OC Transpo resumed full double-car train service on the O-Train Line 1 on Monday, June 8, 2026 [1].

The restoration of full capacity marks the end of a prolonged period of congestion and limited space for commuters. For several months, the city's light-rail transit system operated with single-car trains, reducing the number of passengers each trip could accommodate.

This service reduction began in January 2026 [2]. The agency was forced to limit train lengths due to ongoing wheel-bearing problems that affected the safety and reliability of the fleet. These technical failures required a systematic approach to repairs, leaving the city with a diminished transit capacity during the spring months.

OC Transpo said the repairs to the wheel-bearing issues have been completed [3]. The completion of these maintenance tasks allowed the agency to transition back to double-car configurations starting Monday morning [1]. This change restores the system to its intended passenger volume, which is critical for managing peak-hour crowds in the capital.

The return to double-car service is the first time the system has operated at this capacity since January 2026 [2]. The transition aims to stabilize the commute for thousands of residents who rely on Line 1 for daily travel across Ottawa.

City officials and transit operators monitored the repairs closely to ensure that the wheel-bearing issues were fully resolved before reintroduced longer trains. The move is intended to eliminate the overcrowding that characterized the single-car era, and improve the overall efficiency of the light-rail network [3].

“Full double-car train service resumed on the O-Train LRT Line 1”

The restoration of double-car service resolves a critical capacity bottleneck in Ottawa's public transit infrastructure. By addressing the wheel-bearing failures that necessitated the January 2026 restrictions, OC Transpo is moving from a crisis-management phase back to standard operational levels, which should reduce commuter delays and increase public confidence in the LRT system's reliability.