Canada: An improper state of infrastructure has been the root cause for the accelerated wear of the Citadis Spirit trams’ bogie components and their consequent failure.
That was indicated by the French manufacturer in the report prepared for the joint meeting of the Ottawa Transit Commission and the Light Rail Transit subcommittee. Alstom’s recommendations include replacing the rails on curves with ones of a more wear-resistant material, re-profiling the rail head, and strengthening the ballast under the track.
Meanwhile, the rolling stock company has suspended the work on redesigning of the wheel hub assembly, commenced in 2023. Earlier Alstom indicated that the wheel hub assembly renovation would solve the problem of the running gear’s increased wear, which had been the cause of two derailments of trams in 2021. At that same time the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, TSB, claimed that motor malfunctions could also lead to the derailments.
While Alstom’s report is being studied, the city authorities urge the company to recommence the redesign of the wheel hub assembly.
