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Update from Renee Amilcar, General Manager of Transit Services:
July 26, 2022
Update on two incidents currently affecting O-Train Line 1 service:
1. Overhead catenary system repairs
2. Enhanced vehicle inspections
For the past six months, O-Train Line 1 has been running with very high reliability, successfully providing service to our customers during several large-scale events. These recent incidents have created considerable service impacts for our customers. Substantial resources have been deployed to bring service reliability back as soon as possible. We apologize to customers for the current disruptions. We rely on Rideau Transit Group (RTG), and are working collaboratively with them, to return to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
Overhead catenary system repairs
During the storm on Sunday, July 24, a section of the overhead catenary system was damaged between uOttawa and Lees stations. RTG has cleared the area of debris and repairs have begun. Special equipment to re-string the overhead wires was delivered to Ottawa on Monday, July 25 and the installation of the new wires is underway. Tracks that were damaged on Track 2 because of the storm will also be repaired. This work will take several days to complete.
During the storm when power was lost on Track 2, a train safely stopped near uOttawa Station; approximately 30 passengers were transferred to another train. The stopped train will return to the Belfast Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for inspection once power is restored to Track 1.
RTG has inspected Track 1 and completed minor repairs, so we are now able to move trains to the west section of O-Train Line 1. Beginning this afternoon, O-Train Line 1 service will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Rideau stations in the west and between Blair and St. Laurent stations in the east. R1 service will continue to operate between Rideau and St. Laurent stations. Frequent customer updates will continue to be shared on all our regular channels.
Enhanced vehicle inspections
As advised in the memo of July 23, RTG is undertaking additional inspections after issues were found in the wheel hub assembly on one light rail vehicle. Based on RTG’s assessment, 20 light rail cars (all cars with more than 175,000 in-service kilometres) have been pulled from service so that RTM and Alstom can replace the axle hubs as a precautionary measure. The cars will return to service once the replacements are complete. To date, two train cars are cleared for return-to-service.
Alstom has brought in additional engineering experts from Europe to assist with the enhanced inspections and to help determine the root cause on the affected vehicle.
Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) is also on-site to support OC Transpo and monitor the work of RTM and Alstom. As stated in the July 23 memo, OC Transpo reported this incident to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), and they have started their own investigation. We are fully cooperating with the TSB’s investigation.
OC Transpo continues to work collaboratively with RTG and Alstom and is actively monitoring the work and progress on both issues. Our shared goal is to restore full O-Train Line 1 service as soon as it is safe to do so. We recognize the impacts these disruptions have on our customers, and we thank them for their patience.
We continue to keep customers informed through our various communications channels. OC Transpo sent a first O-Train Line 1 alert to customers yesterday at 4:47 am, with regular updates during peak hours every 30 minutes, and frequent updates throughout the day. R1 bus information is posted at all transit stations and additional signage was installed today to further assist customers. OC Transpo staff were deployed at the beginning of service and are stationed across the system to provide information on-site to customers. Information regarding the enhanced vehicle inspections were shared directly to customers via OC Transpo’s communications channels on Saturday, July 23.
A media availability will be held today at 3 pm, and details will be shared in a Media Advisory. Members of the public can watch the availability on YouTube.
We will continue to provide regular updates to our customers as work progresses.
Customers can receive service updates through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, and octranspo.com. Customers can also visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.
July 26, 2022
Update on two incidents currently affecting O-Train Line 1 service:
1. Overhead catenary system repairs
2. Enhanced vehicle inspections
For the past six months, O-Train Line 1 has been running with very high reliability, successfully providing service to our customers during several large-scale events. These recent incidents have created considerable service impacts for our customers. Substantial resources have been deployed to bring service reliability back as soon as possible. We apologize to customers for the current disruptions. We rely on Rideau Transit Group (RTG), and are working collaboratively with them, to return to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
Overhead catenary system repairs
During the storm on Sunday, July 24, a section of the overhead catenary system was damaged between uOttawa and Lees stations. RTG has cleared the area of debris and repairs have begun. Special equipment to re-string the overhead wires was delivered to Ottawa on Monday, July 25 and the installation of the new wires is underway. Tracks that were damaged on Track 2 because of the storm will also be repaired. This work will take several days to complete.
During the storm when power was lost on Track 2, a train safely stopped near uOttawa Station; approximately 30 passengers were transferred to another train. The stopped train will return to the Belfast Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for inspection once power is restored to Track 1.
