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During the trial, RTG will run peak and non-peak schedules on the 12.5-kilometre line without taking passengers. Fifteen double-car trains will run during the peak times.

Every part of LRT operations will be tested — elevators and escalators, the public address system, surveillance cameras, ventilation system in the 2.5-kilometre tunnel, fare gates, maintenance program — to make sure the rail line is ready for prime time.

The trial will also give RTG the chance to test scenarios that manage mishaps during operations — the so-called “failure management.” In other words, what happens when the entire LRT line or part of it needs to shut down unexpectedly.

A commissioning team will review the operations each day of the trial run. If there’s a major deficiency, RTG would need to fix the problem and reset the 12-day countdown clock.

The public shouldn’t expect to hear much from the city during the 12-day trial. Staff made it clear to council members there wouldn’t be updates until after the test period is finished.

Starting the 12-day trial this week gives RTG a buffer in case there need to be tweaks during the simulation.

RTG has told the city it can hand over the LRT system by Aug. 16. If the consortium doesn’t, the city can apply another $1-million penalty, just like it has for the missed handover deadlines on May 24, 2018, Nov. 2, 2018, and March 31.

The handover in the contract is called the “revenue service availability,” which means the city would be in a position to start running the LRT line with customers that day. However, after taking possession of the train system the city and Transpo will spend up to four weeks to prepare for the launch.