Councillor Diane Deans along with members of the Stage 2 LRT team, held a virtual information session, to discuss the Southern extension of the Trillium Line, as well as upcoming work that is planned. 

Stations covered include Bayview, Corso Italia, Dow's Lake, Carleton, Mooney's Bay, Walkley, Greenboro, South Keys, Leitrim, Bowesville, Limebank, Uplands and Airport. 

This video was recorded from the Zoom informational session held with the community and is archived on Rail Fans for informational purposes.

Please note this information session essentially covers the same elements as the May 13th session, and as such the presentation and connectivity study from the previous session are once again attached below.

Presentations

Connectivity Study

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is pleased to announce the ratification of collective agreement 3 by the members of Unifor, Local 100, the union representing approximately 700 VIA Rail employees working in maintenance centres.

This two-year agreement (from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021) was ratified by the membership on May 15 and, just like collective agreements 1 and 2, includes a 2% wage increase for 2021, benefits improvements as well as the review of several work rules.

"We are delighted that all collective agreements have now been ratified," said Martine Rivard, Chief Employee Experience Officer. "I would, of course, like to thank all parties who were involved in this process and who contributed to this positive outcome. In spite of the unprecedented situation faced since 2020, rigour and professionalism have led to this fair and reasonable agreement. Employees in our maintenance centres are crucial in ensuring that we offer a safe and enjoyable travel experience to our passengers and we look forward to continuing to work together in order to keep being the smarter way to travel."

Useful links:

VIA Rail Reaches tentative agreements with Unifor (January 30, 2021)

Collective agreements between VIA Rail and Unifor ratified (March 15, 2021)

Source : VIA Rail Canada

As part of the Stage 2 O-Train South Extension project, TransitNEXT will be increasing work hours and days at various locations across the project to maximize the 2021 construction season.

Additional staff are being deployed across the project in addition to one or both of the following schedule recovery measures, depending on the site:

• The addition of a second shift, for two, ten-hour shifts; and,
• Weekend work.

Starting in the next few weeks and extending over the summer/fall construction period.

To maximize the 2021 construction season and accelerate timelines where possible.

Please see the following table.

Please note that this is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of sites where nighttime work will take place. Short-term nightwork may be required at other sites when the scheduled activity makes it necessary. In cases of nighttime work, an individual public notice will be issued to outline dates and impacts.

Anticipated Impacts

• Sites with a double shift will have work starting at 7 am and finishing at 3 am. In these cases, efforts will be made to divert light from residences.
• Noise will be intermittent and is expected to be within the limit set in the Project Agreement and Noise By-law exemption permits.
• Both light and noise will naturally diminish with increased separation from the construction activity. In some locations, light and noise may be naturally attenuated by physical features.

Michael Brossoit
Stakeholder Relations, Rail Construction Program
City of Ottawa
Email: michael.brossoit@ottawa.ca
Website: ottawa.ca/stage2

Last week, the TTC completed its third 10-day closure on the portion of Line 1 between St George and St Andrew stations. The closure, which took place from May 17-26, allowed the TTC to take advantage of continued low ridership to make significant progress on critical state-of-good repair work.

The work accomplished during the three 10-day shutdowns will allow the TTC to eliminate between 75-100 planned weekend closures over the next few years as well as eliminate the need to bypass Museum and Queen's Park stations for up to two years.

With the completion of this series of closures, TTC commuters can now look forward to significantly reduced early access, weekend and platform closures. Customers who were surveyed while travelling through the area during the closures reported overwhelming support for the TTC's innovative approach to completing the work quickly and reducing inconvenience.

During the three 10-day closures in March, April and May, the TTC removed and replaced approximately 44,000 sq. ft. of ceiling in the affected stations. Repair work was also completed on the flooring at Museum, Queen's Park and Osgoode stations.

"We've eliminated up to 100 future TTC closures by getting this important work done during the pandemic when ridership levels have been lower," said Mayor John Tory. "Thank you so much to our TTC workers for getting this job accelerated and done during this unprecedented emergency. Thank you to our TTC riders for their patience as we completed these important repairs, including much-needed asbestos removal. This work will ensure we continue to have a safe and reliable transit system for years to come and that we are ready to welcome riders back as we safely reopen."

"Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TTC has rapidly accelerated extensive system upgrades and state-of-good-repair projects on our subway network to minimize future disruption for transit riders," said TTC Chair Jaye Robinson. "This innovative approach has significantly reduced the need for planned closures, with up to 100 weekend closures avoided over the next few years. Congratulations to CEO Rick Leary and the entire TTC team for this impressive accomplishment. I would also like to thank our TTC riders for their continued patience and understanding."

"By doing this work while ridership is low, we've been able to spare our customers years of disruption and inconvenience," said TTC CEO Rick Leary. "I'm very pleased that we were able to accomplish this much in a relatively short period of time - we've done approximately 18 months of work in 30 days. I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work, and thank our customers for their patience."

During the most recent closure, the TTC removed asbestos from the southbound platforms of St Patrick and Queen's Park stations, which completes asbestos abatement in this area. In March and April, asbestos was removed from the northbound platforms of these stations.

Additional work done includes the installation of higher capacity traction power cables, and the removal of old cables. TTC crews also installed new communication infrastructure, including additional Train Door Monitoring conduits for future OPTO implementation at Osgoode and Museum stations.

By completing planned maintenance ahead of schedule, the TTC can now turn its attention to architectural refinishing and modernization of the station platforms. That contract is expected to be tendered later this year for 2022 construction.

The TTC thanks its Board, local City Councillors, and the essential workers based along University Ave., for their assistance and patience with the closures this year.

Source : TTC

Toronto Railway Museum (TRM), a non-profit organization located in the iconic Roundhouse Park across from the CN Tower, debuts the theme of its third lecture in the 2021 Virtual Lecture Series, Railway Ties: "The Crowd Went Wild! — Canadian Baseball's Love Affair with the Railway". The event takes place on Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. and will be presented by Canada's premier baseball historian, William (Bill) Humber.

"Railway Ties aims to stir diverse conversation and curiosity between new audiences; the chance to welcome Bill and spotlight the connection between one of popular culture's most favourite sports, baseball, and its reliance on rail, is incredibly exciting!"" says Kelly Burwash, manager and curator, TRM. "Being located just a step away from Rogers Stadium and typically seeing a lift of visits on home game days, we really miss our baseball fans!"

Bill Humber entered Canada's Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 for championing the game's history. With his expert knowledge, Bill will share the evolution from its folk roots, to how the railway system helped with the independent growth in Ontario between 1854-1873, to African-Canadian team in 1869 being railway porters, to Babe Ruth starting his epic trip to Japan with a rail stopover in Moose Jaw.

"The journey of the ball, like the railway, has traveled long and far and I look forward to bringing its story into the homes of Canadians on June 17 to support TRM," says Bill Humber. As a child growing up in Toronto whose first baseball hero was Rocky Nelson of the minor league baseball club that played in the old Maple Leaf Stadium at the foot of Bathurst, Bill knows all about the area of where the TRM resides. "I couldn't think of a better match-up; to feature a night dedicated to an aspect incredibly important to connecting and growing the game of baseball — the railway—often diamonds and stadiums would be built on the railway to make it easy to come and go."

Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards future programming and support the collection, preservation, restoration of Canadian rail artifacts and important historical interpretation at the TRM.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased on TRM's website here. VIP tickets are $25 with access to Zoom link, plus a live Q&A with William Humber and Toronto Railway Museum Historians. The first 50 VIP ticket purchasers will receive a Blue Jays' Hat and all attendees will have the chance to win multiple prizes, including signed Blue Jays' memorabilia and Ripley's Aquarium of Canada tickets. General admission tickets are $10 with access to live YouTube stream link.

Interviews with Bill Humber and TRM spokespersons, as well as vintage imagery is available upon request.

Subscribe to the TRM monthly newsletter here and follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to stay up-to-date on the schedule and themes of the next topics in the series.

#TRMXRailwayTies #CanadianBaseball

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ABOUT WILLIAM HUMBER

William Humber of Bowmanville entered Canada's Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 for championing the game's history in Canada. Author of 12 books including five on baseball, he is often asked to comment on baseball by amongst others the CBC and the Rogers Sportsnet. For the past 43 years he has taught a "Baseball Spring Training for Fans" course, (on-line this year), preparing fans for the season ahead. He is a respected member of the Society for American Baseball Research's 19th century research community.

ABOUT TORONTO RAILWAY MUSEUM (TRM)

Located in Roundhouse Park, in the heart of downtown Toronto shares stories of Toronto's railway history. The museum's exhibits include the original, fully restored and operational 120-foot-long locomotive turntable and a carefully chosen collection of full size railway equipment. The museum also operates a miniature railway and other outdoor exhibits illustrating Toronto's railway heritage. Exhibits include the original 60,000-gallon water tower, the 650-ton concrete locomotive coaling tower and a collection of historic buildings, including Don Station and Cabin D.

ABOUT TORONTO RAILWAY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION (TRHA)

Established in 2001 to work with the City of Toronto to establish a railway museum at the John Street Roundhouse. The TRHA is incorporated and is a Federally registered charity. Its primary purpose is to promote the development of the TRM

With more than 3000 workers and employees deployed on approximately 30 construction sites, REM work is now taking place for the first time on all 67 km of the future light metro system at the same time. The year 2021 will be a critical one in preparation for commissioning the REM's Rive-Sud branch next year. Currently, 23 stations are under construction, 3 of which are nearing completion, 10 km of the overhead structure is complete, 13.7 km of rail has been laid, and a 3.5-km test segment has been commissioned on the Rive-Sud branch for a series of pre-commissioning tests.

"Active REM construction sites and the planned commissioning on the South Shore is the direct result of thousands of workers and professionals who have faced the exceptional conditions of a global pandemic for the past 15 months and found solutions to every challenge that arose. I would like to thank each one of them for their remarkable commitment to this project," said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra.

The updated project schedule is maintained and the Rive-Sud branch will be commissioned in the summer of 2022, the central segment in the fall of 2023, the Anse-à-l'Orme branch in the spring of 2024, the Deux-Montagnes branch in the fall of 2024, and the airport branch in late 2024.

The press conference also provided an opportunity to present CDPQ Infra's analysis of ridership projections for the future network, taking into account the potential impact of the pandemic. REM ridership forecasts are maintained over the long term. The characteristics of REM service make it particularly resilient in the post-pandemic outlook analyzed. The project proposes fast and frequent service available 20 hours per day, as well as access to downtown and from suburb to suburb. It also encourages the development of projects on a human scale and densification of the territory.

Following the financial analysis of the exceptional events the project has faced since March 2020, CDPQ Infra has allocated $200 million to address issues that arose due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This allocation has made it possible to implement the necessary sanitary measures to ensure the health and safety of all workers on the construction sites. Border restrictions and closures have also impacted the supply of certain materials and the mobility of skilled labour. This special allocation has helped to mitigate both of these impacts.

An additional $150 million is being added to the project budget to address the various change requests received from communities since the start of construction in 2018. These requests specifically dealt with improving access and development around the REM stations to better serve future users.

Taking into account the COVID-19 allocation and improvements made in response to community requests, the total project budget is now estimated at $6.9 billion. Costs related to the Mount Royal Tunnel are currently being negotiated and will be reported at a later date.

Despite the special allocation for COVID-19 and the amount required for community requests, these contingencies do not affect the main financial parameters of the project.

No additional financial contribution from public authorities

• No additional investment from public or governmental authorities will be required. As provided for in the 2015 agreement, CDPQ Infra is responsible for the required amounts.

Rate established with the ARTM maintained

• The fare set at 72¢ in the agreement between the ARTM and CDPQ Infra in 2018 is also maintained. Multiplied by the actual project ridership, this cost defines the annual costs paid by the ARTM to the project. In addition to being a competitive fare, in terms of operating costs, this fare also includes, within the framework of the REM, the long-term capital and maintenance costs, thus offering great predictability.

Performance targets maintained

• In terms of performance, the targets set for CDPQ Infra at 8 to 9% and for the government at 3.7% are also maintained. Significant project progress and efficiency of execution (in five years, the project has progressed from just a project to a network that will be at least partially commissioned as early as next year) reduce project-related risks and help to optimize costs.

Since 2018, a test track was construct on the Rive-Sud branch to test all components and rolling stock for the future system. Completion of this 3.5 km segment in just three years demonstrates the quality of project execution and will allow the robustness of the network to be tested before the first users are welcomed.

Following a series of tests in a climatic chamber, which allowed the cars to be tested in extreme winter conditions, REM cars have been circulating on the South Shore since last winter, and more than 200 hours of tests have been conducted. More recently, the speed of the cars was increased to 90 km/h, and automation was tested. Ultimately, each REM car will have travelled more than 500 km before being put into service. In the coming weeks, a carousel will be installed near the Panama Station, which will accelerate the pace of these tests.

A detailed and technical presentation is available below:

There will be temporary service adjustments to O-Train Line 1 as Rideau Transit Group (RTG) undertakes remediation and maintenance work. Between Thursday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 30, O-Train Line 1 service will end each night at 7 pm, resuming at its normal time the following morning – 5 am on weekdays, 6 am on Saturdays and 8 am on Sundays.

Throughout the closure, R1 replacement bus service will start every night at 7 pm along the entire alignment, with frequent trips to provide enough space for physical distancing. Every morning, regular rail service on Line 1 will resume. The regular Line 1 schedule will resume on Thursday, July 1.

During this closure, RTG will use specialized equipment to perform rail grinding, install track lubricators and conduct track and rail maintenance that includes guideway material cleaning and inspections.

During rail grinding, nearby residents and transit customers might observe sparks and noise from the equipment. Once completed, nearby residents might notice a difference in the sound of passing trains for up to three weeks, but it is anticipated that noise and vibrations from train movements will improve as a result of this work, enhancing overall ride quality and customer comfort.

RTG will use this opportunity to install sound dampening blocks in the west end to reduce noise for nearby residents. They will complete the switch from propane to natural gas for switch heaters in the east end and complete a number of inspections and cleaning activities. RTG will also start removing propane tanks and remediation work.

Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. OC Transpo staff will be available to assist customers throughout the temporary service closures.

Source : City of Ottawa

Helping airports mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to ensure that Canada's air transportation system provides Canadians with choice, connectivity and affordable air travel. Canada's world-leading network of airports has been put under substantial financial strain as a result of the dramatic decline in passenger travel resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments in airport infrastructure are crucial to maintain safety, security, and connectivity for travellers, airport workers and surrounding communities.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, along with the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable David McGuinty, announced new funding to help the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support continued air services and important transportation infrastructure projects at the airport.

The Government of Canada is providing the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority with $6.4 million from Transport Canada's Airport Critical Infrastructure Program for the construction of a light rail transit (LRT) station at the airport. The government also remains committed to working with the Ottawa Airport to ensure this important project is seen through until completion.

The airport LRT station will be a three-story elevated structure connecting the airport terminal at the north end of Level 3 to the LRT station platform. The station will provide fully accessible connectivity for all users of the LRT who travel to and from the Ottawa Airport. Construction of the station is underway and is expected to be completed in summer 2022.

In addition to the funding for the LRT station, the Government of Canada is also providing the Airport Authority with $5,690,000 from Transport Canada's Airport Relief Fund to help the airport maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in the National Capital Region and surrounding communities.

"As we move forward with the safe gradual return of activity in the aviation sector, both in Canada and internationally, in a way that continues to support the health, safety, and security of all Canadians, it will be imperative that we continue to ensure a vibrant and competitive Canadian air sector. The construction of the light rail transit station at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport will reduce traffic congestion and improve accessibility and connectivity to the airport by offering an environmentally sustainable direct link between downtown Ottawa and the airport."
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

"The integration of the Ottawa airport with the LRT will help get cars off the road, reduce emissions and build a better transit system for Ottawa residents and visitors alike. Recognizing challenges for the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport caused by COVID 19, and the importance for this project to go ahead as planned to create jobs and grow the economy, the Government of Canada providing additional funding of up to $6.4 million for the construction of the LRT station at the airport. In great news, once the second phase of the LRT is built, close to 80% of Ottawans will live within 5km of the LRT making it a critical investment in building a clean, livable city."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Infrastructure

"The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is a major local economic engine. The construction of the LRT station will ensure that YOW is better connected to our growing National Capital Region, making our community more resilient and sustainable. Through this funding, our government is investing in critical infrastructure that will create hundreds of jobs and help with our economic recovery."
The Honourable David McGuinty
Member of Parliament for Ottawa South

"Today's announcement and the confirmation of funding for the Airport Terminal Station is welcome news. It will help us fulfill our commitment to build the station and ensure that YOW's passengers, airport employees and surrounding communities are well served by reliable, predictable light rail service well into the future. Connecting the airport with the city centre and beyond by rail will be an important selling feature as the aviation and tourism industries recover and we work to bring major events and conferences back to Canada's Capital Region."
Mark Laroche
President and CEO
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority

• The total cost of the airport LRT station is $16.9 million. The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority is the project manager and will provide the remaining funding for the project.
• The Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, launched in May 2021, will distribute $489.6 million in funding over five years to airports for eligible infrastructure projects related to safety, security or connectivity to mass transit systems.
• The Airport Relief Fund, launched in May 2021, will provide $64.8 million in funding in 2021-2022 for targeted airports whose 2019 revenues were less than $250 million.
• The amount of funding to each targeted eligible Airport Relief Fund recipient was calculated using a tiered formula-based approach, based on 2019 revenues.
• Funding provided from the Airport Relief Fund must be used to cover activities that are directly related to the airport's operations to ensure that the airport remains open to travellers and surrounding communities.
• First introduced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Airport Critical Infrastructure Program and the Airport Relief Fund are part of a federal stimulus recovery plan designed to build a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient economy post-COVID-19.

Transit Commission approves report paving the way for OC Transpo's conversion to zero-emission bus fleet

The Transit Commission today approved a report, Zero-Emission Buses for OC Transpo, which provides a framework to explore the further electrification of OC Transpo's transit fleet. If approved at City Council on June 23, OC Transpo will negotiate an agreement with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and seek funding from Infrastructure Canada that could result in 450 zero-emission buses phased into OC Transpo's bus fleet by 2027, with a full electrification of the bus fleet possible by 2036.

The agreement with the CIB and potential Infrastructure Canada funding will offset any added capital costs for OC Transpo's transition to battery-electric buses, and ensure the conversion is affordable under the City's Long-Range Financial Plan for transit. Energy supply and charging infrastructure for this transition will be supplied through an agreement with Hydro Ottawa.

Upon finalization of partner agreements, OC Transpo will recommend purchasing 74 40-foot battery-electric buses and charging infrastructure as part of the City's 2022 capital budget. These new buses would enter service in 2023 and join the four zero-emission electric buses that are expected to be in service later this year. As part of the report, OC Transpo also recommends that all future bus purchases should be for zero-emission buses, as long as they meet operational requirements and can be purchased in a way that is consistent with the City's Long-Range Financial Plan for transit.

The Transit Commission also received an update on O-Train Line 1 and bus service operations. Train service reliability remains high, and Rideau Transit Group (RTG) continues to make progress on its rectification plan. All remaining work will continue to be validated through a third-party independent assessment. A temporary service adjustment is taking place starting June 17 to perform track remediation work. Wheel inspection and replacement work also continues. The update also confirmed that ridership remained low in May, at 20 percent of normal levels, due to the stay-at-home order.

Finally, the Transit Commission received a report, 2021 Transit Operating and Capital Budget Q1 Status, indicating a $3.1M surplus for the first quarter of 2021, mainly due to lower than budgeted expenditures, as revenue shortfalls and additional expenditures due to COVID-19 are offset by federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement (SRA) funding for transit.

Source : City of Ottawa

Meeting and Media Availability Audio

O-Train Line 1 & Bus Service Update

Zero-Emission Buses for OC Transpo

In addition to the nightly Line 1 service closures announced recently by OC Transpo, ending on July 1, O-Train Line 1 rail service will be replaced with bus service all day on Sunday, June 27. This will allow City staff to conduct proactive assessments and testing on OC Transpo's rail system technology, as required under the City's Technical Security Standards. In order to avoid a separate closure of the O-Train Line 1 system in the near future, and to further leverage a period of low ridership, this additional closure is being aligned with the temporary Line 1 service adjustment currently in place.

The current temporary service adjustment to O-Train Line 1 is being amended as follows:

• From 7 pm until the end of service on Saturday June 26, and the entire day on June 27, O-Train Line 1 service will be replaced by R1 bus service. Rail service will resume June 28 at 5 am.

From June 28 to 30, Line 1 rail service will end each night at 7 pm and resume at its normal time the following morning. Throughout the closure, R1 replacement bus service will run along the entire alignment, with frequent trips to provide additional space for physical distancing.

Source : City of Ottawa

The Government of Canada is committed to modernizing intercity passenger rail services in a way that will best meet the transportation needs of travellers, while also creating jobs and economic growth.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Joël Lightbound, the Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Ehren Cory, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Via Rail, Cynthia Garneau and the Mayor of Quebec, Régis Labeaume, announced the Government of Canada is taking the first steps in preparing for the procurement process to build a new train service in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor.

These steps include:

• Engaging Indigenous groups and communities to obtain feedback on the project.
• Engaging with the private sector to determine capacity, and seek perspectives on the best possible delivery model. The Government of Canada plans to finalize the delivery model and launch the process to select a private partner in the fall.
• Accelerating dialogue with partner railways to negotiate dedicated routes in and out of city centres.

The request for proposal for the procurement process is expected to launch in fall 2021.

The High Frequency Rail proposal in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor involves building dedicated passenger rail tracks which would provide many key benefits to travellers, including:

• shorter travel times and faster trains that would reduce average trip times between Toronto and Ottawa by up to 90 minutes;
• more reliable on-time arrival performance up to 95 per cent from a current average of 67 per cent;
• more direct routes with improved connectivity between cities and to other modes of transportation;
• new services to certain communities, such as Peterborough, Trois-Rivières, and Laval, and new stations in targeted locations including near Jean Lesage Airport;
• more frequent departures between cities; and
• a cleaner travel option using electrified technology.

Working with VIA Rail, the High Frequency Rail proposal would be the largest transportation infrastructure project seen by Canada in decades, which is why the Government of Canada is doing its due diligence and undertaking a phased approach to put in place the right conditions to ensure the greatest amount of success for this project.

