- OC Transpo
-
Coordinates: 45°24′44.5″N 75°37′55.5″W / 45.412361°N 75.632083°W
OC Transpo Headquarters 1500 St. Laurent Boulevard Locale Ottawa, Ontario Service area National Capital Region Service type bus service, paratransit, bus rapid transit, light rail Routes 248 (includes school routes) Fleet 1 048 buses, 91 wheel trans buses, 9 light rail cars [1] Daily ridership 535,600[2] Fuel type Biodiesel, Diesel, Hybrid Technology, Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Operator City of Ottawa[3] Web site www.octranspo1.com OC Transpo is the urban transit service of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. An integrated hub-and-spoke system of services is available consisting of: (1) regular buses travelling on fixed routes in mixed traffic, typical of most urban transit systems; (2) a bus rapid transit (BRT) system — a high frequency bus service operating on the transitway — a network of mostly grade-separated dedicated bus lanes within their own right-of-way and having full stations with Park & Ride facilities further supported by on-road reserved bus lanes and priority traffic signal controls; (3) a light rail transit (LRT) system known as the O-Train operating on one north-south route; and (4) a door-to-door bus service for the disabled known as ParaTranspo.
OC Transpo routes also provides service to the downtown core of the nearby city of Gatineau, Quebec, especially during rush hour.
Features
OC Transpo currently has a fleet of 1,048 buses (as of August 2010) that run on regular streets, of which roughly 945 are fully accessible[4]. The vast majority of regular routes are served by low-floor buses. OC Transpo utilizes many articulated buses to provide service. Some of the routes that run on the Transitway, including the city's most-used bus routes, are served almost exclusively by articulated buses (e.g. 95, 96, and 97). It is the most expensive public transportion in Canada.
In 2001, a pilot diesel-powered light rail service project, known as the O-Train, was introduced. The local government had announced expansion plans for the light rail to other parts of Ottawa, including a possible link to the Ottawa International Airport. Service to Gatineau would have also been possible, over the nearby Prince of Wales railway bridge over the Ottawa River. However, on December 14, 2006, City Council led by Mayor Larry O'Brien had cancelled the north-south extension project. A new model of the project, to have a city-wide integrated light rail system, has been made and the revised project should be completed by 2007, with work beginning as early as 2008. This new project upgrades one single section of the bus-based Transitway, but only does that after adding 65 km of new busways. The final LRT system duplicates many of the existing busways, not replace them. It also includes the 2006 NS-LRT as a component.
For a number of years, OC Transpo has carried bicycle racks on some routes as a part of the "Rack&Roll" campaign. These racks carry up to two bicycles at the front of the bus, and fold up against the bus when not in use. Although it started only on three routes, this service has been expanded to include routes 1, 2, 4, 7, 12, 14, 85, 95, 96, 97, 99 101, 102, 105, 118, the O-Train, all articulated (long) buses[5] and several new Invero low-floor buses (in addition, bike racks do randomly end up on other routes from time to time). Traditionally, the racks have been available only between April and October, and there has been much debate over continuing the program throughout the year. However, cyclists may use the racks at any time, on any bus that is equipped with a rack (including routes that don't normally offer them), provided there is room for the cyclist in the bus.
There are four bus depots located throughout the city. The largest and headquarters is located at 1500 St. Laurent Boulevard, with two other smaller but frequently used depots being located at 168 Colonnade Road (Merivale Garage) and the other on Queensview Drive (Pinecrest Garage). A depot which opened its doors late 2010 is located on Industrial Ave. The Queensview and Colonnade garages are usually for employees working during the rush hour and generally not used during weekends. For the latter two stations, it consists mostly of older buses although some articulated buses (in the 60xx's) can be found at Colonnade and other low-floor buses at both Colonnade (Inveros in the 42xx's) and Queensview (Orion VI).
