Time's almost up for Thales to fix Metro Line LRT

Monday is the last dayfor Thales to fix the signalling system on the Metro Line LRTbut there's no word on whether the problems and the city's relationship with the company have been mended.

Councillors voted in December to impose a firm deadline on Thalesafter three years of mishaps on the tracks and at the crossings between Churchilland NAIT stations.

City council warned there would be "consequences" if the system wasn't fixed by May 1. Thecity has alreadywithheld a $17-million payment to the company until the problems stop.

• 'Fix it already': Edmonton mayor warns Metro Line company

Edmonton Mayor Don Ivesonhasn't hidden his frustration about past mishaps with the line.On Friday, heremained quietaboutthe status of the system and the contract with Thales.

"We're continuing to get advice from administration," Iveson told reporters. "We'll have more to say next week about an update on where we're at, at the time of the deadline."

Mike Tetterington,president of the Amalgamated Transit Union's Edmonton local, said the city should break ties with the company.

"They've had lots of time to fix this problem and it still hasn't been rectified," Tetterington said. "If they can't correct the problems maybe it's time to move on to someone else who can do so."

In November, conductors were asked to take the extra step of calling ahead to the command centre to make sure the track was clear.

• City leaning on LRT drivers to catch software glitches

That request followed at least 50signalling mishaps, including two incidents on Nov. 11 when two trains were heading toward each other on the same track.

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The conductors had been given a green light when it was supposed to be red, Tetterington said.

"They're nervous," Tetterington said of the conductors. "It puts that extra pressure on them."

The $600-million linehas been plagued by problems since it opened more than a yearlate in 2015. An auditthat year revealed the contract with Thaleswas poorly managed, and that updates and delays weren't communicated properly to city council.

• Metro Line contract plagued by mismanagement, lack of communication

CBCasked Thalesfor an update but was told to contact the City of Edmonton.

@natashariebe