addition, the project's main financial parameters, such as the passenger/km fare adjusted for price indexes and the expected performance target, are not affected.

Click this link for the detailed technical presentation: https://rem.info/en/documentation

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new, 67 km integrated public transit network of 26 stations that will link downtown Montréal, the universities, the South Shore, the West Island, the North Shore and Montréal–Trudeau airport through a fully automated, electric light rail system. Offering high-frequency service, the REM will operate 7 days per week, 20 hours per day, and will be connected to the three main lines of the Montréal metro. 

This memo is to advise the Mayor and Members of Council that OC Transpo has completed the testing phase of the O-Payment system and is pleased to today introduce this new and convenient payment option to customers. 

With O-Payment, customers can pay for an Adult fare by tapping a credit card or mobile wallet on fare gates at any station or fare readers on an OC Transpo bus. Customers can tap the same credit card or mobile wallet to transfer between trips, as long as they are within the transfer window. 

OC Transpo is the first transit agency in Canada to introduce fare capping for credit card and mobile wallet payments. Customers can tap their credit card all day and it will never cost them more than the price of a DayPass ($11.25). Customers can tap their credit card all month and it will never cost them more than the price of an Adult monthly pass ($125.50). 

Customers should only tap the card they wish to pay with to avoid accidental charges. 

O-Payment is not available on STO. Customers who transfer regularly to STO should continue to use a Presto card. 

Para Transpo customers have been able to pay with credit card and debit card on Para Transpo vehicles since April 2023 using a separate system managed by Presto. 

The availability of the new O-Payment service will be communicated through OC Transpo's communications channels, including signage, digital and print advertising, social media and on octranspo.com. Details on O-Payment, including how to check credit card transactions on the O-Payment website, will be communicated to customers on octranspo.com and through social media. 

To help share this good news with residents, attached is a toolkit which can be used to promote O-Payment on social media or through newsletters. Thank you in advance for your support.  

Source : City of Ottawa

VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) is pleased to announce the reintroduction of two round trips between Toronto and Ottawa and one round trip between London and Toronto, starting this October.

"The ongoing progressive introduction of VIA Rail's 32 new trainsets is already yielding positive results, as recent increases in equipment availability, coupled with intense recruitment and training efforts, are now allowing us to reintroduce these high-demand frequencies," said Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As we continue to strike a balance between meeting our passengers' evolving travel needs and deploying our limited resources, we remain committed to offering the most convenient, accessible and sustainable service to the highest number of Canadians."

Returning frequencies

Passengers can start booking their trips on train 82/83 as of today and on the other returning frequencies over the next week.

*To accommodate those changes, the Saturday trip on train 44 will be cancelled starting October 28.

Source : VIA Rail Canada

La Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) a présenté ce matin le sommaire final et les recommandations (Rapport 6) de l'Étude complémentaire pour la réalisation d'un système de transport collectif structurant dans l'ouest de la ville de Gatineau.

Rappelons que l'Étude complémentaire a pour principal objectif d'identifier la solution optimale (mode et tracé) qui permettra de répondre aux besoins de déplacements des résidents de l'ouest de Gatineau pour les 30 à 50 prochaines années, dans un contexte de croissance de la population, de congestion des réseaux de transport et d'importance des échanges interprovinciaux.

La solution devait refléter les volontés politiques actuelles envers l'électrification des transports, la mobilité durable et la planification intégrée des transports et de l'aménagement du territoire, dans une perspective tant locale que métropolitaine. Déposé en 2021, le Rapport 6 dresse le portrait de la situation à ce moment précis et se veut un résumé du déroulement des grandes étapes de l'étude complémentaire, qui décrit comment la solution jugée optimale répond aux grands objectifs de cette dernière. Les recommandations mises de l'avant serviront à orienter et approfondir les prochaines étapes d'analyses, de développement, d'ingénierie détaillée et de réalisation de ce projet, qui sont prévues s'échelonner sur un horizon d'une dizaine d'années. Une vidéo explicative du Rapport 6 est disponible ici.

