Canada Post Community Mailbox Conversion Program
The Government of Canada has directed Canada Post to transition millions of households from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes over the coming years as part of a broader effort to modernize the national postal system and ensure its long-term financial sustainability.
Tim’s LRT concerns
February 16, 2023
“We never thought we’d have to get under the hood of this thing… but now we do.”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tierney signals a shift toward direct political oversight of technical issues, emphasizing safety concerns as speeds increase in Phase 2.
Main Points:
- Renée Amilcar issued a statement trying to reassure the public that the line is safe despite the report from the Transportation Safety Board
- First meeting of the sub-committee;
- Tim pushing for the train to run the correct way: safely
April 13, 2023
“There’s something a bit sus about this system.”
580 CFRA / CityNews
Tierney raises concerns following another shutdown, questioning system integrity and reliability.
Main points:
- Tim says RTG has to get their act together
- Where is the diesel tug
- Tim has no love for RTM or RTG and questions their expertise but wants a good working relationship
- Expresses need for heated lines or canopy system
July 19, 2023
“Prove me wrong… I’m sure the issue is with the tracks.”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tierney argues that infrastructure (track design) — not just trains — is the core issue behind failures.
Main points:
- Tim has been highlighting the issue of the Hurdman Curve since the beginning
- We are not examining the curve enough, the grade or the radius
- Independent engineer is needed
July 24, 2023
“It’s a bit of a groundhog day… we’ve been asking these questions for years.”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tim criticizes recurring issues and lack of progress, suggesting systemic problems remain unresolved.
Main points:
- Full LRT shutdown frustration — highlighted that the system had already been down for a week and would require at least another week of replacement buses, creating major disruption for riders.
- No quick fix in sight — emphasized that a permanent solution was still far off (potentially into 2024), which was a major concern.
- System reliability seen as unacceptable — stressed that repeated failures and long outages are not acceptable for a major transit system.
- Accountability on RTG — reiterated that the consortium must fix the issue properly under contract, not rely on temporary measures like bus replacements.
- Impact on riders and confidence — pointed out that extended shutdowns and uncertainty were seriously damaging public trust in transit.
- Focus on long-term fix over short-term patches — acknowledged emergency buses are necessary, but the priority must be a permanent, reliable solution.
July 31, 2023
“No way…” (re: LRT reopening timeline)
580 CFRA
During a prolonged shutdown, Tierney expresses no confidence in near-term reopening timelines.
Main points:
- Skepticism about LRT reliability — emphasized that people are still not convinced the system will consistently work, given its history.
- Public trust is still very low — pointed out that riders need to see reliability over time before confidence returns.
- Concern about timelines and expectations — suggested that optimistic projections need to be treated cautiously based on past delays.
- Focus on performance, not promises — stressed that what matters is the system actually delivering day-to-day service, not just hitting milestones or announcements.
- Acknowledgement of frustration from residents — recognized that ongoing issues have worn down patience and credibility.
October 3, 2023
“I keep referring to the diesel tug… let’s call a spade a spade.”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tim discusses operational fixes like backup locomotion (“Timmy Tug”) to manage LRT failures and stalled trains.
Main Points:
- Tim asking at every meeting about the Diesel Tug or canopy system for months
- Not the first municipality to do this in a cold climate
- What are we going to do to protect the segment
- The system isn’t “there yet” — acknowledged improvements may be happening, but it’s still not at a level riders can rely on daily.
- Consistency is the missing piece — isolated good days aren’t enough; the system needs to perform the same way every day without surprises.
- Pressure remains on the builder/operator — made clear expectations haven’t changed: the system must meet the standard it was designed for.
- Trust has to be earned back gradually — confidence won’t return through announcements or updates, only through sustained performance over time.
- Rider experience is still too unpredictable — highlighted that uncertainty (not knowing if service will run smoothly) is a major ongoing issue.
October 12, 2023
“If the new bogey system doesn’t work… citizens are going to be failed again for another decade.”
CBC News
Tierney warns that without proper fixes, LRT technical failures could persist long-term, highlighting risk around the bogey/axle solution.
