Transpo ‘energized’ by feedback on new LRT system

OC Transpo probably couldn’t have asked for a better three days in the launch of the Confederation Line LRT.

There were some escalator problems, particularly at Rideau Station, that raised eyebrows, and a blip with the video chat function at ticket machines, but the trains ran on time and there was no stoppage.

If Monday morning was the first major test for Transpo in the LRT era, the agency virtually nailed it. There were no significant problems with bus-to-train transfers and customers seemed eager to embrace Ottawa’s new transit system.

“We get energized by what we are seeing by our great customers in the community, in terms of the positive comments,” transportation GM John Manconi said around noon Monday at Blair Station as he briefed reporters on the morning LRT commute.

Council was also expected to receive a staff analysis of the afternoon commute later Monday.

Transpo is making sure any escalator problems at Rideau Station are addressed quickly by having an escalator and elevator technician working out of the station.

There are 59 elevators and 43 escalators across all 13 stations.

Rideau Station, which is the deepest station of the three in the tunnel, is three levels with eight elevators and 18 escalators. Transpo says there’s “fine-tuning ” involved with calibrating the escalators for people, but the adjustments don’t take long. The agency has been happy with the response time of technicians over the first three days of LRT.

There was one bit of grief Monday before customers even boarded the trains.

According to Manconi, someone trespassed at Tunney’s Pasture Station before service started for the day. The city is investigating.

Transit management continue to monitor how people are navigating the stations and boarding the trains.

In 2018, council was divided over the idea of letting people bring their bikes on trains during all hours of operation. A 15-9 vote meant bikes are now allowed at all hours, even though transit management recommended against allowing bikes on trains at peak hours.

On Monday, Manconi was onboard with bikes on trains during the busy times.

“No reservations. The system is for everybody,” Manconi said.

The bus system isn’t changing for three weeks to give transit customers an opportunity to ease into LRT, which means people still have the option to stay on their buses into downtown rather than being forced to transfer to a train at Tunney’s Pasture, Hurdman or Blair stations. On Oct. 6, Transpo makes major changes to the bus network so that transit commuters must make a transfer between buses and trains at those stations.

Manconi said the number of bus drivers being laid off because of the switch to LRT is now under 200 as the agency manages its vacant positions to save jobs. Just a few years ago, the number of projected layoffs was around 600.

Transpo doesn’t have precise numbers on how many bus commuters decided to switch to a train for their downtown travel on Monday morning.

Coun. Allan Hubley, the chair of the transit commission, said he noticed most customers transferred to a train, rather than staying on the bus.

“They weren’t smiling as much as they were on the weekend,” Hubley said, “but that’s because they’re going to work Monday morning, right?” jwilling@postmedia.com twitter.com/JonathanWilling