"Canadians deserve a fast and reliable train service. Today, we are taking the first steps in preparing for the procurement process to build a new train service in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor. High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor is a massive transportation project with the potential to transform passenger rail service by offering faster, more reliable, more frequent, and cleaner transportation service."

The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

"Today's announcement on the start of preliminary work and new resources for the Joint Project Office brings us one step closer to accomplishing this important project for our city and our region. In a few years, thousands of commuters will opt for this way of travelling, rather than by car or by plane, as it will be faster, more reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Québec

"Today, we are taking an important step towards the creation of High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City corridor. Our government has been working relentlessly to move this major project forward as quickly as possible. It will serve as new pillar for regional economic development, while supporting labour mobility and green mobility."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Not only would High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor provide a more convenient and greener travel option, but it would also help increase accessibility of our local businesses, create jobs and boost the economic growth in the Quebec region."

Joël Lightbound
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The Canada Infrastructure Bank is very pleased to continue our work related to the planning and procurement of enhanced passenger rail transportation in the Quebec City to Toronto corridor. We look forward to gaining further insight through market engagements with industry experts, rail-sector stakeholders and investors, as we collaborate with the Government of Canada on potential delivery models. We will bring our expertise in leveraging public, private and institutional investment to support the next steps to modernize intercity passenger rail."

Ehren Cory
CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

"Since proposing High Frequency Rail more than five years ago, VIA Rail has been working tirelessly to ensure it becomes a reality. We are thus pleased with the decisive steps that have been announced as it brings us closer to that objective and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the federal government as a strong partner in delivering High Frequency Rail. It's time to provide Canadians with a nation-building, growth-generating and environmentally friendly project which will transform the way present and future generations live and travel."

Cynthia Garneau
VIA Rail Canada President and Chief Executive Officer

"With our focus firmly fixed on sustainable development, Quebec City eagerly welcomes the Government of Canada's decision to launch VIA Rail's proposal for a High Frequency Rail project, which will connect Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. In particular, this project will help contribute to environmentally sustainable economic recovery, while enhancing travellers' mobility and experience."

Mr. Régis Labeaume
The Mayor of Quebec

• The Government of Canada has been working closely with VIA Rail and the Canada Infrastructure Bank to make significant progress in designing and planning an improved passenger rail service between Toronto and Quebec City that will deliver good value for taxpayers and better options for travellers.
• A dedicated passenger track would allow a travel speed up to 177-200 kilometers per hour (or 110-124 miles per hour), which could result in reduced travel times of up to 90 minutes on some routes, such as Ottawa to Toronto.
• It is expected that High Frequency Rail could nearly triple the amount of annual trips taken by rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor, rising from 4.8 million in 2019, to a projected 17 million by 2059.

Staff and volunteers of Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum, were joined by several political representatives, railway company executives and people from the cultural and tourism sectors to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the museum.

The sounds of diesel horns, steam whistles and locomotive bells kicked off the occasion, which was held around the museum's turntable surrounded by historic railway vehicles. Short speeches highlighted the dynamic achievements of the past 60 years at Canada's largest railway museum.

Robert Robinson, President of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association (CRHA), the not-for-profit association that owns and operates Exporail, spoke of the history of the CRHA which goes back to 1932, and of its 900 members from all across Canada that support the museum. " Today Exporail is the largest and best railway museum in Canada, voted by the House of Commons in Ottawa as Canada's national railway museum. It is certainly among the top railway museums in the world—ranking with the best in the USA, UK, Japan, and Europe. Our archives hold the Canadian Pacific Railway collection of photos and documents, so special that it has been designated by UNESCO as part of the memory of the world register", he said.

Exporail's Executive Director, Nadine Cloutier, thanked the dignitaries, volunteers and museum partners in attendance and shared her vision for the future: "As a museum, we continue to grow, improve and one of our priorities is to properly preserve and showcase our collection. We are currently planning an expansion project: EXPORAIL 2.0. A feasibility study is underway for this multi-million dollar project which will certainly be a flagship project in the region. Our goal is to double the space for our collections, archives and exhibitions. We also want to provide space for catering, events, and the like to enhance the visitor experience. The Railway of the Future will also be a way to remain a relevant museum and to achieve structuring partnerships with the rail industry, urban transportation companies and communities."

C. Stephen Cheasley, President of the CRHA Foundation, was one of the founders of the Museum in 1961, and has continued his involvement for the entire period. He paid tribute the volunteers of yesterday and today, saying "Exporail has more than 140 volunteers who perform all kinds of tasks and offer more than 26,000 hours of work each year. A number of them have been with us since the 1960s. In 2020, the volunteers won the Canadian Museums Association's Museum Volunteer Award. This award recognizes individuals or groups who give generously of their time and commitment to a museum and who have made a significant impact within the museum community."

Accredited by the Quebec government, Exporail has an impressive collection, unequalled in the country, composed of 180 vehicles and 12,000 artefacts. In addition, the BAnQ-accredited private archive centre holds over 320 archival fonds and collections and has a documentation centre with over 12,000 books and magazines on the history of rail transportation in Canada from 1773 to the present.

In 2020, our 140 volunteers won the prestigious National Volunteer Award from the Canadian Museums Association and the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums. We couldn't be prouder to celebrate 60 years of dynamic achievement here in Quebec.

About Exporail

Exporail's regular activities are funded in part by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications of Québec and receives support from the cities of Saint-Constant and Delson. Special projects of Exporail are supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage and Employment and Social Development Canada. Exporail also receives support from Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, theCanadian Railroad Historical Association Foundation, CN, CP, VIA Rail Canada, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Emploi-Québec Montérégie, Municipalité régionale de comté (MRC) de Roussillon, exo, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the Société des musées du Québec and the Canadian Museums Association.

TransLink today announced that it will be proceeding with a major upgrade to Burrard SkyTrain Station beginning in early 2022. The project will take approximately two years to complete and will require the closure of the station to allow the work to be done safely and more efficiently than were it to remain partially open during construction.

Burrard SkyTrain Station was originally built in 1985 and has not had a significant upgrade in its 36 years of operation. It is the fourth busiest station on the SkyTrain system and at peak times it is congested with only three escalators and one elevator to move people in and out. Station entrances are hard to access and the station will require upgrades to the electrical equipment in order to meet the power demands of the new station.

The upgrades to Burrard Station will:

• Double the number of escalators and elevators to provide greater accessibility and relieve congestion on platforms and at the concourse level;
• Relocate the Burrard Street entrance to align with the pedestrian crossing making it easier to get in and out of the station, and provide better access to buses along Dunsmuir;
• Redesign the station's outdoor plaza to put pedestrian needs at the forefront; and,
• Upgrade the station's power supply and mechanical systems.

"These significant upgrades are necessary to keep our transit system operating effectively and efficiently for our customers," said TransLink Interim CEO Gigi Chen-Kuo. "With more than 7.6 million annual boardings in 2019, Burrard Station is the fourth busiest station on our SkyTrain network. These upgrades will greatly improve the customer experience and as the region prepares to welcome one million new residents by the year 2050, this important project allows us to be prepared for additional future demand."

To best manage construction during these important upgrades, we will be closing Burrard Station for approximately two years starting in early 2022. Closing the station during construction:

• Improves customer and worker safety by eliminating the risks of customer movement through a major, underground, active construction site;
• Minimizes confusion associated with multiple changes to customer travel patterns through numerous complex phases of construction;
• Reduces overall construction time for the project and therefore shortens impacts to customer travel by approximately two and a half years; and
• Provides cost savings of approximately $35 million.

TransLink will work with the City of Vancouver, and local businesses and residents to minimize impacts while we complete these upgrades.

Based on pre-Covid ridership data, Waterfront and Granville Stations can accommodate the additional passenger flow during the Burrard Station closure. Additional bus service will also be added in the area to help minimize passenger impact.

To minimize impacts on our bus and HandyDART customers, bus service will remain largely the same throughout the construction period and HandyDART customers connecting to the Expo Line will have access at Waterfront Station.

As plans are finalized later this year, we will provide more details to help ready our customers for the start of construction in early 2022.

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, issued this statement regarding Transport Canada's latest efforts to improve the safety culture of Canada's rail industry:

"The Government of Canada is committed to the safety and security of communities across the country, which is why we continue to look for ways to improve rail safety.

"Today, Transport Canada launched a public consultation on the Let's Talk Transportation Web page to gauge views on improving the safety culture within Canada's rail industry.

"Safety culture comes from organizations developing shared values, actions and behaviours, along with a sense of collective responsibility and commitment to upholding the standard of safety.

"Transport Canada is committed to taking the lead on developing a safety culture policy statement for the railway industry in response to a recommendation from the 2018 Railway Safety Act review, recognizing that safety culture improvements must be driven by railway companies with support by the department.

"The draft policy statement is intended to open a dialogue and to encourage continued collaboration between Transport Canada, railway companies, industry associations, labour organizations and academia, while helping to position Canada's rail transportation system to meet the challenges of the next decade.

"We know that a positive safety culture is a key component of a safe railway system and a necessary factor for continuous improvement. Transport Canada will work with the rail industry and other key stakeholders towards a final safety culture policy statement for the Canada's rail industry, which provides a framework to help railway companies understand and address the challenges involved in building a good safety culture.

"Public consultation is a key component in developing a robust culture policy statement for Canada's railway industry.

"I encourage Canadians to provide feedback on the draft statement for Canada's rail industry, as every voice and opinion counts."

Source : Transport Canada

The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, and Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, have issued the following statement to mark the eighth anniversary of the tragedy that devastated the town of Lac–Mégantic and the surrounding municipalities:

"On July 6, 2013, the town of Lac-Mégantic fell victim to an unimaginable tragedy, the worst accident in the country's railroad history, which took the lives of 47 people and left families in mourning.

This tragedy sent shockwaves across Canada and will forever be etched in our country's collective memory.

Today, let us take a moment to reflect and remember this terrible accident that has forever left its mark on Lac-Mégantic.

This anniversary also reminds us of the importance of continuing our hard work aimed at making our rail system even safer for Canadians. Rail safety remains our top priority, and that of our department.

In addition, we will continue our efforts to ensure that the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project moves forward as quickly as possible. This bypass is much more than just a rail infrastructure project. It is about supporting the rebuilding of the communities of Lac–Mégantic, Nantes and Frontenac. The project will continue to be a priority for the Government of Canada up until its full completion in 2023.

On this sombre anniversary, we want to reassure the people of Lac-Mégantic that we will continue to provide you with our unconditional support."

Source : Transport Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to working towards enhancing and modernizing intercity passenger rail services in a way that will best meet the transportation needs of travellers, as outlined in the vision for Transportation 2030.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh, Irek Kusmierczyk and Chief Executive Officer of Via Rail, Cynthia Garneau, announced that the Government of Canada is exploring opportunities to enhance passenger rail services in Southwestern Ontario.

As the Government of Canada takes first steps in preparing for the procurement process to build new, High-Frequency Rail services in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor, efforts will also be undertaken to determine how passenger rail services might be improved to better service markets west of Toronto, including London and Windsor.

The Government of Canada will work with key partners including VIA Rail and the Canada Infrastructure Bank through the High Frequency Rail Joint Project Office to ensure that any enhancements to passenger rail services in Southwestern Ontario can be effectively integrated with the core route for High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor.

The Government of Canada will be reaching out to the Province of Ontario to identify areas of collaboration and avoid any duplication with provincial transportation plans, including new services to be offered by GO Transit and Metrolinx, to ensure that enhancements to passenger rail services benefit travellers most.

"There is a strong appetite for enhanced passenger rail services in Southwestern Ontario. Improvements to passenger rail service in this region would provide better options for travellers while also enabling the economic growth of communities along the rail network."
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport

"Enhanced rail service goes hand-in-hand with accelerated and sustainable economic growth, and it is a key step towards the ultimate goal of high frequency passenger rail between Windsor and Toronto."
Irek Kusmierczyk
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh

"Driven by our mission to put our passengers first, VIA Rail has been working for several years on its modernization program which will transform the Canadian journey. The announcement made today represents an opportunity to continue building on this momentum as it will allow to offer an enhanced and truly intermodal experience, while contributing to better serving communities in Southwestern Ontario."
Cynthia Garneau
VIA Rail Canada President and Chief Executive Officer

Source : Transport Canada

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, issued this statement regarding Transport Canada's latest efforts to improve the safety culture of Canada's rail industry:

"The Government of Canada is committed to the safety and security of communities across the country, which is why we continue to look for ways to improve rail safety.

"Today, Transport Canada launched a public consultation on the Let's Talk Transportation Web page to gauge views on improving the safety culture within Canada's rail industry.

"Safety culture comes from organizations developing shared values, actions and behaviours, along with a sense of collective responsibility and commitment to upholding the standard of safety.

"Transport Canada is committed to taking the lead on developing a safety culture policy statement for the railway industry in response to a recommendation from the 2018 Railway Safety Act review, recognizing that safety culture improvements must be driven by railway companies with support by the department.

"The draft policy statement is intended to open a dialogue and to encourage continued collaboration between Transport Canada, railway companies, industry associations, labour organizations and academia, while helping to position Canada's rail transportation system to meet the challenges of the next decade.

"We know that a positive safety culture is a key component of a safe railway system and a necessary factor for continuous improvement. Transport Canada will work with the rail industry and other key stakeholders towards a final safety culture policy statement for the Canada's rail industry, which provides a framework to help railway companies understand and address the challenges involved in building a good safety culture.

"Public consultation is a key component in developing a robust culture policy statement for Canada's railway industry.

"I encourage Canadians to provide feedback on the draft statement for Canada's rail industry, as every voice and opinion counts."

Source : Transport Canada

The TTC has made significant improvements to air quality in its subway system, a new report from Health Canada, the National Research Council of Canada and the University of Toronto has found.

The Subway Air Quality Initiative was carried out between 2018 and 2020 and concluded that new trains and updated braking technologies and protocols that reduce friction contributed to reduced levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) inside vehicles and on platforms when compared to previous measurements taken in 2011.

A summary of the research was published today and is available at https://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/new-trains-and-reduced-friction-braking-improve-air-quality-in-torontos-subways/

"This is excellent news for our employees and customers and it confirms that the steps we have taken to date are having a positive impact on air quality," said Betty Hasserjian, the TTC's Chief Safety Officer (Acting). "We will keep modernizing our infrastructure and our operating procedures to ensure we are continuing to make gains in this area."

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 microns or smaller in size. PM2.5 particles are found indoors and outdoors, although their composition varies depending on the setting.

The TTC adopted several long-term measures and strategies that will further improve air quality, including ongoing monitoring and mitigation strategies. One such measure, the implementation of Automatic Train Control (ATC) has optimized the acceleration, deceleration and braking of the subway trains on Line 1. This has reduced the amount of friction during the braking process, leading to a reduction in PM2.5.

"I'm pleased to see the work the TTC is doing has resulted in a lowering of PM2.5 levels in the subway system," said Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa. "There are numerous benefits that public transit offers with respect to the city's overall air quality by reducing traffic congestion and associated air pollution."

As with previous studies, Health Canada did not look at health impacts of the air quality, only the levels of PM2.5. Observed levels fall well below the occupational exposure limits and are now as much as 10,000 times lower than they were in the first such study, conducted in 1995.

The research also found that air quality in Toronto's subway system is comparable to those found in other large underground rail systems, and in some cases is better than other major subway systems such as New York City and Boston.

Source : TTC

Please find attached a memo regarding O-Train Line 1 Closure – August 9, 2021.

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find below memos providing updates on the O-Train Line 1 service status since August 8, 2021.

Source : City of Ottawa

AUGUST 9, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the temporary closure of O-Train Line 1.

As you are aware, this temporary service suspension was implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure all trains in the fleet continue to operate safely after an out-of-service train returning to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) last night had one of its 10 axles come off the rail.

There are three areas of work related to this occurrence that Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is focusing on in order to restore safe rail service:
• A root cause investigation began immediately following the occurrence. Information reviewed so far indicates that a fault within the axle bearing assembly is the primary cause of the axle leaving the rails.
• RTM has developed and initiated a robust inspection process focused on the axle bearing assembly. All light rail vehicles must undergo this inspection process prior to returning to service. One vehicle has already been successfully inspected and cleared to return to service. The inspections will take several hours to complete on each vehicle. As a result, and subject to continued validation of inspection procedures, we are targeting a return of rail service on Line 1 adequate to meet current ridership levels on Friday or Saturday of this week.
• Work to return the stopped train to the MSF will begin on Tuesday, August 10 and may take up to two days to complete. This work includes mobilization of specialized equipment to move the train and inspections of the entire vehicle, track and related infrastructure, as well as any necessary repairs that may be required.

The Transport Safety Board (TSB) has also deployed to the site. The City, RTM and their contractors are all cooperating in their review. The scope of the TSB's role is still being determined.
The situation continues to evolve as the root cause investigation and vehicle inspections are ongoing. Further updates, including status of the inspections and specifics on when rail service can resume, will be provided as they become available.

R1 bus service will continue to operate along the entire alignment with frequent trips to allow customers to follow physical distancing measures. OC Transpo staff are monitoring ridership and will make adjustments to service as needed to meet ridership levels.

Details continue to be communicated to customers through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. During peak periods, OC Transpo staff are located at Line 1 stations and throughout the system to assist customers.

AUGUST 10, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing investigation regarding Sunday's occurrence that has required the temporary closure of O-Train Line 1.

As outlined in yesterday evening's memo, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) continues to focus on three areas of work in order to restore safe rail service: removing the stopped train near Tunney's Pasture Station, the root cause investigation and the inspection of the axle bearing assembly on each train in the fleet.

Specialized equipment that will be used to move the train back to the Maintenance and Storage (MSF) is currently undergoing final preparations and testing in the rail yard. The movement of the train needs to be planned and managed carefully in order to ensure the weight of the train is distributed evenly and the vehicle can be moved without damage to it or other rail infrastructure. Once these preparations are complete, the train is expected to be moved back to the MSF tomorrow.

The root cause investigation of the initial occurrence, when the single axle left the rail on Sunday evening as the train was returning to the MSF, is ongoing. Once the train involved in the incident is returned to the MSF, the affected axle bearing assembly will be disassembled in order to do a detailed review.

RTM continues its inspection process of the axle bearing assembly on the rest of the train fleet. As previously communicated this process takes several hours to complete on each vehicle, and it is expected to take several days to complete the inspection of the entire fleet. All light rail vehicles must and will undergo this inspection process prior to returning to service.

The situation continues to evolve as the root cause investigation and vehicle inspections are ongoing. Further updates, including status of the inspections and specifics on when rail service can resume, will be provided as they become available.

R1 replacement bus service will continue to operate along the entire alignment with frequent trips to provide sufficient capacity for all customers. OC Transpo staff are monitoring ridership and will make adjustments to service as needed to meet ridership levels.

Details continue to be communicated to customers through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. During peak periods, OC Transpo staff are located at Line 1 stations and throughout the system to assist customers.

Source : City of Ottawa

AUGUST 11, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing investigation regarding Sunday's occurrence that has required the temporary closure of O-Train Line 1, as well as the August 9 incident when a double decker bus travelled off the road.

The train involved in Sunday evening's occurrence has now been moved back to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF). The train will undergo a thorough inspection as part of the root cause investigation, which is ongoing.

Inspection of the axle bearing assembly on each train in the rest of the fleet also continues.

R1 replacement bus service will continue to operate along the entire alignment with frequent trips which is providing sufficient capacity for all customers. OC Transpo staff are monitoring ridership and will make adjustments to service as needed to meet ridership levels.

Details continue to be communicated to customers through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. During peak periods, OC Transpo staff are located at Line 1 stations and throughout the system to assist customers.

Updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

August 9 Double decker incident 

OC Transpo proactively removed from service 19 double deckers of the same model involved in an incident on August 9 when a bus travelled off the road on Carling Avenue near Herzberg Road. An investigation found that a component of the steering system required adjustment.

Working with the manufacturer, inspections have progressed well, and we have been able to confirm that 12 buses passed the inspection and were returned to service today. The remaining seven buses require an adjustment and will be returned to service once the scheduled repairs have been completed within the next couple of days. All protocols to ensure vehicles are safe to return to service have been followed.

This has had no impact to regular bus service or to the R1 replacement bus service.

AUGUST 12, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing investigation regarding Sunday's occurrence that has required the temporary closure of O-Train Line 1.

The root cause investigation is continuing, as well as the inspection of the axle bearing assembly on each train in the fleet.

At this time, we continue to work with Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) to determine the availability of trains to resume O-Train Line 1 service. An update on the anticipated return to service will be provided on Friday, August 13.

R1 replacement bus service will continue to operate along the entire alignment with frequent trips which is providing sufficient capacity for all customers. OC Transpo staff are monitoring ridership and will make adjustments to service as needed to meet ridership levels.

Details continue to be communicated to customers through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. During peak periods, OC Transpo staff are located at Line 1 stations and throughout the system to assist customers.

Updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

AUGUST 13, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the resumption of service on O-Train Line 1 and the root cause investigation of the incident on Sunday, August 8.
Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is conducting final preparations and checks of the track in order to resume operation. Trains will complete multiple passes along the alignment this afternoon to confirm everything is in working order and safe. RTM have also confirmed that trains that have undergone the safety certification and inspection process are cleared to go into service.

O-Train Line 1 service will resume on Saturday, August 14, 2021, beginning at 6am, as per the regular start schedule. Service will be operating with a reduced number of trains, running every 10 minutes. As more trains are cleared to return to service, the frequency and capacity of the line will be increased. This reduced frequency will provide enough capacity to carry all customers without overcrowding.

OC Transpo will have buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated.

The root cause investigation has identified the fault in the axle bearing assembly. The below picture shows a portion of the interior of the sealed axle bearing unit that attaches the axle/drive shaft to the train wheel. As part of the investigation, the sealed unit was taken apart and it was found that the green section of the bolt, which should be completely tightened, had a very small amount of movement, by fractions of a millimetre. This movement caused damage to the bearings inside the unit and wheel, which in turn lead to the axle coming off the track on Sunday evening.

As the investigation continues, RTM have implemented an inspection procedure that ensures the safe ongoing operation of trains. They will continue to conduct these vehicle inspections until the matter is satisfactorily resolved and safety certified. We have also confirmed with RTM and Alstom that these axle components are in use in other light rail transit vehicles around the world.

The investigation into the cause continues, and further details are expected to be provided at the next Transit Commission meeting. Further service updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

AUGUST 14, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the resumption of service on O-Train Line 1.

