OC Transpo’s Trillium Line opens to public

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Cheers erupted as a pristine diesel train pulled out of Bayview Station onto Ottawa’s new Trillium Line promptly at 6:07 a.m. on Monday morning, right on schedule.

More than two years of delays in opening the line didn’t dampen the spirits of dozens who faced frigid weather on Jan. 6 to mark the historic occasion.

Renée Amilcar, the city’s transit manager, was on board for the inaugural trip, along with other city staffers and councillors.

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“It’s amazing,” she said, as the train glided along the tracks through Little Italy and toward Dow’s Lake. “But I want to be cautious, again, because it’s winter. I don’t want to celebrate too early, but I’m very, very proud of the crew.”

The Trillium Line’s expansion includes 19 kilometres and 13 new and upgraded stations. The bulk of the new work is along Line 2, which runs from the Confederation Line’s Bayview Station to Limebank Station in Ottawa’s south end. A ride along Line 2 takes 35 minutes or less, and trains run every 12 minutes, carrying up to 600 passengers.

The South Keys station on Line 2 connects to Line 4, a three-stop spur that runs to the Ottawa International Airport, with a stop at Uplands Station near the EY Centre.

Joshua Dorval, a 16-year-old high school student, was among the throngs of train enthusiasts who were eager to take the inaugural trip south from Bayview, and was in high spirits despite the -15 temperature and 7:42 a.m. sunrise.

“I’m like yo, Line 2 is open, we gotta go show up,” he said. “I know it’s a little early, but there’s lots of people here.”

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He said he understands big projects take time, but he was thrilled to see Line 2 up and running.

“It’s the moment of truth,” he said. “I’m so excited to finally see it done and ready for the public.”

As a part of the line’s opening, for at least two weeks, train service on Lines 2 and 4 will operate only on Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. until 12 a.m. During that time, bus service will also continue on existing bus routes, called B2, and on routes 99 and 97, seven days a week.

Kitchisippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper said the new train line will be key for students in his ward to travel to South Keys for groceries and shopping, as well as commuting to school. Some areas of Hintonburg don’t have many walkable options for grocery stores, he said.

“This is how students, in particular, get to South Keys,” he said. “This is an important connection for those everyday amenities”

More to come.

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