L'étude complémentaire est le fruit d'un travail de collaboration entre la STO et les différents partenaires du projet, soit : le ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD), la Commission de la capitale nationale (CCN), la Ville de Gatineau et la Ville d'Ottawa.
D'autre part, dans le but de renseigner la population sur le projet et de maintenir un dialogue ouvert et transparent avec la communauté, la STO a également procédé au dévoilement du site Web TramGO. Le public pourra accéder à son contenu en visitant le www.tramwaygatineauottawa.ca ou par l'entremise de sa page Facebook.

« La synthèse de l'étude complémentaire démontre clairement le besoin d'un tramway à Gatineau. Ce n'est plus une option, mais une nécessité pour notre région. On est rendus là », de mentionner le président du conseil d'administration de la STO, M. Jocelyn Blondin. « On veut débuter les études d'avant-projet dès que possible et pour ça, on a besoin de l'appui financier du gouvernement fédéral. On a des signes encourageants depuis quelque temps déjà, mais comme politiciens, il faut qu'on arrive à concrétiser une annonce prochainement, car on veut garder notre équipe du bureau de projet mobilisée. Ces professionnels sont prêts à entamer les prochaines étapes et à aller à la rencontre des citoyens. On souhaite donc avoir de bonnes nouvelles au cours des prochaines semaines. »

Source : STO

The City's Light Rail Sub-Committee today received a detailed presentation on construction activity and a schedule update for all three O-Train extension projects – south, east and west.

In the south, work is progressing well at the Albion Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility and on multiple rail bridges and guideway sections. Station construction is well advanced, with wayfinding signage, fare gates and final touches being installed at most stations. Track installation is close to completion, and testing and commissioning has commenced. Critical activities, including further testing and commissioning, and training are being monitored prior to system handover, expected late in 2023.

In the east, work on track and systems is ongoing, and significant progress continues to be made in stations and on the Place d'Orléans and Trim pedestrian bridges. By the end of the year, preparation will begin for vehicle testing on the extension.

In the west, progress continues at Corkstown Yard Light Maintenance and Storage Facility and station construction is now underway on all stations. The Queensview pedestrian bridge structure was successfully installed in July. Excavation in the Byron Linear Park is also ongoing, and cut-and-cover tunnel construction is progressing with ongoing concrete pours for the tunnel structure.

For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source : City of Ottawa

Today, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mario Péloquin, and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Françoise Bertrand, were at Winnipeg Union Station, one of VIA Rail Canada's (VIA Rail) Heritage Stations, to announce investments designed to protect these buildings and ensure they reflect today's standards.

VIA Rail is privileged to own Heritage Stations across its network that have played an integral role in Canada's rail history. Between 2020 and 2025, VIA Rail will have invested over $80M for the renovation of four of its Heritage stations: Winnipeg Union Station, Vancouver Pacific Station, Halifax Station, and Gare du Palais in Québec City.

"These iconic stations embody the history of railroading, and by extension the creation of Canada, which we have a responsibility to protect," said Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With this announcement we are ensuring that VIA can continue to maintain these landmark buildings and that we improve the customer experience by making these stations more accessible and sustainable for future generations to enjoy."

Winnipeg Union Station

VIA Rail has invested over $25M in the renovation of Winnipeg Union Station, a cornerstone of our Western operations. These improvements will allow VIA Rail to continue to offer the best possible experience to users: one that is safe, comfortable, accessible, and sustainable.

"Our Winnipeg Union Station is a crucial point of our Western operations," said Françoise Bertrand, Chairperson of VIA Rail's Board of Directors. "It plays an important role in our ability to deliver our mandate as it is part of the lifeline service to communities in Northern Manitoba and gives access to the iconic Canadian that travels between Vancouver and Toronto."