O-Train Line 1 service began at 6am this morning, as planned. Service is operating with a reduced number of trains, running every 10 minutes.

As more trains are cleared to return to service, the frequency and capacity of the line will be increased.

OC Transpo has buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated.

Further service updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

Further service updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

AUGUST 15, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing service resumption on O-Train Line 1. 

O-Train Line 1 service began operating Saturday morning with additional trains gradually returning to service over the course of the weekend. Service is now running every 5 minutes, the regular Sunday service.

We are currently with working Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) and anticipate that rail service will be operating every 5 minutes on Monday. This a similar service level provided over the past several months, and based on recent ridership counts, will provide enough capacity to accommodate weekday customers. We will continue to work with RTM to increase service further, in preparation for the likelihood of increased ridership in September.

OC Transpo continues to have buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated.

Further service updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

AUGUST 16, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing service resumption on O-Train Line 1 and inspection of the train fleet.

As noted in the updates to Council this weekend, we were able to safely restore service to our customers and, as inspections continued throughout the weekend, vehicles meeting the strict safety inspections were released into service. I can confirm that the inspections have been moving forward efficiently and effectively and that safety certified processes are in place to inspect vehicles at regular frequency until the work on the root cause is completed and permanent modifications or adjustments are implemented.

A large portion of the fleet have passed the strict inspection protocols, resulting in the O-Train Line 1 today operating with 12 trains, providing service every 5 minutes or more frequently. We anticipate that the rail line will operate with 11 to 13 trains throughout this week, including a spare vehicle on standby, meaning customers can expect service every 5 minutes or more often. This is in line with the service provided over the past several months, and based on recent ridership counts, will provide enough capacity to accommodate weekday customers. Again, all vehicles that are in service have passed the safety inspection process and are re-inspected at regular intervals until the root cause adjustment is made.

The entire fleet is made up of 39 individual train cars, and each operational train is made up of two cars. Of these 39 cars, two still require inspection and eight cars did not meet established thresholds when tested and will require repairs. These four trains will have components of the axle assembly replaced before they are put into service and they will be subject to the same ongoing inspection requirements as the rest of the fleet. Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) has confirmed they have the required components and the required work will commence shortly.

On Saturday, RTM issued a statement regarding the service disruption to acknowledge the impact on customers. As previously stated in memos to Council last week, the ongoing investigation into the root cause and vehicle inspection means new information continues to come up and updates are being provided as we learn more. We understand that the statement may have led some to believe that new issues were being discovered that were not reported to Council. We can confirm this is not the case. The issue affecting last week's service is as noted in the updates to Council. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Together with RTM, the focus remains on regular, ongoing inspections of the entire fleet to ensure safe operation, component repairs to the four trains identified through the initial inspection, and ultimately, implementation of a resolution to the wheel bearing assembly issue.

We continue to work with RTM to increase service further, in preparation for the likelihood of increased ridership in September.

Further to some reports last week, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has informed staff that they are not currently conducting a formal investigation but are assessing the situation. OC Transpo staff continue to communicate and engage all partners including Transport Canada, TSB and the Regulatory Monitoring Compliance Officer (RMCO) throughout the vehicle inspection and root cause investigation.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number. 

Staff will continue to provide updates and are available to answer any questions from members of Council.

AUGUST 18, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the service resumption on O-Train Line 1 and ongoing inspections of the rail fleet.

This morning's service began with 9 double-car trains. One train was held in the yard due to an error code indicator, unrelated to the ongoing wheel-axle inspections. This is a standard process and is part of our day-to-day operations. Two additional trains were launched throughout the day, bringing the total number of trains currently operating on Line 1 to 11. Customers can expect a train every 5 minutes.

As mentioned in previous memos, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) continues its regular inspections of all train cars to ensure safe operation until the root cause investigation is complete and a resolution is in place for the axle bearing issue. Out of the 39 individual cars in the fleet, 37 have been inspected. Of the two cars not inspected, one is the vehicle involved in the incident on August 8. As part of the ongoing root cause investigation, this car will undergo additional analysis and inspections. The second vehicle is one that has been undergoing other, unrelated maintenance. Once this work is complete, it will be thoroughly inspected, like all other trains, before being put into service.

Because of these ongoing inspections and the root cause investigation, new information can affect the number of cars available for service. This morning, the City was advised by RTM that a ninth single-car vehicle will require additional analysis of the axle assembly, prior to re-entering service. RTM has begun implementing the necessary repairs to the nine cars. We anticipate that this work may continue throughout the coming week. As work on each train car is finished and as on-going inspections are done, they will be returned to service.

The number of trains cleared for service may continue to fluctuate as the inspections and root cause investigation process continue. Again, all vehicles that are in service have passed the safety inspection process and will continue to be re-inspected at regular intervals.

The root cause investigation is ongoing at this time and will continue for some time. A fulsome update on this investigation will be presented at the Transit Commission meeting on September 20, 2021.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

OC Transpo issues alerts to customers via a number of channels as well as in-station and on-board announcements to provide our customers with information to plan their trips if service is not running as scheduled. Our standard is to issue alerts when customers may experience a significant impact to their travel times. While this morning's service began with fewer than expected trains in service, the effect was only to add approximately an extra minute of waiting time, so an alert was not issued.

Our goal is to provide valuable information to customers to inform their trip planning.

Staff will continue to provide updates and are available to answer any questions from members of Council.

AUGUST 20, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the ongoing service resumption on O-Train Line 1.

Over the course of this week, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) has completed the initial inspection of all but two of the rail vehicles, as previously stated. They have now begun the process of regular, planned inspections of each rail car to ensure safe operation until the root cause analysis is complete and a final adjustment to address the axle bearing assembly issue is in place. Again, all vehicles that are in service have passed the safety inspection process and will continue to be inspected and monitored to ensure their ongoing safe operation.

While in-service train numbers have fluctuated throughout the week, train service for most of the week was operating approximately every 5 minutes during peak periods, which meets current ridership needs. Today, 14 double-car trains were running on the line during the morning rush hour, with service running approximately every three to four minutes. We continue to work with RTM to increase service further, in preparation for the likelihood of increased ridership in September.

RTM has also advised they have begun implementing the necessary repairs to the nine single cars identified in the inspection process. As work on each train car is finished and, as on-going inspections are done, they will be returned to service. The car involved in the initial incident on August 8 is part of the root cause investigation and requires more thorough inspections before repairs can be made to return it safely to service.

The root cause investigation is ongoing at this time. A fulsome update on this investigation will be presented at the Transit Commission meeting on September 20, 2021.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

Staff will continue to provide updates and are available to answer any questions from members of Council.

AUGUST 23, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the service resumption following the August 8 incident on O-Train Line 1. As well, this memo will address a number of additional questions Staff have received regarding ongoing rail and bus operations.

Eleven trains were in operation over the weekend, providing customers with service every five minutes. This is the normal service level for weekends.

This morning, service operated with 12 trains, running every four to five minutes. This service level continues to meet current ridership needs. We are working with Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) to increase service further, in preparation for the likelihood of increased ridership in September.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

In addition, we have received a number of specific inquiries regarding the August 8 incident and ongoing axle assembly investigation, as well as other questions related to rail and bus operations. These questions and responses are provided below.

• Of the 10 individual cars being inspected (including the one involved in the initial incident), were they original deliveries, or later train car deliveries or a mix?
  Of the 10 cars currently identified as needing repairs to the axle assembly, all except for one were delivered as part of the original group of vehicles for Line 1 operations in September 2019. The single car that was not part of the original group was put into service in the second quarter of 2020.

• Who pays for the cost of major capital repairs required on the trains?
  All repairs, whether they are day-to-day operational costs or major capital repair costs, are performed at no cost to the City. As laid out in the fixed price contract with RTG/RTM, any increased or unforeseen costs during the life of the contract are at the expense of the maintainer or their subcontractors.

• What amount will be held back from RTG/RTM as a result of the derailment and lack of service? RTG's monthly payment will be subject to deductions as outlined in the Project Agreement (PA) and varies depending on factors such as station availability and percentage of service delivered. As the month is not complete, the total deductions to be applied is not available. However, the amount of deductions will be significant.

• Is there an option to exercise a warranty clause with these trains?
  The City, through its contractual arrangement with RTG, has the equivalent of a full warranty for performance of the vehicles for the duration of the life of the contract. All routine, corrective, and lifecycle maintenance is covered under the contract with RTG/RTM.

• Were any axle/bearing issues identified during the testing phase before the launch of Line 1? There were no axle bearing issues identified during testing and commissioning prior to the launch of Line 1.

• What correspondence has been received from the Transportation Safety Board (TSB)? Can you please share it?
  OC Transpo continues to work collaboratively with the TSB in responding to their requests for information. To date, the majority of the correspondence with TSB on this incident has been verbal. OC Transpo has received one request in writing regarding the RTM/Alstom inspection rules and instruction. This information has since been provided to TSB.

• Has the hot weather played any role whatsoever in service disruptions this summer?
  In addition to regular track maintenance and daily inspections that occur on all railroads during hot weather, OC Transpo takes extra precautions during extreme temperatures to ensure the safety of our customers. RTM performs additional proactive track inspections when the temperature approaches 30 degrees and associated maintenance work is performed, as needed. During some periods of very hot weather, our control centre will proactively issue a speed restriction on sections of the track to ensure that all trains traveling through the area do so safely. These slower speeds have very little impact on customers' travel times. While these steps have been proactively taken on several occasions this summer, they have not resulted in major service disruptions. In late May, there were some delays to customers as RTM performed track related work due to hot weather. The planned maintenance undertaken in June improved track conditions and has meant service has continued to operate normally during the rest of the summer. Regarding the August 8 incident, the investigation is ongoing. The root cause analysis will determine the cause of the axle bearing issue, however at this time, it does not appear to be weather related.

• Was there a fire on the overhead catenary recently as a result of clothing? Can you provide details on this?
  On August 7 Ottawa Fire Services and RTM were called as result of a report of smoke coming from one of the trains. Upon arrival, Ottawa Fire Services was able to remove a piece of cloth from the train (not a part of the train nor catenary) that was the cause of the smoke. There was no fire or damage as result. In accordance with our safety procedures, the train was removed from service, inspected and verified prior to returning to service.

• What was the cause of the error code on a train that resulted in it not being launched a couple of days ago? How often does this occur with these trains?
  On August 18, during the early morning launch process, one of the trains was proactively held back from service due to an error code identifying the possibility of a coupler issue. There are sensors that need to be correctly aligned in order for the two cars in a double train to communicate with each other. The sensors required an adjustment to remove the error code. Customers may have experienced up to an additional minute of wait time due to this train being held back. Holding back the train in order to inspect and verify all systems are functioning properly is a standard operating practice, performed to ensure that all trains entering service are safe and ready to respond normally. Coupler issues were previously reported to the Transit Commission, and, since the rectification work was completed this spring, this is no longer a frequent issue affecting service. These issues do sometimes happen on rail systems, and this is why we have processes in place to provide advance notice in order to assess potential issues prior to entering service.

• Are you considering free transit service this Fall?
  Free transit is a policy decision of Council. The City Clerk can provide direction how to move forward with a proposal, if that is something Council wishes to pursue.

• Can you tell us what the cause of the multiple delays and stopped trains were on August 20? On Friday August 20, O-Train Line 1 experienced two separate and unrelated stopped trains that affected service. These sorts of service interruptions are things that occur in rail systems around the world, and OC Transpo has operating procedures and highly trained staff ready to respond should an incident occur to ensure safety and restore service as quickly as possible. Further to details provided on Friday afternoon regarding a train that stopped near Hurdman Station causing a service delay for customers, RTM has confirmed that the stopped vehicle was caused by the loosening of a connector within the braking system. The train's safety systems functioned as designed, and the train came to an immediate stop when the connector started to loosen. Some customers needed to be transferred from the affected train to another, and customers on the system may have experienced longer wait or travel times. In accordance with all applicable safety procedures, the technician on site was required to access the train from the outside of the cab to manually release the brakes and return it to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for repairs. This sort of issue can occur on trains, and all applicable safety processes and procedures were followed throughout the event. In a separate incident, at approximately 8:15pm a train travelling eastbound at Tremblay Station experienced a brief traction power issue and our control centre proactively decided to remove it from the line to ensure ongoing service. This was unrelated to the issue in the afternoon, or with the ongoing axle assembly issue affecting other trains. The train was delayed several minutes from exiting the track to return to the MSF. Unfortunately, this short delay was further compounded by an operational drill that was taking place at that time and contributed to the delays customers experienced. Service continued to operate across the entire line during this incident, however, during this time, customers may have experienced longer travel times of approximately 10 to 15 minutes. We will be conducting a review of this event as well as our communications, which may not have accurately conveyed the service delay to customers.

• Has the issue of the odour in downtown LRT stations been resolved?
  As Transit Commission has previously been informed, RTM and OC Transpo continue to monitor and respond to concerns about odour at the downtown tunnel stations. To date, RTM has not yet been able to identify a specific pattern in terms of time of day, outside temperatures, or other factors that may relate to the presence of smells. While investigating the odour at Rideau Station it was determined that groundwater was the cause. Minor water infiltration is common in tunnels and, when identified, injection grouting is used to seal the area. RTM continues to monitor this situation and perform injection grouting as needed. RTM is also monitoring air quality within the station. The results of this monitoring indicate that the air in the station is safe and well below any thresholds for concern. As grouting continues the odour experienced in the area is anticipated to subside. The investigation into the cause of the odour at Parliament Station is ongoing and the source has yet to be identified. However, as the grouting continues, it is anticipated that the odour experienced in the area should subside. Investigation by an environmental engineering firm confirmed that the odours do not pose any hazard. City staff present in stations will continue to report occurrences of odours to aid in the ongoing remediation efforts. Additionally, staff are working with RTM to explore other options to increase ventilation within the downtown tunnel stations. On Friday, there were reports of a strong odour in Parliament Station and surrounding areas. Staff attended but could find no smell or cause.

• In the past year have there been any fires on double deckers? If so, do we know the root cause? Fires can occur on buses, and this has happened infrequently in the past few years at OC Transpo. In the last 12 months, one double decker bus experienced an engine fire while it was out of service and parked at the Industrial Bus Garage in May 2021. The cause of the event was attributed to an electrical short. Following the fire, all double decker buses were inspected to ensure the fleet was safe for operation. With a fleet of over 900 buses, travelling over 66 million kilometres per year, these types of incidents can occur. It is also important to note this type of event can occur in any vehicle. In 2015, OC Transpo added fire suppression systems to the engine area of all new double decker buses. When activated, the suppression system sprays a special foam in the engine compartment to prevent a fire from spreading to other areas. This built in system further reduces the risk of serious fire in double decker buses, and fire suppression systems are now a part of purchasing requirements on future bus models. We continue to monitor new technology and industry trends for emerging safety technology that can further benefit our fleet and customers.

AUGUST 26, 2021

Mayor, Members of Council, Transit Commission, this email is to provide an overview of two incidents that occurred this morning on O-Train Line 1.

At approximately 6am an eastbound train arriving at Lyon Station experienced a coupler issue and the safety systems brought the train to a safe stop, as designed. A coupler issue can occur when, sensors that allow the two cars in a double train to communicate with each other are not correctly aligned. These issues do sometimes happen on rail systems, and we have processes in place to provide notice and ensure the safety of customers.

The operator attempted to rectify the issue, but troubleshooting could not resolve it. The operator was able to open the doors and all customers disembarked the train at Lyon Station safely. A Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) technician was required to attend the train to remove it from service. The affected train has now returned to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for diagnosis and repairs, unrelated to the axle-bearing issue impacting other trains.

During this incident, service continued to operate along the entire line. Some customers may have experienced longer travel times as they were required to transfer at Lyon Station to continue their journey. Customers were notified via announcements in the trains, in stations, on our social media accounts, as well as our other regular channels. Normal service resumed shortly after 7am.

Separate from this incident, at approximately 7am, another train at Blair Station experienced an issue with its heating and cooling system. There were no customers on the train at the time. The train was parked at Blair Station in order to allow service to continue without interruption. All trains continued to service one platform without delays to customers. Due to the current and anticipated temperatures today, the train was removed from the line and returned to the MSF around 7:30am, without affecting ongoing rail service.

Line 1 is currently operating with 10 trains, providing service every 5 to 6 minutes.

Thank you,
John Manconi, General Manager, Transportation Services Department

Following consultations with federal, provincial and municipal partners, as well as other key stakeholders, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has recently completed its analysis and provided a recommendation to the Government of Canada for the development and facilitation of the Société de Transport de l'Outaouais (STO) tramway that would connect Gatineau and downtown Ottawa (via the Portage Bridge).

The NCC's recommendation is that the STO tramway alignment into Ottawa take place along the surface of Wellington Street. Next steps to advance this potential project include further engagement with partners and implicated stakeholders and the coordination of studies to assess traffic, transit and other key considerations.

Quick Facts

• As the long-term planner and principal steward of Canada's Capital Region, the NCC's key policy directions for the next 50 years include developing and improving multi-modal and interprovincial transportation connections and transit integration across the Ottawa River and throughout the region.
• In January 2021, the NCC board of directors endorsed the new transit connection, with conditions, along Wellington Street, as it aligns with the long-term plans for Canada's Capital, acts as an integral part of Confederation Boulevard, and represents a more affordable and technically sound solution than a tunnel.
• In the 2021 federal budget, the Government of Canada directed the NCC to create an interprovincial transit project office to study and plan for potential interprovincial tramway connections between Ottawa and Gatineau, in addition to consulting and collaborating with municipal, provincial, and transportation partners.
• The 2019 federal budget directed that the NCC develop the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan in collaboration with both provincial and municipal governments. Following two rounds of public consultation, the plan is expected to be completed in late 2021.

Quotes

"Investments in safe, modern, and efficient public transit systems are at the heart of a clean, inclusive recovery that restarts our economy and creates good jobs. We have an incredible opportunity to transform our community and make it the greenest capital in the world. The Government of Canada is in full support of the Gatineau Tramway and is pleased with the National Capital Commission's recommendation for a surface tramway design to link the west end of Gatineau to downtown Ottawa, allowing us to continue working with the Government of Quebec and City of Gatineau to advance this important project. The Gatineau Tramway will connect regional public transit networks, reduce travel times, and help people get around in a cleaner, more affordable way."

– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Gatineau tramway project will transform Canada's capital region. Workers, tourists, students, retirees, and residents will have quick and easy access to both sides of the Ottawa River. In so many ways, the Gatineau tramway project is the way of the future. This is a huge step forward."

– Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

"Given the many projects currently under way in Canada's Capital Region, the proposed interprovincial tram system via Wellington Street offers a unique opportunity to enhance the natural and cultural character of Canada's Capital for generations to come while contributing greatly to the municipal transit networks of both Ottawa and Gatineau."

– Tobi Nussbaum, Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission

LINKS

• Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan
• STO dedicated transit system

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Members of Council and the Transit Commission on the resumption of service on O-Train Line 1 and the root cause investigation of the incident on Sunday, August 8.
Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) is conducting final preparations and checks of the track in order to resume operation. Trains will complete multiple passes along the alignment this afternoon to confirm everything is in working order and safe. RTM have also confirmed that trains that have undergone the safety certification and inspection process are cleared to go into service.

O-Train Line 1 service will resume on Saturday, August 14, 2021, beginning at 6am, as per the regular start schedule. Service will be operating with a reduced number of trains, running every 10 minutes. As more trains are cleared to return to service, the frequency and capacity of the line will be increased. This reduced frequency will provide enough capacity to carry all customers without overcrowding.

OC Transpo will have buses on standby at strategic locations across the alignment to assist should customer loads be higher than anticipated.

The root cause investigation has identified the fault in the axle bearing assembly. The below picture shows a portion of the interior of the sealed axle bearing unit that attaches the axle/drive shaft to the train wheel. As part of the investigation, the sealed unit was taken apart and it was found that the green section of the bolt, which should be completely tightened, had a very small amount of movement, by fractions of a millimetre. This movement caused damage to the bearings inside the unit and wheel, which in turn lead to the axle coming off the track on Sunday evening.

As the investigation continues, RTM have implemented an inspection procedure that ensures the safe ongoing operation of trains. They will continue to conduct these vehicle inspections until the matter is satisfactorily resolved and safety certified. We have also confirmed with RTM and Alstom that these axle components are in use in other light rail transit vehicles around the world.

The investigation into the cause continues, and further details are expected to be provided at the next Transit Commission meeting. Further service updates will continue to be provided as they become available.

Updates on service continue to be communicated to customers through all channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, signage at Line 1 stations, and octranspo.com. Customers can visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.

Source : City of Ottawa

All aboard the REM!

One year prior to the commissioning of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), scheduled for the summer of 2022 on the South Shore, the public is invited to board a REM car for the very first time. An REM car will be set up at Place Extasia in Quartier DIX30 from August 26 to 29, near the future light metro system's Du Quartier station.

Throughout the weekend, activities will be held on site, and representatives and experts will be on hand to answer questions. Five years after the project's announcement and three years after the start of construction work, this will be a historic opportunity for future users to get their first look at an REM car.

See the full schedule for All aboad the REM:

Learn more

Starting tomorrow, the public is encouraged to enter a contest on the REM's Facebook page to be among the first users to board the car. The 15 winners and their guests will enjoy an exclusive tour of the car with team members, to be held in the early evening of Thursday, August 26. They will learn the details about the design process for the car, which will criss­cross Greater Montréal in the coming years. The contest ends on August 22 at 11:59 pm. Winners will be chosen at random from among all registered entrants. To enter, consult the REM's Facebook page.

The car will be accessible at any time on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A range of activities have been planned over the weekend, including music-filled lineup (on Friday night, Saturday nights and Sunday morning) and thematic activities, Saturday will be under the theme of the family while Sunday will be under the theme of the Sunday brunch. On Saturday, the artist Vincent Toutou who signs the visual theme of the event will be present to realize a live mural at Quartier DIX30. The full schedule is available here.

To get on board the REM, participants will follow a route filled with information about the commissioning of this new network, Québec's largest public transit project in 50 years. Measures will also be taken to adhere to the public health guidelines in effect.

