The Ottawa Light Rail Transit Commission released its public inquiry report on the city’s LRT system Wednesday, after extending its deadline from Aug. 31.
The 664-page report concludes “there is reason to be concerned that the project will continue to suffer problems” until groups involved in O-Train Line 1 construction recognize their obligation to the City of Ottawa. The report makes 103 recommendations for fixing problems with the LRT and says good faith, communication and cooperation will help.
It also says the LRT project made two “egregious violations” of public trust. The report states the constructors and the contractor, Rideau Transit Group, pressured the city with “entirely unrealistic” dates for when they would hand over the project.
The report also states senior city staff and former mayor Jim Watson did not disclose vital information from trials performed on the LRT’s safety and reliability during the final testing phase. The report says this nondisclosure prevented councillors from fulfilling statutory duties to the public.
“We need to return to accountability and transparency with the people of Ottawa,” John Adair, co-lead counsel for the commission, said during a news conference at Ottawa’s Shaw Centre Wednesday morning.
The commission started the provincial inquiry last December to investigate issues with the LRT that have stalled the system and raised safety concerns in the last three years. Issues include door malfunctions and inductor failures in 2019, cracked wheels in 2020 and multiple derailments in 2021, one with passengers aboard, due to failed and loosened axles. These issues caused service disruptions and had negative impacts on Ottawans, the city wrote in its closing submission for the inquiry.
“We need to return to accountability and transparency with the people of Ottawa.”
In a media release Wednesday, Justice William Hourigan, who led the inquiry, attributed unreliable LRT service to the city using unproven technology, Rideau Transit Group not providing adequate maintenance or coordinating the work of its subcontractors, and the city rushing the O-Train into service before it was ready.
Kate McGrann, another co-lead counsel speaking at the conference, said these parties need to focus on next steps that will serve the public interest.
The report comes two days after city manager Steve Kanellakos announced Monday in a letter to city employees that he’d be stepping down from his position. He wrote that the decision was his alone and no one asked him to resign.
“As city manager, I am ultimately accountable for the performance of the organization,” Kanellakos said. “I have always deeply believed that my role is to have your backs and that it is my duty to accept ultimate responsibility for our performance.”
Kanellakos referenced the LRT inquiry report in his letter. He said while he was unsure what the report would include, it would be critical of Ottawa and its city staff.
“Despite this, I know that city staff did their best under very difficult circumstances to ensure that the light rail system would meet all of our expectations,” he continued.
The LRT inquiry revealed more than 600 pages of WhatsApp messages between Kanellakos, Watson, former OC Transpo general manager John Manconi and transit commission chair Coun. Allan Hubley.
“I know that city staff did their best under very difficult circumstances to ensure that the light rail system would meet all of our expectations.”
The city held livestreamed media availability Wednesday afternoon. During this time, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe pledged to direct staff to create an action plan based on the report’s findings and increase monitoring of construction.
“I understand the frustration and disappointment of so many Ottawa residents that I have met and heard from over the last few months, and frankly, I share their disappointment,” Sutcliffe said in his briefing.
Featured image by Arno Ryser.
