Free Transit Ottawa

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

Two of our members published an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen. Check it out here: https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/grover-and-swartz-fare-free-transit-is-part-of-the-solution-ottawa

For years we have been pushing hard for free and quality transit in our city with leafleting, Transit Commission delegations, and media appearances. People are finally paying attention. Nick Grover appeared on CBC's The National and Kirstin Pulles was interviewed alongside Ottawa Transit Riders by CTV Ottawa. Watch their full segments at the links above!

An excellent article published in the Citizen by one of our founding members, Kirstin Pulles, has been making the rounds this week. Read the full piece here!

During December 2021, FTO members and volunteers campaigned outside bus stations - we are pushing for permanent fare free transit in Ottawa, starting immediately for those on social assistance. We distributed a couple hundred leaflets and were even interviewed by CBC Ottawa. Our campaign is ongoing until our transit system is accessible, meaning no more … Continue reading Campaigning for Free Transit

Problems with the LRT reached a high point this fall, yet reflect only the tip of the iceberg of a chronically neglected and underfunded transit system. The problem is, at its root, the people who run it. Despite being a "public" system, transit management does not include any formal input from those who know best … Continue reading Towards a Democratic Public Transit System