The purpose of this memo is to advise you that staff and the Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) are planning to hold a technical briefing on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:30 am. The purpose of this briefing is to confirm the work that Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and the City are undertaking to allow partial service on the O-Train Line 1 to resume within the first two weeks of November, as anticipated. This was a commitment we made to Council and the Commission, and a formal invitation will be sent to you shortly.

This technical briefing is being provided now, as the full system-wide testing of O-Train Line 1 for the partial return-to-service plan is currently underway, under the oversight and ongoing monitoring of TRA. The testing is allowing TRA, RTG and the City to confirm that all the repairs on the trains, track and the infrastructure meet the quality standards required for the safe and continued operations of O-Train Line 1.

With the testing program well underway, TRA is nearing the completion of their independent evaluation of the partial return-to-service plan for Line 1. They will provide Members of Council and Transit Commissioners with an overview of their work, findings, and recommendations at the technical briefing.

Progress updates will continue to be provided to Members of Council and Transit Commissioners and a final date for full return-to-service will be determined by the City in consultation with the Regulatory Monitor and Compliance Officer (RMCO), TRA and all parties involved.

Sincerely,

Steve Kanellakos

Source : City of Ottawa

CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) is proud to announce its purchase of Wabtec's FLXdrive battery-electric freight locomotive, the first 100-percent battery heavy-haul locomotive for the region in support of CN's sustainability goals. This new technology is a key component in achieving an effective transition to a lower carbon future. Recognizing the potential of the initiative, Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection awarded financial support for the initiative under the Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program.

For its first battery-electric freight locomotive, CN plans to partner with Wabtec to put in service its next-generation FLXdrive technology, which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 percent. The anticipated efficiencies and emission reductions from the technology will be significant and help open the door to new alternatives beyond the diesel-powered locomotives used today.

"As part of our sustainability strategy to reduce freight transportation emissions through innovation, we plan to continue to lead the sector by deploying low and no carbon technologies. At CN, we believe rail has a tremendous potential to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. As a mover of the economy, CN is committed to playing a key role in the transition to low-carbon economy."

• Jean-Jacques Ruest, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN
  

"The FLXdrive is a defining moment for the freight rail industry, and Wabtec is proud to partner with CN to accelerate the industry toward low- to zero-emission locomotives,"

• Rafael Santana, Wabtec President and Chief Executive Officer
  

"I am excited to see that the Canadian National's (CN) Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad (B&LE) Company has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help with the purchase of a new innovative Wabtec battery-electric locomotive. As a member of a family that has proudly worked for Bessemer for four generations, I am thrilled by this opportunity to accelerate the future of rail by promoting cleaner and more efficient transportation. I would like to offer my congratulations to CN's B&LE and Wabtec as they work together to create sustainable and efficient railroads for future generations."

• Pennsylvania State Rep. Parke Wentling (R-17th District)
  

CN is the most fuel-efficient railway in North America, using approximately 15% less locomotive fuel per gross ton mile than the industry average. In 2020, CN's actions to reduce emissions, mitigate climate risks and to develop the low-carbon economy resulted in CN being one of only three Canadian companies listed on CDP's prestigious Climate A List. The continuing successful development and availability of innovative propulsion technology is part of a portfolio of carbon reduction initiatives.

In April 2021, the Science-Based Target Initiative ("SBTi") approved CN's commitment to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases ("GHG") emissions by 43% per million gross ton miles by 2030 from a 2019 base year. CN furthermore commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy related activities by 40% per million gross ton miles by 2030 from a 2019 base year. CN's Climate Action Plan and its new level of ambition target support the Paris Agreement.

About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 19,500-mile rail network, CN, and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

About WABTEC
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is focused on creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets. Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 150 years and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the U.S. and worldwide. Visit Wabtec's website at: www.wabteccorp.com.

About the SBTi
SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature that defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies' targets. For more information, please consult their website: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/.

Source : CN Rail

Please find attached a letter from the province regarding OLRT1 and the TSB. 

• a robust and fulsome quality assurance program 
• updates to their maintenance programs and processes, to ensure that the root causes of the recent derailments are fully addressed. 

