OC Transpo makes progress on Five-Year Roadmap

Transit Committee were provided with an update on the five-year roadmap, preparation for New Ways to Bus, and ridership. The Transit Committee today received an annual update on key accomplishments of OC Transpo’s Five-Year Roadmap, final preparations for the launch of New Ways to Bus, and an update on ridership. The 5-Year Roadmap guides how OC Transpo plans to modernize and grow into a world-class transit network with high service reliability, high customer satisfaction, and high employee engagement. The roadmap lays a transparent, accountable, and measurable path for the next three years. As part of the second annual update, OC Transpo outlined the following accomplishments in 2024:

• Hired 222 bus operators and 12 Para Transpo operators
• Increased O-Train Line 1 service delivery from 97.1 per cent to 98.8 per cent
• Increased bus service delivery from 97.8 per cent to 98 per cent
• Performed data upgrades to allow customers who use the Transit App to see better real-time arrival predictions
• Doubled usage of My Para Transpo, the online self-serve system that lets Para Transpo customers quickly book, cancel, and track their trips
• Added four new zero-emission buses to the fleet with more arriving in 2025

The Committee heard details of the April 27 launch of New Ways to Bus, the biggest transformation of bus service in the city’s history. The new bus network will focus on frequency, local neighbourhood service, connections to O-Train Lines 1 and 2, and key destinations. More information, including the Travel Planner and final schedules, is available on octranspo.com. OC Transpo also advised the Committee that the entire transit system, including the O-Train, bus and Para Transpo, would be free for a weekend in the future to encourage new customers to try the system. Further information will be announced soon. Committee members also heard that there were 5.9 million customer-trips on the O-Train and on buses in February. Rail service delivery in March on O-Train Line 1 was 99.5 per cent and 97.9 per cent on O-Train Lines 2 and 4. Conventional bus service delivery in March was 96.9 per cent. Over the past 12-months, 858,000 customer-trips have been taken on Para Transpo. The Committee also received the 2024 annual compliance report from the Light Rail Regulatory Monitor and Compliance Officer (RMCO). In 2024, the two areas of focus for the RMCO were the inspections and repairs of bridges and structures, and on the hours-of-service regulations. OC Transpo has already taken actions to enhance this year’s plan that will include monitoring Rideau Transit Maintenance conformance. Earlier this week, OC Transpo held its annual Safe Driving and Transecure Awards ceremony. The Safe Driving program recognizes transit operators who have an exemplary safe driving record. The Transecure program is a community watch program on wheels. The program recognizes and celebrates the actions of OC Transpo employees who demonstrate exemplary behaviour by assisting members of the community during their times of need. For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.