Article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rtg-alstom-haven-t-agreed-on-lrt-solution-1.6994344
October 13, 2023
“Should we rip out all the tracks and realign the Hurdman curve?”
580 CFRA – The Morning Rush
Tierney questions whether track geometry (particularly the Hurdman curve) is the root cause of ongoing axle and reliability issues.
January 8, 2024
“That doesn’t answer the final question… when are the final assemblies coming?”
580 CFRA – The Morning Rush
Main points from the interview:
- Double-car trains are coming back to weekday service, restoring the system closer to how it was originally designed to operate (higher capacity per train).
- The return is possible because technical fixes (especially with axles/wheels) are showing positive results, giving confidence the trains can run safely again.
- This move is meant to increase capacity and reduce crowding, especially during busy periods when single-car trains were not enough.
- There is an emphasis on cautious optimism — improvements are real, but the system still needs to be monitored to ensure reliability holds over time.
- Overall tone: progress is being made, but trust in the system still needs to be rebuilt.
March 2, 2024
Another Trillium Line delay raises questions about communication and planning
580 CFRA
Tim says the city must improve internal communication and accountability around LRT operations.
Main points from the interview:
- The latest LRT problem is described as “frustrating” and repetitive — another issue that feels similar to past breakdowns rather than something new.
- There’s a sense that people thought things were improving, so this setback is especially disappointing and confusing.
- The situation highlights ongoing reliability concerns, with the system still not consistently stable despite previous fixes.
- It reinforces public frustration and fatigue — riders and officials are tired of recurring issues and unclear explanations.
- Overall tone: lack of confidence and lingering uncertainty, with questions about why problems keep happening even after repeated interventions.
Spring 2024 — Transit Commission / OC Transpo fleet and reliability discussion
A media report on a Transit Commission meeting says OC Transpo leadership gave an overview of the service, including on-demand transit and operational performance. This is relevant because it sits in the same period as Tim’s growing public concern about bus reliability and fleet readiness.
“Councillor Tim Tierney asked Amilcar if there was a Plan B for procuring extra diesel buses to service the city’s needs if the electric buses were delivered late. He stated that late delivery is not uncommon in the electronic vehicle industry. Amilcar said, “We do not want to come back with diesel buses, and everyone in the world wants to move to e-buses.”
OC Transpo Boss Unfazed by Buses Arriving Late and State of the Fleet – Ottawa Life Magazine
May 21, 2024
“We’ve hit a turning point… inspections need to be done in advance.”
580 CFRA
Tim comments following the closure of St-Laurent Station, calling for stronger preventative maintenance.
Main points from the interview:
- The St. Laurent LRT station was shut down after a routine inspection found corrosion in the tunnel ceiling tiles, raising safety concerns.
- The closure is ongoing (not just a short disruption), showing the issue is significant enough to require further assessment and repair.
- It highlights infrastructure-related problems, not just train or mechanical issues — pointing to broader concerns with the system’s condition.
- The situation adds to ongoing reliability frustrations, as another unexpected problem affects service and rider confidence.
- Overall tone: concern about safety and system durability, with yet another disruption reinforcing doubts about the LRT’s long-term reliability.
May 22, 2024
“It’s continual… why are we having to keep dealing with this?”
580 CFRA – The Morning Rush
Tim expresses frustration with ongoing LRT reliability and operational issues.
Main points from “Coffee n’ Hot Takes – May 22, 2024”:
- The latest LRT issue is framed as “more of the same” — not a new type of failure, but another example of recurring problems that keep resurfacing.
- Strong sense of public frustration and fatigue — people are tired of constant disruptions and feel like the system never fully stabilizes.
- The discussion questions why issues keep happening despite repeated fixes and assurances, suggesting underlying problems haven’t been fully resolved.
- There’s skepticism about messaging — official updates are seen as overly optimistic compared to rider experience.
- Broader takeaway: confidence in the LRT remains low, with ongoing issues reinforcing the perception that reliability is still not where it should be.
