The newly renamed City of Ottawa Transit Committee (formerly the City of Ottawa Transit Commission) met on Monday for its monthly update on OC Transpo. Typically delivered by OC Transpo General Manager Renée Amilcar, this month’s presentation was instead given by Bart Cormier, Acting Director of Strategic Communications.
Cormier opened on a positive note, announcing the full rollout of O-Train Lines Two and Four, which are now running seven days a week. In January alone, ridership on both lines reached approximately 313,000 passengers.
He also unveiled a new notification system for Para Transpo riders, allowing customers to receive real-time updates about their trips via SMS, email, or automated voice call—eliminating the need to contact the OC Transpo customer service centre.
OC Transpo’s February service was impacted by two winter storms, reducing the number of buses in operation. However, O-Train Lines One, Two, and Four experienced only minor delays. To strengthen the system’s resilience, the city is reinforcing track switches and other vulnerable points on the LRT network.
Additionally, the committee announced that a customer satisfaction survey will be conducted in April and May to gather feedback on service availability, ease of use, security, and cleanliness.
The New Ways to Bus campaign enters its third and final phase on April 27. It features a new trip planner and a shift from downtown-focused bus routes to ones prioritizing community hubs and key destinations.
While these changes aim to shorten travel times, riders should prepare for route changes, longer walks to bus stops and additional transfers on some routes. The overhaul stems from a 2023 bus route study, and further details are available on the city’s website.
Fare evasion remains a key issue for OC Transpo. Last year, the city hired eight Temporary Fare Enforcement Officers, bringing the total to 12 officers. Unlike Special Constables, these officers fall under Ottawa’s by-law enforcement and are trained to provide both fare enforcement and customer support.
Between January and February 2025, officers issued 1,143 fines for fare evasion. However, city staff noted that many offenders received verbal warnings that were not officially recorded.
Councillor Riley Brockington suggested conducting a hands-on study at LRT stations to estimate how many riders are actually paying their fares. While data on lost revenue remains inconclusive, Brockington noted that fare evasion—though not constant—is a regular and noticeable problem when he uses Rideau Station.
While the committee addressed OC Transpo’s efforts to improve service reliability, late buses remain a major concern. Notably absent from the meeting was Renée Amilcar, raising questions about her decision to skip a discussion on New Ways to Bus, which officially launches in just two weeks.
Photo: Courtesy OC Transpo