History
Pre history
Further information: Ottawa Electric RailwayOttawa's first public transportation system began in 1886 with the operation of a horsecar system.[6] The horse-drawn streetcars travelled back and fourth from New Edinburgh to the Chaudière Bridge.[6] The horsecar would remain a staple means of public transportation until 1891 after Thomas Ahearn founded the Ottawa Electric Railway Company. This private enterprise eventually provided heated streetcar service covering the downtown core.[6] Electricity had been employed in a few places in Ottawa since the first demonstration of the incandescent bulb in 1883 (the earliest were Parliament Hill and LeBreton Flats).[7] In May 1885, electric lighting commenced in the city. In 1885 council contracted Ottawa Electric Light Company to install 165 arc lamps on the city's streets.[7]
1973: Formation
Transit in Ottawa was provided by the Ottawa Transportation Commission until 1973, when transit service in the city and its suburbs was transferred to the auspices of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton. Its formal name was the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission, but the service would be promoted in both English and French under the OC Transpo name, whose OC initials are derived from Ottawa-Carleton.
1979: Strike
The 20-day 1979 strike was fought over a wage difference of a nickel and became known as "the five-cent bus strike." A pay increase of 16.5% was rejected by the union.[8]
1980s: Transitway
Main article: Ottawa Rapid TransitIn the early 1980s, OC Transpo began planning for a bus rapid transit system, the Transitway. Construction of its various stations and segments followed over many years. The first segments were from Baseline to Lincoln Fields in the west end and from Lees to Hurdman in the east end.
1996: Strike
The second strike for OC Transpo ran from November 25, 1996 to December 16. The strike ended under arbitration.[8]
1999 shooting
On Tuesday April 6, 1999, former OC Transpo employee Pierre Lebrun shot six people, killing four, in a shooting spree at OC Transpo's St. Laurent Boulevard garage, before killing himself.[9][10] Lebrun had been fired in August 1997 but was later reinstated, and quit again in 1998.[10][11]
An inquest into the shooting revealed that Lebrun had been the subject of teasing for his speech impediment, and that his complaints to management had not been investigated.[12] The inquest revealed an "atmosphere of bullying", described as a "poisoned" environment by an employment equity manager.[10][12] In response, OC Transpo instigated zero-tolerance policies regarding workplace harassment, a new employee-management communications program, and increased training on workplace respect.[13] However, studies in 2003 and 2004 found there to be lingering elements of a negative work environment,[13] and employee-management communication was reported to be strained following the 1996 strike.[10]
History from 2001 to October, 2008
Transition to new city government
The province of Ontario ordered the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and its component municipalities into a single City of Ottawa municipality. When the new local governance took effect in 2001, OC Transpo became a department of the new city.
Following amalgamation, a bilingual replacement backronym for "OC" was sought, but no suitable candidates have been found. The now-ambiguous acronym has been kept, instead of the costly task of replacing the decals on all buses, bus stops, bus stations, and promotional material.[citation needed]
December 12, 2005: Southwest Transitway extension
A new section of the southwest Transitway opened on December 12, 2005, between the Nepean Sportsplex and Fallowfield Station. The new section runs parallel to Woodroffe Avenue and was built at a cost of $10 million. The new section has no stations and has replaced service along Woodroffe Avenue between the Nepean Sportsplex and Fallowfield Station. There are further plans to extend the Transitway south into the heart of the ever-growing community of Barrhaven where a new station called Strandherd opened on January 2, 2007. There are also long range plans for other extensions in the Orleans and Kanata areas to keep up with more growing communities there too.
December 14, 2006: Light Rail Expansion cancellation
During the 2006 municipal election campaign, Larry O'Brien (who would be elected as mayor) was sceptical of the project's benefits, and promised to cancel the project if elected, assuming the City's legal position did not preclude this[citation needed]. After multiple votes deciding the fate of the city's north-south light rail expansion project, post-election City Council decided to annul the project by a margin of 13-11 on December 14, 2006.