With this continued progress and contingent upon the completion of RTG's return-to-service plan and TRA's and the City's concurrence, it is anticipated that we will be able to provide a technical briefing with TRA before the end of the week, which is a Council requirement prior to the resumption of revenue service. 

The plan remains to resume a partial return to service with seven (7) trains and two (2) spares in the first two weeks of November, and to incrementally expand service throughout the month of November.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Source : City of Ottawa

Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) will dramatically expand the scope of its pioneering Hydrogen Locomotive Program with a $15 million grant announced by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) today. The grant enables CP to increase the number of hydrogen locomotive conversions in the project from one to three and add hydrogen production and fueling facilities. The program will create a global centre of excellence in hydrogen and freight rail systems in Alberta.

"In expanding this groundbreaking project, CP is demonstrating its commitment to combatting climate change through transformative technology," said Keith Creel, CP's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am very pleased that ERA selected this program for a grant and I eagerly anticipate seeing a hydrogen-powered locomotive move CP customer freight in the near future."

CP is receiving the 50/50 matching grant from ERA's Shovel Ready Challenge program. It builds on the $15 million CP already planned to invest in the development project in 2021.

In December 2020, CP announced it would design and build North America's first line-haul hydrogen-powered locomotive using fuel cells and batteries to power the locomotive's electric traction motors. With the grant announced today, CP will build upon its early program research to convert an additional line-haul locomotive and a yard switcher locomotive. This work will refine the process of converting diesel-electric powertrains to hydrogen-electric powertrains over a series of three categories of locomotive, which collectively represent most locomotives in use throughout North America.

To support hydrogen locomotive operations, the project will include installation of hydrogen production and fueling facilities at CP railyards in Calgary and Edmonton. The Calgary fueling facility will include an electrolysis plant to produce hydrogen from water. This facility will operate on renewable power from solar panels at CP's headquarters campus and produce zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Edmonton facility includes a small-scale steam methane reformation system that will generate hydrogen from Alberta's natural gas resources. The system will be constructed to accommodate the possible future addition of greenhouse gas capture equipment.

"Alberta is investing to lead the transition to affordable, reliable and clean energy. CP's initiative represents a highly compelling opportunity to catalyze the hydrogen economy in Alberta and around the world," said Steve MacDonald, CEO of Emissions Reduction Alberta. "The project will help scale up technology and bring down the costs of deploying hydrogen to address the critical challenge of decarbonizing the long haul, heavy-freight sector."

CP's Hydrogen Locomotive Program will demonstrate and evaluate the technical performance of hydrogen-powered locomotives and supporting fueling infrastructure in real-world operations. The program will generate critical industry knowledge and experience that will inform commercialization and future development.

For more information about CP's sustainability initiatives, visit sustainability.cpr.ca.

Note on forward-looking information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward looking information (collectively, FLI). FLI is typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "intend", "target", "believe", "likely" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be FLI.

This news release contains FLI relating, but not limited, to: the scope of the Hydrogen Locomotive Program; the creation of a global centre of excellence in hydrogen and freight rail systems; the anticipated impacts of such developments on CP's operations, priorities and plans, and certain anticipated future strategies, plans and goals relating to sustainability.

Although we believe that the FLI is reasonable based on the information available today and processes used to prepare it, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and you are cautioned against placing undue reliance on FLI. By its nature, FLI involves a variety of assumptions, which are based upon factors that may be difficult to predict and that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these FLI, including, but not limited to, the following: the fuel efficiency of railways and CP's operations; CP's ability to implement certain initiatives, including emissions targets, scenario analyses, risk mitigation strategies, changes to enterprise risk management and internal carbon pricing mechanisms; CP's ability to develop North America's first hydrogen-powered line-haul freight locomotive; the possibility of eliminating emissions from freight train operations; ATCO's ability to construct and operate the fueling facilities; future investments in and the availability of carbon emissions-reduction tools and technologies including through CP's fleet modernization program and technology upgrades; the impacts of existing and planned capital investments; CP's ability to work with governments and third parties to mitigate the impacts of climate change; the possibility of eliminating emissions from freight train operations; North American and global economic growth; commodity demand growth; agricultural production; commodity prices and interest rates; the performance of CP's assets and equipment; applicable laws, regulations and government policies; the availability and cost of labour on the timelines anticipated and with the capabilities required, as well as the availability and cost of services and infrastructure; sufficiency of CP's budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out CP's business plan; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to CP; the impacts of the novel strain of coronavirus (and the disease known as COVID-19); and capital investments by third parties.

