Software bugs a key challenge stalling Trillium Line's opening

Frustration is mounting as OC Transpo remains unwilling to provide a date for the opening of the north-south Trillium light rail line, citing ongoing efforts to resolve "bugs" in the system.

"We don't know exactly when, because we need to continue to run the system," said transit services general manager Renée Amilcar during a Thursday meeting of Ottawa's light rail subcommittee.

"We need to continue to build reliability. We need to continue to identify gaps, issues, and address them before opening the line."

Richard Holder, the city's engineering director, explained that OC Transpo must meet nine conditions before beginning the trial running phase, a critical step in testing the reliability of the trains.

Holder noted that even after trial running begins, it will take an additional four to six weeks before passenger service can start.

So far, OC Transpo has only met two of the nine conditions, but Holder mentioned that the remaining seven are close to completion. A significant challenge lies in ensuring the reliability of data from the trains, which has shown "anomalies."

"What is reported within the report does not seem to line up with what our field staff are seeing out in the field," Holder said. "We do not believe we're in the position where we're replacing equipment, we're replacing hardware. It's just a software issue."

Holder emphasized that without accurate data, OC Transpo cannot determine if it is meeting its goal of achieving 98.5 percent reliability during trial running.

Troy Charter, director of transit service delivery and rail operations, added that OC Transpo also faces a shortage of trained drivers. While they need between 54 and 58 drivers, they currently have only 48, though several more are in training.

Charter noted that training is more complex because, unlike the mostly automatic east-west LRT, Trillium Line operators must manually drive the diesel trains and follow signals.

'Failure is Not an Option'

The subcommittee's updates prompted repeated requests for a timeline or at least an estimate of when the Trillium Line, now delayed by about two years, might open.

River ward Coun. Riley Brockington speculated that the opening would be impossible before December, given the remaining requirements. He asked Amilcar if his estimate was accurate, but she did not provide a direct answer.

"It's very, very difficult to determine for me to commit to a date because those priority stages are so important," she said. "I don't want to get stressed, because we want to succeed. We don't want to fail. Failure is not an option for us."

Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo expressed concern that the delays could soon become "ridiculous." He asked Amilcar for a best-case scenario "ideal timeline."

"With respect," Amilcar responded, "I prefer to be ridiculous today instead of giving something that you would like to hear. We are not ready to do so."

Artur Estrela da Silva, vice-president of student issues for the Carleton University Student Association, also pressed the subcommittee for a specific timeline but received no more clarity than Brockington.

Estrela da Silva noted that students frequently contact him with transit concerns and are eager for a more precise estimate of when they can expect service.

"There is a feeling of frustration or anxiety, for sure," he said.

The Case for Caution

Riverside South–Findlay Creek Coun. Steve Desroches, chair of the subcommittee, acknowledged that Carleton University is "the epicenter of the impacts" of the Trillium delays. However, he emphasized the importance of avoiding the issues that plagued the east-west LRT line since its opening.

"There is considerable letdown and disappointment in the community," Desroches said. "So do you agree with the approach that we should do our best to have as close to 100 percent confidence that they're ready to go so that we avoid the situation that Ottawa U went through with the LRT?" he asked.

Estrela da Silva agreed and later told reporters he was satisfied with both Desroches's response and the update from OC Transpo staff.

Several councillors also expressed understanding of the need for caution.

"Obviously, everyone's impatient about when things are going to start," said Bay ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh. "I appreciate the updates, and I appreciate that you're being cautious about dates, personally … I think it's better to have all the ducks in line."