December 2008-February 2009: ATU 279 strike
OC Transpo drivers, dispatchers, and maintenance workers under Amalgamated Transit Union local 279 went on strike December 10, 2008 at 12:01am.[14] The main causes of the strike were disagreements between the City of Ottawa and the union regarding scheduling, payroll and seniority. Rona Ambrose, the Federal Minister of Labour ordered a union membership vote on January 8, 2009 on the city's contract proposal[15] in response to a request from mayor Larry O'Brien.[16] Both the city and the union published their positions on respective websites.[17][18] Vote results released on January 9, 2009 revealed that of those eligible to vote, 64% rejected the offer.[19]
Meetings were held with a mediator throughout the month, but talks were repeatedly broken off. The ATU had requested to send all issues not related to scheduling to arbitration, which the city refused as they requested all issues to be sent to an arbitrator. As the strike entered the 50th day, Ambrose, who had initially refused to table back-to-work legislation, announced that such legislation would be introduced. However, on January 29, the city and the ATU reached a deal that sent every issue to binding arbitration, thus ending the 51-day long strike.[20] On February 2, 2009 the O-Train started service after being out of service due to the strike. Buses followed the following Monday February 9, 2009. Not all buses returned at once and OC Transpo said that all buses and routes were due to return by April 6, 2009. OC Transpo offered free transit for a week. December pass holders could either use their December passes until March, or could get a refund. December pass holders were also subject to a 60% discount on March passes in order to win back transit users.
OC Transpo routes
Main article: OC Transpo routesOC Transpo has approximately 250 bus routes that are grouped both by their number and the colour with which they are represented on system maps and on bus stop signs.
Active fleet
- Source:[2]
Only models with at least some buses currently in service are listed, and the number in fleet is based on the number originally ordered. All GMDD models of 1982 or before (also known by many as fishbowls or New Looks) were retired by the beginning of April.
In 2006 and 2007, OC Transpo evaluated a double-decker bus on the Transitway and express routes. This bus, an Enviro500 built by British firm Alexander Dennis, can carry nearly 100 passengers. The initial service demonstration ran from June 28 to July 12, 2006, with a further demonstration under winter conditions in February 2007. The City of Ottawa purchased three Enviro500 buses and they were delivered in November 2008. OC Transpo decals were added to the buses in December, but the strike delayed the introduction of these buses. The buses started service in February.
The OC Transpo fleet numbering scheme changed in 1999. Prior to 1999, the two last digits of the year of purchase were the first two digits of the fleet number. The scheme was changed because OC Transpo ordered 140 Orion 06.501, and also because buses purchased in 2000 would have been in the 0000 series, which was not favoured by the computer system. The new numbering scheme starts with 4 for 40-foot buses, 6 for 60-foot buses, 1 for the Enviro500 double-decker buses, and 5 for the Orion VII NG HEV, followed by a three-digit consecutive fleet number.
In August 2010, OC Transpo took advantage of an offer by New Flyer Industries, replacing 226 of its older 60-foot D60LF articulated buses (purchased between 2001 and 2004), and replacing then with brand new D60LFR models. The bus exchange was completed in March 2011. OC Transpo also received other incentives as part of the deal, including rebates on the trading-in of the old buses and a credit on new parts. Eighty new D60LFR articulated buses were also purchased from New Flyer, bringing the combined total to 306 buses.[21][22] All of the 2001-2004 D60LFs are now retired.
Some of the older New Flyer D60LF sixty-foot articulated buses have caught on fire during the summer of 2006 and the Summer/Fall of 2010, due to overheating engines, effectively putting them out of service.
OC Transpo has created a business plan for their bus fleet. The plan includes a purchase of 75 more double-decker buses to replace the older 40-foot models currently in service (namely the buses purchased between 1997 and 1999). These extra double-decker buses would be used mainly on express routes. Such a purchase would lower the cost per person for OC Transpo, as double-decker buses carry more passengers than any other bus model in the fleet. Double-deckers also use about the same amount of fuel as an articulated 60-foot bus, but take up less space than 60-foot models (they take up the same area as a regular 40-foot bus), meaning they are able to free up space (especially downtown), while providing increased passenger capacity and lower operating costs. As a result of the proposed purchase, the 60-foot articulated buses would be moved from express routes to Transitway and other mainline routes, replacing the 40-foot models currently used on some trips by those routes. Those 40-foot models would replace the older 40-foot models currently used on local routes, which would be retired from service.[23] This plan was approved by the Transit Commission on April 20, 2011. The extra 75 Alexander Dennis E500 double-decker buses are expected to be in service by 2012.