We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and is made as of the date hereof. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties can be found in reports and filings by CP with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. Reference should be made to "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Statements" in CP's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q. Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these factors, as well as other factors, the impact of any one assumption, risk or uncertainty on FLI cannot be determined with certainty.

Except to the extent required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any FLI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All FLI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by these cautionary statements.

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

Source : CP

• Vehicle: Bombardier Talent 2 (BR442)

O-Train Line 1 is currently undergoing testing to verify repairs and safety prior to it returning to service, anticipated for early November. This video shows some of the testing taking place on October 28th at Tremblay Station. LRVs 1115-1110 were operating continuously back and forth along an approximately 500-metre length of the westbound track, to verify the repairs that were undertaken on the track and guideway, following the September 19th derailment.

The testing period commenced yesterday and will continue throughout the following weeks leading up to the resumption of partial service, anticipated to launch in the first two weeks of November. Throughout this testing period, it will be possible to see trains running at different speeds, on different sections of the track, and stopped for long periods of time. Trains will sometimes run the entire track from end-to-end and at other times may only run for short distances on the line. Trains will also often cross over between the two tracks on the line. At times, many technicians will also be on the line as they perform inspections of all components of the track and rail infrastructure.

This testing will be critical to allow TRA, RTG and the City to confirm that all the repairs on the trains, track and the infrastructure meet the quality standards required for a safe return to service and continued operations of Line 1. As previously communicated, TRA has performed their preliminary assessment of the situation and they are now in the process of developing their own detailed workplan following the receipt of RTG's proposed return-to-service date and associated workplan.

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The purpose of this memo is to confirm that some test trains will begin operating on portions of the system this afternoon. 

Progress continues to be made towards restoring partial Line 1 service. Under the oversight and ongoing monitoring of the independent rail safety expert, Transportation Research Associates (TRA), RTG technicians have been deployed to the site to perform critical activities including train inspections and tasks related to relaunching service on the system. 

Prior to service resumption, the entire system will undergo a robust testing regime with three main areas of focus: 

• track and infrastructure 
• train testing 
• full system-wide tests 

This testing will be critical to allow TRA, RTG and the City to confirm that all the repairs on the trains, track and the infrastructure meet the quality standards required for a safe return to service and continued operations of Line 1. As previously communicated, TRA has performed their preliminary assessment of the situation and they are now in the process of developing their own detailed workplan following the receipt of RTG's proposed return-to-service date and associated workplan.

Original signed by Renée Amilcar  

The purpose of this memo is to advise the Mayor and Members of Council and the Transit Commission that the Rideau Transit Group (RTG) has informed the City that full-service resumption is anticipated by Monday, November 29, and to provide you with further details on RTG's plan to safely return the O-Train Confederation Line 1 into service following the September 19 derailment.

We can advise that significant progress has been made to prepare for the resumption of partial Line 1 service since the Transit Commission was updated last Wednesday. Additional RTG technicians have been deployed to inspect the trains and conduct necessary work to relaunch the system. The independent rail safety expert, Transportation Research Associates (TRA), is actively monitoring their progress. 

Partial service resumption (seven trains plus one spare) remains on-target to resume within the first two weeks of November, consistent with what was anticipated and presented in the last updates to the Commission and City Council. 

As part of the partial return-to-service plan and to validate repairs to the infrastructure, some test trains will operate on portions of the system later this week. These preliminary test trains will be used to verify correct operation of the trains and the infrastructure that was repaired. A further memo will be issued to Council before testing on track commences. 