Since 2020, VIA Rail has, among others, upgraded interior passenger platforms and created a more accessible experience with the elevators and escalators upgrades and exterior passenger platform replacement, which will be the first fully accessible platform on our long-distance and regional routes once completed at the end of the year.

All renovations to the station and train shed are being done within the guidelines of Parks Canada to respect the Heritage characteristics of the 1911 building. The Winnipeg Station also achieved LEED gold certification in 2022, making it the second station in our network to have received this Canada Green Building Council credential.

Additional Quote

"Union Station is a beautiful historical site right in the heart of our city's downtown. With this investment of over $25 million, VIA Rail is making good on its commitment to regional connectivity and continues to offer riders the safe, comfortable, accessible trip they've come to expect."

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient, and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional, and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transported over 5 million passengers in 2019. The Corporation has been awarded ten Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2005. Visit the "About VIA Rail" section.

Source : VIA Rail Canada

Today, with the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. François Legault, Premier of Québec and Ms. Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal in attendance, CDPQ and its subsidiary, CDPQ Infra, inaugurated the first branch of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), connecting Brossard to Gare Centrale.

Dignitaries and members of the public took part in the first official trip on the 16.6-km route connecting downtown Montréal to Brossard in 18 minutes.

This major step marks the start of a new network that is efficient, reliable and will facilitate the daily travel of over 30,000 people as they go to work, school, leisure activities, appointments or to visit friends and family.

Once completed, the fully automated and electric REM will reduce GHG emissions by 100,000 tonnes per year. In addition, with an overall network of 67 kilometres, it will be the longest automated metro in the world.

The public is invited to experience the new light metro for free over the weekend of July 29–30. Activities will also be scheduled on Esplanade PVM at Place Ville Marie during the weekend to highlight this historic milestone. Regular service on the South Shore Branch will begin Monday, July 31.

Users can learn more details about the new service starting today by visiting the Travel section of the REM.info website.

Quotes

"The REM will transform the way people get around the Greater Montréal area. It is the largest public transportation project undertaken in Québec in the last 50 years, and will ensure that Montrealers and all Canadians benefit from a transportation service to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport that is both efficient and clean. We are a major partner in this major project."
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"The REM will improve mobility in the Greater Montréal area. It's a fine example of our efforts to provide Quebecers with fast, environmentally-friendly and practical public transportation infrastructure. Serving citizens living in the suburbs, outside the city centres, is a major challenge, and this is precisely what the REM will make possible. I'm confident that we're heading in the right direction, and that if we provide Quebecers with modern, fast and efficient public transportation, more and more people will use it."
François Legault, Premier of Québec

"A major milestone has just been reached in the realization of this brand new transportation system. It will have an impact on the daily lives of thousands of people in the Greater Montréal area, and we're very proud of it. The REM speaks to our dual mandate, as it will generate significant economic benefits for Québec and each time passengers step on board, they will contribute to financing their retirement. It's truly a signature project that will deliver tangible benefits starting today and for future generations."
Charles Emond, President and Chief Executive Officer, CDPQ

"Taking an idea and bringing it to fruition is quite an accomplishment for the thousands of people who've worked tirelessly for 5 years now on building this major project for the greater metropolitan region. I'd like to personally thank all these REM artisans whose collective effort is now giving thousands of citizens access to a brand-new, sustainable, frequent and efficient mobility service."
Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer, CDPQ Infra

"The inauguration of the first segment of the REM marks an important milestone in the history of the metropolitan area, and the start into a new era of mobility in Montréal. This new structural link is one of the keys to ensuring the vitality of our downtown and, eventually, to redeveloping and densifying the Bridge-Bonaventure area. This ambitious project is part of our vision for a more accessible and resilient metropolitan area for future generations."
Valérie Plante, Mayor of the Ville de Montréal