RTG has inspected Track 1 and completed minor repairs, so we are now able to move trains to the west section of O-Train Line 1. Beginning this afternoon, O-Train Line 1 service will run between Tunney’s Pasture and Rideau stations in the west and between Blair and St. Laurent stations in the east. R1 service will continue to operate between Rideau and St. Laurent stations. Frequent customer updates will continue to be shared on all our regular channels.
Enhanced vehicle inspections
As advised in the memo of July 23, RTG is undertaking additional inspections after issues were found in the wheel hub assembly on one light rail vehicle. Based on RTG’s assessment, 20 light rail cars (all cars with more than 175,000 in-service kilometres) have been pulled from service so that RTM and Alstom can replace the axle hubs as a precautionary measure. The cars will return to service once the replacements are complete. To date, two train cars are cleared for return-to-service.
Alstom has brought in additional engineering experts from Europe to assist with the enhanced inspections and to help determine the root cause on the affected vehicle.
Transportation Resource Associates (TRA) is also on-site to support OC Transpo and monitor the work of RTM and Alstom. As stated in the July 23 memo, OC Transpo reported this incident to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), and they have started their own investigation. We are fully cooperating with the TSB’s investigation.
OC Transpo continues to work collaboratively with RTG and Alstom and is actively monitoring the work and progress on both issues. Our shared goal is to restore full O-Train Line 1 service as soon as it is safe to do so. We recognize the impacts these disruptions have on our customers, and we thank them for their patience.
We continue to keep customers informed through our various communications channels. OC Transpo sent a first O-Train Line 1 alert to customers yesterday at 4:47 am, with regular updates during peak hours every 30 minutes, and frequent updates throughout the day. R1 bus information is posted at all transit stations and additional signage was installed today to further assist customers. OC Transpo staff were deployed at the beginning of service and are stationed across the system to provide information on-site to customers. Information regarding the enhanced vehicle inspections were shared directly to customers via OC Transpo’s communications channels on Saturday, July 23.
A media availability will be held today at 3 pm, and details will be shared in a Media Advisory. Members of the public can watch the availability on YouTube.
We will continue to provide regular updates to our customers as work progresses.
Customers can receive service updates through various channels, including customer alerts, social media updates, and octranspo.com. Customers can also visit octranspo.com for travel planning assistance or call 613-741-4390. Schedules are available by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the bus stop number.
Update from Renee Amilcar, General Manager of Transit Services:
July 25, 2022 5:26pm
To provide an update on the repairs to the overhead catenary system on O-Train Line 1 that was damaged during last night’s thunderstorm.
A section of the overhead wires that provides power to the trains is down between uOttawa and Lees stations. Additional crews and equipment are now on their way to Ottawa to re-string the overhead wires, and repairs will begin early tomorrow. In addition, there is a stopped train on the line near uOttawa Station that lost power when the overhead wires were cut. It needs to be returned to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for a thorough inspection. Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) will also undertake an inspection and make necessary repairs to the rails in the area. It is anticipated that these activities will take several days to complete.
As you are aware, O-Train Line 1 has two sets of tracks. We are waiting for RTM to complete minor repairs to infrastructure on the second track so that trains can be added to the west end of the line. Once the second track is cleared:
We appreciate that this is not the level of service that our customers expect and deserve. RTM assures us that they are working quickly to restore full service as soon as it is safe to do so. OC Transpo staff are working collaboratively with our partners to monitor their progress. We thank our customers for their patience.
OC Transpo employees continue to be at stations to assist customers on-site and updates are available on octranspo.com and social media.
An update will be provided tomorrow, Tuesday, July 26, on the ongoing enhanced inspections of O-Train Line 1 vehicles and a further update on the overhead catenary repair work. Although both occurred just days apart, they are not related.
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July 25, 2022 5:26pm
To provide an update on the repairs to the overhead catenary system on O-Train Line 1 that was damaged during last night’s thunderstorm.
A section of the overhead wires that provides power to the trains is down between uOttawa and Lees stations. Additional crews and equipment are now on their way to Ottawa to re-string the overhead wires, and repairs will begin early tomorrow. In addition, there is a stopped train on the line near uOttawa Station that lost power when the overhead wires were cut. It needs to be returned to the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) for a thorough inspection. Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) will also undertake an inspection and make necessary repairs to the rails in the area. It is anticipated that these activities will take several days to complete.