May 27, 2024
“These trains run everywhere… why are they not running here?”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tim raises concerns about wheel hub redesign issues affecting LRT reliability.
Main points from the interview:
- There are serious concerns with the current LRT repair approach, particularly around the wheel hub assembly issue that has caused past shutdowns.
- The train manufacturer has scaled back plans for a full redesign, arguing it’s not necessary — which raises concern about whether the fix is sufficient.
- There’s a dispute over the root cause: the manufacturer suggests the problem may be with the tracks rather than the trains, adding uncertainty about what actually needs fixing.
- Responsibility is a key issue — the view expressed is that ultimate accountability lies with the consortium (RTG) to properly resolve the problem.
- Overall tone: frustration and skepticism about whether the current plan will truly fix the recurring mechanical issues.
May 31, 2024 — Joint Transit Commission and Light Rail Sub-Committee
Main Points:
- Need for engineers to come to the table to speak
- Question what staff is saying and their credibility
- Express that they have been waiting a long time
- Concern of wasting another year
Mid-June 2024 — Tim presses OC Transpo on East Extension opening
An Ottawa Citizen PDF result reports that Tim asked Renée Amilcar whether the Line 1 eastern extension would be open in time for the May 2025 FCM AGM. The answer reported was no, with the opening then described as summer 2025, possibly September.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney asked Amilcar whether the Line 1 eastern extension would be open in time for the May 2025 annual general meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which will draw thousands of delegates to Ottawa.
The short answer to that question was no, Amilcar replied. When pressed by Tierney, she said the opening would be in the summer of 2025, but could possibly be in September.
“But it will not be in May for sure,” she said.
This would be the second slippage in delivery time for the eastern extension and people are getting frustrated, Tierney said.
“People thought it would be service delivery in 2024. Then I heard first quarter of 2025. Now I’m hearing it will be after the summer of 2025. We have a message to deliver to our constituents, and that’s a pretty big ballpark.”
Article:
June 13, 2024
“Let’s be honest with people… if it’s not going to happen, let the public know.”
CBC News
Tim responds to confirmation that the Orléans LRT extension would not be ready by May 2025, calling for clearer timelines.
August 29, 2024 — Light Rail Sub-Committee
Main points:
- Challenges in East End regarding closures
- Closures with no work taking place
- Current status of the line
- Will everyone be informed on the timeline if there are any changes
September 13, 2024
“It’s 10 minutes or nothing… that’s not how I operate.”
580 CFRA
Tim questions OC Transpo’s decision-making around service cuts and operational planning.
Main points from interview:
- Focus on ongoing LRT issues and reliability concerns, with acknowledgement that problems have been persistent and frustrating for riders.
- Discussion around getting higher levels of government (province) more involved, including the idea that Ottawa may need outside support or a different governance model for transit.
- Emphasis on accountability and long-term solutions, not just short-term fixes — the system needs structural improvement to prevent recurring failures.
- Recognition that public confidence in transit is still low, and restoring trust is a major challenge.
- Overall tone: frustration with the status quo but pushing for bigger, systemic changes rather than incremental fixes.
September 18, 2024
Debate over off-peak LRT service frequency
CTV News
Tim suggests seven-minute headways during off-peak periods as council debates proposed service reductions.
October 24, 2024 — Transportation Committee — Tierney motion on Stage 2 East road closures
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Tim’s own post reproduces the motion and ties it to Transportation Committee, Agenda 15, Item 5.1. He argued that Stage 2 East LRT construction had caused severe traffic disruption, poor communication, limited alternate routes, blocked intersections, safety concerns, and a need for a post-mortem review of the previous two years of closures and public claims.
October 25, 2024 — Tierney public post summarizing his road-closure motion
-
He publicly restated that the East End had faced “endless road closures, gridlock, and safety risks” and said his motion passed unanimously after amendments from other east-end councillors.
October 30, 2024
“I’ve been extremely vocal about this… there is no Plan B.”
580 CFRA – Kristy Cameron Show
Tim criticizes the lack of contingency planning for LRT disruptions and service reliability.
