Accidents Missing From Transpo Storm Wrap-Up: WHOPPER WATCH

Published 01/10/2024 · Updated 06/10/2024

whopper.watch .12.26

“Yesterday afternoon all road users including transit operators faced challenging road conditions
and delays were experienced throughout the bus and Para Transpo network. The safety of our
staff and customers is OC Transpo’s number one priority and operators adjust their driving
behaviour based on the conditions.”

Renee Amilcar, OC Transpo general manager on summary of this week’s storm

A sin of omission here.

Last night, the X monitoring site Occasional Transport reported at least two bus accidents during the storm and had a picture of one.

The whopper above is as close as Amilcar came to saying there were accidents. ‘Close’ might be the wrong word for the accidents weren’t mentioned as all.

Ken Gray

This is a release from the City of Ottawa:

M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E

To /

Destinataire

Mayor and Members of Council File/N° de fichier: 04-2024

From /

Expéditeur Subject / Objet

Renée Amilcar

General Manager, Transit Services Department Winter Storm Update: Transit Services

Date: January 10, 2024

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to Mayor and Members of Council on transit operations following the first major winter storm of the year. The winter operations plan for bus, O-Train, and Para Transpo was implemented yesterday to maintain service throughout the storm. The exceptional work done by the Public Works Department to prioritize transit corridors and clear roads was a critical factor in keeping transit moving.

Line 1 Service

Line 1 service operated throughout the storm period and launched this morning as planned with double car-trains.

OC Transpo worked with Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) to implement the winter weather operations plan to maintain reliable service. This included having seven trains (instead of 4 as originally planned) in operation overnight to prevent ice buildup on the overhead wires and clear the tracks of snow, maximizing the number of carbon strips installed on the fleet, and deploying staff to monitor key rail infrastructure, like switches. Additionally, de-icing solution was applied to the overhead catenary wires to further mitigate possible ice buildup.

Conventional Service and Para Transpo

Yesterday afternoon all road users including transit operators faced challenging road conditions and delays were experienced throughout the bus and Para Transpo network. The safety of our staff and customers is OC Transpo’s number one priority and operators adjust their driving behaviour based on the conditions.

Throughout the weather event updates were shared on octranspo.com, our social media platforms and real-time information was available for customers on the Transit App. Updates will continue to be shared with customers on all channels.

OC Transpo and RTM are monitoring the forecast and are proactively preparing for another possible weather event this weekend. OC Transpo is ready to continue to deliver service, and customers are encouraged to plan their trips on octranspo.com or use the Transit App to get real-time updates on their trips.

Original signed by,

Renée Amilcar

c.c.: Senior Leadership Team

Transit Services Departmental Leadership Team Director, Public Information and Media Relations

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