As you are aware, O-Train Line 1 has two sets of tracks. We are waiting for RTM to complete minor repairs to infrastructure on the second track so that trains can be added to the west end of the line. Once the second track is cleared:
- Rail service will operate in the west between Tunney’s Pasture and Rideau stations and will continue in the east between Blair and St. Laurent stations
- R1 bus service will continue to operate between Rideau and St. Laurent stations
- Line 1 service is expected to begin in the west tomorrow afternoon
- Customer updates will be provided on all our regular channels
We appreciate that this is not the level of service that our customers expect and deserve. RTM assures us that they are working quickly to restore full service as soon as it is safe to do so. OC Transpo staff are working collaboratively with our partners to monitor their progress. We thank our customers for their patience.
OC Transpo employees continue to be at stations to assist customers on-site and updates are available on octranspo.com and social media.
An update will be provided tomorrow, Tuesday, July 26, on the ongoing enhanced inspections of O-Train Line 1 vehicles and a further update on the overhead catenary repair work. Although both occurred just days apart, they are not related.
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OC Transpo summer service begins Sunday, June 26, with service adjustments and seasonal changes to reflect summer ridership. Some Transitway closures and detours for Stage 2 O-Train construction will begin Thursday June 23. Customers can visit octranspo.com, use the Travel Planner or call 613-560-5000 to see if summer service changes and construction detours will affect their trips.
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Transitway closure between Tunney’s Pasture and Dominion Stations
The Transitway will permanently close between Tunney’s Pasture and Dominion Stations to allow for construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extensions to Algonquin and Moodie Stations.
The closures and bus detours will be implemented in phases starting Thursday, June 23, until Sunday, June 26. There will be temporary bus stop and station access adjustments at Tunney's Pasture Station to accommodate the transition to the new detour routing. Customers travelling during the transition period should check octranspo.com for details on bus stop changes and detours.
Transitway closure between Iris Station and Baseline Station
The Transitway will permanently close between Iris Station and Baseline Station on Sunday, June 26, to allow for construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extension to Algonquin Station. Buses will be detoured via Woodroffe Avenue and Iris Street. At Iris Station, there will be temporary adjustments to the location of bus stops, but all bus routes will continue to serve the station. There will be no changes at Baseline Station.
At Dominion, Westboro, Tunney’s Pasture and Iris stations, signage will help direct customers to the interim access points and bus stops, and OC Transpo staff will be on site over the first number of days to assist. For the latest detour information, visit octranspo.com/alerts.
Service adjustments
Seasonal adjustments
Visit octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000 for more information about OC Transpo construction detours and summer service and schedules. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Transitway will permanently close between Tunney’s Pasture and Dominion Stations to allow for construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extensions to Algonquin and Moodie Stations.
- Buses will travel on Scott Street.
- At Westboro Station customers will use temporary bus platforms on Scott Street. The station roadway and building will be closed.
- Routes 62 and 75 will provide service to a pair of stops on Scott Street at Island Park Drive. No other detoured bus routes will serve these stops.
- At Dominion Station, customers will use new temporary bus platforms on the realigned temporary Transitway.
The closures and bus detours will be implemented in phases starting Thursday, June 23, until Sunday, June 26. There will be temporary bus stop and station access adjustments at Tunney's Pasture Station to accommodate the transition to the new detour routing. Customers travelling during the transition period should check octranspo.com for details on bus stop changes and detours.
Transitway closure between Iris Station and Baseline Station
The Transitway will permanently close between Iris Station and Baseline Station on Sunday, June 26, to allow for construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extension to Algonquin Station. Buses will be detoured via Woodroffe Avenue and Iris Street. At Iris Station, there will be temporary adjustments to the location of bus stops, but all bus routes will continue to serve the station. There will be no changes at Baseline Station.
At Dominion, Westboro, Tunney’s Pasture and Iris stations, signage will help direct customers to the interim access points and bus stops, and OC Transpo staff will be on site over the first number of days to assist. For the latest detour information, visit octranspo.com/alerts.
Service adjustments
- Route 27 – Three additional round trips will be added in the midday, and the route will be adjusted to travel via Wanaki, Mikinak, and Codd’s Roads to better serve customers in recently developed areas of the Wateridge neighbourhood, including Veterans’ House.
- Route 40 – Service during off-peak hours will operate along Johnston Road instead of Tapiola Crescent. Weekday peak-period service will continue to operate on Tapiola Crescent.
