The start of "pre-trial running" has been pushed back to November after an issue with the O-Train's eastern line was discovered.

OC Transpo has hit another snag with its long-delayed east extension of the O-Train Line 1 to Orléans that has pushed the schedule back by at least a month.

OC Transpo officials had said on Sept. 10 that the LRT east extension was “progressing as planned” and a “pre-trial running” phase was forecast to begin in early October.

During a recent readiness assessment, however, issues were detected with “safety-critical software,” according to a memo Friday from OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary.

Hitachi, a train-control software subcontractor to East-West Connectors, the contractor building the east extension, “has now informed OC Transpo that it must update its software prior to the start of pre-trial running,” the memo states.

“This work requires reprogramming that will delay the previously anticipated start of pre-trial running. This means that the forecast for pre-trial running to start has shifted from October to November.”

Leary said OC Transpo is following a staged approach “to fully exercise all system elements and assess readiness” before the trains can open to passengers.

The phase is expected to last about one week, followed by the trial running phase, where all train systems must meet performance, safety and reliability standards for 21 consecutive days.

Once the 21-day trial running is considered complete, there will be a series of certifications, approvals and regulatory documents that will take five to ten days, officials told the transit committee last month.

Leary said the train control software was one of three elements, along with train availability and the readiness of the traction power substation, that were “critical” to moving ahead with the extension.

“While some people may view this (delay) as unfortunate, this is exactly what is necessary to protect the safety and best interests of our passengers. OC Transpo will continue to prioritize passenger safety. We will hold the contractors accountable for delivering a safe and reliable system for our customers,” Leary said.

Leary said work on the LRT extension from Blair to Trim Station is “ongoing” in those other areas while the software is being updated.

Rideau Transit Maintenance must provide 50 trains every weekday for the existing service on Line 1 and testing on the east extension.

Eight trains will continue to operate without passengers on the east extension each weekday as the system testing continues.

The traction power substation, which supplies power to the rail system, is “working as intended,” Leary said.

The east extension was initially scheduled to open to passengers earlier this year.

OC Transpo first delayed the opening to June after the discovery of extensive damage to the cartridge-bearing assemblies on the Line 1 train cars’ wheel hubs.

Those trains have gradually been repaired and are returning to the fleet. OC Transpo said two new trains will be available in November and another two in December.

“This staged approach of exercising the east extension will validate the reliability of all systems and identify any necessary improvements that can be made prior to pre-trial running,” Leary said Friday.

“This is the same testing and commissioning process that was followed in the successful launch of Lines 2 and 4. The east extension will only open once it has successfully achieved all requirements and is ready to operate safely and reliably for customers.”

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