OC Transpo restored double-car train service on O-Train Line 1 on Monday, June 8, 2026 [1].
The return to full capacity ends a period of significant congestion for Ottawa commuters who faced limited space during peak travel hours. The restoration of longer trains is intended to reduce overcrowding, and improve the reliability of the city's light rail transit system.
Single-car operations began in January 2026 [2] after the transit agency identified wheel-bearing issues that compromised the safety of longer train configurations. For approximately five months [3], the system operated with reduced capacity while technicians performed necessary repairs and safety checks on the fleet.
"Full capacity will resume on Line 1 of the O-Train LRT system on June 8," the OC Transpo general manager said [4].
The transition back to double-car service follows a period of restricted movement that affected thousands of daily riders across the capital. The agency focused on resolving the mechanical failures that forced the January downgrade to ensure the fleet could safely handle the increased weight and stress of coupled cars.
Commuters on Monday observed the return of the longer trains to the Line 1 tracks, marking the end of the emergency single-car protocol. The restoration aligns with the agency's goal to stabilize the LRT network following the recurring technical challenges that have plagued the system since its inception.
“"Full capacity will resume on Line 1 of the O-Train LRT system on June 8,"”
The restoration of double-car service indicates that OC Transpo has addressed the immediate mechanical failures associated with wheel-bearing stability. However, the five-month reliance on single-car trains highlights a vulnerability in the LRT's infrastructure, where a specific component failure can drastically reduce the city's overall transit capacity.