As a reminder, the base service plan for Line 1 requires 15 trains for the morning peak period, 13 trains for afternoon peak period, and a range of vehicles at other times of the day. RTG's proposed timeline for the availability of 32 vehicles (15 trains plus one spare) is conditional on the acceptance of their workplan by TRA, timely execution of the inspection program, validation of the work completed on the vehicle fleet and acceptance by the City. 

The City has made clear to RTG that the O-Train Confederation Line 1 will only return to service once TRA completes their assessment, and the City accepts their recommendations. Once partial Line 1 service resumes, RTG will continue to inspect the remainder of the fleet. LRT service will incrementally increase as more vehicles are cleared for service, ultimately growing the service to full deployment (16 trains/32 vehicles) for Line 1 by November 29. 

The November 29 date provided by RTG is a target and is subject to validation of the vehicle inspection program by TRA and the City. Accordingly, staff anticipates a return to full service is achievable by mid-December. I will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. 

Steve Kanellakos, City Manager

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find attached a memo regarding an update on actions that staff are taking to ensure Rideau Transit Group implements a safe return to service of the O-Train Confederation Line 1 after the derailment on September 19, 2021.

Source : City of Ottawa

In this video, I play Train Sim World 2 - Canadian National Oakville Subdivision.

This is a training scenario to learn the basic operations of the GP9RM CN Rail freight train locomotive and practice shunting maneuvers in the yard.

Facts on this trip:

• Locomotive : GP9RM CN Rail 

Rail Fans Canada is launching a new mini-series, in which we will play and provide commentary on Train Sim World 2, a unique train simulator game for PS4, XBOX One and PC.

In this video, I go over what this new series hopes to do, what kind of trains and scenarios we will cover, and a bit about what makes this train simulator game unique.

You can purchase and download Train Sim World 2 on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1282590/Train_Sim_World_2/

OC Transpo provides an update on O-Train Line 1 return-to-service plan and reports on its performance measures for July 2020 to June 2021

Today, Transit Commission received an update on plans to safely return O-Train Line 1 to service after a September 19 derailment resulted in the suspension of Line 1 service. Staff confirmed that Rideau Transit Group (RTG) submitted a return-to-service plan to the City on October 15, targeting a partial return to service of seven trains beginning on November 1. RTG's timelines for resumption of Line 1 service will be confirmed pending independent validation by Transportation Research Associates (TRA), a third-party safety expert retained by the City, in coordination with the City's Regulatory Monitoring and Compliance Officer (RMCO).

Staff also outlined the response framework, communications approach, and preliminary findings from the September 19 derailment and provided a status update on the root cause investigations into both the August 8 and September 19 Line 1 derailments. The Commission was also updated on the ongoing monitoring of reliability and technical issues previously identified on Line 1 and was provided with a status on the outstanding elements of RTG's rectification plan. The update also included an overview of the R1 replacement bus service operating during the Line 1 service disruption.

The Transit Commission carried a motion to extend the maximum transfer time for OC Transpo conventional bus service by 60 minutes, until such time that R1 bus replacement service is no longer required, with timing for this change to be confirmed by staff to Members of Council and Transit Commission. The motion will be considered at City Council on October 27.

OC Transpo also provided the Transit Commission with the second of its twice-annual performance reports for the period from July 2020 to June 2021. These performance metrics include customer safety, ridership, customer service, and service reliability.

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio Recordings of the Meeting and Media Availability

O-Train Confederation Line 1 Update

OC Transpo Performance Measurement and Reporting - July 2020 through June 2021 

TRA - Confederation Line Safe Return to Service Presentation to Transit Commission October 20, 2021

Please find attached a memo regarding details on the plan to safely return the O-Train Confederation Line 1 into service, following the September 19 derailment.

Source : City of Ottawa

I am excited to share details on the seventh installment of Toronto Railway Museum's next virtual lecture event on Wednesday, October 20th at 8 pm, as we reminisce with stories from the steam era.

Presented with author Barbara Lange, attendees will hear a selection of short stories from 30 writers about their time working, travelling, and living during the bygone steam era. Relive the often hilarious, hazardous, historical, and romantic moments on the rails at this month's online lecture. There will also be a live Q&A and chances to win prizes!