On July 12, 2011 OC Transpo announced that all remaining high floor buses were retired.[24]
Model Year Bus Numbers No. In Fleet* Notes Orion VI 06.501 1999–2000 4001-4140 140 These buses are low-floor allowing full access for strollers and wheelchairs. Buses numbered 4010, 4139 and 4140 received bike racks for one season only.
They are used on various local routes, and some express route and peak route trips.
Buses 4010, 4029, and 4037 have been retired due to fires. Bus 4083 has been retired due to corrosion. Bus 4011, 4104, and 4116 were retired in August 2011.New Flyer D40i "Invero" 2003 4201-4202 2 This order of two buses was the first order of Inveros. Bus number 4201 was sent ahead as a demo. All New Flyer D40i Invero models (buses 4201-4526) have working Thermo King air conditioning and are low-floor and fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. New Flyer D40i "Invero" 2004 4203-4273 71 On September 20, 2005, the 4200 and 4300 series buses had been governed to 50 km/h because of steering problems caused during high speeds.[25] According to Transport 2000 "several bus drivers reported that the front end of the bus vibrates when driven at more than 60 km/h."[25] An Operations and Safety Memorandum claims that on Friday, 21 October 2005, steering dampers where to be installed on one hundred and nine Invero buses and that the governors were to be raised to 100 km/h on buses 4201 to 4227 (except bus 4205), resolving the problems.[26] Bus 4209 suffered an engine fire in November 2010. Bus 4244 suffered a brake fire in June 2011. New Flyer D40i "Invero" 2005–2006 4274-4439 166 Bus number 4299 was crashed into a median en route to the stop at Queensway Station. It has been rebuilt and has re-entered service.
Buses 4427 to 4439 are equipped with bike racks between May and October.New Flyer D40i "Invero" 2007 4440-4526 87 Bus number 4444 is used for Ottawa's Santa Claus Parade.
All have entered service as of October 2007.
The drivers seat has arm rests and the stop-request chime is different than all other OC Transpo buses.
These buses are equipped with bike racks between May and October.Orion VII 07.501 NG HEV 2008–2009 5001-5177 177 These vehicles are diesel-electric hybrids, and therefore they are mostly used on routes that do not use the Transitway or highways.
Most bus routes that use 40 foot buses use these buses. Some express trips also use them, because these buses replaced a lot of older high-floor buses previously used during peak periods.
Buses 5001 and 5002 were the first to arrive in November 2008. As of July 2010, all 177 buses have entered service. Bus 5117 was involved in a major accident in August 2010 and has re-entered service June 22, 2011.New Flyer D60LF 2008 6351-6398 48 As of October 16, 2008, buses numbered 6351-6398 have entered service. Bus number 6394 had a special wrapping for the Transitway Anniversary, but it was removed in April 2010.
There was a recall on these buses because of overheating brakes, so New Flyer Industries sent the required parts to fix this problem.
The Axion destination signs look the same but when there is something written, it is pushed to one side. The route number displayed on the rear of these buses are larger and more readable than those on the New Flyer D60LF buses from 2001-2004.
Bus number 6387 was in a collision with a 5 ton truck in downtown Ottawa. On August 1, 2010, bus 6391 was involved in a major front end collision when it rear-ended bus 4290. 6391 is currently awaiting rebuild. (This bus has since been towed away to an unknown location for inspection.)
All New Flyer D60LF and New Flyer D60LFR models are articulated buses and all are fully accessible for strollers and the disabled.
