Ottawa transit officials say two-car LRT service will return this summer, but major uncertainty still hangs over the delayed east-end extension as councillors warn the system’s underlying mechanical problems remain unsolved.

During Thursday’s Transit Committee meeting, OC Transpo officials said Line 1 should return to double-car service by mid-June after months of reduced capacity caused by recurring wheel-bearing issues. However, officials declined to provide a firm opening date for the eastern extension in Orleans. 

The update comes as OC Transpo rolled out its new “Customer-First Action Plan” this week, which focused on making service more reliable, putting customers first, strengthening financial stability and building a sustainable workforce. The plan also increased station security, improved preventative maintenance and restored cancelled bus trips. 

Newly appointed OC Transpo General Manager Rick Leary also said the agency is working closely with Ontario’s Metrolinx to secure replacement parts and stabilize rail operations in March. 

Despite the uncertainty on east-extension, Councillor Tim Tierney said there were positive signs in Thursday’s update, particularly in the return of double-car trains. 

“There was at least good news on getting back to two cars… by mid-June, they’ll be back up to full double cars,” Tierney said in an interview with iPolitics.

Still, Tierney remains skeptical about how quickly the eastern extensions can realistically come online. 

“I don’t see how it’s possible to have the eastern extension operational and running in four or five months with the challenges we have,” Tierney said.

Tierney said committee discussions suggested OC Transpo is still relying on repeated wheel-bearing replacement as a temporary solution while investigators continue searching for the system’s root cause. 

Depending on the findings, he said future repairs could eventually require more extensive track modifications or partial shutdowns. 

“They’ll have to come back with a full plan on what that looks like,” he said. 

Tierney also questioned whether the city has enough contingency bus capacity if rail service disruptions continue into the fall as federal workers increasingly return to offices. 

He said supplemental bus service may still be necessary until the eastern extensions fully open.

“You’d have to add additional routes for more capacity, and I think that probably will be a conversation that will take place with whatever they come up with at the end of the summer for eastern extension,” he said. 

Despite his concerns, Tierney praised Leary’s early approach to transit management, calling the new general manager “a thousand times better” than previous leadership and crediting him with being more visible and responsive to riders. 

“We have to get this root cause solved, or we’ll keep revisiting this situation,” Tierney said.