,
26 tweets,
3 min read
Read on Twitter
LRT update begins now. How close are we from riding the rails? We might find out. #ottpoli
First up, the derailment last week. GM John Manconi says "human error" on switch movement. Train was moving at the right speed, one set of wheels off track at a switch. The switches are manually controlled in the yard (on the main line they're auto).
"Minor repairs" required to the switch, Manconi says. The train is fine.
There was a lot of staff out there b/c they used the experience as a training exercise. People were observing and taking notes, in addition to people moving the train back onto the track. This kind of derailment "is not unheard of," Manconi says.
"An event of this nature is taken very seriously," Manconi notes, talking about the safety management system set up for the LRT project. Investigation launched. Morning launch of trains stopped. Restored service by 3pm.
Now, an update on the LRT stations. All 13 stations have now received occupancy permits.
(Building inspection team has been working many hours to get these occupancy permits done).
"We're literally down to decals on stations," Manconi says.
Pimisi Station is "built for the future," Manconi says, going through each of the 13 stations, with new pictures.
(For the record, Lyon also is "built for the future.")
RTG has submitted "substantial completion" paperwork, as guided by the contract. RTG still says it'll be handed over in Q2 (which means by end of June).
Substantial completion means the project has advanced to the point where construction and testing is done. All elements.
Manconi says city's focused on safety, vehicles, critical operating features, stations and maintenance readiness.
City takes up to five days to provide an opinion to certifier on if substantial completion has been met. Then certifier takes up to five days to consider. If completion achieved, RTG gets its long-awaited payment and can start the 12-day trial running.
If trial running passes, safety auditor signs off and can hand over to city, which would take up to four weeks to launch.
On critical elements: RTG making progress, but varying degree of work remains, Macnoni says. Still looking for full vehicle fleet reliability. RTG needs to focus on that with Alstom, Manconi says.
Manconi says the Alstom Citadis Spirit is a good vehicle, but they need to "shake out" the issues with it.
RTG needs to have "laser focus" and put the pressure on @AlstomCanada to deliver.
As for the city's preparation, it's ready to go with LRT. Staff have been planning for years. The marketing campaign continues.
On critical elements, Manconi says many are manageable (related to paperwork being filed). "There are no show-stoppers outside of the vehicles that are problematic," he says.
“We need to send a clear message to RTG that Alstom needs to focus on these vehicles," Manconi says. "@AlstomCanada , you better be listening, You've got to get those trains done."
Best indication from Manconi of when LRT will launch: “It’s sometime in the summer." But it all depends on Alstom getting those trains done.
Manconi says #OCTranspo is also very focused on the bus routes and making improvements, not just getting the LRT launched.
(Some indication, too, that city staff are exhausted and stressed trying to get the LRT launched and also get the bus routes improved).
LRT update done. Summery: No launch date yet. City still confident rail system can be delivered by June 30, but only if Alstom gets moving on making the 34 trains fully completed. RTG has applied for substantial completion and independent certifier to make determination Monday.
*Summary* above.