Two highly informative activities will also be available:

• L'histoire et les coulisses de la réalisation du Réseau express métropolitain (History and behind-the-scenes look at the development of the Réseau express métropolitain), to be held on Saturday, August 28 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., will present the origins and major steps that led to the REM project. This will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges of building such a system, as well as the impressive strides made in the last few years. Participation in this activity will be on a first-come, first­ served basis.
• Le design du REM raconté (Breakdown of the REM's design), to be held on Sunday, August 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., will present how the REM's identity was created at the very start of the project. During this look back in time, participants will get a better understanding of how the REM's image came about. The graphic elements will be explained, as well as the choices behind the car's aesthetics. Participation in this activity will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

In closing, we would like to remind you that you have until August 30 to vote on the REM's official voice. You can also vote over the weekend. The winning voice will be announced in September.

Vote now

After its visit to Quartier DIX30, the REM car will then be exhibited at the Exporail in Saint-Constant until spring 2022.

Source : REM

While the installation of the first REM rails has begun in Montréal's West Island, launching gantry "Marie" will cross Highway 40 again in August which will result in significant impact on this section of the road network. Indeed, Marie had made a first crossing in October 2019. This year, the crossing will take place in the Pointe-Claire sector at St-Jean Boulevard.

As part of this phased work, there are two major obstructions to watch for:

• Weekend from Friday, August 6, 11 PM to Monday, August 9, 5 AM: complete closure of Highway 40 East at St-Jean Boulevard
• Weekend from Friday, August 13, 11 PM to Monday, August 16, 5 AM: complete closure of Highway 40 West at St-Jean Boulevard

During these obstructions, motorists are invited to avoid the area by taking Highway 20.

Also note that night closures (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM) will be required from August 2 to August 16 on the Highway 40 East service road, Highway 40 East and Highway 40 West. Night closures will also be necessary on Highway 40 West service road from September 3rd to 10th. Full details of the obstructions and detours to use are available here: Launching gantry "Marie" - elevated structure construction on the Anse-à-l'Orme branch | REM.

Moreover, although impressive, it is important to remember that this method of working is safe and proven. Traffic can be safely re-established during the day once the segments have been secured to the launching gantry; there is no risk for motorists travelling under the structure. Users must remain attentive and must not let themselves be distracted by the launching gantry.

This closure is subject to change depending on the progress of the night work and weather conditions.

The project continues to make great strides in the sector as the installation of the first REM rails has begun. This year's objective is to complete the installation of rails on 9.3 km of the elevated structure. We expect to complete the installation of the rail and catenary systems on the entire segment by the end of 2022.

The launch gantries, "Anne" and "Marie", began their crossing in the West two years ago and will finish their route in the sector this year. Indeed, Marie began its route in the Saint-Laurent borough in June 2019 and made a first crossing of Highway 40 in the fall of 2019. It will conclude its route this year with its final destination being Fairview-Pointe-Claire station, where Anne began its adventure two years earlier. Anne will finish its crossing at the Anse-à-L'Orme station. Together, they will have completed the 13.5 km of the elevated structure. Then, one of the gantries will complete the 840-metre elevated portion of the airport branch, while a second will be sent to the Pierrefonds-Roxboro sector.

Several teams, totalling more than 250 workers, built the elevated structure. In addition, 200 Béton préfabriquée du Lac (BPDL) employees worked on manufacturing the concrete segments at the plant located in St-Eugène-de-Grantham. Prefabrication has enabled rapid progress and guaranteed construction quality since the segments are manufactured in a controlled environment.

The use of launching gantries is a very efficient and fast construction method. On average, it takes two days to erect one span, that is, to cover the distance between two columns (30 to 40 metres). This way of working also greatly limits impacts, since the construction of a similar span without prefabricated parts would normally take three weeks. These elements made it possible to carry out several highway and important street crossings while limiting the duration of the obstructions.

Here is some data on the construction of the elevated structure in the West Island (number completed/number to be installed):

• Columns: 367/367
• Concrete segments: 2,999/4,102
• Spans: 270/366

In conclusion, the construction of the Anse-à-l'Orme and Fairview-Pointe-Claire stations is progressing rapidly. The building exteriors of both stations will be completed this year, and the interior work (plumbing, electricity, ceramics, etc.) can begin next year. Work on the Des Sources and Kirkland stations will begin this year, with construction of the foundations for the Des Sources station this summer and the Kirkland station this fall.

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new, 67-km integrated public transit network that will feature 26 stations and link downtown Montréal, 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.

Source : REM

Whether it's heading to school or the office, customers returning to transit this fall can take advantage of enhancements PRESTO has made over the last few months to make their transit experience easier. With app enhancements, PRESTO customers will be able to load funds and passes instantly, check their balances in real-time, and more. Here's a handy rundown of some changes and helpful reminders.

For those ready to ride transit again, one of the first questions may be 'Now where did I leave my PRESTO card?'

It's difficult to help with that – though check your old wallet in your dresser drawer, beside that sweater your aunt bought you.

A bit easier is a walkthrough of PRESTO features introduced during COVID, as well as some reminders of functions and tools and shortcuts some customers may have forgotten.

Loading funds and passes

With the enhanced PRESTO app, customers can now load their PRESTO card(s) with funds or transit passes, by simply holding their PRESTO card to the back of their smartphone. That means you can top up your card from wherever you are, and the funds will instantly be available.

Here's a video on how to use the app to load your card.

Check Balance

PRESTO app users can also now instantly and easily check their card balance, transaction history, and last time they tapped on by using the 'check balance' button located in the bottom right corner of your card home page. When it comes to checking your balance in real time, the check balance button is your best bet. The balance displayed on the homepage of the app takes a little longer to update so won't reflect that load you just made.

Autoload

If you want to always stay topped up with funds, consider setting up Autoload. Autoload automatically and instantly loads funds to your PRESTO card whenever your balance falls below a minimum balance you set, so that you'll always have the funds you need to travel.

For customers setting up autoload for the first time, just be mindful that you need a PRESTO account to set it up and it could take up to 24 hours for the settings to kick-in. And don't forget to tap your card on a PRESTO device after this time to complete the process.

For more information on how to load your PRESTO card, click here.

Purchasing a PRESTO card

Customers that have either lost or need to purchase a new PRESTO card, have several options.

Customers can purchase a PRESTO card by visiting a local Shoppers Drug Mart, a Fare Vending Machine (located in all TTC subway stations), a Ticket Vending Machine (located in all GO Transit and UP Express stations) or a PRESTO customer service outlet. Click here for a full list of locations.

If you don't already have one, set up a PRESTO account to take advantage of benefits like balance protection. And, if you already have an account, this is a good time to make sure your account information is up to date, including profile information, email verification and security questions and answers.

Setting up a Fare Type

To set a fare type – like youth, student, senior or child — customers can visit their nearest Shoppers Drug Mart or the closest transit agency's customer service outlet.

If you're a student looking to purchase a student-specific transit pass for example, you'll need to make sure you have your PRESTO card set to the 'youth' or 'post-secondary' fare type – whichever applies – before you can purchase the correct pass product.

When setting up a fare type, it's important to bring proof of eligibility (such as a photo ID with date of birth or proof of enrollment for students, like a student card). Students/youth should always carry a student ID to show for fare inspection.

Some fare types do expire (including those based on age), so if you've set one up previously, make sure to check it. You can do that by using the 'check balance' feature on the PRESTO app or going to your local Shoppers Drug Mart or Customer Service Outlet.

Lost your PRESTO card?

PRESTO account customers who have lost their PRESTO card or had it damaged can purchase a replacement card and have their balance, passes, fare type and settings transferred over to the new card.

If you buy a new card in person – from a Customer Service Outlet, Shoppers Drug Mart Outlet or a PRESTO self-serve machine – do not add it to a PRESTO Account or load a transit pass. This is done automatically as part of the card transfer process. If you add it to an account or load a transit pass, you'll have to buy another card to complete the transfer.

For more information on how to cancel your lost, stolen or damaged PRESTO card and transfer your balance, go here.

New ways to pay

The PRESTO app isn't the only thing that's new. PRESTO's also piloting credit card payment on UP Express. It's part of a phased approach to rollout more contactless payment options across the region to make your transit experience that much easier.

For more information before you head out, check out PRESTO's website and take advantage of the Live Chat feature for any questions.

Story by Brandon Bernard, Metrolinx Senior Advisor, Communications Planning

Hello all. A decision regarding the O-Train Train Tracker's future has been reached, and that is for it to be discontinued. This feature was launched 1.5 years ago and helped track the deployment of trains and fleet rotations in the early days of service. Times have changed and the interest in this type of information and data has mostly moved on.

Thank you to all who submitted their train and LRV spottings over nearly 2 years time, and logging over 5000 submissions.

---

To help preserve this data, the final database and Train Last Seen data can be found attached below as an archive, from February 5, 2020 to August 30, 2021. The first file is the data collected for the "Current Date", while the second file is for "Past Observations submitted later on". You would have to do a bit of manipulation of the data and columns in Excel to get a combined list.

Data current as of August 30, 2021

1101 Last seen on : 2021-08-29 10:54:03
1102 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1103 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1104 Last seen on : 2021-08-29 18:26:56
1105 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1106 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1107 Last seen on : 2021-08-26 07:38:31
1108 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:12:49
1109 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1110 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1111 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1112 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:33:32
1113 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 13:46:07
1114 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1115 Last seen on : 2021-08-29 10:54:03
1116 Last seen on : 2021-03-13 07:08:00 (P)
1117 Last seen on : 2021-08-08 08:33:00
1118 Last seen on : 2021-07-26 08:20:06
1119 Last seen on : 2021-08-11 11:50:23
1120 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1121 Last seen on : 2021-08-21 08:19:03
1122 Last seen on : 2021-08-04 08:38:05
1123 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1124 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1125 Last seen on : 2021-08-29 10:54:03
1126 Last seen on : 2021-08-29 18:57:40
1127 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 16:41:34
1128 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1129 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 16:41:34
1130 Last seen on : 2021-08-28 07:52:43
1131 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1132 Last seen on : 2021-08-22 14:51:51
1133 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:33:32
1134 Last seen on : 2021-08-28 07:52:43
1135 There are currently no reports on this train.
1136 Last seen on : 2020-05-28 03:30:00 (P)
1137 Last seen on : 2021-08-17 07:12:06
1138 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 13:46:07
1139 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1140 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:00:05
1141 Last seen on : 2021-08-30 08:12:49

While it continues to adapt its operations according to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) reports an improved performance for the second quarter of 2021 with an increase in ridership and passenger revenues of 188% and 417% respectively compared to the same period last year.

"This second quarter, VIA Rail continued to fulfill its mandate while never losing sight of its mission to put passengers first," said Cynthia Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As promised, when conditions allowed, we increased our operations with, for example, the return of one full weekly round-trip on the Canadian. As always, we are closely monitoring the evolution of the pandemic and we look forward to keep making progress on our service resumption plan while continuing to follow recommendations from public health authorities and decrees from the federal and provincial governments."

Modernization at the heart of VIA Rail's future

During the second quarter, VIA Rail reached important milestones in its modernization program which includes, amongst others, its High Frequency Rail (HFR) project and its new Corridor fleet.

The April Federal Budget reflected the Government of Canada's firm support for VIA Rail's High Frequency Rail project which will transform the way present and future generations live and travel, by upgrading and building tracks dedicated to the transport of passengers between Québec City and Toronto. VIA Rail also revealed the design of its new fleet which, in addition to being one of the most environmentally friendly fleets in North America, will offer an unparalleled, barrier-free and fully accessible travel experience to passengers in the Québec City – Windsor corridor. The first train set is expected to be commissioned into revenue service in 2022.

"It's time to reimagine the way we move Canada, from reservation to destination, to deliver new levels of comfort, accessibility and sustainability. That is why the VIA Rail team continues to work tirelessly on its modernization projects. In fact, the milestones reached in the second quarter and the announcements made in July by the federal government regarding our HFR project demonstrate that we are making steady progress. We are determined to offer a more sustainable and modern passenger rail service to Canadians, and we cannot wait to deliver initiatives like our HFR project and our new Corridor fleet," declared Cynthia Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer.

VIA Rail, the most trusted transportation company

VIA Rail was recognized as one of the most trusted companies in Canada in 2021 by the Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI) and ranked first in the "Transportation" category for the third consecutive year. The GBTI is provided by the University of Victoria's Gustavson School of Business and the 2021 ranking was completed after nearly 9,000 Canadians were consulted on the way they view certain brands, including their consumer advocacy and social equity.

Ratification of collective agreement 3

Collective agreement 3 was ratified on May 15 by the members of Unifor, Local 100, the union representing approximately 700 VIA Rail employees working in maintenance centres. This agreement includes, just like collective agreements 1 and 2, a 2% wage increase for 2021, benefits improvements as well as the review of several work rules.

VIA Rail's 2021 second quarter report is available

Today, Sept. 1, 2021, marks 100 years of service for the TTC. To kick off its anniversary celebrations, the TTC hosted a special celebration at its Roncesvalles Carhouse where Mayor John Tory officially proclaimed Sept. 1 as "TTC Centenary Day" in the city of Toronto.

"For 100 years, the TTC has provided a vital link, connecting people with places and opportunities in Toronto. The TTC has grown over the past century to deliver exceptional transit that provides service to all corners of the city through a network of buses, subways, streetcars and Wheel-Trans vehicles," said Toronto Mayor John Tory. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the TTC has continued non-stop to help frontline workers get to work to help save lives. And I know the TTC is ready to help people move around the city even more as we continue to reopen and restart our economy. The TTC will be vital to Toronto's economy and jobs coming back stronger than ever. As we celebrate the TTC's past, I am confident in its future because we are committed as a City to continuing to upgrade and expand the TTC with the help of our partners in the provincial and federal governments."

"This significant milestone invites us to reflect on the important role that the TTC has played in Toronto's history over the last 100 years. Through a century of immense change, the TTC has evolved and adapted along with the city we serve," said TTC Chair Jaye Robinson. "We've come a long way since 1921 and I'm very excited about our plans for the future."

"I'm proud that while so much has changed in the last century, one thing that hasn't is how vital public transit is to this city and the 32 billion people who have used the TTC over the past 100 years," said TTC CEO Rick Leary. "Although the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted in-person events and forced us to modify how we're marking this milestone, we hope the whole GTA will still join us in celebrating our centenary over the next several months. I want to extend a special thank you to the nearly 16,000 employees at the TTC, and all of the TTC's past employees whose hard work and dedication have made this century of service possible."

Today's event included a display of historic TTC vehicles, including some of the oldest streetcars - Peter Witt (1921), PCC (1938), CLRV, ALRV - the oldest GM Bus (1980), as well as newer streetcars, electric buses and Wheel-Trans vehicles. Also in attendance were two of the longest-serving TTC employees as well as former Chief Executives and General Managers and past Board Chairs.

A number of activities will be taking place over the coming months, as the TTC commemorates a century of public service. The Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square and the CN Tower will both be lit red tonight. Customers travelling on TTC buses today can also collect a commemorative TTC100 transfer when paying their fare. In addition, there will be celebratory banners on display outside Union Station on Front St. for the entire month of September.

The TTC is also marking the occasion through an awareness campaign on its vehicles, social media channels and in stations. A special TTC 100th Anniversary microsite has been launched at https://www.ttc100years.ca/ , which includes historical photos and descriptions about the TTC's story. Customers are encouraged to visit the site to learn more about how they can participate in the celebrations.

Since June, the TTC has also been running a photo exhibit at some of its stations, in partnership with the City of Toronto Archives. Titled The TTC - 100 Years of Moving Toronto, the displays are a comprehensive collection of newly digitized photography showcasing the TTC's journey over the past 100 years. The in-station displays will remain in place until July 2022, and the exhibit can also be viewed virtually on toronto.ca/archiveshttps://www.toronto.ca/city-government/accountability-operations-customer-service/access-city-information-or-records/city-of-toronto-archives/

In the coming weeks, a commemorative 100th Anniversary TTC coffee table book and artwork will be available for purchase in the TTC online store at ttcshop.ca. As of Sept. 13, members of the public can also look out for a special TTC augmented reality filter on Instagram, which will allow them to see what they'd look like as a historic TTC Employee. A public art project is also planned for Spadina Station in 2022, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary.

Additional events will be announced throughout the year, in accordance with public health guidelines, as the TTC continues to celebrate 100 years of serving the great city of Toronto. More information about the events and activities related to this celebration will be available on ttc.ca/ttc100.

Source : TTC

Today, CDPQ Infra issued an update on the REM de l'Est project, providing a progress report and publishing two separate technical reports with analyses of underground route scenarios. CDPQ Infra also unveiled an optimization of the reference project, with the addition of a tunnel section under René-Lévesque Boulevard.

CDPQ Infra conducted its first phase of public consultations over the past six months, reaching more than 32,000 people and collecting more than 1,600 comments and opinions.

In addition to helping establish the committee of independent experts appointed by the Québec government to ensure the project's architectural and urban integration, CDPQ Infra has published a number of documents and reports, conducted technical studies and held numerous workshops and meetings with all the project's partners.

The REM de l'Est will transform mobility services for hundreds of thousands of residents in Montréal's eastern communities by providing a fast, frequent and reliable link between downtown Montréal, CÉGEP Marie-Victorin and Pointe-aux-Trembles. CDPQ Infra remains firmly committed to building an outstanding project that everyone can be proud of. With that in mind, today we are presenting a major enhancement, further demonstrating our commitment to the continuous improvement of this large-scale public transit project while ensuring its feasibility with a responsible approach
Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of CDPQ Infra

Today, CDPQ Infra published two separate reports assessing various scenarios for an underground route in downtown Montréal as part of the REM de l'Est project. These reports were produced by external firms whose expertise is widely recognized internationally.

A first report was issued by AECOM-Systra and a second report was commissioned from Geocontrol to provide further analysis and assessment of additional factors.

A summary of these studies' main findings is available here.

Both firms presented a detailed analysis of multiple factors to determine the technical feasibility of the proposed scenarios, while also addressing the cumulative effects of technical risks in order to validate the viability these scenarios.

These factors include the impacts of buried public infrastructure, the impacts of the yellow and orange metro line tunnels, the area's geology, construction hazards and the presence of the water table. A 3D digital model was also used to map these risks and assess them in light of Montréal's specific and unique context.

Based on technical reports, including the second technical report issued in August, and the analysis of the various options' viability, only one underground alternative is viable in downtown Montreal. CDPQ Infra will integrate a tunnel section into the REM de l'Est reference project, beginning at Jeanne-Mance and continuing to Robert-Bourassa Boulevard.

Extensive analyses pointed to this solution for a portion of downtown due to favourable geological conditions and the natural slope of René-Lévesque Boulevard, which allows for the integration of this route (transition zone reduced to approximately 150 metres) while limiting impacts.

This major improvement, which will bury a portion of the route and the terminal station, comes on the heels of the enhancement already implemented in the Montréal-Nord sector, bringing the length of the REM de l'Est tunnel to 9 km, or approximately one third of the entire route.

The project budget and schedule will be updated once the current consultation and optimization period concludes, prior to the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE).

The multidisciplinary expert committee on the REM de l'Est's architectural and urban integration will continue its work along the entire route, including the sectors further east. The goal is to present a proposal for urban and architectural integration along the REM de l'Est's complete route to citizens and partners by the end of 2021.

Source : CDPQ Infra

The Scarborough Subways Extension project has now reached an important stage – the search for experts who want to build the stations, lay down the tracks, and install all the technology that connects them. In this feature, we look at what the 'Request for Qualifications' announcement means, as well as how an extended Line 2 subway will create a more connected and reliable transit experience.

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario today (Sept. 17) released a Request for Qualifications in a search for teams interested in building the stations and the remaining work along the Scarborough Subway Extension.

Each station on the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension will be more than just a place to get on or off the Line 2 subway – they will be important hubs that connect to surface routes, helping passengers to move seamlessly through a broader transit network.

The Request for Qualifications asks industry experts to share their qualifications to bid on designing and building the stations, laying down the track and installing and launching the systems that will be used to operate the line. It's part of the project's Stations, Rail and Systems package.

New to the Scarborough Subway Extension conversation and want to know more? Just go here.

The contract for tunnel construction was awarded on May 25, 2021 to Strabag and work is already well underway at the launch shaft site.

Metrolinx projects that by 2041, 83 per cent of passengers going through the three new stations at the busiest hour of the day will be transferring from a bus to the subway, or from one bus route to another.

"We are building stations that will be important connection points, with buses coming in from all parts of Scarborough."
Program Sponsor, Michael Hodge

"Scarborough has a wide geographic area and large parts of Scarborough rely on buses to get to the subway," said Michael Hodge, program sponsor.

"We are building stations that will be important connection points, with buses coming in from all parts of Scarborough."

The new terminus station at Shepperd and McCowan will offer links to bus routes north of Highway 401.

This station will shorten the time people spend riding buses on congested roadways, allowing them to enter the subway system sooner.

Over the long term, the Shepperd Subway (Line 4) could also be extended to this station, closing a loop and giving riders a new way to navigate the subway system.

Scarborough Centre subway station

Moving south down the extension, the Scarborough Centre subway station will be a particularly important spot for connections.

The current Line 3 Scarborough Rapid Transit station at Scarborough Centre already offers connections to TTC buses, and that role will continue to grow as the regional transit network expands.

Hodge was quick to point out that Metrolinx is designing the new station to be more than a subway stop.

"We are putting a lot of focus on to the Scarborough Centre Bus Terminal to allow for efficient connections to bus routes."

The terminal will also offer connections to GO buses and the proposed Durham Region Transit bus rapid transit line.

The station will be a transit hub with bus connections to both the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus and Centennial College's Progress Campus, which provide education and employment opportunities to almost 30,000 students and staff.

Of course, there is a lot of activity right around the station – and not just in the Scarborough Town Centre mall. The Scarborough City Centre has office towers, high-rise condominiums, a library, and an outdoor skating rink. The new Street Eats Market food truck festival in the mall parking lot is also emerging as a popular attraction.

The new station at Lawrence and McCowan Road will be used by Scarborough residents accessing health care or visiting loved ones in the hospital.

It will be next to the Scarborough Health Network's General Hospital, offering new convenience to frontline health care workers, patients and their visitors. The hospital is a major employer in Scarborough, with more than 2,000 employees and 500 volunteers.

With the subway extension meeting up with the Crosstown LRT at Kennedy Station, Scarborough residents will have a new transit option, going through midtown Toronto, along Eglinton Avenue, all the way to Mississauga.

This will also continue to be the site of an important connection to the Stouffville line GO train line, which will see expanded service in the years to come.