"The opening of the REM is a historic moment, a true revolution in the way we get around collectively and in how we think about the future of our cities. In Brossard, the three REM stations are major development hubs and living environments that will quickly become prime locations. Imagine leaving the Brossard terminal, crossing the deck of the new Samuel-De Champlain Bridge and arriving at Montréal's Gare Centrale Station, all in just a few minutes. Brossard is very proud to have this innovative public transit project within its city limits. It's a source of pride to us all!"
Doreen Assaad, Mayor of Brossard

"The commissioning of this first segment of the REM marks the beginning of a new era in mobility. This unprecedented mode of transportation, which will be integrated into the various existing networks, will change how we travel in the Greater Montréal area. CDPQ Infra and its partners have every reason to be proud of the work they have accomplished. I encourage members of the public to come aboard and discover for themselves the many benefits of this project."
Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier of Québec, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility

"The arrival of the REM, the largest public transportation project in Québec since the opening of the metro in 1966, will bring lasting changes to the mobility of citizens travelling between the South Shore and Montréal. It's the culmination of a colossal effort by the metropolitan region's partners – exo, RTL and STM – which have revised their bus networks to ensure fully integrated services. Our teams are ready to welcome users so that they'll have the best experience possible and to encourage them to adopt this modern, 100% electric mode of transportation."
Benoit Gendron, Director General of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM)

"We are proud and pleased to launch the REM with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. What a joy it is to develop Alstom's latest driverless metro technologies in Québec and to support the City of Montréal in its effort to decarbonize mobility to make our world and cities easier to live in, greener and more environmentally friendly. We deeply thank CDPQ for their continuous support here in Montréal and beyond as Alstom main shareholder."
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman and CEO of Alstom

"Building the REM is much more than construction or engineering; it represents an opportunity to build the future. To this end, we brought together more than 4,000 men and women of 59 different nationalities. I'd like to extend my warmest thanks to them and their families, without whom none of our efforts would have been possible. We are very grateful for the collaboration of GPMM and the support received from our partners (SNC-Lavalin, Dragados, Aecon, Pomerleau and EBC) and, above all, for the exceptional leadership and resilience of CDPQ Infra."
Jaime Freyre, Project Manager, NouvLR consortium

"We are proud of our investment in the REM, one of Canada's most important transit infrastructure projects, whose initial opening will relieve congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Montréal. Initial operations of our first and largest investment demonstrate the impact of our work. This is one of nearly 30 investments by the Canada Infrastructure Bank that are under construction or in development across the country."
Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

"The launch of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) clearly shows how the electrification of transportation is not only about individual electric vehicles. Electric public transportation is an essential pillar of a low-carbon economy, and Hydro-Québec is honoured to have played a crucial role in this project."
Claudine Bouchard, Executive Vice President, Chief Infrastructure and Energy System Officer at Hydro-Québec

The REM's South Shore Branch at a glance:

• 16.6 km of double track
• Thirteen four-car trains
• Five new stations
• Operating 20 hours per day
• Brossard to downtown Montréal in 18 minutes
• Frequency varies from every 3 minutes 45 seconds during peak hours to every 7 minutes 30 seconds outside of peak hours
• Integration of a sustainable and structuring transportation system on the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge
• Two new bridges (l'Île-des-Sœurs channel and Lachine Canal)
• A maintenance centre and control centre using cutting-edge technology

Source : CDPQ Infra

The TTC is today confirming the comprehensive investigation into the July 24 derailment on Line 3 Scarborough will take at least another three weeks to complete. Frequent bus shuttle service will continue to run.

A decision about the reinstatement of train service will only be made once the review is complete.

"I want to thank Scarborough residents for their patience as the TTC continues to investigate this very serious incident," said Mayor Olivia Chow. "The safety of the public transit system is everyone's top concern and the SRT service can only return when we know it is safe to do so."

"The TTC Board stands behind every effort to ensure the root cause of this derailment is fully and thoroughly looked into," said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. "CEO Rick Leary and his team are keeping us fully informed every step of the way and I am confident they will not rush into a decision without all the facts."