- Route 93 – Service will travel along Bradwell Way between Findlay Creek Drive and Kelly Farm Drive and will no longer use the White Alder Avenue loop.
Seasonal adjustments
- Routes 25, 82 and 87 will see trip frequency adjustments during certain time periods to reflect summer ridership.
- Summer weekend service returns with trips to recreation destinations:
- Route 25 to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Route 139 to Petrie Island (begins Saturday, June 18)
- Route 185 to the Central Experimental Farm and Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Visit octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000 for more information about OC Transpo construction detours and summer service and schedules. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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June 9, 2022
Masks no longer mandatory on public transit but still strongly recommended
As determined by the Province of Ontario, masks will no longer be mandatory on public transit starting Saturday, June 11.
While wearing a mask will no longer be required by law, Ottawa Public Health still strongly recommends people wear masks on OC Transpo buses and trains, in stations and shelters, and on Para Transpo minibuses and taxis. For more information on layers of protection against COVID-19, visit Ottawa Public Health’s Reducing the risks from COVID-19 webpage
OC Transpo continues to prioritize the health and safety of its customers and employees. Enhanced health and safety practices that were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic will continue. These include:
We ask everyone to be kind and respectful of one another. We thank our customers and employees for continuing to do their part to keep our community safe.
Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com or following OC Transpo’s Twitter accounts.
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Masks no longer mandatory on public transit but still strongly recommended
As determined by the Province of Ontario, masks will no longer be mandatory on public transit starting Saturday, June 11.
While wearing a mask will no longer be required by law, Ottawa Public Health still strongly recommends people wear masks on OC Transpo buses and trains, in stations and shelters, and on Para Transpo minibuses and taxis. For more information on layers of protection against COVID-19, visit Ottawa Public Health’s Reducing the risks from COVID-19 webpage
OC Transpo continues to prioritize the health and safety of its customers and employees. Enhanced health and safety practices that were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic will continue. These include:
- Enhanced sanitizing and cleaning of all vehicles and stations daily
- Protective shields at the front of buses
- Hand sanitizer dispensers at O-Train stations and most Transitway stations
- Touch-free and online fare payment options
- Virtual Line at the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre in the Rideau Centre that lets customers reserve a spot without waiting in line
We ask everyone to be kind and respectful of one another. We thank our customers and employees for continuing to do their part to keep our community safe.
Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com or following OC Transpo’s Twitter accounts.
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May 31, 2022
OC Transpo’s Summer 2022 service changes, effective Sunday, June 26, 2022.
The biggest service changes this summer are those related to the closure of two additional sections of Transitway for conversion to light rail facilities as part of the Stage 2 O-Train expansion projects. Details of these closures and service changes are provided below.
Service Adjustments
• Limited midday service will be added on Route 27, and the route will be adjusted to travel via Wanaki, Mikinak, and Codd’s roads to bring service closer to customers in recently developed areas of the Wateridge neighbourhood, including Veterans’ House.
• Off-peak service on Route 40 will be adjusted to operate along Johnston Road seven days per week instead of Tapiola Crescent. Weekday peak-period service will remain along Tapiola.
• Route 93 will be adjusted to remove service from the White Alder loop and operate along Bradwell Way instead. Service Adjustments for Construction Stage 2 O-Train Construction
• The Transitway will permanently close between Tunney’s Pasture and Dominion stations to allow continued construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extensions to Algonquin and Moodie stations. Buses will be detoured onto Scott Street and will utilize new infrastructure, including the Scott Street extension and bridge over the Transitway which will connect Scott Street to a new temporary Dominion Station and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. Transitway routes will only service Dominion, Westboro, and Tunney’s Pasture Stations along Scott Street, with the exception of Routes 62 and 75 which will also provide service at Island Park Drive. At Westboro Station, internal roadways will be closed and bus stops will be realigned to provide service on-street along Scott Street.
• The Transitway will permanently close between Iris Street and Navaho Drive to allow continued construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extension to Algonquin Station. The ramp from Queensway Station Eastbound to the Transitway will also permanently close. Buses will be detoured via Navaho, Woodroffe, and Iris. Seasonal Service Changes Seasonal Adjustments
– The frequency of Routes 25, 82, and 87 will be reduced in certain time periods to reflect reduced seasonal ridership levels normally seen throughout the transit network. Special School Service
– School services will not operate during the summer. Summer Weekend Service to Seasonal Destinations
– As these destinations are reopened, summer weekend service will return on Route 25 to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, on Route 139 to Petrie Island, and on Route 185 to the Canada Agriculture Museum. Specific start dates will be provided on octranspo.com.