The Ontario Line

The subway extension is just one way Scarborough residents will benefit from upcoming transit expansion improvements. When the Ontario Line is in place, riders coming from Scarborough will be able to transfer at Pape to reach Queen station and the Financial District, eliminating the need to take Line 2 all the way into the crowded Bloor-Yonge station and on to packed Line 1 trains.

Hodge also pointed out the extension is more than a link to downtown Toronto as it will make it easier to move around Scarborough.

"Maybe people want to go to visit a friend at Scarborough General," he said. Or, they could be headed towards Scarborough Centre to go shop at the mall, get a taco from a food truck, or drop a form off at the nearby federal government office, and the subway extension will help them to get there faster."

And again, you can visit the Scarborough Subway Extension webpage to learn more about the project and keep up with all the progress being made on the project.

Story by Mike Winterburn, Metrolinx News senior writer

Transit Commission receives operational update on O-Train Line 1 and bus service and approves status report on Q2 transit operating and capital budget

The Transit Commission today received an update on O-Train Line 1 and bus service operations. Staff provided details of the August 8 Line 1 incident involving an axle bearing issue on an out-of-service train leaving Tunney's Pasture Station. The update outlined OC Transpo's incident response framework, steps taken to identify and remediate root causes of the incident, as well as steps taken to safely resume service on Line 1 on August 14. Staff also briefed the Transit Commission on an incident involving the derailment of a westbound Line 1 train between Tremblay and Hurdman Stations on the afternoon of Sunday, September 19, which has resulted in the temporary replacement of Line 1 service with R1 bus service to allow for investigation and repairs. In addition, staff provided regular updates on train service reliability, along with updates on wheel inspections and Rideau Transit Group's (RTG) rectification plan.

The update also confirmed that ridership has been climbing steadily since Step 1 of the Province's COVID-19 reopening on June 11, climbing to 29 percent as of Step 3 on July 16, and reaching 34 percent of normal levels in August.

The Transit Commission approved a motion calling for the City Manager to consult with the Regulatory Monitor and Compliance Officer to identify and retain an independent expert or experts to confirm the safety of the plan for return to service and report back to City Council and Transit Commission with a work plan and timelines for this independent safety review.

The Transit Commission also received a report, 2021 Transit Operating and Capital Budget Q2 Status, indicating a $3.8 million surplus for the second quarter of 2021, mainly due to lower compensation costs resulting from vacant positions, as revenue shortfalls and additional expenditures due to COVID-19 were offset by federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement (SRA) funding for transit. The end-of-year forecast is a deficit of $17 million, made up of $26.3 million in projected revenue loss and added costs from COVID-19, offset by $9.3 million in savings due to vacant positions and the temporary service reductions.

Finally, the Transit Commission received for information a report on OC Transpo's delegated authority for contracts awarded for the period of July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 and approved a recommendation to waive Section 39 of the Procurement By-law, permitting 2021 semi-annual reports of the details relevant to the exercise of delegated authority for all OC Transpo contracts equal to or exceeding $25,000 to be delivered as one consolidated report in Q2 2022.

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio Recording from the Meeting

Audio Recording from the Media Availability

 O-Train Line 1 and Bus Service Update Presentation

Motions

Hello all. A decision regarding the forum site's future has been reached, and that is for it to be discontinued. Participation and activity have significantly dropped off since launching the Discord server about 14-15 months ago. The past few months on average have yielded less than a handful of posts in total. It does not make sense to maintain it further being essentially dormant, in addition to the additional server resources needed and the hosting costs and forum software licensing fees. The forum site will be backed up and archived offline. 

The Discord server will remain and you can join it here: www.railfans.ca/discord. 

The forum will be discontinued on August 26th, 2021 (Friday) at 1:00pm.

Thank you to our forum members for their participation on the forum these past several years.

Story and Photos by David Bellerive.

To this day, the September 19th derailment is the most severe incident to occur on Line 1 since its opening two years ago. It occurred on the westbound track between Tremblay and Hurdman Stations. No injuries were reported from this incident.

A few hours after the derail, I was on-site and took the following pictures. Luckily, no one was injured, but it remains a considerably large incident. Police presence was spread throughout between Tremblay and Hurdman, with most of them located around the train, treating it as a possible crime scene with yellow cords to secure certain segments of tracks. 

At Tremblay station, ballast (rocks) were spread on the end of the platform, a concrete tie cracked (a really uncommon sight on a modern rail line, and a show of considerable stress being applied). 

After Tremblay, ballast was displaced, in addition to a lot of debris along the trackside, though I was unable to identify them. Getting closer to the Riverside Drive overpass, a concrete lid for utilities likely impacted on the trackside showing the momentum of the train. Further debris and ballast can be seen alongside as we get closer to the stopping point. 

During my visit, access to the train was limited, but it was easy to see the scale of the damage: signal box, signage, bogies and their covers... pieces spread and all. A large-scale cleanup and repair job will be needed to rehabilitate the track, and if possible, LRV 1121.

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

Source : City of Ottawa

Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Allan Hubley, Chair of the City's Transit Commission, Steve Kanellakos, City Manager, and Renée Amilcar, General Manager of Transit Services, will host a technical briefing with the Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) regarding the safe return-to-service of O-Train Line 1.

City staff and subject-matter experts from TRA took questions from members of council, transit commissioners and media following the presentation.

This video has been added to the Rail Fans Canada archive for current and future reference.

The purpose of this memo is to inform Members of Council and Transit Commission that system testing is progressing well and, pending its successful completion tomorrow, O-Train Line 1 revenue service will resume on Friday, November 12. Service will resume with seven trains and one spare and will expand incrementally, with full revenue service expected to be in place by the end of the month.

The past two days of end-to-end service testing have been positive. Testing continues tomorrow, and if the results remain consistent, the City will resume revenue service on Line 1. Final confirmation of this date is contingent on the successful completion of testing and pending final validation by TRA. I will provide the final confirmation to Members of Council and the Transit Commission once the City receives the written determination from TRA that Line 1 can safely return to service.

As discussed at Friday's technical briefing and in previous communications, Line 1 end-to-end service testing began on November 4. Testing is an integral component of the safe return-to-service plan. It has allowed Rideau Transit Group (RTG), Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) and the City to confirm that all repairs on the train, track and infrastructure meet the quality standards required for the safe and consistent operations of O-Train Line 1. This process has worked as it should, and RTG and OC Transpo are prepared and able to safely return to revenue service operation.

Once the system resumes revenue service, the City and TRA will continue to monitor RTG's activities. As with any Light Rail Transit system, we expect that issues will arise. The City and our transit customers expect these issues will be addressed quickly and efficiently by RTG.

RTG continues to inspect the remainder of the rail fleet and as discussed at Friday's technical briefing, the results are being validated by TRA and the City.

When partial service resumes, R1 replacement bus service will be maintained. Staff will be assessing, based on actual ridership levels, whether R1 replacement bus service can be reduced. OC Transpo will provide further updates on R1 bus service next week.

I expect to provide you with final confirmation on the resumption of O-Train Line 1 service tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Steve Kanellakos

Source : City of Ottawa

Please find attached a memo regarding a Rail Safety Advisory letter from the Transportation Safety Board.

Source : City of Ottawa

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 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

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 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

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

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

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  

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

Source : City of Ottawa

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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• 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

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

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

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

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

The Transit Commission today adopted OC Transpo's 2022 Draft Budget.

To keep transit affordable for low-income residents and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients, OC Transpo's 2022 Draft Budget includes a continued freeze on EquiPass fares and the Community Pass at 2018 levels.

The 2022 Draft Budget includes:

• A 2.5 per cent general fare increase, to come into effect the month after RTG makes 15 trains available for full revenue service on O-Train Line 1.
• A fare freeze for customers who use the EquiPass (monthly or single-ride) or the Community Pass.
• New no-charge passes for emergency shelter clients.
• No service expansion.
• Savings of $11 million resulting from the continuation of the temporary service reductions which began in mid-2021.
• Inflation and a cost-of-living adjustment.
• $5.2 million in annualized costs to cover Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) costs, provide legislated breaks for federally regulated staff and to cover the cost of the September 30 federal holiday.
• An increase of $3.9 million for maintenance of fare control and other software supports.

The Transit Commission carried a motion that Council direct the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, General Manager of Transit Services and General Manager of Community and Social Services to review the Transit Fare Working Group's recommendation that the next Council consider a fare freeze for the Community Pass, the Access Pass, and the EquiPass for the entire Term of Council, and that staff report back as part of the 2018-2022 Term of Council Governance Review.

Additionally, the Commission carried a motion that Council direct the Mayor and Transit Commission Chair to write to the Federal government requesting operational funding through the federal gas tax or other channels to reduce the user share of the cost of public transit, in order to reduce or eliminate user fees and encourage transit use.

The 2022 Draft Budget will be tabled for consideration and approval by City Council on December 8.

The Transit Commission also received an update on O-Train Line 1, which returned to partial service on November 12.

Staff confirmed that Line 1 service will gradually increase as RTG continues to increase the number of trains available for service, with full service expected to be in place by the end of November. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 11 trains are required for full service to meet current demand.

Staff also confirmed that in October, bus ridership was at 41% and Para Transpo ridership was at 59% of pre-pandemic levels. Para Transpo service levels continue to be sufficient to meet current ridership demand. In October, all trips were fulfilled, and 9.1% of trips in minibuses were shared.

Source : City of Ottawa

Audio Recording from the O-Train and Bus Service Update portion of the meeting (with English interpretation).

Audio Recording from Media Availability

O-Train Confederation Line 1 Update

Audio Recording from Media Availability on November 18, 2021

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

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

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) marked a historic milestone today with the unveiling of the first trainset of its state-of-the-art new fleet that will serve the Québec City – Windsor corridor.

With the new test train parked on the platform of the LEED certified Ottawa station behind them, VIA Rail President and Chief Executive Officer, Cynthia Garneau and Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Françoise Bertrand, introduced Canadians to the first of 32 new trains in VIA Rail's new Corridor fleet - a building block of VIA Rail's modernization program which will help to create the VIA Rail of tomorrow.

"This new fleet marks a new era for passenger rail service in the Corridor, where we served over 4.7 million passengers in 2019 and which represented 96% of our ridership pre-pandemic. In addition to being one of the most environmentally friendly fleets in North America, this modern new fleet will offer our passengers an unparalleled, barrier-free, and fully accessible travel experience," said Cynthia Garneau, VIA Rail President and Chief Executive Officer.

It's time to reimagine the way Canadians travel

Funding for these new trainsets was announced in the 2018 Federal budget and represents an investment of close to a billion dollars.

"Canadians have relied on VIA Rail to connect them for years. The new fleet will offer a new era of comfort and efficiency for the workers, families, and tourists who travel on these tracks. By supporting VIA Rail's large-scale modernization project, we are investing in accessible, reliable, environmentally friendly ways for Canadians to see each other and see their country," said the Honorable Omar Alghabra, Canada's Transport Minister.

The first train has been delivered right on time and showcases impressive features that promise an unparalleled travel experience.

It's time to deliver new levels of comfort, accessibility, and sustainability

Key features of VIA Rail's new corridor fleet include amongst others:

• Wider aisles, automatic touchless interior doors, adjustable tray tables, comfortable and ergonomic seats, and high-speed reliable data connection.
• A barrier-free and fully accessible travel experience with onboard wheelchair lifts, five Mobility Aid Spaces (MAS) per trainset, large accessible washrooms, braille, and embossed signage.
• Advanced diesel engines and a bidirectional train configuration that allows for less operating time with the engines running making it one of the most environmentally friendly intercity fleets in North America.

It's time to act today for a better tomorrow

The railway helped shape Canada, brought communities together and boosted the economy from coast to coast. As Canada works to recover from the pandemic, VIA Rail is ready to continue building on its 44-year history and play a key role in the future of sustainable mobility in Canada.

"In the face of the climate crisis and an unprecedented demand for more sustainable mobility, the relevance of passenger rail is stronger than ever," said Francoise Bertrand, the Chairperson of the Board at VIA Rail. "This new fleet and the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project will further that interconnectivity as our passengers will be able to travel more often and more quickly to more destinations."

Winter trials of the test train will begin in December 2021, with the first train expected to go into service in Q4 2022.

About VIA Rail
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 nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2005. Visit the "About VIA Rail" section at https://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

Source : VIA Rail

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

The Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) and its partners—TELUS (as project integrator), Bell, Rogers and Vidéotron—are proud to announce that the deployment of the 4G LTE mobile network is now complete in all 68 stations and 71 km of tunnels that make up Montreal's metro system. With the Jolicoeur, Monk and Angrignon stations connected today, this complex project, launched in 2013, has now been completed within its stated schedule, scope and budget, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The project involved an investment of nearly $50 million—funded in equal parts by telecommunications providers Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Vidéotron—and it has provided the STM with Canada's largest indoor digital network and the longest underground wireless network in the country. This special collaboration among the country's largest telecom companies has brought uninterrupted connectivity and stable, 100% LTE coverage throughout the STM stations and trains. STM passengers can now enjoy a download speed of up to 275 Mbps, which is comparable to what they might get at home.

The upgrades required the deployment of radiant cable and antennas in tunnels, the installation of technical cabinets in stations, and the addition of five utility rooms containing specialized equipment and located at key points in the network to ensure optimal coverage.

Through close coordination and meticulous planning, the teams involved managed to complete the project in compliance with all of the key parameters defined for the project. Another fact worth mentioning is that this work was completed with minimal impact on STM commuters and did not require full or partial closures of any stations or entry points, nor did it cause any disruptions to passenger travel. All of this was achieved despite the inherent challenges of such a complex project and completed in an environment that tens of thousands of people walk through every day, with multiple work sites in progress at any given time.

"I'm very proud to see this innovative, visionary project being completed today for the benefit of the STM and its customers," exclaimed Michel Lafrance, General Manager of STM subsidiary Transgesco s.e.c., a limited partnership. "With its unique funding model, the partnership between Bell, Rogers, Telus and Vidéotron is the envy of transit corporations around the world."

"I'd like to salute the hard work and collaboration of our partners—Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Vidéotron—who did a masterful job spearheading this project, together with the STM teams," added STM Chairman of the Board Philippe Schnobb. "The deployment of the mobile network will greatly improve our customers' commuting experience, and also enable us to communicate more effectively with them. Today is truly a great day for the Montreal metro system!"

"As project integrator for the design and implementation of the 4G LTE network in the STM metro system, TELUS is proud to have played a role in improving the commuter experience with speeds and underground coverage that are unprecedented in the country," explained François Gratton, Executive Vice-President, Group President, TELUS and Chair, TELUS Health and TELUS Quebec. "This public transit achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to building stronger, better-connected communities in Montreal and across the country."

"Bell has kept Montréalers connected since our company was founded here in 1880, and we're proud to partner in this outstanding communications achievement by the STM," said Karine Moses, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. "We offer our thanks to the STM and all our network partners for their leadership in making Montréal's underground mobile network one of the most advanced in the entire world."

"Montrealers want to stay connected when they take the metro, and Rogers is proud to help provide STM users with reliable, consistent wireless service," said Édith Cloutier, President of Quebec, Rogers Communications and Vice-President, Sales, Enterprise and Public Sector, Quebec and Ottawa. "Commuters can now remain connected to what matters most to them for their whole trip."

"Vidéotron is so proud of having contributed in the deployment of this one-of-a-kind network," concluded Jean-François Pruneau, President & CEO, Vidéotron. "From now on, the millions of passengers who take the metro each year will be able to communicate, browse the web and work during their travels. As supporters of a connected life for Quebecers, we want to make people's lives easier and make technology accessible. This project suits this vision to a T."

Source : STM

Photo : Louis-Étienne Doré

In another move designed to facilitate its customers' trips during the pandemic, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is giving customers the ability to check the occupancy levels of its AZUR trains on the Orange line. The information will be displayed on the Métrovision screens located on station platforms on the Orange line, the métro's busiest line, starting today.

"This initiative was put forward in collaboration with Astral Média, our partner responsible for the Métrovision screens. The goal is to improve the customer experience on public transportation. Having access to this information is more pertinent than ever, as public health authorities are constantly reminding us to keep our distance as much as possible," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors. Additionally, all Métrovision banners in the network now have an updated interface and a new weather icon.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight the remarkable work of our employees. Innovating during a pandemic is no easy task. It requires not only considerable agility but also a sense of creativity and a constant desire to reinvent ourselves for the greater benefit of our customers," said Luc Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the STM.

On Métrovision screens

The STM is able to provide occupancy levels on the Orange line because it is served entirely by AZUR trains. They are the only trains with the necessary electrical components to estimate the number of passengers on board. The information provided will include:

• Four levels of occupancy, like those used on the mobile site
• Up-to-the-minute refreshing and an AI system that accounts for ridership history implemented by STM teams
• Near-real-time estimates for each train car
• An invitation for customers to move toward the front or back of the train, when applicable

On the STM website

Information on Orange line peak periods will also be available on the STM's website, including on its new mobile version, which is already fully deployed and includes other new features, such as:

• Real-time bus occupancy levels
• Optional location settings and network map on the home screen
• Schedules viewable at a glance
• Ability to add favorites (buses or locations)
• Search tool now available on all pages
• Site accessibility for those using screen readers

Bus occupancy levels are also available on our partner apps, Transit and Chrono.

Learn more about the new mobile site

Learn more about occupancy levels

Source : STM

TransLink will be the first transit system in North America to pilot the use of bacteria and virus killing copper on high-touch transit surfaces. This industry-leading project is part of a study that will see various copper-based products and a protective coating called organosilane installed on SkyTrain and buses to test how effective these agents are at destroying viruses and bacteria on transit.

There will be comprehensive testing as part of the initial four-week pilot phase:

• Products will be installed on two trolley buses on high-ridership routes and two SkyTrain cars on the Expo and Millennium Lines.
• Twice weekly the surfaces will be swabbed and tested to determine antimicrobial effectiveness of the products.
• At the end of one month, the surfaces will also be assessed for durability.

The results of this pilot could have wide-reaching impacts for infection prevention for the transit industry and other industries that rely on shared public spaces.

Copper alloy surfaces are naturally antimicrobial with self-sanitizing properties. Recent literature shows that copper alloy surfaces destroy up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses within four hours. Organosilane is a wipe-on coating that can provide long-lasting protection against damaging microbes such as bacteria, mold, mildew and many viruses. When used in tandem with good hygiene and cleaning protocols, copper and organosilanes can help inhibit the buildup and growth of viruses and bacteria.

The project is the result of a partnership between TransLink, Teck Resources Limited (Teck), Vancouver Coastal Health, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Coalition for Healthcare Acquired Infection Reduction (CHAIR) Canada, and the University of British Columbia. This initial phase is fully funded by Teck, as part of its Copper & Health program. It is based on Copper preceding studies conducted by the Infection Prevention & Control team at Vancouver Coastal Health and supported by Teck that have shown copper is effective at killing bacteria and is durable over a period of many years.

Quotes:

Kevin Desmond, TransLink CEO —
"We're proud to be the first transit agency in North America to pilot this industry-leading technology and I look forward to working closely with our project partners. We've been carefully examining new ways to ensure transit is one of the safest public spaces throughout the pandemic. The risk of COVID-19 transmission on transit remains extremely low and this initiative will only bolster our comprehensive cleaning protocols which are already in place. Any findings from this pilot project will be shared with our fellow transit agency colleagues and other industries which may be able to use this emerging technology."

Don Lindsay, President and CEO, Teck —
"We are proud to be working with all the partners on this important pilot project to expand the use of antimicrobial copper in high-traffic public areas and prevent infections. Through the Copper & Health program, Teck has been partnering with healthcare professionals, academia and others for years to help make communities safer. This pilot builds on those efforts at a critical time as the world works to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Dr. Marthe Charles, Medical Microbiologist, Vancouver Coastal Health —
"This project builds on preceding research and will increase our understanding of the effectiveness of copper in killing organisms on frequently-touched surfaces. Positive findings will then be used to study the impact of copper on bacteria and viruses such as COVID-19 and norovirus. This holds future infection control benefits not only for the public in their travels but for healthcare workers and patients who navigate their medical journey at Vancouver Coastal Health and beyond."

Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation —
"Our Foundation plays a vital role in funding innovation through medical research in BC. Donor funding has played a role - here in BC and globally - to accelerate our understanding of the COVID-19 virus and its transmission. This project will leverage the expertise of Vancouver Coastal Health's Infection Prevention & Control team to determine the public health benefits of copper in reducing transmission of COVID-19 and other viruses. We are grateful for the partnership of Teck and TransLink to make this very special "made in BC" research project possible."

Richard Dixon, CHAIR Canada, Chairman & Chief Technology Leader —
"CHAIR Canada has the privilege of being able to be the project manager for this exciting and innovative transit project that has great potential to make a lasting difference in many facets of daily life for the public. We are a non-profit organization that emphasizes technologies and strategies such as copper alloys that make a major difference in air, water and surface contamination. We work with leading Canadian and international healthcare and industry organizations within the context of these key themes: Collaborate, Investigate, Innovate, Educate, Advocate and Research."

More information about Teck's Copper & Health Program:

To find out more information about Teck's Copper & Health Program, the role of antimicrobial copper, and other examples of copper in action, please visit coppersaveslives.com.

Source : TransLink

Global mobility technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that it has signed a contract with Mosaic Transit Partners Maintenance GP (MTM) to provide 30 years of maintenance services for the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Toronto. Under the agreement, Bombardier will maintain a fleet of light rail vehicles as well as wayside track and overhead catenary system assets for the new LRT line scheduled to be completed in 2023.

The Finch West LRT project is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) of Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx and Mosaic Transit Group. Mosaic was awarded a contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new LRT line that will run along Finch Avenue West in Toronto and be fully integrated with the city's existing transit system. Bombardier will be a subcontractor to MTM, which is a joint venture of ACS Infrastructure and AECON.

"We bring our deep understanding of transportation in the GTHA region and our extensive experience as a provider of mobility solutions and participant in PPPs to ensure that Finch West LRT will provide the same high level of safe, efficient and reliable transportation as the rest of the Metrolinx network."

"We are delighted to be part of the team that is expanding mobility options for the citizens of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)," said Elliot G. (Lee) Sander, President, Americas Region, Bombardier Transportation. "We bring our deep understanding of transportation in the GTHA region and our extensive experience as a provider of mobility solutions and participant in PPPs to ensure that Finch West LRT will provide the same high level of safe, efficient and reliable transportation as the rest of the Metrolinx network."