Audio:
https://omny.fm/shows/580-cfra/fiery-session-with-councillor-tierney-on-oc-transpo
November 20, 2024
“Fool me once, shame on you… I have no belief that it was ever going to run on time.”
580 CFRA
Tim criticizes repeated LRT timeline shifts and says residents are losing confidence in delivery dates.
Main points from the interview:
- The Trillium Line still didn’t have a confirmed opening date, with the city waiting on “substantial completion” before service can begin.
- Frustration around ongoing delays and lack of clear timelines, making it difficult to communicate expectations to the public.
- Emphasis that the project can’t open until it meets required standards, reinforcing that safety and readiness come before deadlines.
- The situation reflects broader concerns with LRT project management and repeated delays, continuing a pattern seen across the system.
- Overall tone: impatience and frustration, with a focus on getting the line finished properly but acknowledging uncertainty remains.
November 29, 2024 — Light Rail Sub-Committee / Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project
Main points:
- Points out slippage regardless of summer 2025
- Lack of communication and updates
- New Ways To Bus
- Inquiry about the high number of closures in the East end
November 29, 2024
LRT east extension timeline slips further
CTV News
OC Transpo in responce to Tim Tim’s question indicates the Orléans extension may not open until fall 2025, prompting questions about testing and schedule expectations.
In response to a question from Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney on Friday, Amilcar projected it could be into the fall before transit users in Orléans are able to board.
“For now, let’s say Q3, Q4, and when we will come back at the beginning of next year, we will have a better view of things,” Amilcar said. “We will not provide a firm date because we don’t know and we don’t want to rush anything.”
2025
January 29, 2025 — Council governance change affecting LRT oversight
-
Council dissolved the old Light Rail Sub-Committee structure and shifted major light-rail updates into the new governance model, directing staff to continue major technical briefings in consultation with the Transit Committee Chair. Tim’s later transit/LRT interventions occur within this new structure.
February 13, 2025 — Transit Committee — Tim asks about used buses, Route 24, e-buses, tariffs, and security
Main Points:
- the search for used buses because new 60-foot diesel buses would not arrive until 2026,
- Route 24 changes still planned for April,
- whether 26 electric buses would be fully operational by end of March,
- whether U.S.-sourced parts and possible tariffs could affect delivery/costs,
- and funding for additional special constables on transit platforms.
March 6, 2025 — Tim written follow-up on electric bus delivery
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In a public post, Tim says he requested an update at Transit Committee and then published the numbers. He wrote that 12 zero-emission buses were in service in early 2025, that 26 had been expected in 2024 but none arrived, and that more than 80 were expected by end of 2025, with 124 scheduled in 2026 and 120 in 2027.
- Tracking Ottawa’s Electric Bus Transition: Addressing My Concerns About Delivery Progress – TimTierneyOttawa.ca
March 17, 2025 — Transit Committee — Bus reliability
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Public agenda confirms a dedicated “Bus reliability” item at Transit Committee on March 17, 2025.
April 10, 2025 — Transit Committee — reliability motion
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Minutes show Transit Committee passed a motion directing the General Manager to present a detailed plan for how bus reliability would meet or exceed the 85% performance target by December 2027. The motion text explicitly references years of disruption, including construction of the Confederation Line, LRT mechanical/structural problems after launch, and more recent mechanic/operator/bus shortages.
Main points
- Bus reliability issues are tied to ongoing LRT problems and incomplete system integration
- Delays in the Stage 2 LRT expansion are forcing continued reliance on buses, straining service
- Construction related to LRT is disrupting bus routes, causing delays and reduced reliability
- The system is still compensating for LRT shortcomings rather than operating as a fully integrated network
- There is a need for a clear plan to stabilize service until LRT expansion is complete
- Concerns about whether LRT timelines and readiness are being communicated accurately
June 12, 2025 — Transit Committee
-
Verified Transit Committee meeting included OC Transpo Update – Rail, Bus, and Para Transpo and the City’s response to the Westboro collision coroner’s inquest. This is a major transit policy meeting in the post-LRSC structure.
