Latest news with #ReneeAmilcar
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Adam: Amilcar will leave OC Transpo in better shape than the transit system was in four years ago
Come to think of it, it is not a huge surprise that OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar is leaving the job to pursue new career opportunities elsewhere. Article content Almost four years in the pressure-cooker position of managing the city's beleaguered transit service is probably about all anyone can take. You can't blame her for walking away. Article content Article content Amilcar, who leaves her post July 18, inherited an impossible task when she came to town in 2021, but she must have known what she was getting into. She arrived at a time when the transit service was in complete disarray, plagued by low ridership that was exacerbated by COVID-19, budget shortfalls, poor management, lack of transparency and in particular, a broken LRT system. We all remember the busted axles, gear box, wheel hubs and bearing issues that derailed the Confederation Line and led to the suspension of service for weeks on end in August and September 2023. Article content Then there were delays with the Trillium Line, which, combined with everything that was going on, sapped public confidence in the transit service. The city was at war with its main rail contractor, the Rideau Transit Group (RTG), exchanging legal blows in court filings. It was the most inopportune time for anyone, no matter how experienced, to land at OC Transpo. Things were so bad, the Ontario government launched a public inquiry into the handling of the city's LRT. Justice William Hourigan's subsequent report was a scathing indictment of the city and RTG, exposing 'deliberate malfeasance' of managers and 'egregious errors' that called into question the ability of the city to run such a massive infrastructure project. Though not of her doing, Amilcar became the face of everything that was wrong with OC Transpo, and did her best under the circumstances, though it may not have been enough to satisfy riders. Article content Article content Amilcar certainly steadied the ship, bringing some stability to the Confederation Line, helping launch the Trillium Line extension, and the spur to the airport. One of her bigger achievements may have been the restoration of transparency and accountability at OC Transpo. Before her time, OC Transpo was a closed shop where a few people made decisions behind closed doors with no transparency or accountability. She changed that, to some degree. Throughout the 2023 derailment, she was upfront with information, telling residents what she knew and what she didn't. It was a breath of fresh air. Article content Article content But one thing she completely owns is 'New Ways to Bus,' the largest bus service change in the city's history. The idea is to improve bus frequency, local service and connections to LRT. The system overhaul, which meant the elimination or rejigging of some routes, has been met with fierce criticism from riders, who say it is a backward move that will cause a reduction in service as some 70 routes are eliminated or replaced. It is too early to say whether New Ways will be successful or not, but this is one thing for which she will wear the outcome.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Construction continues on O-Train East extension, with no timeline for opening to passengers
An O-Train on Line 1 is seen in this undated image. (CTV News Ottawa) Construction and train testing continues on the new O-Train eastern extension into Orléans, but there is still no word on when passengers will be riding the rails. A report for the June 12 Transit Committee meeting provides an update on construction on Stage 2 of the light rail transit system, which includes extending O-Train Line 1 from Blair Station to Trim Station. 'In the east, final construction activities and train testing are well underway and nearing completion,' says the report, submitted by Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar. 'Remaining major fleet activities include software upgrades and operator training. Communication rooms and the setup of system parameters, to ensure devices such as switches and cameras function as required, is now complete at all stations in the east. Communication systems testing continues.' Amilcar says the commissioning of the communication-based train control system is 'well advanced with multiple trains continuing to run in loops.' 'Boundary testing between stage 1 and Stage 2 territories has been completed. OC Transpo has already said O-Train Line 1 service will be affected on the weekends of July 5 and 26 for Stage 2 Integration work, and there will be additional impacts on Line 1 through the summer as testing and commissioning progresses on the eastern extension. Amilcar says operator training on Stage 2 East is expected to begin in late July, which will lead to the certification of the required number of personnel to support trial running on the O-Train line. The report says there is several things to do before opening the eastern extension of O-Train Line 1 to customers, with the 'path to revenue service' including testing and commissioning, substantial completion, trial running and final safety approval. After the contractor achieves substantial completion, the city will begin trial running on the east extension and the existing Stage 1. Amilcar says trial running will 'exercise and evaluate the performance' of the system's infrastructure, vehicles, operating and maintenance personnel and operating procedures. There will be a 21-day Trial Running period before launch. The report does not mention a timeline for opening the O-Train East Extension, but Amilcar has previously mentioned the fall for opening to passengers. Convent Glen Station An overhead view of the new Convent Glen Station on the O-Train east extension. (OC Transpo/report) Here is a look at some of the items to be completed, according to the report. System installation, integration, testing and commissioning 'Significant work is currently underway to integrate communication systems for the east extension with the existing live systems on Line 1,' Amilcar said. 'Testing of systems began in a lab environment and will be migrated to a production environment over the next several weeks. This iterative and complex integration process will be phased and carefully coordinated to minimize customer impact.' Amilcar says the majority of the system integration work will be conducted during overnight hours, but there may be some closures on the O-Train line. Operations and maintenance readiness Amilcar says 'work is progressing' on the training program, staffing and recruitment and maintenance readiness. The hiring of new Electric Rail Operators and the familiarization training is underway, and training on Stage 2 is expected to begin in late July. Line 1 East Stations Amilcar says occupancy permits for the stations are expected over the summer. 'Station occupancy for the east stations is nearly complete with deficiency closeout, building code service reviews, and occupancy permits expected in Q3 2025.' Work outside the 'guideway' Amilcar says work 'outside the guide' required for substantial completion is currently underway, including grading, drainage, headwall installation, slope finishing, top-lift paving, guardrail installation and landscaping along Highway 174. That work is expected to be completed this spring. The second phase, following Substantial Completion' includes slope finishing, top-lifting paving, guardrail installation and landscaping. Once the eastern extension opens, Line 1 will stretch 25 kilometres between Tunney's Pasture and Trim Station. The western extension from Tunney's Pasture to Moodie Drive and Algonquin College is scheduled to open in 2027.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
OC Transpo GM resigns
OC Transpo GM resigns The head of Ottawa's transit services Renee Amilcar is leaving her role next month. CTV's Austin Lee reports.