Holidays:
Canada Day Friday, July 1
Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with additional buses available to provide more capacity on busy routes where needed. OTrain Line 1 will operate on a special Friday schedule until 2 am with increased evening frequency. Line 2 replacement buses will operate on a special Canada Day schedule with service extended to 1 am.
Civic Holiday Monday, August 1
Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule with increased frequency on busy routes, and select trips on Routes 61, 63, and 75 will be extended to or from Gatineau in peak periods. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule.
Customer information
Full details of these service changes will be communicated to throughout June. OC Transpo has several customer-friendly applications and tools to assist customers in accessing timely information about our service while on the go. These include:
-texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information
-downloading the OC Transpo iPhone app or an independent app,
-signing up for text alerts on octranspo.com to receive the latest information,
-checking transit information screens at many major stations, as well as visiting octranspo.com from a smartphone.
Real-time information is also available by calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number. Once summer service changes begin on June 26, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please direct customers to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-560-5000) for more information.
OC Transpo’s Summer 2022 service changes, effective Sunday, June 26, 2022.
The biggest service changes this summer are those related to the closure of two additional sections of Transitway for conversion to light rail facilities as part of the Stage 2 O-Train expansion projects. Details of these closures and service changes are provided below.
Service Adjustments
• Limited midday service will be added on Route 27, and the route will be adjusted to travel via Wanaki, Mikinak, and Codd’s roads to bring service closer to customers in recently developed areas of the Wateridge neighbourhood, including Veterans’ House.
• Off-peak service on Route 40 will be adjusted to operate along Johnston Road seven days per week instead of Tapiola Crescent. Weekday peak-period service will remain along Tapiola.
• Route 93 will be adjusted to remove service from the White Alder loop and operate along Bradwell Way instead. Service Adjustments for Construction Stage 2 O-Train Construction
• The Transitway will permanently close between Tunney’s Pasture and Dominion stations to allow continued construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extensions to Algonquin and Moodie stations. Buses will be detoured onto Scott Street and will utilize new infrastructure, including the Scott Street extension and bridge over the Transitway which will connect Scott Street to a new temporary Dominion Station and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. Transitway routes will only service Dominion, Westboro, and Tunney’s Pasture Stations along Scott Street, with the exception of Routes 62 and 75 which will also provide service at Island Park Drive. At Westboro Station, internal roadways will be closed and bus stops will be realigned to provide service on-street along Scott Street.
• The Transitway will permanently close between Iris Street and Navaho Drive to allow continued construction of the Stage 2 O-Train extension to Algonquin Station. The ramp from Queensway Station Eastbound to the Transitway will also permanently close. Buses will be detoured via Navaho, Woodroffe, and Iris. Seasonal Service Changes Seasonal Adjustments
– The frequency of Routes 25, 82, and 87 will be reduced in certain time periods to reflect reduced seasonal ridership levels normally seen throughout the transit network. Special School Service
– School services will not operate during the summer. Summer Weekend Service to Seasonal Destinations
– As these destinations are reopened, summer weekend service will return on Route 25 to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, on Route 139 to Petrie Island, and on Route 185 to the Canada Agriculture Museum. Specific start dates will be provided on octranspo.com.
Holidays:
Canada Day Friday, July 1
Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with additional buses available to provide more capacity on busy routes where needed. OTrain Line 1 will operate on a special Friday schedule until 2 am with increased evening frequency. Line 2 replacement buses will operate on a special Canada Day schedule with service extended to 1 am.
Civic Holiday Monday, August 1
Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule with increased frequency on busy routes, and select trips on Routes 61, 63, and 75 will be extended to or from Gatineau in peak periods. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule.
Customer information
Full details of these service changes will be communicated to throughout June. OC Transpo has several customer-friendly applications and tools to assist customers in accessing timely information about our service while on the go. These include:
-texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information
-downloading the OC Transpo iPhone app or an independent app,
-signing up for text alerts on octranspo.com to receive the latest information,
-checking transit information screens at many major stations, as well as visiting octranspo.com from a smartphone.
Real-time information is also available by calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number. Once summer service changes begin on June 26, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please direct customers to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-560-5000) for more information.