Bombardier is a global leader in providing rail services that enhance availability, reliability and safety.

Globally, Bombardier supports over 600 services projects with 9,000 services employees in 14 countries. In North America alone, Bombardier provides maintenance and/or operations services for transit systems including Metrolinx (GO Transit and UP Express) in Toronto, exo in Montreal, OC Transpo in Ottawa, TransLink (West Coast Express) in British Columbia, Central Florida Commuter Rail (SunRail), the Maryland Transit Administration (MARC Brunswick and Camden Lines), NJ TRANSIT (River Line), North County Transit District (COASTER and SPRINTER rail services) in California, and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink).

In addition, Bombardier will maintain the fleet and wayside systems for the Toronto Eglinton Crosstown Line and, as part of TransEd O&M Partners GP, will provide turnkey operations and maintenance services for the new Edmonton Valley Line in Alberta. Bombardier also operates and maintains automated transit systems at 14 airports in the United States and supports customers with overhaul and refurbishment programs, as well as with material and technology solutions.

Bombardier Transportation is a global mobility solution provider leading the way with the rail industry's broadest portfolio. It covers the full spectrum of solutions, ranging from trains to sub-systems and signalling to complete turnkey transport systems, e-mobility technology and data-driven maintenance services. Combining technology and performance with empathy, Bombardier Transportation continuously breaks new ground in sustainable mobility by providing integrated solutions that create substantial benefits for operators, passengers and the environment. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Bombardier Transportation employs around 36,000 people and its products and services operate in over 60 countries.

With over 52,000 employees across two business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in over 25 countries across the segments of Aviation and Transportation. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Bombardier posted revenues of $15.8 billion US. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Source : Bombardier

TransLink today announces that Bombardier Transportation has been chosen to manufacture the largest ever order of SkyTrain cars for the Expo and Millennium Lines.

The 205 new SkyTrain cars will allow TransLink to retire older vehicles, improve fleet quality, and keep service reliable for customers. The contract will also support service expansion as the region's transit network grows with the Broadway Subway Project and Surrey Langley SkyTrain. The first new SkyTrain car is expected to arrive in 2023, with all new vehicles in service by the end of 2027.

The highlights of the $721.2 million order are as follows:

• 125 new SkyTrain cars to replace first-generation MKI vehicles which entered service in 1985, and to support the Broadway Subway Project;
• 80 SkyTrain cars to improve capacity on the Expo and Millennium Lines; and
• An option for additional cars to support Surrey Langley SkyTrain.

The selection of Bombardier follows the completion of a competitive and transparent procurement process. The project was an open market Request for Proposal issued in July 2019 allowing any organization that met the requirements to submit a proposal. Read the 2020 December Board report. TransLink will sign a contract with Bombardier in the coming days.

The purchase of these SkyTrain cars is part of the Expo Millennium Line Upgrade Program. The program is funded with an investment of $1.47 billion through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program with contributions from the Government of Canada, Government of B.C. and TransLink.

Quotes:

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities —
"Together we are making historic investments in public transit infrastructure and, of equal importance, in the Canadians who build it. The Government of Canada's help in buying 205 new SkyTrain cars is not just about faster commutes -- it's about good union jobs, cleaner air, and developing Canadian clean-technology. We're building opportunities for a better Canada. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."

George Heyman, Minister responsible for TransLink and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy —
"Residents and visitors to the Lower Mainland depend on fast and convenient ways to travel throughout the region. The need is growing and along with expanding Skytrain service these new cars will improve the commuter experience as well as reduce carbon emissions. People in B.C. are increasingly choosing public and active transportation options. That's good for our economy and for our environment."

Jonathan X. Coté, Chair of the Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation —
"This order of SkyTrain cars is a monumental step forward for rapid transit service in our region. These cars will provide a major capacity increase for Expo and Millennium Line riders and help Metro Vancouver's long-term COVID-19 economic recovery by bringing SkyTrain expansions one step closer to completion."

Kevin Desmond, TransLink CEO —
"Almost four decades ago our very first SkyTrain cars entered service, travelling between Vancouver and New Westminster. Those first-generation trains have served our region efficiently and reliably over many years, but they are now reaching the end of their lifecycle. This new order will replace our oldest trains and allow us to improve the customer experience, support expansion projects, and manage our capacity well into the future."

Elliot G. (Lee) Sander, Bombardier Transportation Americas Region President —
"We are proud and honored that TransLink is once again choosing to renew its long-standing partnership with Bombardier. Our commitment to support the development of public transit in Metro Vancouver remains as strong as ever. We are also proud that the new rail cars will be designed, assembled and tested in Canada."

More Information

• Expo Millennium Line Upgrade Program
• 2020 December Board reports

With this season's first snowfall now occurring in Metro Vancouver, TransLink is releasing details of various initiatives which will be deployed to keep transit moving as safely and efficiently as possible.

"Commuting this winter will look a bit different compared to previous years as we navigate these unprecedented times," says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. "With our comprehensive COVID-19 safety and cleaning measures in place, this winter we'll be working hard to ensure our transit system continues to move safely and efficiently during the colder months ahead."

• Roping off the control panel area on SkyTrain – SkyTrain cars may have the front section roped off when Station Attendants are required to monitor guideways during snowfall.
• Mandatory mask rule – During the colder months ahead masks will remain mandatory on transit.
• Comprehensive cleaning regime – Continuing with rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing of transit vehicles.

• Tire socks – Tire socks will be made available for use on Burnaby Mountain and the North Shore.
• Snow Desk – There will be a designated Snow Desk in the Transit Communications Centre to monitor bus routes and road conditions. The Snow Desk also plays a vital role in communicating with various internal and external stakeholders such as Customer Information, Operations, Maintenance, local municipalities, and universities.
• Snow Monitoring – Contractors who plow and shovel at bus loops, exchanges, and SkyTrain stations will be encouraged to upload photos for verification of snow conditions.
• Trolley bus wires anti-icing trucks – Trucks will spray de-icing fluid around the entire 300km electric trolley overhead system when there's frost or ice risk.
• Additional bus tire traction – Bus Operators can use a snow switch which gives bus tires better traction in snow.
• Bus switch outs – Articulated buses can be switched for conventional buses. 40-foot conventional buses carry fewer passengers, but have better traction in snow, especially on steep terrain.
• Snow routes – Work with municipalities to coordinate our service with priority corridors for snow clearing, should conditions become severe.

• Millennium Line coupling – During heavy snowfall, trains on the Millennium Line will be coupled together (4-car trains) to maximize capacity while SkyTrain Attendants monitor guideways.
• SkyTrain guideway monitoring – SkyTrain Attendants will be positioned at the front of trains during heavy snowfall. This initiative improves reliability on the system by limiting emergency braking, which can be triggered by heavy snowfall.
• Canada Line heat tracing – Heat tracing has been installed on the power rail in sections where heavy ice buildup has previously resulted in service disruptions.
• SkyTrain de-icing – De-icer trains will keep power rails free of ice. During times of overnight snow, some trains will run through the night to keep tracks clear.
• Problem tree and branch removal – Problem trees and branches situated within ten metres of SkyTrain tracks are being removed.

• Road condition checks – A formal process has been implemented to assess road conditions for customer pickup.
• Partner communication strategy – If service disruptions or schedule changes occur, there's now a strategy in place to notify day programs and health partners of these changes.
• Targeting difficult locations – Customers who can be difficult to access during winter are being contacted early to discuss a clearing plan.
• Extra staffing – If there is a reduction to service, each bus will have two drivers to help customers load and unload.

The grip of winter is starting to take hold, but transit progress doesn't slow down. Construction crews continue to plow forward on the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) project. Metrolinx News takes you inside the project in a newly released station walkthrough video. Check it out.

Don't fancy going for a walk out in the cold?

Why not come on inside and talk a look at how some of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT stations are coming along – right from the comfort of your toasty living room.

Metrolinx and its constructor Crosslinx Transit Solutions continue to make progress on the 19-kilometre long transit line. Tracks are being laid, vehicles are being tested and many of the 25 stations and stops are nearing completion.

Three great examples are Mount Dennis, Keelesdale, and Science Centre stations.

The project really comes to life when you walk down the stairs into Mount Dennis Station and see the platform, the tracks and even see the words 'Mount Dennis' prominently displayed on the wall.

Don't take our word for it, go for a video walkabout here: https://blog.metrolinx.com/2020/12/23/new-station-walkthrough-video-brings-torontos-eglinton-crosstown-lrt-to-life/

Story By : Scott Money, Metrolinx media relations senior advisor

Source : Metrolinx

With the announcement of the new lockdown measures that will be in effect beginning January 9 for a minimum of four weeks, including a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) wishes to provide an update to reassure its customers who will be affected by this situation, particularly essential workers. Both the bus and métro networks, as well as the paratransit service, will remain available, and the STM will maintain its current level of service.

"Since the beginning of this crisis, essential workers have been able to count on us for transportation, and the coming weeks will be no exception. It is important for us to maintain a sufficient level of service under these exceptional circumstances to enable compliance with physical distancing requirements. Doing this is helping to make public transit a safe mode of transportation, as no outbreaks have been attributed to the use of our networks," said Luc Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer of the STM.

The STM expects ridership over the next few weeks to be higher than during the first lockdown in the spring, as more business sectors remain open. As such, the STM will not make any major changes to its services, as these have already been optimized to account for both transit needs and operational capacity with the aim of enabling compliance with physical distancing requirements.

Specific ad hoc adjustments may be made, depending on the conditions observed on the ground. Any such changes will be made in the interest of ensuring proper resource management while allowing essential workers to continue making trips under the safest possible conditions. As the situation evolves, customers are invited to use the usual information tools to plan their trips. The STM also wishes to remind customers that they can now see the occupancy levels of the next bus to arrive at a given stop and of métro trains on the Orange line.

Improvements to winter plan for people experiencing homelessness
Because homelessness is a complex social phenomenon involving many civil society stakeholders, the STM is already working closely with the SPVM and its partners in community organizations. These efforts will be redoubled in the coming weeks in order to improve the winter plan. Specific measures will be implemented in light of the 8 p.m. curfew, in particular an increased presence of on-the-ground teams, to continue providing our customers with safe transportation while aiming to allow people experiencing homelessness to access the appropriate resources.

Maintenance of active worksites
The STM's main active worksites will be maintained. This includes accessibility projects at métro stations and the construction of new infrastructure, such as the Bellechasse bus garage. However, work will have to end before 8 p.m. to comply with government policy. No new projects will begin before February 8. Additionally, all health measures will be enforced, particularly keeping the number of people present at a worksite simultaneously to a minimum.

Curfew implementation
With a bus network covering 500 square kilometres and 68 métro stations with 126 entrances buildings and 50 public access points, it would be impossible for STM employees to monitor each customer's reason for making each trip. The STM therefore leaves it to the appropriate authorities to fill this role and call upon the civic duty of all residents to comply with this curfew and the new lockdown measures in place.

"During the day, if you have an essential trip to take by bus, métro or paratransit, take all recommended precautions in place and, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., leave our networks free for those who really need them: the essential workers on the front lines of this pandemic," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors.

Source : STM

Next Wed., Feb. 10, the TTC Board will discuss the future of Line 3, the Scarborough Rapid Transit system (SRT). (Board Meetings are live-streamed on the official TTC Youtube channel) The issue of whether or not to proceed with the life extension of the SRT is of particular significance given the SRT's trains are 10 years past their design life.

"Our priority is to provide safe, reliable and accessible service to everyone. The SRT trains have already been overhauled to maintain their safety," said TTC CEO Rick Leary. "The SRT trains have been in service for 35 years - 10 years past their design life. We know it has become increasingly difficult to maintain reliable service on Line 3 due to the age of the vehicles and obsolescence of critical parts."

Today, in advance of next week's Board meeting, a report was released which outlines three options for interim service until the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) is opened in 2030. These options are:

1. Another investment to overhaul the SRT vehicles coupled with increased bus service;
2. Decommissioning the SRT with new, replacement hybrid buses operating along the route until the SSE is completed; and
3. Decommissioning the SRT with a combination of new and currently owned replacement buses operating along the route until the SSE is completed.

It is critical to ensure TTC customers, local communities and stakeholders are well informed of the state of the SRT as well as the various risks and challenges of operating the SRT until the scheduled opening of the SSE. The report also reviews the investment required for each of the outlined options until the anticipated 2030 completion of the SSE with both bus replacement options being more affordable than extending the life of the SRT trains.

The TTC is recommending the Board approve further review of Options 2 and 3.

• Option 1 is the highest cost option with life cycle cost of $522.4 million and with high risk of not achieving the required service reliability, Option 1 is not recommended for further consideration.
• Option 2 and Option 3 are both low risk options for achieving the required service reliability and with lower life cycle costs of $374.8 million for Option 2 and $357.4 million for Option 3. Furthermore, both are low risk options from a cost, schedule, and deliverability perspective and therefore are recommended for further consideration.

Pending TTC Board approval, customer and community engagement will be undertaken in order to collect input to inform routing for bus services in the SRT corridor. The aim of the consultation will be to ensure a high quality transit service will be planned and communicated well in advance of any changes to the SRT. The TTC will coordinate with the City of Toronto's Transportation Services to develop priority measures to optimize the bus service along the corridor.

As well, the report to the Board also details consideration for the TTC's mandate to be completely accessible by 2025. Four of the six SRT stations do not currently meet AODA requirements. The complete bus replacement option supports the TTC's goal of making public transit accessible to all by running AODA-compliant, all-accessible buses on the line beginning in 2023.

Read this report here.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am a SRT transit customer, how will my trip/journey change if I am now on a bus?

We expect that bus trips may generally take longer than the SRT. However, we expect many of the updated routes will save our customers the transfer in their journey and offer more reliable service.

The bus routing options are to be determined, pending TTC Board review, and will involve public input and detailed analysis of travel times and overall customer experience. This will include potential improvements in the corridor to keep travel times as efficient and reliable as possible.

What are the key challenges to keep the SRT running safely to 2030?

There are a number of challenges in keeping the SRT running until 2030. The key challenges include:

• Costly: The overhaul to keep the SRT safely running until 2030 is estimated to cost over $520 million, which is unfunded. This is a bare minimum and would not guarantee reliable service.
• Aging vehicles: The SRT vehicles were designed to be retired in 2010. They are 10 years past their design life of 25 years.
• Maintenance reliability: The SRT vehicles are becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain, reliability continues to degrade, and parts are becoming more difficult to find.
• Service reliability: The SRT's service was reduced by 50% from peak in the Fall of 2020 due to technical issues. There are limited spare trains, which are unable to maintain reliable service standards and continue to make service reliability vulnerable.
• Inclement weather: The SRT is susceptible to inclement weather including overheating in the summer and service suspension in the winter due to snow and ice.
• Accessibility: All TTC stations and vehicles must be AODA compliant by 2025. Lawrence East, Ellesmere, Midland and McCowan stations are currently not barrier-free.

How many buses are needed to carry as many people as the SRT carries in peak hours?

Overall, it is estimated that an additional 75 buses per hour will travel into Kennedy Station based on today's ridership levels. It is estimated there will be up to 86 buses per hour by 2031.

The replacement service is planned to operate better than one bus per minute, with the aim to replace more than Line 3 Scarborough's current peak capacity. To do this, the TTC would need approximately 60 additional buses if the bus replacement service option is adopted.

Will the additional buses create added congestion and pollution?

The TTC will be purchasing hybrid buses in a commitment to greening our fleet and some of these vehicles will operate in this corridor. These eco-friendly vehicles incorporate hybrid technology and run off power generated onboard that is fueled by diesel engines. Though the vehicles are still using fuel to produce energy, they consume up to 30 per cent less than other non-hybrid buses.

I don't use transit. How will my drive along the corridor be impacted?

There may be increased bus volume in the corridor, which may impact commuting time and residential access. The City and the TTC will be doing investigations as well as outreach and consultations, to determine impacts to businesses, drivers and residents.

Source : TTC

Photo Credit : Nicholas Polischouk

In its role as project manager and principal contractor of the Blue line extension, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is announcing the implementation of a naming committee, which held its first meeting this week. The committee's members have expertise in a variety of relevant fields and belong to various industries and organizations. Their main task will be to propose names for the future stations on the Blue line extension by summer 2021.

"The members of the committee have no small task ahead, and I would like to thank them for answering the call. Expectations are high, and the names that we select will be written in history. I would also like to note that the committee's appointed members reflect the recommendations of the Public Consultation Commission held last winter in the interest of ensuring proper representation of Montréal's diversity," said Philippe Schnobb, Chair of the STM Board of Directors, who also chairs this committee.

Committee members

• Émilie Thuillier, Mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough and member of the Executive Committee, head of the democratic process, transparency, communications, citizen experience and heritage
• Sonia Djelidi, member of the Conseil interculturel de Montréal
• Anuradha Dugal, president of the Conseil des Montréalaises
• André Dudemaine, founding member of Land InSights, Indigenous cultural consultant
• Yvan Lamonde, historian and member emeritus of the Société historique de Montréal
• Odile Craig, urban planning advisor, Saint-Léonard borough representative
• Jocelyn Jobidon, director of urban development, Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough representative
• Mathieu Perreault, urban planning advisor, Anjou borough representative
• Sonia Vibert, head of the Heritage division, Direction de l'Urbanisme, Ville de Montréal
• Dominic Duford, urban planning advisor for the Heritage division, Direction de l'Urbanisme, Ville de Montréal
• Laurence Parent, member of the STM Board of Directors, Transport adapté customer representative
• Philippe Schnobb, Chair of the STM Board of Directors, committee chair
• Maha Clour, Lead Project Manager, Municipal and Commercial Interfaces, STM
• Benoît Clairoux, Institutional Communications Advisor, STM

General approach for proposals
The committee's first tasks are to establish the criteria for a proposal to be added to the list of potential names and to determine how to proceed with analyzing the proposals and making final decisions. The committee has already decided to make plenty of space for women in the proposal analysis. It has also set an intention to ensure that the final choices represent multicultural and Indigenous realities. The process will also involve the Banque de toponymie municipale, a list of place names continuously updated through citizen suggestions. Selections will then be made by the appropriate governing bodies within the partner organizations of the Blue line extension project.

"In a few months, citizens, customers and employees will be able to find out what names have been chosen for the new stations. With the naming committee beginning its work, we are one step closer to completing the Blue line extension!" said Schnobb.

Source : STM

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is embarking on a new phase of construction. It will begin work on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds-Roxboro during the first weeks of 2021 in order to commission the future northern portion of the new automated light rail system in November 2024. With the complete shutdown of the rail shuttle running on the former Deux-Montagnes commuter train line on December 31, work will begin in January on the northern portion of the route. Eventually, the old railway line will be transformed to allow for faster, more frequent and higher-capacity transportation service to meet future needs.

In January, following work being performed by exo and CN to make the railway tracks safer, mobilization of the work sites will begin in these two areas, and preparatory work will start in the following weeks.

Between January and late March 2021, shrubs, trees and small vegetation will be removed within the railway right-of-way. This preparatory work is necessary in order to create temporary work areas and to make room for the REM's infrastructure, such as the doubling of the railway track and the construction of six new stations, along with their entrances and parking lots, etc. These activities are controlled and orchestrated by our environmental experts and are carried out according to industry best practices and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

Existing railway infrastructures will also be dismantled, starting with those at the Deux-Montagnes train station at the beginning of the year. The old infrastructure (electrical system, rails, ties, stone ballast) will be demolished to allow for the construction of the automated light rail system. This work will not affect current bus service, and transitional measures and parking spaces will remain available to users.

Beginning in the spring of 2021, work to convert existing crossings to rail or road overpasses will begin in sequence between the Du Ruisseau (in Saint-Laurent) and Deux-Montagnes stations. A total of 14 crossings will be converted on this portion of the route. Obstructions and street closures are to be expected in some areas. Detour routes will be provided.

Other work planned for 2021 in the area includes repairs to and the doubling of the railway track, the construction of retaining walls and overpasses, and the start of construction of REM stations.

A series of public meetings are planned for the Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Laval and Deux-Montagnes areas at the beginning of the year. For the detailed schedule, visit our event page: See the upcoming events

Commissioning of the REM on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds-Roxboro (between the Deux­Montagnes and Pierrefonds-Roxboro stations) is scheduled for the fall of 2024. Every effort is being made to optimize the work and testing schedules in order to commission the REM as soon as possible, while ensuring that the necessary systems and operational tests are completed and conclusive.
Eventually, six stations will be built in Deux-Montagnes, Laval and Pierrefonds-Roxboro. The old train will be transformed into an automated high-frequency light rail system (service every 5 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak times in the area). High-frequency service offers more capacity. The REM has a capacity of 42,120 passengers during the morning rush hour, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., which is almost 2.5 times the line's previous capacity.

Enclosed stations that are protected from the elements will make the experience more comfortable for users, who will wait for the REM on a platform separated from the tracks by an automated screen door system. (It will no longer be possible to drop objects on the tracks or to cross them, improving safety and reliability.) All stations will have elevators and be accessible to people with reduced mobility. Lastly, the cars will be heated, air-conditioned and connected to Wi-Fi.

Source : REM

Alstom announces today the completion of the acquisition of Bombardier Transportation. Leveraging on its clear Alstom in Motion strategy and its strong operational fundamentals and financial trajectory, Alstom, integrating Bombardier Transportation, will strengthen its leadership in the growing sustainable mobility market by reaching a critical size in all geographies and integrating further solutions and assets to better serve its customers worldwide.

The enlarged Group has a combined proforma revenue of around €15.7 billion[1] and a €71.1 billion[2] combined backlog. It employs 75,000 people worldwide in 70 countries, has unparalleled R&D capabilities and a complete portfolio of products and solutions.

"Today is a unique moment for Alstom and the mobility sector worldwide, with the creation of a new global leader centered on smart and sustainable mobility. More than ever, the world has to engage in a deep environmental and social transition to be able to address the great challenges of urbanization, equal opportunity to economic development and climate change. Transportation, essential to the working and social life but with great environmental impact is at the heart of this transition. Our responsibility, together with the 75,000 people of Alstom today, is to transform our unique set of assets created by this transaction into the enabler of this necessary transformation. Our responsibility is to bring the innovation required for such extreme challenges and that all communities throughout the world, as they are traveling to meet loved ones or to work, can have access to the same quality of service and efficiency, while caring for our planet." said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman and CEO of Alstom.

