Here's what's changing as OC Transpo gears up for the fall

Significant changes are coming to OC Transpo's train and bus network in the coming weeks and months as the system faces persistently low ridership and what Ottawa's mayor has described as a financial crisis.

Some of these changes are typical fall service adjustments, while others will significantly alter how riders travel around the city.

Reduced Off-Peak LRT Service

The first major adjustment begins this Monday, when OC Transpo will implement changes to LRT service. Previously, LRT trains ran approximately every five minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays. While the frequency will remain the same during morning and afternoon rush hours, service will be reduced during midday and evening hours. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., trains will run every 10 minutes.

The decision to cut service was driven by low ridership, with trains often running less than half full during off-peak times. Despite these reductions, OC Transpo's transit services general manager, Renée Amilcar, believes there will still be ample room for passengers, even with increased demand from returning students and public servants.

"Our ability to increase the service with the train is very, very, very good, so I'm not worried at all," Amilcar said in an interview on Friday.

Fall Service Adjustments

OC Transpo usually updates its routes four times a year to reflect construction and seasonal travel patterns. Most of the fall service changes took effect on Sunday. These include detours for six routes to avoid construction, increased frequency for Line 2 replacement buses serving Carleton University, and the end of summer service to destinations like Petrie Island and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum as of September 2. School services will also resume.

A comprehensive list of changes and affected routes can be found [here].

Trillium Line Opening Timeline

There is still no set date for the opening of the north-south Trillium light rail line. Last month, OC Transpo indicated that preparations were nearing completion, including a three-week trial run to test the system's reliability followed by approximately another week of administrative approvals. However, the city confirmed on Friday that trial running has not yet started. A report stated that final construction, testing, and commissioning were "well underway."

Amilcar mentioned that more details would be provided at the next light rail subcommittee meeting on Thursday. She observed "very good things" during a site visit on Friday but noted that OC Transpo is still working on improving "the reliability of the system."

"Things are going well. We need again to continue to build the reliability to make sure that we are 100 percent ready when we say it's time to go," Amilcar said in an interview on Friday.

The Trillium Line, which connects Bayview station to Riverside South and the Airport, is approximately two years behind schedule.

Upcoming Bus Route Changes

OC Transpo has reconfigured its bus routes, resulting in changes across the city. Some routes will be eliminated, others rerouted, and new routes introduced. The adjustments aim to enhance "connections to community hubs and key destinations," according to OC Transpo's website, but will reduce focus on downtown commuter routes, including the elimination of several 200-series routes.

Overall, the changes will lead to a reduction of 74,000 bus service hours per year, or a 3.5 percent cut in total service. However, these new bus routes will not take effect until after the Trillium Line opens, and the timeline for that remains uncertain.

Financial Challenges

These service adjustments are part of a broader response to OC Transpo's ongoing financial difficulties, exacerbated by a significant drop in fare revenues since the pandemic. The transit service consistently falls short of budget targets, and the city's long-term financial plan for transit now faces a multibillion-dollar shortfall, potentially leading to fare increases, tax hikes, or jeopardizing Stage 3 of the LRT expansion.

OC Transpo had to rely heavily on its transit reserve last budget cycle, and that fund is nearly depleted. This month, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe described the situation as a fiscal crisis, revealing a $140 million operating shortfall over the next three years and requesting federal and provincial support to bridge the gap.