These buses are equipped with bike racks between May and October.New Flyer D60LF 2009–2010 6399-6403 5 Bus number 6399 arrived during the last week of 2009, and buses 6400-6403 arrived the week of January 17–23, 2010. Bus number 6399 entered service January 29, 2010. Since, buses 6400-6403 have also entered service.
They use the same bus design, and the same Axion destination signs (front, side, back), as buses 6351-6398 from 2008 (see above).
These buses are equipped with bike racks between May and October.New Flyer D60LFR 2010–2011 6404-6709 306 They are 226 buses replacing the New Flyer D60LF buses from 2001–2004, and 80 new buses expanding OC Transpo's bus fleet. All are arriving in Ottawa between August 2010 and March 2011.[21]
The 306 buses are coming from two different manufacturing plants in Minnesota. Buses 6404-6579 are coming from St. Cloud and buses 6580-6709 are coming from Crookston.
Starting in September 2010, OC Transpo will receive deliveries of fifteen D60LFR buses a week.
The first bus, 6404, entered service on August 30, 2010. As of April 4, 2011, all 2011 D60LFR buses have entered service.
All of these buses come with the Next Stop Announcement System already installed.
These buses are equipped with bike racks between May and October.Alexander Dennis Enviro500 2008–2009 1201–1203 3** Double-decker buses entered service on route 94 on March 30, 2009. They have since also been used on routes 31, 35, 38, 61, 77, 96, 97, 98 and 112.
These buses contain more seats(82) than the New Flyer D60LF and D60LFR buses(55), but with less room to stand; however, they still hold more passengers than the articulated buses can.
All double-decker buses are equipped with bike racks from May to October.
OC Transpo is expected to purchase 75 more of these buses, which would be in service by 2012.Bombardier Talent BR643 2000 C1-C3 3 This is the light-rail vehicle used by OC Transpo for the O-Train, which runs North/South between Bayview Station and Greenboro Station. denotes wheelchair accessibility
Retired fleet
- This is a list of retired GM, Ford, Orion Bus Industries and Nova bus fleets.[27]
GM and Ford Buses GM and other buses
Model Year Bus Numbers No. In Fleet* Notes GMDD TDH-5301 1961 6101-6112 12 6101 was preserved to its historical fleet GMDD TDH-5301 1962 6221-6230 10 GMDD TDH-5303 1963 6331-6340 10 GMDD TDH-5303 1964 6441-6452 12 GMDD TDH-5303 1965 6561-6573 13 GMDD TDH-5303 1966 6674-6697 24 GMDD TDH-5303 1967 6701-6726 26 GMDD T6H-5305 1968 6831-6850 20 GMDD T6H-5305 1969 6961-6990 30 GMDD T6H-5305 1970 7001-7020 20 GMDD T6H-5305 1971 7121-7140 20 GMDD T6H-5307N 1972–1973 7241-7290 50 GMDD T6H-5307N 1972–1973 7301-7320 & 7331-7357 47 GMDD T6H-5307N 1974 7401-7460 60 GMDD T6H-5307N 1975 5701-5769 69 The first two numbers were switched from the year the buses were built, due to heavy demand for buses for that year. GMDD T6H-5307N 1975 7501-7545 & 7551-7570 65 Retired by 2003 GMDD T6H-5307N 1976 7601-7653 53 Retired in 2003-2004 GMDD T6H-5307N 1977 7701-7765 65 Retired in 2004-2005. 7742 and 7757 were sold to the STO and remain in active service with the same fleet numbers. GMDD T6H-5307N 1978 7801-7858 58 Fully retired in 2006 GMDD T6H-5307N 1979 7901-7930 30 7926 returned to service in September after being temporarily retired in mid-August, finally being put to rest in late-March 2007. Last series equipped with a single rear exit door. GMDD T6H-5307N 1980 8001-8012 12 Last series equipped with rear exit push bar doors. Fully retired in April 2007 GMDD T6H-5307N 1981 8101-8122 22 Fully retired in April 2007 GMDD TA60-102N 1982 8201-8221 21 First articulated buses purchased, some of them from the Hamilton Street Railway. Sold off in the late 1980s. One briefly returned to service in 1999 until 2002, renumbered 8222. GMDD T6H-5307N 1982 8231-8240 10 8238 was the last New Look in service - Retired April 17, 2007. GMDD TC40-102N 1984 8401-8425 25 Retired in 2004-2005. 