Main points:
- Concern regarding closures and new bus routes
- Train testing Q4 but Tim thinks February 2026
Summer 2025 — Stage 2 East road-closure blowback
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Yahoo/CBC syndication reported that east-end councillors including Tim were at odds with OC Transpo and contractors over ramp and road closures, with the article describing east Ottawa as in “complete paralysis.”
“I’ve observed this chaos for three years straight on this part of the line,” Tierney said. “They really haven’t been transparent on when (the closures) happen … It’s got a lot of people frustrated.”
Article:
East Ottawa in ‘complete paralysis’ with LRT Line 1 expansion | Ottawa Citizen
July 2025
CTV News / CBC / CFRA
Tim criticizes traffic disruption and construction management during Stage 2 LRT construction.
Articles / audio:
“We’ve been living this nightmare for three years, and there’s a tipping point,” Tierney told CTV News Ottawa on Saturday. “The tipping point is when they just decided not to inform the public.”
In 2023, there were 488 closures. In 2024, there were 704 closures. Tierney says he expects that number to continue climbing in 2025 and will be requesting more data from the city.
Main points from the interview:
- Focus on road construction frustrations in east Ottawa, especially how lane closures are being managed and their impact on daily traffic.
- Argument that lanes should be reopened as soon as possible, even if it’s earlier than scheduled — rather than leaving cones up when no work is happening.
- Emphasis on a more practical, flexible approach to construction management, prioritizing keeping traffic moving over rigid timelines.
- Recognition that current practices unnecessarily worsen congestion, especially during busy periods when roads are already under pressure.
- Overall message: reduce avoidable traffic disruptions by improving coordination and being more proactive about reopening lanes when it’s safe to do so.
Article:
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/east-ottawa-paralysis-stage-2-lrt
September 11, 2025 — Transit Committee — one of the most important Tierney transit days
- Public agenda confirms a full-day committee meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with:
- OC Transpo Update – Rail, Bus, and Para Transpo
- Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project
- Improving Bus Service Reliability
- Stage 2 – Line 1 LRT Construction Road Closures
- Line 1 East Extension – Bus Service After Opening
- Tim voted against Councillor David Hill’s motion to temporarily expand the transfer window.
September 11, 2025 — broader frustration with stagnant OC Transpo metrics
A news report on that same day says councillors were frustrated with OC Transpo’s “stagnant” reliability metrics and ongoing failures to meet targets for bus reliability and on-time service.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville ward Coun. Tim Tierney said Charter was “taking a lot of flak for a decision that council made three years ago” to convert its fleet to e-buses, which are gradually being delivered to the city.
“There are no buses for people to drive,” Tierney said. “You can have as many drivers as you like, but there’s no bus to drive.”
Article:
OC Transpo misses on-time targets — again. Now what? – Yahoo News Canada
September 12, 2025
580 CFRA
Tim expresses skepticism about a February 2026 launch timeline.
Main points from the interview:
- Upcoming performance testing.
- No firm opening date for the Line 1 east extension — officials are still targeting late 2025, but couldn’t provide a concrete timeline.
- The project is entering a multi-step process (testing, commissioning, integration) before it can open, meaning there are still significant hurdles ahead.
- There is clear skepticism about the timeline, with expectations that a realistic opening could slip into early 2026 rather than 2025.
- The discussion highlights lack of confidence due to past delays, with concern that optimistic projections may not match reality.
- Broader point: public trust remains low, and people want to see proven results (successful testing and readiness) rather than more target dates.
November 24, 2025 — Transit Committee — 2026 transit budget
Main points:
- No way launching before February
- Slippage, now first quarter of 2026
- Testing and substantial completion process
- Security and safety at stations
November 25, 2025
580 CFRA – The Morning Rush
Discussion about the eastern extension expected to open in early 2026.
Main points from the interview:
- The east extension opening has been delayed again, now expected early in 2026 instead of 2025.
- Delays are tied to technical and system issues, including ongoing work to ensure trains and infrastructure are fully ready before launch.