"We have enlisted the support and help of some of the transportation industry's leading experts in rail, infrastructure and vehicles to assist and ensure we are leaving no stone unturned," said TTC CEO Rick Leary. "Safety is paramount to all we do and only once we know exactly what happened can we make a decision about the future operations of this line. In the meantime, we are making contingency plans to ensure we are providing the people of Scarborough with frequent and reliable transit options."

On July 24 at 6:45 p.m. a southbound SRT train leaving Ellesmere Station had its trailing car derail approximately 500 feet from the station.

In addition to the investigation, the TTC is using this time to inspect the entire SRT fleet and the infrastructure's structural integrity. The results of the investigation will inform next steps.

Source : TTC

This memo is to provide an update to the Mayor and Members of Council on the ongoing O-Train Line 1 service disruption and the safe, gradual return to service. 

At this time, OC Transpo continues to anticipate that the gradual resumption of service will begin on Monday, July 31. In order to safely resume service, three items are required: 

• Inspection of all rail vehicles, which was completed on July 24; six vehicles are undergoing additional investigations 
• Texelis report based on the manufacturer's disassembly and analysis of the out of tolerance axle hub, expected on July 28 
• Safety Note from Alstom and RTG, outlining the parameters of the new containment plan for the safe operations of Line 1 

Earlier today, Alstom and RTG provided the draft Safety Note. The document is being reviewed by OC Transpo. At a high level, the Safety Note lays out plans for a new inspection and replacement regime that requires: 

• Continuing with all mitigation measures already in place 
• Replacement of the leading and trailing wheel hub assemblies and axles every 60,000 kilometres 
• Implement a new inspection regime for middle bogies 

As a result of this enhanced inspection and replacement program, not all trains will be available to operate as they undergo wheel hub assembly replacement based on their current mileage. OC Transpo is committed to restoring O-Train service as soon as it is safe to do so. Based on this information, current reduced ridership levels, and that Line 1 can operate with either single or double-car trains, customers can expect the following progressive return to service: 

• Eight single-car trains serving all stations on Line 1, approximately every seven to eight minutes 
• R1 bus service will continue to operate in parallel to Line 1 service 
• OC Transpo staff will continue to be at key stations to support customers during their trip 
• The Transit Operations Control Centre will be closely monitoring passenger volumes at stations 

This fleet size in combination with the ongoing R1 bus service will provide the capacity required to meet current customer volumes. This temporary single-car train configuration enables OC Transpo and RTG to manage the supply of rail vehicles while meeting the more frequent inspection and replacement regime in order to ensure the sustainable delivery of service. 

OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group (RTG) conducted a risk assessment and confirmed that since the system was originally designed to accommodate both single and double-car train operations, there are no additional risks to customer safety at station platforms. 

As RTG progresses with the wheel hub assembly replacement, more trains will become available to maintain the sustainability of the eight trains in operation. Once OC Transpo can be assured that there is a sustainable number of vehicles available for service, we will assess an increase to the number of operating trains. 

OC Transpo continues to work with RTG and Alstom to finalize the Safety Note and the gradual safe return to service plan. Once plans are final, full details will be communicated to customers prior to the start of service through all of OC Transpo's channels. 

There will be a media availability at 4 p.m. today and we will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Source : City of Ottawa

RFC - Questions and Answers from the Media Availability today.

• There have been a lot of discussion on the wheel/rail interface, as well as the axle bearings over the past few years. Will the redesigned axle address both of these two investigations? And can you give a brief explanation of the root cause that was found.
• In the interim until such time that all LRVs have been modified with a new redesigned strengthened axle, what maintenance and inspection changes will be done to limit and control the state of the LRVs to keep them in service, such as lower inspection intervals (currently 3750km), continued or expanded use of smartbugs, or onboard vibration detection systems on the LRVs themselves. And should we expect the current temporary speed restrictions to continue for the next year?

This memo is to provide an update to the Mayor and Members of Council on the current service levels, completed and planned work on the ongoing investigation, and an update on the safe resumption of service, which is expected by July 31st .