8413 was sold to the STO. GMDD TC40-102N 1985 8541-8555 15 Fully retired in April 2007. 8545 was sold to the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) GMDD TC40-102N 1987 8765-8799 35 Fully retired as of December 1, 2009. 8792 was the last unit in service. GMC T6H-4523A 1973 1751–1755 5 Purchased from Santa Monica Transit in 1995 and quickly sold. GMC T8H-5307A 1973 1756–1770 15 Purchased from Santa Monica Transit in 1995. Only 12 actually entered service. Retired in 2003. MCI TC40-102N 1988–1989 8901-8960 60 These buses have all been retired as of June 2010. These buses contained roll signs. Many of these buses had lots of rust near the window frames, the headlights and the ad signs on the side of the buses - especially those painted in the original scheme. Several of the buses had been repainted in the maple leaf scheme and they showed little signs of rust. MCI TC40-102A 1991 9101-9125 25 These buses have all been retired as of June 2010. 9110-9119 were former sightseeing buses and all of these buses had roll signs. NovaBus TC40-102A 1993 9301-9330 30 9302 was retired due to collision with a fuel tanker truck.[28] 9307, 9309, 9311, 9314, 9315 and 9316 were leased to Société de transport de Laval but most have returned after the opening of the Montreal Metro's Orange Line extension to Laval. Theses buses had inoperative Sutrak A/C units on the roof. 9304 was also retired due to an accident in March 2010. Buses 9307, 9311, 9321 and 9326 were the last ones to remain in service in June 2010. NovaBus LFS 1997 9721-9740 20 These buses all retired on July 12, 2011 (with the remaining Orion V's) and are currently stored at Pinecrest Garage. Ford E450 2005 2601 1 This minibus operated primarily on Route 123. New Flyer Industries New Flyer buses
New Flyer D40HF 1989–1990 9001-9055 55 These buses have all been retired. 9054 was completely rebuilt after major accident. 9026-9050 had roll signs and 9001-9025 had green luminator on its signs. All of these buses were repainted to the Maple Leaf. Last units retire March 31, 2010. New Flyer D40HF 1992 9201-9227 27 These buses have all been retired. 9211-9227 had green luminators and 9201-9210 had Balios signs. They also had Sutrak A/C units but these were disconnected in the mid 1990s. 9203 was retired September 30, 2008. Its last run was E-125. All of these buses were repainted to the Maple Leaf. Last units retire March 31, 2010. New Flyer D60LF 2001–2002 6001-6100, 6102-6178 177 These buses have all been retired by March 2011 and have been replaced by the D60LFRs. 6101 was skipped because it is the number of a historically important bus in Ottawa's history. 6017 caught fire and didn't enter service until December 2006. These buses were equipped with bike racks. New Flyer D60LF 2003–2004 6301-6350 50 These buses have all been retired by March 2011 and have been replaced by the D60LFRs. These buses used the same design as the 2001-2002 D60LFs. These buses used Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel engines. These buses were equipped with bike racks. Orion Bus Industries Orion buses
Model Year Bus Numbers No. In Fleet* Notes Orion I 01.501 1978 8801-8832 32 Orion I 01.501 1982 8231-8266 36 Orion I 01.501 1983 8371-8392 22 8390 is preserved in the historical fleet. Orion III 03.501 1985–1986 8501-8533 33 First Orion-Ikarus articulated buses (a rebadged Crown Ikarus 286). 