Tremblay to Rideau along the Confederation Line

Today we took the OTrain from Tremblay station downtown to Rideau.

Tremblay, shown over on the left, is located on the grounds of Ottawa's VIA Rail station, so it's easy to take the train from say Montreal or Toronto to Ottawa, and then walk over to the OTrain station and get downtown in maybe 10 minutes or so. The station's layout is quite functional and utilitarian. Style-wise, it's dramatic, but also very similar to other pieces of public architecture we've seen over the last few years. You may recall in the McGregor Park Library post I noted that the new McGregor Park Library has that same upthrusting roof design, as do the onroute rest stops along the 401. Now, the OCTranspo's Tremblay station can be added to that club.

This view is from the Tremblay station's entrance looking back to the VIA station - it's that horizontal, black truss roof thing on the horizon. 

Ottawa is a serious winter city. Last winter hung around for 6 months and we had a total of around 3m of snow. Note that there is no protected walkway from the VIA station to the OTrain station. You've got to schlep you and your bags outside to get from one station to the other. Some sort of above or below ground covered walkway would have been better, but I can only imagine the added cost, and there would have had to have been cooperation between all the organizations associated with VIA and OCTranspo. 

Rideau station is underground, and there isn't much to see outside as the station entrance is just a facade with some doors up at street level. It's clearly marked, so you can't miss it. 

Rideau station connects directly with the Rideau Centre shopping mall. No need to go outside to brave the elements to do some shopping - definitely a benefit in the winter months.

Monday was the first day of revenue service on the Confederation Line. There was an 8 minute delay that day, and on Tuesday the St Laurent, Cyrville, and Blair stations were closed for about an hour in the afternoon. So, there have been some teething pains, but our trip this morning was flawless. We were travelling after the morning rush, so not a lot of riders, but I'd say the seats were close to 1/3 full. 

My verdict for this trip is that I won't be driving downtown again if I need to go to the market, Rideau Centre, or there abouts.