OC Transpo boss remains doubtful LRT will be reliable by Labour Day

Ottawa's transit boss remains skeptical the Confederation Line will be running reliably by Labour Day, despite a promise from thelight rail system's builder to finally have 15 trains running a month before.

John Manconi, Ottawa's general manager of transportation services, had told LRT constructors Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and its maintenance arm that the citywanted themyriad issues plaguing the Confederation Line fixed by the end of August, so that the$2-billion light rail system would be running smoothly by the time the local economy recoversfrom the current pandemic.

• Still no date for LRT fix, councillors told in May
• City issues formal notice of default to RTG

But three months after being issued a notice of default by the city for allegedly failing to meet some of its contractual obligations, RTGstill hasn't given the city a date for reliability.

"We are not confident that they're tracking to the end of August," Manconi told transit commission members on Wednesday.

They call [city manager] Steve Kanellakosandmyself every second day looking for money.- John Manconi, GM, transportation services

According to the transit boss, there is some disagreement between RTG and the French train provider, Alstom, over whichissues areoutstanding.

"They're blaming each other, and our position is we really don't care, we didn't buy a system whereby we're in the middle of you folks," Manconi told the commissioners. "We bought a service that is very simple and straightforward. We bought an outcome and that's service ... that's trains every day, reliably."

15 trains on track for Aug. 4

There was some good news in the LRT update: RTG has promised to run 15 double-car trainsbeginning the morning rush hour of Aug. 4.

In fact, Manconi had told councillors and the public for a year that the Confederation Line would run 15 trains during the peak hours, with two trains in reserve as spares. But just a month before the LRT launch last September, Manconi announced that the city would only be running 13 trainsduring rush hour althougheven providing that numberproved to be a challenge for RTG on many occasions duringthe past 10 months.

But the commission heard that 37 light rail cars are now ready for use, with a 38thon the way. That translatesto 19 two-car trains that should theoretically be available for service on the Confederation Line.

RTG did not immediately respond to a request for comment about when fixes to the Confederation Line might be complete, but Manconi said the consortium has made progress on a number of fronts, including a major upgrade to the software that runs the doors.

Oneoutstanding problem has to do with the switch heaters, which caused problemsearlier this year. It appears the city would like RTG to upgrade the Confederation Line heaters from electric to gas-powered, like the ones used on the Trillium Line, but the consortium may be reluctant to spend the money.

RTG unpaid for months

Manconi said RTG has not been paid since a $4.5-million cheque sent to them late last year for September service.

"They call [city manager] Steve Kanellakosandmyself every second day looking for money, and we keep telling them the easiest way that council will support us giving you money is if you give us the service," Manconi said Tuesday.

The city may owe RTG some money for service provided in December and the spring, Manconisaid,but is also looking to hold back millions in payments because, it argues, RTG hasn't lived up to the service it was supposed to provide under the contract.

An update on the legal and financial dispute between RTG and the city will be given to councillors in camera at the July 15 meeting. Councillors are also expected to hear what other options, if any, are available to the city if it believes RTG is still not living up to its obligations.