Free Transit Ottawa

On April 27th, OC Transpo’s “New Ways to Bus” will go into effect. It’s a top-to-bottom overhaul of Ottawa’s bus network that claims to “focus on frequency, local service in your neighbourhood, and connections to key destinations.” That’s incredibly dishonest. Instead of the bold plan required to bring Ottawa’s transit back from the brink, we … Continue reading Few Ways to Bus: OC Transpo Service Cuts Explained 

Having lived in Centertown and Old Ottawa South for the better part of a decade, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time on a bus stuck in traffic on Bank Street. I’ve been late to meet friends downtown, and I’ve missed more transfers at Billings Bridge than I can count. I’ve given up … Continue reading Bank Street is a transit corridor. Let’s treat it like one.

Over a dozen OC Transpo routes run through Rideau-Vanier. They are consistently slow, infrequent, and unreliable. Rideau-Vanier is uniquely impacted by three citywide issues: the high cost of living, the climate crisis, and health and safety. All three can be addressed by replacing car dependency with a good quality public transit system. When transit means … Continue reading Community Statement: Fixing Public Transit in Rideau-Vanier

CUSA represents the interests of students at Carleton University, students whose lives extend far beyond campus. They live, work, shop, and see friends or family in all parts of the city, relying on public transit to do so. We acknowledge the ongoing challenges the pandemic and remote work have posed for OC Transpo. But this … Continue reading CUSA Joint Statement on OC Transpo Service Changes

Serious climate action means fixing public transit. When the bus is fast and reliable, fewer people drive and overall traffic and emissions are significantly reduced. But since our buses must slog through traffic to get anywhere, some of OC Transpo’s most popular routes — like the 6, 7, 85, and 88 — are late 40% … Continue reading Free The Bus! Get Transit Moving with Bus Only Lanes

Every time the LRT breaks down, and replacement buses are pulled off their routes, more people turn away from public transit in favour of driving. That’s bad for climate, affordability, and road safety. After four years of LRT issues, these are not growing pains but the result of political mismanagement. “The project was rushed, using … Continue reading With this LRT, the bus should be free!

Ottawa faces a real risk of more cuts to bus service after a recently announced budget shortfall. This was, unfortunately, entirely self inflicted. The mayor left a $39M hole in the 2023 transit budget, ultimately approved by a majority of city councilors, on the assumption it would be covered by provincial or federal contributions. It … Continue reading Joint statement: Cancel road widenings to cover transit budget, fix service

Ridership remains low, and OC Transpo’s solution is cost cutting. This is completely backwards. To actually attract and retain riders, we must build a transit system worth using. This is the only way to get cars off the road and reduce carbon emissions. But it requires investments to improve and expand the system – not … Continue reading Budget 2023: Cut Fares, Not Service!

With the introduction of the City’s 2023 budget, the people of Ottawa got some insight into what Mayor Sutcliffe’s promised 2.5% limit on property tax increases will actually mean. This is not a ‘tight’ budget that managed to avoid cuts to services but a reactionary budget that attacks the wellbeing of many of Ottawa’s working … Continue reading Statement on City of Ottawa’s 2023 Budget