8501 is preserved to its historical fleet and parts of 8529 are used to refurbish 8501. Orion III 03.501 1987 8601-8655 55 Some buses were equipped with newer powertrains prior to retirement in 2003 Orion III 03.501 1987 8719-8764 46 Orion III 03.501 1988 8841-8870 29 This series was equipped with 4-piece exit doors (since the 2-piece exit doors built on the previous models would always shut on people as they were exiting) Orion III 03.501 1988–1989 8875-8899 25 Purchased from the Toronto Transit Commission in 1997-1998 (This series was equipped with 4-piece exit doors). Orion V 05.501 1990–1991 9126-9150 25 Fully retired by May 2007 due to premature corrosion. Five units (9137, 9142, 9144, 9145, 9147) remained in the original paint scheme, while the rest were repainted to the maple leaf scheme. Orion V 05.501 1992 9231-9258 28 Fully retired by July 2007 due to premature corrosion. All buses were repainted to the maple leaf scheme. Orion V 05.501 1997-1998 9701-9720 20 Fully retired by July 12, 2011. Orion V 05.501 1998 9801-9885 85 Fully retired by July 12, 2011. These were the last high-floor buses purchased by OC Transpo, and the last high-floor buses to retire in the fleet. Fares
OC Transpo fares can be paid in coins or bus tickets, which are must be purchased in advance at various retail outlets or bus stations for a lower fare ($1.30 each). Transfers are given to passengers upon boarding and are valid for minimum 90 minutes in any direction, with stopovers allowed.
OC Transpo has 3 levels of fares for its buses:
- Regular fare ($3.25, or 2 tickets)
- Express fare ($4.25, or 3 tickets)
- Rural fare ($5.25, or 4 tickets)
Additionally, children 6 to 11 can ride for $1.60, or 1 ticket, and children age 5 and younger ride free. Full-day passes are $7.50 and can only be purchased on the bus.
Tickets for the O-Train light rail line are $2.75 each, and are sold at O-train stations.
Monthly and annual passes are also available for all three route classes (regular, express, and rural) with cost differences for adults, students, and seniors. Passes require OC Transpo photo ID card, which available at extra cost. Additionally, Ecopasses (reduced-rate monthly passes) are available through participating employers in the city, providing applicable OC Transpo riders with single-card indefinite passes in exchange for a flat bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly payroll deduction.
As of the December 1, 2005 fare increase, OC Transpo had the highest basic cash bus fares of any major transit service in Canada.[citation needed] This fare was matched by STO, the transit operator across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Québec on January 1, 2006. OC Transpo & York Region Transit as of January 1, 2009 have the highest cash fares in Canada, at $3.25.
On July 2008, fares were increased by 7.5% because of a shortage in funding for the City of Ottawa. This fare hike is supposed to be in effect until 2010 including a 6.5% hike in 2009. This meant Ottawa residents saw regular adult passes rise from $73 a month to $81 and adult express passes from $90 to $101 a month. However, cash fares remained the same.[29]
History of Fares
This section only lists the Regular Adult fares.
- 1951 - 10 cents
- 1954 - 15 cents
- 1961 - 20 cents
- 1968 - 25 cents
- 1970 - 30 cents
- 1976 - 40 cents
- 1977 - 50 cents
- 1978 - 55 cents
- 1980 - 60 cents
- 1981 - 65 cents
- 1984 - 90 cents
- 1986 -
- $1.50 (peak)
- 70 cents (off-peak)[30]
- 2009 - $3
- 2010 - $3.25
Para Transpo
Para Transpo is an accessible paratransit service available to Ottawa patrons who find it extremely difficult or impossible to use the conventional OC Transpo routes. Service is provided directly to the residences of eligible users who book trip appointments with a call centre at least one day in advance. Para Transpo drivers will provide some assistance to passengers to board designated vehicle and to access building entrances.[31]
Para Transpo operations were contracted to First Bus Canada, previously operated by Laidlaw. On January 1, 2008, the City of Ottawa assumed complete control of this service.[31]
The transit strike of 2008 did not interrupt Para Transpo service. However, Para Transpo service has encountered delays, facing the traffic increase due to the strike.
