LRT Investigation: City Argues In Final Statement That Contractors Should Be Responsible For Problems With Systems. RTG claims city set unrealistic expectations

played a role in the issue of the LRT system in a lengthy closing statement submitted to the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry.

"(Rideau Transit Group ) disappointed the city: it was RTG who was called to account for issues affecting the reliability of the system, and how the city's transport users depended on this new system that they had purchased and paid for. Taxpayers should not bear the burden of private sector failures,” city attorneys wrote in a statement.

Ongoing problems — delays, derailments, cracked wheels and other problems — are frustrating not only members of the public, but also transit advocates and city council members.

The City's Attorney for the Investigation stated that the private contractors involved in the project were "responsible for the historic and ongoing failures in the design, construction, and maintenance of the LRT. should bear the burden of

In a press release on page 105 of its final statement on Monday, the city said it "strongly hopes to ensure that RTG and its subcontractors are held accountable. ' said.

"Ottawa residents are understandably frustrated that the LRT has not always lived up to expectations," the city statement said.

In its final statement, RTG parties noted that city officials set unrealistic expectations, faced political pressureStreet SinkholeIn many cases, the city was more politically motivated than advice from consultants, according to the statement.

``In many ways, problems occurred during the construction and launch of the system — delaying the originally planned completion date and interrupting service. Vehicle reliability issues — have been a fairly common problem in complex infrastructure projects, things like this,” RTG Parties wrote in its closing statement.

“The problems with the project have had a significant impact on Ottawa residents as the Ottawa municipal government has set unrealistic expectations. They campaigned for a promised turnkey system and to deliver it without delay. Political death had already been thrown when they were alerted. Rejecting a proposal at the hearing to make sure it was done on budget, the readiness of the system to launch was one of the factors that contributed to the LRT's problems.

It was the city's original intention that the inquiry was called by the state government "for political reasons as much as to help the public understand the problems of the system." The City reiterated its concerns. argues that these concerns have been emphasized by. witness.

"At times the public sector appeared to be on trial. The city was criticized for being both too harsh and too soft on his RTG," the closing statement said. says.

"A significant amount of time was spent investigating the city's actions regarding commissioning, but little time was spent investigating technical issues..."

Pre-commissioning of Ottawa's Stage 1 LRT has been one area of ​​discussion under investigation. Commissioning standards have been reduced from the 98% performance requirement to 96%. Several city council members complained to the commission that information about the pilot's operation was withheld from most members of the council.

``Even more important is to have city council members discuss technical issues. Not only was there a risk of inappropriate and ill-informed decisions being made.”

The closing statement specifically asserted that Watson acted correctly, stating that he did not interfere in staff decision-making or deliberately mislead the council.

Among the more than 20 recommendations for the survey is that the City has "clearly communicated with City Council" about when the City plans to report and what information will be provided at the start of the project. There is something that says "I need to get in touch."

He also recommended an independent review of performance, deductions, and administration of payment mechanisms during his first year of service.

RTG, among other recommendations in its closing statement, stated that public authorities should limit political interference in projects, increase transparency, and ensure that all stakeholders It argues that future projects should be agreed upon for consistent cooperation.

RTG also notes that the ``optimism bias'' is often applied to complex projects and that ``it is a structural problem inherent in the system itself, and therefore requires a structural solution. ' and said the government is in the best position to implement.

Other participants, including Infrastructure Ontario, have also submitted final statements, with the city choosing his P3, or Public-Private Partnership for Massive Infrastructure. It argues that there is no evidence that the delivery model of ``Or, if appropriate to the needs of the project, P3 should be waived as an option...''

, creating incentives for both Alstom and RTG to understaff and resource the project, which both parties deny.

The union said it ``believes that the evidence presented prior to the investigation calls into question the current preference for P3 structures as the basis for new transit projects in this state.'' rice field.

Commissioner Judge William Hooligan is due to submit a final report with conclusions and recommendations by the end of November.

The full text of the City's final statement is available athttps://www.ottawalrtpublicinquiry.ca/files/evidence/Written-Closing-Submissions/Written-Closing-Submission-City-of-Ottawa.PDF

. Also included is the file of Postmedia staffer John Willing