- Even though construction is largely complete, the project still needs to go through final steps like testing, trial running, and safety approvals before passengers can use it.
- The extension is a major project that will expand Line 1 east to Trim and connect more communities, so it needs to be done properly before opening.
- Overall tone: frustration with another delay, but emphasis on getting it right and ensuring safety before opening.
2026
January 14, 2026 — CTV / YouTube — bus fleet transparency
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A CTV News clip states Tim was calling for greater transparency on the state of Ottawa’s bus fleet as OC Transpo fell behind.
Main points from the video:
- Call for greater transparency on the bus fleet — concern that there isn’t enough clear, public information about how many buses are actually available and in working condition.
- The issue is tied to ongoing service problems, with OC Transpo struggling to meet expectations and falling behind on reliability.
- Emphasis that fleet condition is a key factor — aging buses, maintenance issues, and shortages are impacting service levels across the system.
- Argument that better data = better accountability — more openness would help council and the public understand what’s going wrong and push for solutions.
- Broader message: transit reliability problems are being driven by fleet and maintenance challenges, and transparency is needed to fix them.
January 22,2026
CTV Your Morning Ottawa
Main points from the video:
- What are the problems? The train works elsewhere but not in Ottawa
- Pushing for answers regarding the wheel bearing
- Looking at the province taking this over
- Need a long-term solution
- Strong push for more transparency around the bus fleet, especially how many buses are actually available vs. out of service.
January 22, 2026
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tim discusses LRT governance and oversight, emphasizing the need for stronger accountability.
January 28, 2026 — The Morning Rush — LRT delays, refunds, OC Transpo issues
Main points:
- Ongoing LRT and transit issues (delays, reduced service, disruptions) are the backdrop — service is not meeting expectations.
- Some are proposing refunds or compensation for riders, reflecting frustration with paying for unreliable service.
- There is debate over whether refunds are the right approach —
- One side: riders deserve compensation for poor service
- Other side: money is better spent fixing the system long-term rather than issuing refunds
- Emphasis that service reliability is the core issue — bus shortages, train problems, and capacity limits are driving the conversation.
- Broader point: public frustration is high, and the refund discussion is really a symptom of larger trust and performance issues with transit.
February 3, 2026
“We need an engineer’s stamp — not academia — to fix this.”
580 CFRA
Tim says the city needs technical engineering validation before moving forward with LRT operational decisions.
Main points from the interview:
- The city should be actively pushing the province to take over (upload) the LRT, rather than waiting — more pressure is needed to move things forward.
- A provincial takeover is seen as a way to relieve financial pressure on Ottawa, potentially saving significant costs and helping address transit budget issues.
- The province has signalled support but hasn’t committed to a timeline, which is a key frustration — progress is stalled without clear action.
- Uploading the LRT would align Ottawa with other Ontario cities where transit systems are provincially managed, suggesting a more consistent model.
- Broader point: the current situation shows municipal resources are stretched, and long-term sustainability may require greater provincial involvement.
February 12, 2026 — Transit Committee
Main points:
- 21 day testing
- Asking to receive monthly updates instead of quarterly updates
- Lack of buses tied to LRT
- Bus fleet
February 12, 2026
“We have to have a more honest discussion about realistic timelines… I’d be shocked if it’s done in the next year.”
CBC News
Tim urges OC Transpo to be transparent about schedule expectations for the east extension.
February 14, 2026 — newsletter excerpt: new East-End LRT target “optimistic”
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A publicly indexed excerpt from a Tim newsletter says: “This past week at transit committee, I spoke — as I have many times over the last few years — about my ongoing concerns with the state of our transit system.” The post headline calls the new east-end LRT target “optimistic.”
February 14, 2026
“The east extension is not nearly as close to completion as many residents have been led to believe.”
Postmedia
Tim warns that expectations around the project timeline may be overly optimistic.
