Watson & Mulroney unveil the commemorative plaque |
Getting ready to board for the inaugural ride |
After the ceremonies it was on to the main event: the inaugural ride from Tunney's Pasture station, where this event was taking place, out to Blair station at the east end, and back again. It was standing room only in the train, and there was maybe around 300 people packing the vehicle - likely a good simulation of rush hour traffic :-)
As I mentioned earlier, the ride down the 12.5 km line and back again was flawless. The train stopped at each station, but didn't open its doors, and after a brief stop was on its way again. By chance I was jammed in a car not too far from Mayor Jim Watson. For a while John Manconi, the general manager of city transportation services, who is basically the head cheese project manager on this project, was standing near the mayor and looking a bit tense. I assume it was because last week he had to explain why a train on the Confederation Line got stuck in a tunnel for several hours one night which, among other things, involved an odd semantic discussion on whether the train was actually stopped as opposed to stuck. However, he didn't need to worry today. The only thing that seemed a little odd to me in an otherwise perfect trip was the train seemed to have a little trouble climbing an uphill grade. I was standing sandwiched between suits and a French language camera crew, so I have no data to substantiate my feeling other than the sense of a little hesitation in the train.
John Manconi, on far left, is all similes at the end of trip media scrum |
The Confederation Line opened to all riders at 2pm today, is open for regular Sunday hours tomorrow, and sees its first day of busy commuters and rush hour service on Monday. It's what's ahead that will tell the Confederation Line's story, but today was a great beginning.
Postscript: Dave told me I had to make sure I got whatever swag was being given out at this event. Dave, that's it over there :-) Down in the lower left is my certificate that I rode the inaugural ride in case any proof is needed in the future :-)
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