Source : TRM

Please find attached a memo regarding a motion requesting that a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice initiate a "judicial inquiry" on a number of issues related to the City's Light Rail Transit system.

Source : City of Ottawa

The Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit project has seen some key advances recently – and we have the shots. Take a look at what's new on the tracks at Eglinton Station, as well as important work near Toronto's Brentcliffe Road.

We're starting this Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) update by tracking the, well, tracks.

The latest images taken around Eglinton Station show the final pieces of trackwork for the project are now being installed.

Installation of the overhead catenary system (the wires that power the trains), train signals, communications systems and other features to enable safe train movement will continue into 2022.

By the end of the year, rail will run continuously from the Maintenance and Storage Facility, located on the site of the former Kodak lands, to Kennedy Station.

Meanwhile, another progress photo shows structural work is now complete on a retaining wall just east of Brentcliffe Road. Crews are installing the geogrid and planting new greenery.

And along the surface-level section of the Crosstown LRT, restoration work continues on the streetscape, including tree planting and the ongoing installation of green track-beds, which will cover 60 per cent of the area between Brentcliffe and Ionview.

Source and Photos : Metrolinx

Please find attached a memo regarding a Notice of Default sent to Rideau Transit Group.

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find attached a memo regarding the retention of an independent third-party safety expert to ensure Rideau Transit Group (RTG) implements a safe return to service of the O-Train Confederation Line 1.

Source : City of Ottawa

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) was awarded a Platinum Envision recognition for the Côte-Vertu garage project, a first in Canada for a public transit project.

"Today, communities request that infrastructure be built with a view to protect the environment and to promote the well-being of society, while stimulating the economy. The Platinum Award—the first in Canada for a public transit project—demonstrates that the STM has the expertise to deliver large-scale projects with maximum benefits to the community," said Luc Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the STM.

Some aspects of the project that were instrumental in achieving this recognition include:

Mobility and urban planning:

• Conversion of a contaminated wastelot into a new public area, with a future development opportunity on the southern side of the main site
• Architectural quality and urban integration facilitating the connectivity between sectors and improving community travel

Worksite impact management:

The choice of materials resulted in:

• A 26% reduction of the materials carbon footprint
• A recycled materials threshold of 41%
• 87% of materials meeting responsible procurement criteria

Environmental footprint:

• LED lights and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems designed to attain 49% in energy savings compared to conventional designs
• Implementation of bioretention systems and a green roof
• Species selected for the various landscaping projects for being resilient, pesticide and fertilizer-free, and conducive to biodiversity

"Receiving the Envision recognition is a great accomplishment for the project team, as all sustainability aspects of the project were analyzed to integrate best practices and to follow them meticulously during design and construction. The project required a lot of effort and rigour and I congratulate my team for their hard work," said Sylvain Paquet, Senior Project Director.

About Envision

The platinum recognition is the highest distinction awarded by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). Envision is the top sustainable development tool in North America for major infrastructure projects.

About the Côte-Vertu garage project

Launched in 2017, the Côte-Vertu garage project involves building an underground garage to house ten additional métro trains, as well as three above-ground buildings needed to operate the garage.

The balancing out of the number of train storage spaces at each end of the Orange line will provide operational flexibility for adding trains (up to 25% improved frequency on the Orange line at peak periods), support the expected growth in ridership in the coming years and increase the offer of service to keep pace with the extension of the Blue line.

The garage commissioning is planned for 2022. This major project is funded by the governments of Québec and Canada.

Project details: https://www.stm.info/en/about/major_projects/major-metro-projects/cote-vertu-garage

Source : STM

Antimicrobial copper coatings are being installed on high-touch transit surfaces on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vehicles and more TransLink vehicles following a successful pilot phase that supports copper's ability to kill up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria on transit surfaces.

This new round of testing seeks to confirm those results from the first phase in Vancouver by evaluating copper surfaces on more transit vehicles over a longer duration of time across two different regions. For this phase, the medical microbiology teams at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Mount Sinai Hospital/University Health Network will be undertaking regular bacteria testing, and VCH will be conducting laboratory testing on copper's ability to kill viruses in addition to bacteria.