Article:
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/ottawa-sun/20260214/281573772149996
February 18, 2026
CFRA 580
February 2026 — Ottawa Now — skeptical about Stage 2 East opening
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iHeart’s summary says that when asked about optimism for a pre-2026 launch date, Tim was not holding his breath, instead hoping for February 2026.
Main points from the interview:
- No clear opening date — officials are still targeting late 2025, but couldn’t give a firm timeline.
- The project still has to go through a multi-step process (testing, commissioning, integration) before it can open, meaning it’s not close to ready yet.
- There is strong skepticism about meeting a pre-2026 launch, with expectations leaning more toward early 2026 (around February).
- The lack of certainty reflects ongoing concerns from past delays, making people doubtful of optimistic timelines.
- Broader takeaway: confidence remains low, and people are waiting for proven progress rather than projected dates.
Late February 2026 — The Morning Rush — 21-day trial testing / removed train cars / OC Transpo issues
Tim discussed 21-day trial testing for the O-Train, cars removed from service, and other issues affecting OC Transpo.
Early March 2026 — Morning Rush — pressure province to upload LRT
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iHeart has a standalone segment titled “Tim Tierney thinks the city should pressure Ford on the LRT takeover” and says he discussed getting the province to upload LRT and other transit issues.
March 5, 2026
“We need 46 cars to properly test the system… we need to know what the plan is.”
CBC News
Tim calls for clear testing benchmarks and realistic launch timelines before the east extension begins passenger service.
Article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lrt-line-1-east-ottawa-schedule-open-9.7115903
March 5, 2026
“I’m optimistically cautious… I want to see this work, but I don’t want to cut corners.”
580 CFRA – Ottawa Now
Tim reiterates concerns about launching the extension without sufficient testing.
Main points from the interview :
- The LRT east extension has reached a key milestone, moving it closer to opening after long delays.
- Discussion centres on whether the extension will actually deliver reliable service once it launches, given the system’s past issues.
- There is a broader focus on public confidence — listeners and riders are being asked if they trust the new stretch of LRT to work properly.
- The conversation reflects ongoing skepticism despite progress, with people wanting proof of performance rather than milestones.
March 5, 2026 — Ottawa Now — Stage 2 East reaches substantial completion
-
The episode text says the eastern extension had achieved “substantial completion” and that Tim joined to discuss next steps, including uncertainty over trial runs because Line 1 was still affected by the January spalling issue.
Main points from the interview:
- The east extension has reached “substantial completion” — meaning the infrastructure is essentially finished and ready for the next phase.
- With construction largely done, the project can now move into testing and trial running, which is the final step before opening to the public.
- However, no clear start date for testing has been confirmed yet, so timelines remain uncertain.
- Progress is being held back by ongoing issues on the existing Line 1, including reduced capacity from earlier problems, which affects how quickly testing can proceed.
- Overall message: the project is very close to opening, but still needs successful testing and system stability before passengers can use it.
March 5, 2026 — CTV / YouTube — “Ottawa’s Worst Commute: East end transit chaos”
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CTV’s video says Leah Larocque travelled with Tim from Montreal Road to City Hall to experience the route firsthand, focusing on bus shortages, delays, and the delayed East extension.
March 6, 2026
“In Stage 1, corners were cut… we want to make sure it’s done right this time.”
Postmedia / Ottawa Citizen
Tim says east-end residents are frustrated with delays but do not want the system rushed into service if reliability risks remain.
Article:
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/o-train-numbers-remain-unchanged-east-extension
March 11–13, 2026 period — local reporting from Blair Station
- Tim’s website homepage snapshot includes a post saying “This was 8:45am to 9:30am this morning at Blair Station” and references local media coverage. That suggests an on-the-ground transit-related appearance at Blair during the March 2026 problems.
March 12, 2026 — Transit Committee
Main points:
- Trains available for service: 20
- Working on finalizing containment plan
- When is the technical briefing to see more of the roll-out
March 2026 — The Morning Rush — O-Train reliability slipping / Eastern Extension rough patch
March 12, 2026
“There are a lot of questions I wanted to focus on today that will now be distracted by what happened yesterday.”