We will continue to provide further updates as they become available. A media availability will be held at 10 a.m. today, and at 4 p.m. daily for the remainder of the week.

• An update was sent early this morning regarding R1 service.

The difficult decision to suspend service was made to ensure the ongoing safety of our customers and staff.

Since then, there has been important progress on all three key areas of the ongoing investigation and the suspension of service on Line 1.

The following tests have been undertaken since the temporary suspension of service:

Ongoing Investigation – Instrumented Bogie Tests

Return to Service Plan

Line 1 service will resume when it is safe to do so.

We continue to meet with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and Alstom to finalize a safe return to service plan that is sustainable. Our focus is ensuring the increased reliability and long-term sustainability of the system.

The Return to Service Plan has several critical activities and includes a safety letter provided by Alstom, through RTG, and a report from Texelis, the manufacturer of the axles. These documents will be reviewed by OC Transpo, in association with Transportation Resource Associates (TRA), OC Transpo's third party expert.

Return to Service Plan

Additionally, I am very pleased to announce that Alstom and RTG have agreed to a design modification to the wheel hub assembly. This means that Ottawa will finally have a permanent fix to this bearing issue, which will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of Line 1.

Reminder: We will continue to provide further updates as they become available. A media availability will be held at 10 a.m. today, and at 4 p.m. daily for the remainder of the week.

Source : City of Ottawa

L'Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), exo, le Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) et la Société de transport de Montréal (STM) saluent l'annonce de la date de mise en service de l'antenne Rive-Sud du REM, le 31 juillet prochain. Au cours des prochaines semaines, le REM s'intégrera à des réseaux de transport repensés pour maximiser l'expérience des usagers et l'efficacité de leurs trajets dans le corridor de l'autoroute 10 et ses bassins.

À la suite d'importantes consultations publiques, exo, le RTL et la STM ont procédé au dévoilement de la refonte de leurs réseaux respectifs au cours des derniers mois. Les changements à venir concernent à la fois l'accès au REM et les déplacements locaux. Les partenaires finalisent les derniers préparatifs du plan de déploiement des réseaux locaux pour faciliter l'expérience des usagers dans une transition harmonieuse vers les nouveaux services.

« Le REM changera notre façon de nous déplacer dans la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. Je salue le travail colossal effectué par les partenaires. C'est avec fierté et fébrilité que j'invite les citoyens à adopter le REM dès le 31 juillet. Notre gouvernement continuera de soutenir cette nouvelle colonne vertébrale de la mobilité durable au Québec », a déclaré Geneviève Guilbault, vice-première ministre et ministre des Transports et de la Mobilité durable.

« Grâce aux titres Tous modes, le REM est déjà intégré à la tarification régionale depuis le 1^er juillet 2022. Dans la foulée de la mise en service, c'est non seulement le plus important projet de transport collectif au Québec depuis 50 ans qui se déploiera, mais également la refonte de 3 réseaux locaux de bus. Exo, le RTL et la STM ont réalisé un excellent travail en plaçant les besoins de la population au cœur de cet exercice afin de profiter de l'arrivée du REM pour optimiser le service local de nombreux secteurs. La concertation de l'ensemble des partenaires était incontournable pour donner à l'arrivée du REM son plein potentiel structurant. Concrètement, les usagers auront droit à une meilleure couverture locale et, pour se rendre au REM, à plus d'amplitude et de fréquence de service avec un accès performant entre le centre-ville de Montréal et la Rive-Sud », a déclaré Benoit Gendron, directeur général de l'ARTM.

« Exo mettra en service son nouveau réseau d'autobus complètement repensé dans les secteurs Chambly-Richelieu-Carignan et Le Richelain/Roussillon. Alors que plus de 60 lignes ont été entièrement redessinées, 25 d'entre elles se rendront directement au REM. Le nouveau réseau améliorera considérablement les déplacements locaux et intermunicipaux en plus d'offrir des trajets directs vers le REM, pour un accès facile au centre-ville et à d'autres destinations sur la couronne sud. Durant les prochaines semaines, exo sera présent sur le terrain pour accompagner sa clientèle dans ce changement d'habitudes », déclare Josée Bérubé, présidente du conseil d'administration d'exo.

