OTTAWA — Improperly adjusted bolts led to the Sept. 19 derailment that has shut down Ottawa’s O-Train Confederation Line, according to a Wednesday report to the city’s transit commission.
CTV News reports Rideau Transit Group, which has the operating and maintenance contract for the Confederation Line, said improperly torqued bolts on the train’s gearbox were the primary cause of the derailment, an analysis confirmed by trainset manufacturer Alstom. As a result, the gearbox dropped, damaging the track.
Responding to a commissioner who said the problem seemed like a small one to shut down the line for a prolonged period — trains are not expected to begin running before Nov. 1 — the CEO of the firm brought in to conduct an independent review of the system called the problem “a big deal” because it could be a sign of other issues.
“Are there other concerns relative to the training of people, relative to quality of procedures, policies, quality assurance, quality control that goes on, that would allow that to occur?” asked Kenneth Korach, CEO at TRA Inc.
Rideau Transit Group CEO Mario Guerra said Alstom was planning to boost its workforce in Ottawa by up to 70% as a part of a four-point plan to correct issues in the system, including a plan to “uplift competencies of the leadership and supervision teams.” Guerra said RTG would have trainsets ready for test operation by Nov. 1, but that the equipment examination is a lengthy process. “The inspection process can take 24 hours [per car] and then time after that to be able to address any issues that are brought up,” he said.
