Metro's Orange line service resumes after equipment failure causes shutdown

A mechanicalbreakdown is being blamed for the shutdown of a busy stretch of Montreal's Metro system on Saturday afternoon

The Orange line between Berri-UQAMand Henri-Bourassastations wasshutdown from 1 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., according tothe STM.

STMspokesperson Philippe Dry said two tires on an AZUR train blew out at Mont-Royal station.

One of the tires was stuck under the train, so it had to be removed andreplaced, before the train could be towed, he explained.

'No systemic issue'

Dry said there was also a problem with the axle on one of the tires, calling the day's service interruption "a series of unfortunate events."

Roughly 30 shuttle buses were deployed to ferry people between the stations, resulting in long lines and wait times.

"We know we cannot replace the Metro with a bus service," saidDry, "So we understand our clients' frustration."

This is the fourth service interruption this week that has caused a delay of more than 10 minutes.

Dry told CBC thatthose incidents were not connected or related and that there is "no systemic issue with the train."