« Toute l'équipe du RTL est heureuse d'offrir aux citoyens de Longueuil, Brossard, Boucherville, Saint-Lambert et Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville un réseau redessiné qui sera encore plus branché sur leurs besoins, mieux connecté au REM grâce à 29 lignes qui desserviront les 3 stations sur la rive-sud, soit Panama, Du Quartier et Brossard, et plus flexible puisque les horaires seront adaptés aux nouvelles habitudes de déplacement. Il sera également plus accessible avec des temps de parcours améliorés, simplifié grâce à des liens plus faciles à l'intérieur de l'agglomération de Longueuil et aura une meilleure desserte des centres commerciaux, des parcs industriels, des lieux d'enseignement et des installations de santé », déclare Geneviève Héon, présidente du conseil d'administration du RTL.

« C'est avec enthousiasme que j'accueille ce moment historique et tant attendu! En effet, la mise en service du premier tronçon du REM, qui reliera la Rive-Sud au réseau du métro du centre-ville de Montréal avec la station Bonaventure, est une excellente nouvelle pour la mobilité, tout comme notre nouvelle desserte bus à l'Île-des-Sœurs qui pourra être modulée selon les besoins. Celle-ci constitue la première étape de la grande démarche de la refonte du réseau bus sur l'ensemble du territoire de l'île de Montréal. Rappelons que cette refonte vise à repenser le réseau de surface pour le rendre plus attrayant et adapté aux besoins de mobilité des Montréalais, tout en s'arrimant à la mise en service de grands projets de transport collectif », a déclaré Éric Alan Caldwell, président du conseil d'administration de la STM.

Les refontes de réseaux d'autobus qui accompagnent la mise en service du REM ont été annoncées par le RTL, exo et la STM au cours des derniers mois.

Toute l'information sur les changements à venir peut être obtenue sur leurs sites respectifs :

• Refonte du réseau du RTL : visionrtl.ca
• Refonte du réseau d'exo : exo.quebec/monreseau
• Refonte du réseau de la STM : refontebus.stm.info

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, issued today this statement to mark the tenth anniversary of the Lac-Mégantic tragedy:

"The Lac-Mégantic tragedy took place ten years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. The gripping images of the worst rail accident in Canadian history that took the lives of 47 people still terrify us. We will never forget what happened on the night of July 6, 2013.

Today is a solemn day, a day of reflection and a day of mourning. For many, the memories of that night and the days that followed, as well as today's ceremony, will reopen a wound that will never fully heal.

No community, no family should have to endure what Lac-Mégantic did, and I can't imagine what the citizens of the municipality and surrounding area had to go through. I speak from the heart when I say that Lac-Mégantic is a town full of brave and resilient people who have persevered under unimaginable circumstances. They have shown us hope and the better side of our humanity. That is why in return, I want to convey to you, that we are with you, and will always be with you, in remembrance, in mourning, and in the promise of a better future.

This means honoring those we have lost and those who remain and mourn, ensuring that such a tragedy can never happen again. I assure you that we are continuing our efforts to strengthen rail safety across Canada so that such an event never happens again, and we are determined to get the train out of downtown Lac-Mégantic. Rail safety remains one of my top priorities.

Together, let us honor the memory of those who left us ten years ago. We can never forget, and we must never let ourselves forget."

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

Source : Transport Canada

Ten years ago today, a train that was parked unattended for the night at Nantes, Quebec, started to roll uncontrolled, reaching a speed of 65 mph. When the train approached the centre of the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, 63 tank cars derailed, spilling about 6 million litres of petroleum crude oil. Forty-seven people were fatally injured, and the centre of the town was destroyed.

