Today’s Letters: Some Canada Day glitches with the Ottawa LRT

Wednesday, July 6: You can also write to us at [email protected]

article content

Confederation Line did not serve us well

Announcement 2

article content

Re: ‘Nice’ Canada Day weekend in the city as police maintain a large presence downtown, July 4th.

The Citizen writes: “A great benefit of LeBreton Flats is that, like the Parliament House, it is served by the Confederation Line LRT”, which would be nonsense regarding our July 1 experience.

My wife and I jumped on the LRT at Parliament heading to Pimisi for a quick look at the main venue for this year’s celebrations. The train was not overcrowded, but when we left the Pimisi station, we were all prevented from turning left onto Booth Street. Instead, we were instructed to turn right onto Albert Street, left onto Albert, then left again onto Commander Street to enter the LeBreton Flats site.

Announcement 3

article content

Initially we did not know the length of the walk ahead of us. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the Comisionado Street turnoff, but by then it was too late for us to visit the site, which was still far away, as we were meeting friends for lunch near ByWard Market. However, rather than retrace our steps, we thought we could continue down Albert Street to Lyon Street Station (another 15 minutes or so), where we could once again catch an eastbound train to meet up with our friends.

For that return trip (Parliament—Pimisi, Lyon—Rideau), it took us about 30 minutes on foot and about 10 on the trains. So is it “a great benefit of LeBreton Flats” that it is served by the LRT? Not according to where the seasons are. Train trips, short or long, that require very long walks are pointless. This does not bode well for either the new Ottawa library or the potential Ottawa Senators downtown arena.

Announcement 4

article content

John J Gahan, Ottawa

Closing Pimisi on Canada Day was foolish

I would like to draw your attention to the unfortunate action of OC Transpo in closing the Pimisi station for part of Canada Day because they expected the crowds to be too large for Line 1 to handle.

In recent weeks, the line has performed very reliably, with a five-minute interval train service. I understand that the system was designed to allow trains to run at intervals of up to 90 seconds. If OC Transpo had planned to run the trains at two-and-a-half minute intervals, this would have doubled capacity and probably been adequate to handle the crowds. It would have been a golden opportunity for OC Transpo to show that it is a robust and capable system. Unfortunately, this is another example where planners have shown that the system cannot meet expectations.

I wonder what OC Transpo will do if an NHL stadium is built on LeBreton Flats?

Colin J. Churcher, Ottawa

ArriveCAN app works fine

Re: The recent letter about the ArriveCAN app. I am 71 years old and had no problem downloading the app and adding my passport and Quebec vaccine QR code. I went to Ogdensburg and came back through Prescott and it was perfect. Regarding the security of personal information using ArriveCAN: while traveling with my wife I mentioned that we should find a place to have a good coffee. She opened her phone and there was an ad for coffee.

John Simpson, Gatineau

Announcement 1

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil discussion forum and encourages all readers to share their thoughts on our articles. Comments can take up to an hour to be moderated before appearing on the site. We ask that you keep your comments relevant and respectful. We’ve enabled email notifications – you’ll now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there’s an update in a comment thread you follow, or if a user you follow comments. visit our Community Principles for more information and details on how to adjust your E-mail settings.

Leave a Comment