A group serving a growing market

The rail market is supported by fundamental growth drivers, such as accelerated urbanisation, public investment strategies, and the worldwide push for green and digital transformation of transport systems. Despite the pandemic, recent stimulus announcements clearly confirm the development of sustainable mobility and more specifically of rail as a long-term priority. The rail manufacturing market is expected to grow at a 2.3% CAGR by 2025[3].

An increased worldwide reach, building on complementarities of the two groups

The Group will have an unparalleled commercial reach in all geographies thanks to the complementarities of the two companies. While the Alstom Group already had a well-established customer base in France, Italy, Spain, India, South East Asia, Northern Africa and Brazil, Bombardier Transportation will bring strong customer proximity in strategic markets such as the United-Kingdom, Germany, the Nordics, China, and North America. The Group will have now in particular very strong capabilities in Europe and North America, which represent approximately 75% of the OEM accessible market.

As previously announced, the headquarters of Alstom of the Americas will be based in Montréal, Québec – leading all operations in the region – as well as establishing a centre of excellence for design and engineering that will build on Québec's well-established strengths in innovation and sustainable mobility.

Alstom will be even closer to its clients and able to leverage its knowledge of mobility worldwide to offer the best, fit-for-purpose mobility solutions.

A complete portfolio of rail products and solutions, strengthened product lines

The Group will offer mobility operators and network providers products and solutions throughout the entire rail value chain. Integrating Bombardier Transportation, Alstom will have the most complete rail portfolio. In Rolling Stock, its portfolio will range from light rail to very high-speed trains, including new strategic products such as people mover and monorail. The Group will be able to serve its clients in the Services space with a wider maintenance facilities network and larger predictive maintenance capabilities. With a fleet of 150,000 vehicles, Alstom will have the largest installed base worldwide, a unique springboard to further expand its leadership in Services. Its Signalling product line gains significant scale, becoming No. 2 worldwide[4] in terms of revenue, acquiring technological capabilities and commercial capacities in strategic markets, complementary to Alstom's.

A global and balanced footprint to serve clients worldwide

The Group will have access to further strategic industrial capacities with competitive industrial footprint across both mature markets, such as Western Europe, North America, Australia, and growing markets, including Eastern Europe, Mexico and India. Bombardier Transportation brings hubs of expertise for locomotives and bogies in Germany, monorail and people movers in Canada, suburban and regional trains in France and the United-Kingdom, traction in Sweden, along with engineering centres in best cost countries in Thailand. It brings also seven well-established joint-ventures in China. With those immediate strategic additions to Alstom's already diversified footprint, the enlarged Group has access to deeper industrial expertise and is closer to its customers.

Unparalleled R&D capabilities to fuel green and smart innovation

Alstom is already a pioneer in mobility with leading innovations such as the recent hydrogen train, autonomous train operation, energy efficient rolling stock and infrastructure. Bringing together c.17,500 engineering and R&D talents from both groups, consolidating a rich legacy of 10,000 patents and incorporating significant additional technologies from Bombardier Transportation, for example in predictive maintenance, signalling and digital operations, the Group will be able to develop solutions at a faster pace and on a larger scale to make mobility of tomorrow a reality. Alstom is accelerating towards its ambition: be the global innovative player for a sustainable and smart mobility.

Confirmed long-term value creation for all stakeholders

Customers and passengers will benefit from the proximity of Alstom's employees and sites, unmatched innovation capacities, a comprehensive rail product & solutions portfolio, and commitment to an efficient delivery.

The employees of Bombardier Transportation join the Alstom Group as from January 29, 2021. These new talents will enrich Alstom's operational profile at all levels and build, with Alstom's employees, one agile, inclusive and responsible Alstom team.

With rail being the lowest CO2 emissive motorized mode of transportation, the Group is more than ever focused on its ambition to decarbonize mobility. Alstom reaffirms its commitments to create a positive impact in the communities it operates, to provide employees with the best working environment and experience, and to be at the highest standards in terms of responsible business practices.

Alstom confirms its objective to generate €400 million cost synergies on annual run rate basis by the fourth to fifth year[5] and to restore Bombardier Transportation's margin to a standard level in the medium term. The transaction is expected to be double digit EPS accretive from year 2 post closing[6] and to preserve Alstom's strong credit profile with a Baa2 rating.

Shareholding and governance: a new main shareholder with a long-term investment approach

CDPQ (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec) today becomes Alstom's main shareholder with 17.5% of Alstom's share capital. CDPQ is committed to a long-term shareholder approach with a strong track record of investing in infrastructure and transport assets.

Bouygues now holds approximately 6% of Alstom's share capital.

In accordance with the resolutions approved by the Alstom's Shareholders' Meeting held on October 29, 2020, Ms Kim Thomassin, representing CDPQ, and Mr Serge Godin joined today Alstom's Board of Directors. Mr Benoit Raillard has been appointed by Alstom's Board of Directors as observer (censeur) upon CDPQ's proposal.

Price and Financing

The reference price was established at €5.5 billion, at the bottom of the range of €5.5 billion to €5.9 billion communicated on September 16^th, 2020. The proceeds for the acquisition were established at €4.4 billion, which include the impact of the minimum cash adjustment mechanism based on a negative net cash position of Bombardier Transportation as of December 31^st, 2020 and other further contractual adjustments for an amount of €1.1 billion.

The acquisition was financed[7] through the rights issue of around €2 billion completed on December 7, 2020, and part of the senior bond issuance of €750 million completed on January 11, 2021, and by the reserved capital increases to the benefit of affiliates of CDPQ and Bombardier Inc., in total amounts, respectively, of €2.6 billion and €500 million completed today as part of the closing of the transaction[8].

Next steps

Alstom will pursue and finalize sales of certain assets of the combined Group in line with the commitments described in the European Commission's press release on July 31^st, 2020. The divestitures will comply with all applicable social processes and consultations with employee representatives' bodies.[9]

Alstom will hold a Capital Markets Day in the summer.

[1] Unaudited pro forma combined revenue for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2020

[2] Calculated by adding up Alstom backlog as of June 2020 (€41.2bn) and Bombardier Transportation backlog as of June 2020 ($33.7bn converted at 1.1284 EUR/USD rate). Bombardier Transportation's backlog figure has not been reviewed for methodological consistency with Alstom's

[3] CAGR between 2017-2019 and 2023-2025 for OEM market - UNIFE Market Study 2020, central scenario (V-shape)

[4] Revenue of signalling activities, based on competitors last publicly available fiscal year (€bn). All figures coming from competitors company fillings, Player #1 and Player #4 completed with Alstom internal estimations; Excluding competitors with a main focus on Chinese domestic market

[5] Post-closing of the acquisition

[6] After cost synergies and implementation costs, and before PPA amortization

[7] The financing proceeds will also contribute to finance the net debt/ cash position of Bombardier Transportation

[8] CDPQ's affiliate, CDP Investissements Inc., subscribed for 64,680,147 new ordinary shares and Bombardier Inc's affiliate, Bombardier UK Holding Limited, subscribed for 11,504,149 new ordinary shares respectively at adjusted subscription prices of approximately €40.67 and approximately €43.46, adjustment resulting of the completion of right issue on December 7, 2020

[9] Alstom will adhere to its divestment and behavioral commitments as part of the European Commission clearance of the acquisition. Details on the behavioral commitments relating to certain on-board units and train control management systems including relevant contact details are available at https://www.alstom.com/obu-commitments

Source : Alstom

Following extensive consultation with local partners, Ontario is seeking a financial commitment from the federal government to fund an updated Light Rail Transit (LRT) plan for the people of Hamilton. The province is identifying the Hamilton LRT project as a fifth priority transit project, joining the Ontario Line Subway, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Yonge North Subway Extension projects.

"We're keeping our word and honouring our $1 billion capital commitment to transportation infrastructure investments in the City of Hamilton, and we urge the federal government to join us in building a viable LRT," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "It's going to take all levels of government to make a meaningful Hamilton LRT project a reality. Everyone is going to need to pitch in."

The original Hamilton LRT proposal, approved by the previous government, went from McMaster University to Eastgate Square. This proposal was found to cost significantly more than the reported $1 billion, as confirmed by the Auditor General. These previously-hidden costs posed an unsustainable burden on Ontario taxpayers and informed the decision to update the project proposal.

In response, the province created a Hamilton Transportation Task Force to work to help shape the future of high priority transit in Hamilton by providing new proposals. Within two months, the Task Force submitted its report providing recommendations on future transportation infrastructure for the City of Hamilton.

The Task force noted a higher-order transportation option, such as an LRT, to be their preferred option. Metrolinx has since been undertaking a technical review of the Task Force's recommendations to determine what options were possible, which has been received and reviewed by the Ministry of Transportation.

The technical review indicates a $1 billion LRT system funded solely with provincial capital would not be of sufficient length to be a viable project to benefit the people of Hamilton. The report suggests a longer LRT, for example running from McMaster and extending beyond Downtown Hamilton to Gage or further, could be a viable option pending federal funding. A feasible LRT project is therefore only possible if the federal government partners with the province.

"Our government's commitment has always been and continues to be $1 billion for transportation infrastructure for the City of Hamilton," said Minister Mulroney. "Canada, Ontario and the City of Hamilton have a shared responsibility to build transit infrastructure quickly and efficiently to keep people moving and drive business as we look to strengthen and rebuild our economy. Moving forward with this LRT project would mean Hamiltonians will finally get the transit they deserve."

"I was pleased to speak with the province this morning and welcome the news that they will be naming the Hamilton LRT as one of five priority transit projects," said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. "We look forward to working with the provincial and federal governments to make this project a reality. Public transit is a priority of Council and I am grateful to Premier Ford and Minister Mulroney for helping to bring this important project back on track."

"Today's announcement recognizing the Hamilton LRT as a priority project is an optimistic step forward for getting shovels in the ground of this highly-anticipated project," said Joseph Mancinelli, LiUNA International Vice President and Regional Manager of Central and Eastern Canada. "Investing in significant transit infrastructure will continue to create thousands of jobs for LiUNA members and workers across the skilled trades, while addressing critical improvements to existing infrastructure, working collaboratively to invest, expand and strengthen communities across Ontario. On behalf of LiUNA, we look forward to a promising partnership with the provincial and federal government as we work together to get shovels in the ground on mass transit priority projects across the GTHA."

• The Hamilton Transportation Task Force was created in January 2020 and provided a report to the Minister of Transportation with a list of transportation projects that can be delivered quickly and in a fiscally responsible manner.
• The Task Force report, released publicly in April, identified a higher-order transit such as an LRT, as their top choice for transportation infrastructure in the city.

• Hamilton Rapid Transit Benefits Report
• Hamilton Transportation Task Force Report

Historic investments made since 2015

Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $13 billion for public transit projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

These historic investments in public transit have resulted in over 1,300 projects right across the country. Thanks to these investments, more than 247 km of new public transit subway and light rail line has been built, over 300 zero-emission buses have been purchased, and almost 500 km of active transportation trails, bike and pedestrian lanes and recreational paths have been created.

For example, in Vancouver, BC, investments have allowed for upgrades to the Skytrain Expo and Millennium Lines. In Coldwell, MB, the purchase of a handi-van is providing mobility options for seniors and residents with disabilities, and in Montreal, the construction of the Réseau express métropolitain, a new automated light rail network that will span the greater Montréal area, is now well under way.

With these investments, the government has worked with its provincial, territorial and municipal partners to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster more inclusive communities.

The impacts of COVID-19 and need to build back better

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we use public transit but has not made it any less important. Public transit, rural transit solutions and active transportation infrastructure continue to provide reliable, fast, affordable and clean ways for people to get around. These benefits are felt the most by disadvantaged groups for whom car travel isn't accessible. Essential workers have relied on buses, subways, ride-sharing programs and pathways to get to where they are needed in grocery stores, hospitals and care facilities.

In addition to providing an essential service, Canada's transit systems are key economic drivers, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in economic benefits, starting from the planning stage all the way through construction and operation. Investments in public transit, particularly in electrification, are critical to Canada's meeting its climate targets since the transportation sector accounts for about 25 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. As the government looks to economic recovery, public transit is critical to getting the economy moving again.

Canada has a great story to tell on public transit. Most Canadians may not realize that Canada is a world leader in transit manufacturing. Automotive sector workers in Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Saint-Eustache and Saint-Jérôme produce some of the world's best buses, subways and LRTs.

Establishing the permanent public transit fund

Today's announcement establishes the creation of a permanent public transit fund of $3 billion per year, beginning in 2026-27 . For decades governments have heard from municipalities and transit authorities that a source of permanent and stable funding is essential to allow for careful and long-term project planning and delivery.

Over the coming months, Infrastructure Canada will work with provinces, territories, municipalities, local governments, Indigenous communities, transit agencies, policy experts and other stakeholders to develop programming for the $3 billion in permanent public transit funding in a manner that offers the greatest benefits to Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Consultations on the design of the new permanent transit funding will begin in the near future to address how all orders of government can work in partnership to get the most out of investments in public transit.

Accelerating ambitious public transit projects and planning

The government is moving rapidly to support the recovery from COVID-19. Building on these historic investments, today the government also announced additional public transit funding that will accelerate ambitious projects and planning that will:

1. Help Canadians move around easier and create new jobs by building major public transit projects, providing dedicated planning funding to accelerate future major projects, and supporting the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
   
2. Reduce pollution and create jobs for Canadians by enhancing public transit systems and switching them to cleaner electrical power, including supporting the use of zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure.
3. Support healthy lifestyles in our communities and meet the growing demand for active transportation projects, including by building walkways and paths for cycling, walking, scooters, e-bikes, and wheelchairs.
4. Help Canadians living in rural and remote areas travel to and from work easier and access essential services, by working with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to identify and create transit solutions that meet their needs.

The importance of safe, modern, and efficient public transit systems has been magnified over the course of the pandemic, and public transit will remain a critical element of the sustainable mobility of future cities, providing an efficient way to address congestion and reduce pollution, and enabling people in our communities to access jobs, services, and be active participants in those communities. Investments under these new funds will be directed to projects that best support the recovery from COVID-19 and create the greatest benefits for Canadians.

Source : Infrastructure Canada

Investing in public transit infrastructure shortens commute times for families, creates good middle class jobs, grows our economy, and cuts air pollution. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $13 billion in 1,300 public transit projects for communities across Canada. This is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history, and as we build back better from the global COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to make these smart investments that support Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced $14.9 billion for public transit projects over the next eight years, which includes permanent funding of $3 billion per year for Canadian communities beginning in 2026-27. This announcement provides cities and communities the predictable transit funding they need to plan for the future, and is part of our plan to create one million jobs, fight climate change, and rebuild a more sustainable and resilient economy. These investments will:

• Help Canadians move around easier and create new jobs by building major public transit projects, providing dedicated planning funding to accelerate future major projects, and supporting the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day.
• Reduce pollution and create jobs for Canadians by enhancing public transit systems and switching them to cleaner electrical power, including supporting the use of zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure, complementing the work of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Support healthy lifestyles in our communities and meet the growing demand for active transportation projects, including by building walkways and paths for cycling, walking, scooters, e-bikes, and wheelchairs.
• Help Canadians living in rural and remote areas travel to and from work more easily and access essential services, by working with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to identify and create transit solutions that meet their needs.
• Support our cities and communities by making a permanent and stable federal commitment to funding public transit, and facilitate partnerships between all orders of government, Indigenous communities, transit agencies, and other stakeholders to develop an approach to permanent public transit funding in a manner that offers the greatest benefits to Canadians.

Investing in public transit infrastructure will build strong communities across the country and deliver a better quality of life for all Canadians. The government will continue to invest in projects that best support our recovery, create middle class jobs and economic growth, and help us reach our climate targets. Together, we can create a Canada that is cleaner, more competitive, and more resilient for generations to come.

"When we invest in public transit infrastructure, we are supporting good middle class jobs, creating better commutes, fighting climate change, and helping make life easier and more affordable for Canadians. We will continue to do what it takes to ensure our economic recovery from COVID-19 and build back a more resilient country for everyone."
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"As we build back better, it is time to ambitiously invest in modern and sustainable public transit across our country, to reduce congestion, to help create a million jobs, and to support cleaner and more inclusive communities. Permanent, long-term funding for public transit will mean new subway lines, light-rail transit and streetcars, electric buses, cycling paths and improved rural transit. It will mean that Canadians can get around in faster, cleaner, and more affordable ways. And it will help drive us to net-zero emissions and ensure a more sustainable future for our kids."
The Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Our government is committed to investing in public transit in communities across the country. We are working in collaboration with municipal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canadians in building a strong economy and clean environment."
The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

"Investing in cleaner and more affordable modes of transportation is an important part of Canada's strengthened climate plan – one that means we will exceed our 2030 target and that will put us on a path to get to net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation accounts for one-quarter of Canada's emissions and represents an area that is in need of smart climate investments, like the ones that we have announced today, to support good Canadian jobs, a stronger economy, and a healthier planet."
The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• Since 2015, the Government of Canada has spent over $13 billion in more than 1,300 public transit projects across Canada. These investments have helped build more than 240 kilometres of new public transit subway and light rail line, purchase over 300 zero-emission buses, and create almost 500 kilometres of active transportation trails, bike and pedestrian lanes, and recreational paths.
• Through the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada is already investing $28.7 billion to support public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• In October, as part of the Canada Infrastructure Bank's three-year, $10 billion Growth Plan, the government announced that $1.5 billion of the available funding will be used to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure so Canadians can have cleaner commutes.
• Canada's strengthened climate plan committed to provide permanent public transit funding. The plan encourages cleaner modes of transportation, such as low and zero-emission vehicles, transit, and active transportation, to make communities healthier, less congested, and more vibrant.
• In July 2020, the Government of Canada announced the Safe Restart Agreement, a federal investment of over $19 billion to help provinces and territories restart their economies while protecting the health of Canadians. The investment included a contribution of up to $2 billion to support municipalities with COVID-19 operating costs for six to eight months, and a commitment to cost-match more than $2.3 billion to support any additional provincial or territorial contributions for public transit.

OC Transpo is launching a customer trial this afternoon for a new touchless way to pay fares using credit cards and smartphones at O-Train Line 1's Rideau Station.

One gate on the west side of the station has been set up to accept Visa and Mastercard, as well as smart phones and watches that use Apple Pay or Google Pay loaded with Visa or Mastercard. During the trial period, customers can easily pay an Adult single-ride fare by tapping the specially marked fare gate with their enabled Visa, Mastercard or associated mobile wallet. During the test period, customers paying by credit card or mobile wallet will only be able to transfer to buses inside the fare paid zone at Tunney's Pasture, Hurdman and Blair Stations. Presto cards remain a payment option.

When the trial wraps up in 2021, OC Transpo expects to roll out the new touchless payment options to all fare gates and buses. We are already working on future upgrades that will bring contactless debit payments to the system.

The trial is a partnership with Scheidt & Bachmann and will give OC Transpo one of the most advanced fare payment systems in Canada. The trial has been fast-tracked so that OC Transpo can offer customers more ways to pay their fare while reducing touch points during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quotes

"I am pleased that OC Transpo is one of the first transit agencies in Canada to offer touchless payment choices to our customers. I know our customers will appreciate the extra convenience and flexibility."

Mayor Jim Watson

"OC Transpo has led the way in keeping our transit customers safe during the pandemic. We were the first transit system in Canada to make mask-wearing mandatory. Now we are among the first in Canada to make touchless credit card payment available. This will further reduce contact points along the system to keep our customers safe."

Councillor Allan Hubley, Chair, Transit Commission

"Scheidt & Bachmann is delighted to provide the City of Ottawa with industry leading technology that will enable customers to pay their fare simply by tapping a credit card or mobile wallet. This trial marks an important milestone for Ottawa as they become one of the first cities in Canada to offer a suite of contactless fare payment options to their customers. We are honoured by this opportunity to grow our long-standing partnership with OC Transpo."

Karen Swanborough, Regional Vice President, Scheidt & Bachmann

You can view OC Transpo's promotional video.

Visit octranspo.com for more information on the new touchless fare payment options.

Source : OC Transpo

Passengers traveling, or soon returning to more regular GO Transit trips might notice something a little out of the ordinary when their train comes to a stop. An ancient Japanese practice is now in place and it's aimed at improving the door operations of the coaches and ultimately making the GO system even safer.

Mother always said it was impolite to point.

And don't get her started on speaking loudly.

But in this case, taking a page out of lessons originally learned on Japan's transit network, dramatic hand gestures and loud calls are signs of refinement – and added safety.

GO trains are now pulling into stations and opening their doors with the customer service ambassadors – the CSAs who are stationed in the accessibility coach – pointing at certain indicators and calling out their status loudly to themselves. These instructions are not for customers and are only for the CSAs.

It's called 'Shisa Kanko' – a pointing and calling safety practice used on Japanese railways for almost a century.

Alstom, the company formerly known as Bombardier, provides the crews that operate GO Transit's train fleet.

"By pointing and calling out actions, an operator's focus is heightened during key moments."

According to Quadri, some of the CSAs work and operate 60 to 70 stops a day and with so many platforms, it's easy to fall into a routine and create an automatic habit.

The same can be said about anyone who drives or walks to and from the same destination or constantly does the same action repeatedly. Most of us have driven to a regular destination, and then thought 'I actually can't really recall the details of that ride'.

Point and call helps transit staff break out of that automation by stimulating the senses.

It involves the CSA pointing at a spotting location and calling out 'good spot'.

The CSA will then point in both directions and at the same time yell 'clear right, clear left' determining when the platform is safe to open the doors.

"I find I'm sharper and on the ball more with this new method," explains Katelyn Drysdale, a CSA for 11 years.

With the organization constantly evolving, she says her, and her colleagues are used to changes and adapting to new practices.

According to Drysdale, point and call was easy to pick up and she already finds it very effective. "It allows me to take a step back and get a proper sense of my environmental awareness, something that is crucial for me while operating the doors, she explains."

Once customers have boarded or deboarded the train, they may see the CSA stepping out of the train, and again pointing in both directions calling 'clear right, clear left', making sure no passengers are left behind before safely closing the doors.

The gesture may seem a little silly, or a tad dramatic, but it's effective. Japan's public transit system, a transportation network that moved 12 billion passengers annually prior to the pandemic, is considered one of the world's safest transit systems.

"I had observed this practice in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and I thought if other world class transit agencies are adopting this, why not us?"