On this difficult day, we extend our continued condolences to all those impacted by this tragic occurrence.

As part of our investigation (R13D0054), the TSB issued five recommendations to Transport Canada (TC), three of which - related to improved tank car standards, route planning and analysis, and emergency response assistance plans - have been fully addressed by TC and industry and are now closed. Two recommendations, related to the prevention of uncontrolled movements and enhanced regulatory surveillance, remain open.

Despite significant safety action taken by TC and the railway industry to reduce the number of unplanned and uncontrolled movements of rail equipment, such events continue to occur, posing a significant risk to people, property, and the environment.

Today, as we think of the people of Lac-Mégantic, I want to emphasize that the TSB remains firmly committed to advocating for changes that will advance rail transportation safety, so that no other Canadian community will ever have to face such a catastrophic event.

Kathy Fox
Chair, Transportation Safety Board of Canada

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

The TSB is online at www.tsb.gc.ca. Keep up to date through RSS, Twitter (@TSBCanada), Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.

Source : Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Since the start of the dry run on June 28, the Reseau express métropolitain (REM) cars have been running at frequencies similar to those of the future service. In light of the results of this period of intensive testing, CDPQ Infra announce that the REM between Brossard and Gare Centrale stations opens to the public on July 31st.

The dry run will continue over the next few weeks, allowing the teams to make the final adjustments to deliver the best possible customer experience.

Future users can find out more about the new service today at REM.info. In the coming weeks, the REM will also be introducing additional communication tools to support users.

With its 5 stations, the REM's South Shore branch will provide access from Brossard to downtown Montréal in under 18 minutes.

Source : CDPQ Infra

CDPQ Infra confirms that the final pre-commissioning stage of the project, the dry-run, will begin between the stations of Brossard and Gare Centrale station as of Wednesday, June 28th.

The final phase consists of simulating the future service, without passengers. Over the next few days, REM cars will run at frequencies similar to those of the future service. To reach this final stage, the teams have completed a number of decisive milestones over the past 12 months, including the complete electrification of the 16.6 km South Shore antenna, the crossing of the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge and a third consecutive winter of intensive testing.

CDPQ Infra will be back in the public space regarding the process of the dry run, to confirm the official commissioning date for the REM between Brossard and Gare Centrale station.

About the REM

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new 67-km, 26-station integrated mass public transit network designed to link downtown Montreal, the South Shore, the West Island, the North Shore and Montreal-Trudeau airport by means of a fully automated, electric light metro system. Offering high-frequency service, the REM will operate 7 days a week, 20 hours a day, and will be connected to the existing Montreal's three metro lines.

Source : REM

Today, the City's Light Rail Sub-Committee received a report and detailed presentation on the projects being coordinated by staff to ensure a successful launch of O-Train Lines 2 and 4 this fall.

The Rail Operational Readiness (ROR) program and the Rail Activation Management Program (RAMP) involve numerous complex projects that will deliver on the planned Stage 2 of Ottawa's light rail transit (LRT) system.

ROR is a structured project management approach that supports the development and implementation of the strategic projects and activities models that ensure a seamless and positive end-to-end customer journey.

RAMP tracks and reports on all deliverables required for the launch. RAMP provides for a successful transition to launch, from construction to operations, including vehicles, system testing and commissioning, operations and maintenance, and customer-facing elements.

Most importantly, ROR and RAMP were created to ensure a positive customer experience on LRT from Day 1.

ROR and RAMP represent a coordinated team effort, which includes planning dress rehearsal activities with a variety of situations. These preparations include the regulatory framework and tabletop exercises, Transit Operations Control Centre readiness, contracts, and systems. Customer facing elements such as traffic and transit connectivity, station design, wayfinding, and safety, play an important role in staff preparations.

OC Transpo will continue to deliver on its commitment to transparency, and to ensuring that lessons learned from the Line 1 experience are implemented to ensure a successful delivery of Stage 2 for customers and residents alike.

For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source : City of Ottawa