Advertising
Advertising on OC Transpo buses is contracted to Pattison Outdoor Advertising. Advertising on bus shelters is contracted to Clear Channel Outdoor. There has also been local funding to advertise on local TV stations such as CTV and A Channel.
Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 279
The Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 279 is the OC Transpo employees' union consisting of over 1700 members consisting of bus operators as well as other staffing positions within the company, including mechanics located at various garage depots throughout the city.
Gallery of bus models
See also
- Ottawa Rapid Transit
- Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) in Gatineau, Québec
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ "APTA transit ridership report, First Quarter, 2010" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 2010-06-01. http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2010_q1_ridership_APTA.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
- ^ City of Ottawa, Main Administrative Structure
- ^ "Active fleet facts". OC Transpo. http://octranspo.com/admin/Facts_Figures/Facts_active.htm.
- ^ OC Transpo Rack & Roll Page
- ^ a b c Wetering 1997, pp. 28.
- ^ a b Woods, pp. 162.
- ^ a b "Ottawa transit talks break off, strike looms". National Post. 2008-12-09. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=1052073. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
- ^ "Gunman opens fire in Ottawa, killing five". CBC News. 1999-04-06. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/1999/04/06/shooting990406.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ^ a b c d "Workplace mistrust persists, 10 years after OC Transpo shooting: driver". CBC News. 2009-04-06. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/04/06/ot-090406-transit-shooting.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ^ "Memorials planned for Ottawa transit shooting victims". CBC News. 1999-04-08. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/1999/04/08/shooting990408.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ^ a b "OC Transpo inquest wraps up". CBC News. 2000-11-11. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2000/02/22/octranspo000222.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ^ a b "Dying for a job - Health-care workers beware". Indepth: Workplace Safety (CBC News). 2006-04-24. http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/workplace-safety/sick-workplace.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
- ^ "Push to call transit 'essential' fails; Ottawa bus strike continues". CBC News. 2008-12-10. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/12/09/transit-strike.html. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "Don't 'bow down,' striking transit workers told". Ottawa Citizen. 2009-01-05. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=13bfabce-c3c9-481e-ae03-ece4ce2bd245. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ "Ambrose orders Ottawa transit union to vote on strike resolution". National Post. 2009-01-01. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1132084. Retrieved 2009-01-04.[dead link]
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions: City’s Final Offer of Settlement to ATU". OC Transpo. http://www.octranspo.com/mapscheds/Contingency/FAQ_ATU_Offer.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-30.[dead link]
- ^ "Ottawa Transit Strike - Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 279". Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279. http://www.ottawatransitstrike.com/. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Ottawa transit strike still on as union members reject contract offer". CBC News. 2009-01-09. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/01/07/ot-090107-transit-vote.html. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ "City, union reach deal to end Ottawa transit strike". CBC News. 2009-01-29. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/01/29/ot-090129-strike-ends.html. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ a b Ottawa Citizen story on new articulated bus purchase
- ^ New Flyer story on new articulated bus purchase
- ^ http://www.octranspo1.com/about-octranspo/transit_planning
- ^ http://www.octranspo1.com/about-octranspo/news/39295#news-39295
- ^ a b Titcomb, Bert. _"Transport 2000 Canada Hot Line : 2 - Ottawa bus confusion"_. 23 September 2005. Transport 2000 Canada. Accessed May 15, 2008.
- ^ Zinck, Peter. _"Invero Steering Problems Resolved"_ Memorandum, Bulletin No: 305/05, 19 October 2005, City of Ottawa - Operations and Safety, Accessed 15 May 2008.
- ^ OC TRANSPO (1AU72-present) Fleet
- ^ http://ottawabuspage.fotopic.net/p31199049.html[dead link]
- ^ Council OKs average 7.5% bus fare hike
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b64yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c-4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5056,5218234&dq=carlingwood&hl=en
- ^ a b Accessible Transit
External links
- OC Transpo Website
- OC Transpo Massacre
- Drawings and photos of Ottawa Transit buses
- Moving Ottawa - The Mayor of Ottawa's Task Force on Transportation
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