May 18, 2022
OC Transpo ridership continues to trend upwards compared to 2021
The Transit Commission was advised today that OC Transpo ridership is slowly trending upwards on all modes of transit compared to April 2021.
During the Line 1 and conventional bus service update, OC Transpo noted the increase in ridership follows the continuing return of transit customers to on-site work and on-campus learning, as well as more residents now participating in many non-work and non-school activities. Ridership in April 2022 was 3.8 million customer trips compared to 2.2 million customer trips in April 2021. Although this is positive news, the effects of the pandemic continue to have an impact on ridership in Ottawa, more than in any other major city across the country. According to Statistics Canada, Ottawa had the highest rate of remote workers in the country, with close to half (47 per cent) of all workers performing their tasks from home between April and June 2021.
Overall, on-time performance and bus service availability remain high. The Transit Commission was informed that some recent operator shortages have caused customers to experience bus trip cancellations. Several factors contributed to these shortages, including COVID-19 impacts, retirements and other attrition, and the new work schedule adjustments to comply with the Canada Labour Code’s (CLC) requirement for scheduled work breaks. OC Transpo is actively working on solutions, including hiring up to 300 additional operators by the end of 2022, including 80 new operators approved by Council in the 2022 Budget to cover CLC breaks, monitoring performance and planning service requirements around the CLC-mandated break requirement. OC Transpo remains committed to working collaboratively with ATU Local 279 and other OC Transpo employees to implement these complex scheduling changes.
The Transit Commission was also informed that Para Transpo ridership has risen substantially from last year, with upwards of approximately 45,000 more customer-trips per month compared to last March and April. This upward trend is based on the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Para Transpo service performance is also trending upwards and currently sitting at 97 per cent.
OC Transpo’s operating budget saw a deficit of $17.9 million in the first quarter. The associated costs and revenue loss is attributed to two unplanned factors early in the year: the emergence of the Omicron variant and the trucker occupation. With pandemic-related shutdowns lifted, the trucker occupation cleared, and ridership recovering, OC Transpo expects to see improvements in revenue through the next quarter. The City of Ottawa continues to work with the federal and provincial governments as it awaits confirmation that Safe Restart funding will be provided to offset 100 per cent of the fare revenue lost due to the pandemic. The City is also leading discussions with the federal government to recover lost fare revenue because of the trucker occupation.
The Transit Commission also received OC Transpo’s 2021 Performance Report today.
Changing ridership levels and travel patterns due to the Delta and Omicron variants had a significant effect on 2021 performance. Bus and train ridership throughout 2021 was up by 22 percent from early in the pandemic, but still 33 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Para Transpo ridership at end of 2021 was up by 25 per cent from early in the pandemic, but still 58 per cent of 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
OC Transpo ridership continues to trend upwards compared to 2021
The Transit Commission was advised today that OC Transpo ridership is slowly trending upwards on all modes of transit compared to April 2021.
During the Line 1 and conventional bus service update, OC Transpo noted the increase in ridership follows the continuing return of transit customers to on-site work and on-campus learning, as well as more residents now participating in many non-work and non-school activities. Ridership in April 2022 was 3.8 million customer trips compared to 2.2 million customer trips in April 2021. Although this is positive news, the effects of the pandemic continue to have an impact on ridership in Ottawa, more than in any other major city across the country. According to Statistics Canada, Ottawa had the highest rate of remote workers in the country, with close to half (47 per cent) of all workers performing their tasks from home between April and June 2021.
Overall, on-time performance and bus service availability remain high. The Transit Commission was informed that some recent operator shortages have caused customers to experience bus trip cancellations. Several factors contributed to these shortages, including COVID-19 impacts, retirements and other attrition, and the new work schedule adjustments to comply with the Canada Labour Code’s (CLC) requirement for scheduled work breaks. OC Transpo is actively working on solutions, including hiring up to 300 additional operators by the end of 2022, including 80 new operators approved by Council in the 2022 Budget to cover CLC breaks, monitoring performance and planning service requirements around the CLC-mandated break requirement. OC Transpo remains committed to working collaboratively with ATU Local 279 and other OC Transpo employees to implement these complex scheduling changes.
The Transit Commission was also informed that Para Transpo ridership has risen substantially from last year, with upwards of approximately 45,000 more customer-trips per month compared to last March and April. This upward trend is based on the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Para Transpo service performance is also trending upwards and currently sitting at 97 per cent.
