OC Transpo cutting some 200-series routes, redirecting buses off residential streets
CTV
OC Transpo is cutting many Connexion routes between residential neighbourhoods and O-Train stations and redirecting buses off residential streets with low ridership as part of the bus route review to adjust service to current ridership levels across the city of Ottawa.
OC Transpo is cutting many 200-series routes between residential neighbourhoods and O-Train stations and redirecting buses off residential streets with low ridership as part of a move to adjust service to current ridership levels and boost service to 15 minutes on "many important routes" across the city of Ottawa.
In January, the transit service launched a Bus Route Review to address changes to transit use and travel patterns since the COVID-19 pandemic and to prepare for the launch of the O-Train Trillium Line in 2024. The review comes as OC Transpo is projecting a $40.8 million deficit in 2023 and a $35 million revenue shortfall for 2024.
The OC Transpo Bus Route Review report for the Nov. 14 Transit Commission meeting outlines several changes that will be made in the months ahead, including replacing many of the Connexion routes (200 series) with other routes, redirecting service away from streets with low ridership, increasing service to 15 minutes "at most times" on many "important routes" and improved connections to the Trillium Line.
"Changes help ensure that a sustainable bus route network is available, with a reliable target of 99.5 per cent," says the report from Transit Services General Manager Renee Amilcar.
However, Amilcar warns that once the changes from the bus route review are implemented, "it is anticipated that some customers will experience a range of impacts to their transit trips."
"Many customers will have no substantial change to the trips they make day to day and the overall reliability of the system will see improvements."
OC Transpo does not say when the changes to routes will be implemented, but staff say it will communicate changes to the bus route network "over several months to increase customer understanding and awareness."