This trial, fully funded by Teck Resources Limited (Teck) as part of its Copper & Health program, will outfit copper on high-touch surfaces on several TTC buses, subway cars, and streetcars, as well as several TransLink buses and SkyTrain cars.

TRIAL DETAILS

• This trial will test three types of products including functional copper surface layers, copper alloys, and copper decals.
• Copper products will be installed on buses, subway cars, and streetcars in the Greater Toronto Area as well as buses and SkyTrains in Metro Vancouver.
• Samples will be analyzed from copper surfaces as well as non-copper surfaces on transit by VCH's medical microbiology team, supported by Mount Sinai Hospital/University Health Network in Toronto and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
  • These tests will occur every two months over a one-year period.
• Researchers from the University of British Columbia will also test and analyze the durability of the three products as they age over the course of the year.
• This trial is being conducted at no cost to either transit service

The results of this trial could improve understanding of options for infection prevention for the transit industry and other industries that rely on shared public spaces.

The project is the result of a partnership between Teck Resources Limited, Toronto Transit Commission, TransLink, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Mount Sinai Hospital/University Health Network, the Coalition for Healthcare Acquired Infection Reduction (CHAIR), UBC Department of Materials Engineering, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and Westech Cleaning Audit Systems. The trial follows preceding studies conducted by the Infection Prevention and Control team at VCH that have shown copper to be highly durable and effective at killing bacteria in laboratory and healthcare settings.

FAST FACTS

• Copper is the only solid metal touch surface registered as a public health product by Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, proven to naturally eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria.
• During Phase One's five-week trial period, more than 1,140 samples were collected and analyzed by VCH at Vancouver General Hospital and at the University of British Columbia.

• The trial supported copper's ability to kill up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria on transit surfaces.

QUOTES

Don Lindsay, President and CEO, Teck –
"I want to thank the TTC, TransLink and all partners for their leadership in making our communities safer using antimicrobial copper on transit. Through our Copper & Health program, Teck is working with numerous organizations to leverage copper's unique antimicrobial properties and enhance public health and safety."

Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO –
"The pandemic has taught us to be bold and innovative to continue meeting the needs of our customers. Through this copper pilot, we have partnered with healthcare professionals to find creative ways to make transit cleaner and safer for our customers, and we've found that copper can kill up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria on transit surfaces so far. We're so excited to have our industry-leading pilot expand nationally to learn more about copper's potential health benefits on transit."

Richard J. Leary, Toronto Transit Commission CEO –
"Safety has always been the top priority for the TTC – and it's important that both our employees and customers feel safe every time they're on one of our vehicles. Participating in a pilot like this with our hospital partners is a real opportunity to look at new ways to curb the spread of infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of innovating and planning for the future. I'm proud that the TTC is working with Teck to do just that."

Dr. Marthe Charles, Medical Microbiologist, Vancouver Coastal Health –
"Gaining a better understanding of the effectiveness and feasibility of using copper to kill bacteria on frequently-touched surfaces has implications that are far reaching. We are grateful for industry partners like Teck, TransLink and the Toronto Transit Commission which are supporting research that could decrease our society's exposure to potential pathogens on transit and in public spaces for years to come."

Dr. Tony Mazzulli, Microbiologist-in-Chief, Sinai Health/University Health Network –
"If this study confirms the results of the initial first phase study conducted in Vancouver showing the effectiveness of copper to kill 99.9% of bacteria, which I believe it will, it will open up the potential for its use in a broad range of settings where there are high touch surfaces. The potential impact of this at reducing the spread of infections from surfaces will be tremendous."

Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation –
"Vancouver Coastal Health's Infection Prevention & Control leaders are among the best in the world and we are thrilled to see their important research project expand across the country. Donor support is vital to accelerate and expand projects like this copper trial and we're grateful to Teck for continuing to fund this vital research."

MORE INFORMATION:

Coppersaveslives.com
Vancouver Coastal Health copper pilot webpage
TransLink Pilot Video

Source : TransLink

Please find attached a memo regarding the replacement of independent safety expert for O-Train Confederation Line 1.

Source : City of Ottawa