OC Transpo’s operating budget saw a deficit of $17.9 million in the first quarter. The associated costs and revenue loss is attributed to two unplanned factors early in the year: the emergence of the Omicron variant and the trucker occupation. With pandemic-related shutdowns lifted, the trucker occupation cleared, and ridership recovering, OC Transpo expects to see improvements in revenue through the next quarter. The City of Ottawa continues to work with the federal and provincial governments as it awaits confirmation that Safe Restart funding will be provided to offset 100 per cent of the fare revenue lost due to the pandemic. The City is also leading discussions with the federal government to recover lost fare revenue because of the trucker occupation.
The Transit Commission also received OC Transpo’s 2021 Performance Report today.
Changing ridership levels and travel patterns due to the Delta and Omicron variants had a significant effect on 2021 performance. Bus and train ridership throughout 2021 was up by 22 percent from early in the pandemic, but still 33 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Para Transpo ridership at end of 2021 was up by 25 per cent from early in the pandemic, but still 58 per cent of 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
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Stage 2 construction changes start on April 24
Starting this Sunday, OC Transpo will leap into spring by implementing service adjustments for Stage 2 O-Train construction and implementing service improvements to new areas in coordination of the spring schedule changes. The Rack & Roll program will also be reinstated in full this spring with bike racks available on all buses. |
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Stage 2 O-Train construction
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- At Bayshore Station, the Transitway platforms and pedestrian overpass to the mall will be closed for construction. Access to the mall will be made at street level through the parking garage next to the station. Signage will be posted to help direct customers.
- To accommodate ongoing Stage 2 construction, Blair Station Bus Stop E will permanently close, and routes will be reassigned to serve nearby Stop D.
Stittsville service improvements
Route 167 will be renumbered as Route 67 and adjusted to provide improved service from new areas in Stittsville, with peak period service to and from Tunney’s Pasture Station. During the off-peak period, Route 67 will operate between Stittsville and Terry Fox Station. Route 252 will be shortened slightly in Stittsville, as Route 67 will provide Abbottsville Crossing and Blackstone residents with a connection to O-Train Line 1 at Tunney’s Pasture Station.
Riverside South and River Road service improvements
Routes 198 and 299 will be adjusted to serve customers in the new area south of Earl Armstrong and along River Road. Route 198 will have two new trips northbound in the morning and two new trips southbound in the afternoon which will start and end on Borbridge Avenue. Route 299 will be adjusted to travel along Borbridge and Brian Good Avenues.
Service adjustments
- Schedule adjustments will be made on many routes to match seasonal ridership, improve reliability, or better meet the travel needs of customers. Customers should check octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000 for route schedules.
- Some school trips will be adjusted to better align with current school travel needs. Details will be communicated directly to the school authorities and will also be made available on octranspo.com.
- Night Route N39 will be adjusted to serve Hurdman Station, improving connections with other late night and overnight routes.
Seasonal Construction
- Routes 10 and 16: Customers should expect increased travel times due to reconstruction work on Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street and Bronson Avenue.
- Routes 15, 20, 615 and 616: Service will once again be detoured due to ongoing construction related to the Montréal Road Revitalization project. Detours will be slightly modified compared to the detours last year.
Visit octranspo.com or call 613-560-5000 for more information about OC Transpo spring service and schedules.
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OC Transpo spring service changes Sunday, April 24.
Full details of all service changes will be communicated to customers throughout April including the Rack and Roll Program which will be reinstated in full this spring. All buses in the fleet will be equipped with a bike rack. |
In the meantime, OC Transpo has several customer-friendly applications and tools to assist customers in accessing timely information about our service while on the go.
These include texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information, downloading the OC Transpo iPhone app or an independent app, signing up for text alerts on octranspo.com to receive the latest information, checking transit information screens at many major stations, as well as visiting octranspo.com from a smartphone.
Real-time information is also available by calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number. Once spring service changes begin on April 24, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please go to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-560-5000) for more information.
These include texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information, downloading the OC Transpo iPhone app or an independent app, signing up for text alerts on octranspo.com to receive the latest information, checking transit information screens at many major stations, as well as visiting octranspo.com from a smartphone.
Real-time information is also available by calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number. Once spring service changes begin on April 24, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please go to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-560-5000) for more information.
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OC Transpo’s new My Para Transpo application to make it easier for customers to book a trip online is live!
To learn more about OC Transpo’s My Para Transpo online application, you can visit octranspo.com. |