580 CFRA – The Morning Rush
Tim says ongoing service disruptions are undermining confidence in the system and distracting from broader transit discussions.
Main points from the interview:
- Reliability on Line 1 is slipping again, with renewed issues affecting service and raising concerns about system stability.
- These ongoing problems are impacting confidence in the system, especially as the city prepares to expand it with the east extension.
- The east extension is facing new complications, with issues emerging during the final stages (testing/commissioning), slowing progress.
- There’s concern about adding more track to an already unreliable system — expanding service before fully fixing existing problems.
- Emphasis on the need to get the current system working properly first, before celebrating or relying on the extension.
- Broader message: progress on expansion is being overshadowed by reliability concerns, and public trust remains fragile.w
March 13, 2026 (indexed 4 days before today) — independent review after new O-Train issue
Yahoo/CTV syndication says Tierney wanted an independent review of the latest issue that halted trains in the east end of Ottawa.
“That’s concerning, and that’s why my continued push is for the province to help us with their commitment and get a third party, somebody independent of RTG, to do this evaluation. I’ve been calling on this for at least a year,” Tierney said.
“Every day with this train, it’s like something else doesn’t work. Let’s strap lube, grease, scrape, do something different,” he said.
“I’m not comfortable with that. I feel we need someone with an engineer stamp that will come in and will actually sign off on something that will tell us where the challenges are. And the only way to achieve that is have the province step up and get this resolved.”
Article:
March 13, 2026
“Where is everybody? … It’s a ghost town.”
CityNews Ottawa
Tim says he visited Blair Station following the latest Line 1 disruption and found no Rideau Transit Group or OC Transpo staff present, raising concerns about oversight and response.
Article / video:
https://ottawa.citynews.ca/2026/03/13/power-outage-freezing-rain-to-blame-for-latest-line-1-east-woes-memo/
March 14, 2026
“Nous avons besoin d’un expert indépendant pour évaluer le système… et ce qui m’inquiète, c’est que personne ne semble travailler sur le site.”
CBC News
Tim calls for an independent third-party evaluation of Ottawa’s LRT system, warning the city may not be ready to open the east extension and raising concerns about lack of activity on the site.
March 19, 2026
Celebrating the Return of Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
After a six year hiatus, Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade returned in full force, bringing thousands together to celebrate Irish heritage, community spirit, and the revival of a cherished city tradition.
Visiting the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
I recently visited the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County during Brain Health Month to learn more about the free programs, services, and support they provide to people living with dementia and the caregivers and families who support them.
Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations During Black History Month
During Black History Month, we proudly celebrated Black excellence across generations—honouring community leaders like Violène Gabriel whose resilience, leadership, and dedication continue to inspire and uplift Ottawa.
Ottawa Shows Up for Special Olympics at the 2026 Polar Plunge
Ottawa’s community spirit was on full display at the 2026 Polar Plunge, where local leaders, police, and residents braved icy waters in support of Special Olympics Ontario and the athletes who inspire us all.
Pink Shirt Day: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Building a Culture of Respect
Pink Shirt Day is a call to action to stand up against bullying in all its forms and to actively build a culture of respect, responsibility, and kindness in our schools, workplaces, and online spaces.
Strengthening Municipal Voices at the National Table
As First Vice-President of FCM, I joined mayors from across Canada in Ottawa for candid, solutions-focused discussions on community safety, housing, infrastructure, and the urgent need for stronger federal–municipal collaboration to meet growing local pressures.
Honouring Black History Month 2026: Celebrating Legacies, Brilliance, and Community
Black History Month 2026 invites our community to honour the legacies, brilliance, and ongoing contributions of African, Caribbean, Black people, while reflecting on the stories, challenges, and achievements that continue to shape our city and country.
A Week of Spirit, Community, and Celebration: Seniors Olympics Kick Off Across Our Residences
The All Seniors Care Seniors Olympics kicked off with joyful, high-energy opening ceremonies at Beacon Heights and Cité Parkway, celebrating community, history, and the inspiring spirit of sport that brings everyone together.