Metrolinx was quick to support this innovative idea, especially as the transit agency gets ready to launch the largest expansion of GO service in it's history.

"This is an important addition to the CSA workflow especially on corridors where we have massive construction projects underway," says Rob Andrews, director of Rail Operations at Metrolinx.

Andrews also mentioned the practice won't negatively impact GO Transit's on time performance, something he and his team are committed to delivering, knowing the importance for customers.

Nearly all customer service ambassadors have now been trained and are currently practicing point and call.

Story and Photos : Nitish Bissonauth, Metrolinx bilingual spokesperson, media relations and issues specialist

The latest analysis from Metrolinx reveals how the project will serve the heart of major growth centres and significantly cut travel times – creating a critical and long awaited extension of our transit network.

Updated plans for the Yonge North Subway Extension show how the project will make commutes faster and easier for tens of thousands of people travelling between York Region and Toronto.

The release of an updated business case today- you can find that here – is an important step forward for the project, which calls for roughly eight kilometres of new subway service on Line 1, extending north from Finch Station to Richmond Hill. A flagship project in Metrolinx's innovative Subway Program, these new Yonge North Subway Extension transit connections will open up new travel possibilities in every direction across the region's growing transit network.

One of the more noticeable and innovative changes in the updated plan is how the line will run at ground level in the northern part of the extension, linking up with the CN railway corridor in the area of Langstaff Road.

Adjusting the route of the line in this area will better position the project to serve the Richmond Hill Centre and Langstaff Gateway urban growth centres, which are poised for significant development. Creating stronger connections here will mean better connections to transit, including the Richmond Hill GO train line, and less traffic congestion as communities grow.

This shift will also ensure the project can be built in less time by minimizing lengthy and disruptive excavations, in turn reducing inconveniences to neighbouring communities.

The adjusted plans also protect for further extension of the line in the future by positioning the northern end of the project along a pre-existing rail corridor.

As jurisdictions look at ways to manage the impacts of COVID-19, the thousands of jobs and over $3.6 billion worth of economic benefits this project will generate will also help stimulate the economy. During construction, the project is expected to support the equivalent of 4,300 full-time jobs each year, leading to new opportunities for businesses and workers that provide the services and equipment needed to build and operate the extension.

Transforming your commute

The Yonge North Subway Extension will bring a world-class level of convenience and a better quality of life to the communities it serves. The extension will eventually accommodate 94,100 boardings each weekday and put 26,000 more people within a 10-minute walk to a station. The project is expected to reduce commute times to downtown Toronto by as much as 22 minutes.

The extension will also offset traffic congestion as drivers get out from behind the wheel in favour of using the subway. It's predicted that the extension will reduce the total distance travelled by cars during the morning rush hour by 7,700 kilometres, leading to a reduction of 4,800 tonnes in auto-related greenhouse gas emissions each year.

The new path forward

Planning teams investigated three options for the route, or alignment, the extension will follow.

One option looked at the project as initially proposed, while teams explored new routes for the northern portion of the alignment in the other two.

Ultimately, the alignment that is moving forward for further study places the northern section of the extension at the surface along the existing CN Railway corridor, instead of tunneling all the way to Richmond Hill.

Under this proposed plan, the line curves away from Yonge Street near Centre Street and runs underground to the proposed subway tunnel portal north of Langstaff Road, aligning with the CN Railway corridor. This approach eliminates the need for time-consuming and disruptive tunneling and station excavations through the northern segment of the extension and limits the need for large, disruptive excavation sites for underground stations and exit buildings. This allows Metrolinx to limit property needs in areas of the surface-level alignment. By using a dedicated railway corridor that already exists, the project can be finished sooner with fewer hydro, natural gas, and water service disruptions for the community during construction.

Surface-level benefits for stations

Since building above ground is also less costly, this approach maximizes the number of stations included in the project. It also positions the northern stations at sites that provide better transit connections and more opportunities for nearby communities to grow and evolve.

The station previously referred to as Richmond Hill Centre has been tentatively re-named High Tech Station and moves slightly south-east of the original site. It will be built at surface level, beneath the bridge along High Tech Road that spans the CN rail corridor. High Tech Station will put the subway within walking distance for more than half of the residents expected to live in the Richmond Hill Centre area by 2041.

The station previously referred to as Langstaff in previous proposals now moves east and slightly north, to be built at surface level between Highway 7 and Highway 407. This station is tentatively called Bridge Station.

A major benefit of Bridge Station is that it will provide a convenient connection to the Richmond Hill GO train line and many local and GO Transit bus services. It will also link the Richmond Hill Centre and Langstaff Gateway urban growth centres, at roughly the midpoint of each.

These two future communities share more than the boundary of Richmond Hill and Markham. They are united by a vision of transforming into unique urban cores along the Yonge Street corridor.

"Bridge Station maximizes the potential for new communities to grow by bringing the subway closer to development areas," says Becca Nagorsky, Principal Sponsor of Planning and Development with Metrolinx.

And while these plans are critical in helping Richmond Hill Centre and Langstaff Gateway become modern, vibrant communities, the convenient access to the region's transportation network via Highway 7 and Highway 407 also plays an important part. However, the overpasses, barriers and ramps that make up the highway infrastructure also divide the two halves of this burgeoning hub and present age-old challenges for development next to major highways.

The Bridge Station site, located right between those highways, maximizes the development potential of land that might otherwise go unused and preserves valuable nearby development space that will bring more opportunities for these areas to flourish.

Placing the station between two important transportation arteries also makes for stronger connections to other forms of rapid transit, giving residents convenient access to local and regional buses serving York Region and the GTA.

"It vastly improves bus-to-subway transfers by putting the subway station in the path of the Highway 7 VIVA rapidway," Nagorsky explains.

"That means buses don't have to divert off their routes in order to connect to the subway."

Station locations

While all six previously envisioned stations were studied in the business case, detailed analysis shows that the $5.6 billion funding envelope announced for the project can accommodate four stations, if the extension follows the newly proposed alignment.

Steeles, Bridge and High Tech stations were determined to be essential for maximizing the benefits of the project. These stations will significantly improve access to frequent rapid transit and support the growth of the neighbourhoods they serve.

"The stations at Steeles Avenue and in the Richmond Hill Centre area, Bridge and High Tech, contribute a large portion of the extension's ridership," Nagorsky says.

"That's particularly true of the riders who will access the subway by bus."

Metrolinx is working with municipal partners to determine the best location for the fourth station as planning work continues. Metrolinx will also explore innovative funding partnerships that could support a fifth station as the analysis is refined.

Local expertise matters

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario are working with the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation and the TTC, along with municipal partners in Toronto, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill to bring the best ideas to the table and find innovative solutions at every turn.

"Input from our partners has been vital to ensuring we understand the needs and aspirations of each municipality," says Stephen Collins, Metrolinx program sponsor for the Yonge North Subway Extension.

"Given their role in leading the project prior to Metrolinx assuming responsibility, their knowledge and background was helpful in accelerating our understanding of the corridor," he says.

Collins adds that planning and design work previously completed by the partners was carried forward to the updated business case, including analysis of the Yonge Street corridor.

Another example of how Metrolinx is leveraging the experience and expertise of their municipal partners to make the project better is through local insights on how to integrate the extension into the wider transit network.

For example, planning data supplied by the TTC and the City of Toronto is being used to anticipate how expanding access to Line 1 subway service will affect the overall customer experience on the line, especially during peak travel periods. That helps the project partners design the Yonge North Subway Extension with the big picture in mind.

This project – along with its three cousins in the Subway Program portfolio and the many other transit projects underway across the region – will spread demand across the network as it expands.

What's important to note is that the extension won't come online until the Ontario Line begins operation.

When the Ontario Line goes into service, crowding could be reduced by an estimated 14 per cent on the busiest stretch of Line 1. Transfer stations like Bloor/Yonge could see crowding relief by up to 17 per cent.

The TTC is also working on system improvements throughout its network that will help ensure more frequent service and ease congestion on platforms.

What's next?

Very soon, Metrolinx will hold virtual public meetings and other engagement opportunities to seek out input on the project to include wherever possible as planning continues, including environmental assessments.

The next step of the analysis for the project is to confirm the benefits of the extension and refine designs and delivery plans through the Preliminary Design Business Case.

To learn more about the Yonge North Subway Extension and to stay up-to-date on what's happening in your community, visit Metrolinx.com/YongeSubwayExt.

You can always share thoughts, questions or comments on the project by emailing YongeSubwayExt@metrolinx.com or follow the project on social media:

Twitter – @YongeSubwayExt

Instagram – @YongeSubwayExt

Facebook – Yonge Subway Extension

Story by James Moore, Metrolinx senior advisor, Communications and Public Affairs.

As the Ontario Line proceeds through its environmental assessment (EA) process, experts are looking at potential effects on the environment, investigating and suggesting ways to limit them, and considering feedback from residents before a single shovel hits the ground for any proposed work. EAs are a critical step in all major infrastructure projects and the Ontario Line is certainly no exception. This process gives local residents a voice, as the new line is planned and designed to fit into the communities it will serve.

New rail lines change their surroundings.

While additional transit options are always a welcome change, the infrastructure and the operations that support them take some getting used to. That's why – before shovels can go into the ground – plans are designed to keep community impacts to a minimum while striving to offer maximum benefits.

The environmental assessment (EA) process provides a foundation for this important work.

"The EA process ensures that any potential environmental, economic, social and cultural effects that may occur during the lifetime of a major project are thoroughly assessed," said Carrie Sheaffer, Metrolinx Senior Manager, Environmental Programs and Assessment. "It ensures that regulators and public bodies review and consider thorough assessments before construction can begin on an infrastructure project."

This creates an opportunity for the public to get involved.

"A big part of the EA process is the consultation," Sheaffer said. "Engaging and obtaining feedback from ministries, Indigenous communities and members of the general public is integral to the process with requirements clearly spelled out in our EA regulations."

"Residents are consulted throughout and given opportunities to comment. That feedback is very important, we carefully consider it and appropriately address the comments we receive."

"Our team will figure out what works best to mitigate noise and vibration while also fitting seamlessly into the project." Carrie Sheaffer, Metrolinx Senior Manager, Environmental Programs and Assessment

Metrolinx News has already reported on how feedback from the first round of open house meetings in early 2020 is being applied to the Ontario Line design.

WHAT AN EA INCLUDES

The EA process reviews a broad range of impacts.

"Typically, you look at the natural environment as one aspect and there is also the built environment," said Maria Zintchenko, Metrolinx Project Manager for Ontario Line EAs. "It also includes factors such as community amenities, traffic patterns, cultural heritage, archaeology, infrastructure and utilities.

"You get a comprehensive view of how a project fits into that environment, what the impacts are, and how to lessen those impacts. This makes for an all-inclusive assessment."

There are unique challenges to consider before building transit lines in a densely populated city like Toronto.

"We know the longstanding history of the city and its buildings," Zintchenko said. "The built environment and cultural heritage are important in Toronto, and everywhere."

Of course, one issue presents a natural first question for people that live along a proposed transit line.

NOISE AND VIBRATION

"Noise and vibration is also an important factor," she noted.

Starting with the use of proven track and vehicle technologies that meet high standards, Metrolinx has a wide range of tools available to address noise and vibration along the route.

Metrolinx has determined that noise walls will be installed along the existing GO rail corridor through Riverside and Leslieville area. Metrolinx has already begun studying projected noise and vibration levels along the Ontario Line. Early study results show that a noise wall in this area will not only be effective in significantly reducing noise from the Ontario Line, GO Transit and VIA Rail trains, but will reduce noise below what it is today at many locations along the corridor.

Wherever possible, noise walls will be surrounded by trees, plants and attractive landscaping to enhance the appearance of the space for the community. This approach will soften the appearance of noise walls that will shield the area from the new Ontario Line as well as existing GO and VIA services.

Final noise wall designs will be subject to future studies as well as robust consultations with the City of Toronto and local community as part of the EA process.

MORE TOOLS IN THE CHEST

Noise walls will not be the only part of the plan.

The toolkit also includes options such as rail dampers, continuously-welded rail, ballast mats, floating slabs, resiliently supported rail ties and highly resilient fasteners. All of these have been proven effective on transit lines around the world.

"Our team will figure out what works best to mitigate noise and vibration while also fitting seamlessly into the project," Sheaffer said.

An EA is required for all large-scale infrastructure projects that could impact their surroundings. For transit projects across the province, they are required to follow a process set out in a regulation in order to proceed. This requirement is set out in the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). . Certain projects that have more predictable impacts, and are more readily managed, can follow a streamlined approach. This still protects the environment, and shortens the timeline for commencement, review and approval.

STREAMLINED EA FOR ONTARIO LINE

On June 30, 2020, the Ontario Government approved a regulation that outlines a new, streamlined EA process for the Ontario Line. The regulation will help get this transit line constructed efficiently, economically and transparently while maintaining strict environmental oversight.

"The new regulation for the Ontario Line prescribes a very similar approach to what we are used to seeing in the TPAP, with requirements for similar studies and reports," Sheaffer said.

It largely follows the existing TPAP process, except that it has added flexibility. This allows for more certainty in project planning, reduces the risk of delays, and still ensures strong environmental oversight alongside consultation at various stages of the design and procurement process for the project.

Protection of the environment will remain a priority as Metrolinx works to deliver transit relief.

Metrolinx is conducting several detailed environmental assessments along the route of the Ontario Line and will be preparing comprehensive reports on how to address and mitigate potential impacts. They will look at issues like noise and vibration, heritage and the natural environment, to name just a few. Metrolinx will consult on all findings, capture public feedback and address it in final reports before any related construction work begins.

The Environmental Conditions Report was the first in the series of EAs for the Ontario Line, and was finalized in September 2020. It explored the existing environmental conditions along the entire route of the Ontario Line and surrounding areas, along with an initial understanding of potential impacts and possible solutions.

The Early Works Report for Exhibition Station has also been completed, with additional Early Works Reports to follow covering other areas of the line, including reports for the joint rail corridor through Riverside and Leslieville as well as the Lower Don Bridges. This allows consultations to start for smaller tasks that can be completed before the main construction begins. These include station modifications, bridge work, existing rail corridor improvements and utility relocations.

As these early works reports are prepared, work is underway for a more detailed, overarching Environmental Impact Assessment Report that will provide a full analysis of impacts and mitigation measures.

Keep reading Metrolinx news – and visiting MetrolinxEngage – for details on the next round of public engagement on the Ontario Line, which will include EA consultation and other opportunities to learn about the project and provide feedback.

Story by Mike Winterburn, Metrolinx Senior Advisor

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will begin installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all its métro stations this week. The devices will be installed next to station fare booths, where they will be easily accessible and visible. A total of 76 AEDs will be required to cover the full métro network and will be installed gradually over a five-week period.

The STM acquired 209 of these defibrillators following a call for tenders for an overall cost of $306,379. An earlier phase of deployment involved installing AEDs in vehicles used by STM incident commanders and security and control officers to ensure optimal coverage of the surface network. The rest of the devices will be installed not only in the métro network but also in several STM workplaces, such as workshops, bus garages and offices.

"The safety of our customers and employees is paramount, and the fulfilment of this project is excellent news. In just a few weeks, no matter where an incident may happen in a métro station, access to a defibrillator will be less than five minutes away. That can make a huge difference to a survival prognosis," said Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM board of directors.

Easy to use
Even in an emergency situation, these user-friendly devices can be used by someone with no medical or first-aid training, if necessary. The selected model, the LifePak CR2 by Physiocontrol, is automated and includes real-time user instructions. The defibrillator analyzes the patient's heart rate and determines whether or not an electric shock needs to be administered, providing spoken and visual instructions to guide the user through the process.

Making a difference when every minute counts
Early use of an AED triples a person's chances of survival, according to the Jacques-de-Champlain Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving resuscitative care and advancing cardiovascular medical research in Quebec. The STM hopes to help minimize the consequences of cardiovascular events, unpredictable though they are, by making AEDs more accessible to its employees and customers, both throughout the STM's transit network and in its workplaces.

Source : STM

TransLink has replaced aging speakers and signs on the SkyTrain system by installing 280 new customer information screens and over 1,400 new speakers at Expo and Millennium Line SkyTrain stations. These upgrades have modernized communication on the SkyTrain system and improved TransLink's ability to communicate with customers. Expo and Millennium Line customers will notice:

Real-time digital screens

• Outdated signs have been replaced by new "next train screens" on platforms and station entrances to let customers know when their next train is expected to arrive.
• General information screens have been installed to simplify customer decision making with live service information and updates.

Better sound in stations and on trains

• New speakers on trains and at stations for customers to more clearly hear service alerts and notifications.

Improved safety and security at stations

• Over 1,200 new CCTV cameras installed along the Expo and Millennium Lines. These cameras can be monitored live by SkyTrain staff to modify service levels throughout the day and are a valuable resource for Transit Police investigations.

These upgrades have been ongoing since 2018 as part of our SkyTrain Customer Communications Upgrades Program, and is a major milestone to deliver enhanced customer experiences through the Customer Experience Action Plan.

This $79 million program is part of a larger $92.4 million Rapid Transit Systems Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project paid for under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which is funded by the Government of Canada (50 per cent), the Government of British Columbia (33%), and TransLink (17%).

Quotes:

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Member of Parliament for Delta, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities –
"With new speakers, screens, and security cameras, TransLink users will now be safer and better informed while commuting. I'm pleased that these improvements are funded in part by our federal government through the Rapid Transit Systems Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities."

George Heyman, BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Minister responsible for TransLink –
"SkyTrain users now have much better real-time travel information during their journeys. Modernizing TransLink's customer communications is an important investment in both service and safety."

Jonathan X. Coté, Mayors' Council Chair –
"Keeping transit an excellent alternative to driving by improving rider experiences is a critical part of the Mayors' Vision. The signs and speakers on the Expo and Millennium Lines were outdated and replacing them is extremely important for SkyTrain customers. Retrofitting the communication tools at Expo and Millennium Line stations so riders can see and hear real-time information will help to make transit an even more attractive option for people returning to the system in the coming months and years."

Gigi Chen-Kuo, Interim CEO, TransLink –
"Communication and information is a vital part of a customer's experience on transit and this program has modernized our SkyTrain communication technology. We've replaced the 1980's style LED signs and aging speakers with state-of the art information screens and brand-new speakers all over the Expo and Millennium Lines. These upgrades have modernized our system and mean that our customers returning to transit will be welcomed back with much clearer communication technology."

Source : Translink

The train maintenance and storage facility, a critical component of the Ontario Line, will be built on a 175,000-square metre site. Once completed, it will become the central location for the upkeep, repair and resting place for the subway trains, when they're not busy helping move people around Toronto.

After several months of study and assessment, Metrolinx has selected a location for the Ontario Line maintenance and storage facility.

This critical component of the new subway will be built on a site east of Laird Drive, between Overlea Boulevard and Wicksteed Avenue. It's where Ontario Line trains will be stored when they're not getting people across the city and where they'll be inspected, cleaned, and maintained so that they're ready to take riders to their destinations.

"Confirming the location of the maintenance and storage facility is an important step in bringing the vision for the Ontario Line to life," says Metrolinx project sponsor Malcolm MacKay.

"When the facility goes into service, the work that happens there will help us give customers rapid transit that is safe, clean and reliable."

Just like any other public transit operation, the maintenance and storage facility will be a vital organ for the Ontario Line. An estimated 200 train cars will be needed to meet Toronto's needs when the Ontario Line opens, and the fleet will grow by as many as 50 more vehicles to meet demand for service in the future. To house and maintain the trains, Metrolinx needs a site of 175,000 square metres – that's about the size of 24 soccer fields.

"Unfortunately, this amount of vacant land just doesn't exist in the city," says MacKay.

"We want to protect jobs and businesses as best we can, so we looked at a number of different options and weighed all of the potential impacts. We feel confident that the decision we've made comes with the least amount of impacts to the community while still providing an essential piece of Ontario Line infrastructure."

After exploring nine potential locations for the facility, the site in the southeast portion of the Leaside Business Park was selected because studies showed that it keeps impacts to the local community to a minimum while meeting all the needs for the project, including proper zoning for industrial use. Planning teams studied how quickly and easily each site would connect to the main Ontario Line tracks, the ability to expand to meet Toronto's future transit needs, and how impacts on residents, businesses, and the surrounding environment could be minimized – both during construction and after the maintenance facility goes into service.

Minimizing impacts to businesses, employees and residents is a Metrolinx guiding principle, right alongside bringing major transit improvements to underserved neighbourhoods.

Laboring over design decisions and keeping construction and building footprints as slim as possible is one of the ways Metrolinx does this. With a dedicated property team, Metrolinx also works with property owners and tenants to support their relocation, if needed. Decisions and strategies differ from property to property, and each case is considered independently.

"We're challenging ourselves to go the extra mile to come up with creative solutions..."
Jason Ryan, Metrolinx VP of pre-construction services.

"We care about the communities we serve and we know how important local businesses are to them," says Jason Ryan, vice president of pre-construction services for Metrolinx.

"Given the difficulties many of them have been facing recently, we'll be challenging ourselves to go the extra mile to come up with creative solutions – a suite of customized supports to help them adjust, and hopefully relocate nearby if they wish."

In all cases, Metrolinx works directly with any owner whose property needs to be acquired to understand their needs and to reach amicable purchase agreements that provide them with fair market value.

Ryan explains: "We recognize that each business is different, and we'll be doing all that we can to provide tailored supports that will ensure they can continue to thrive."

Members of the community are invited to ask questions and share their feedback on plans for the Ontario Line Maintenance and Storage Facility in an upcoming virtual open house. Open house event details will be shared on Metrolinx.com/OntarioLine in the coming days and participants will be able to register in advance.

Participants can register in advance by visiting Metrolinx.com/OntarioLine. For those unable to attend the live event, there will be an opportunity to submit questions ahead of time. This virtual open house, the first of many to come for neighbourhoods along the Ontario Line alignment this spring, will specifically cover topics and questions related to area surrounding the maintenance and storage facility and the areas of Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.

"Community feedback is vital in helping us continue to move the project forward in the best way possible and to help us know how we can help you throughout the course of the project," says MacKay.

To get the most up-to-date information on the project and to share your feedback, you can visit Metrolinx.com/OntarioLine. There, you can sign up for our e-newsletter and submit questions and comments through our engagement portal.

Story by Sara Wilbur, Metrolinx senior advisor, Capital Communications - Subways