OC Transpo
Encyclopedia
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.
es. OC Transpo utilizes many articulated bus
es 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 rack
s 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 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).
system. The horse-drawn streetcars travelled back and fourth from New Edinburgh
to the Chaudière Bridge. 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. 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
). 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.
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.
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.
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. The inquest revealed an "atmosphere of bullying", described as a "poisoned" environment
by an employment equity
manager. In response, OC Transpo instigated zero-tolerance policies regarding workplace harassment
, a new employee-management communications program, and increased training on workplace respect. However, studies in 2003 and 2004 found there to be lingering elements of a negative work environment, and employee-management communication was reported to be strained following the 1996 strike.
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.
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.
, 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. 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.
local 279 went on strike
December 10, 2008 at 12:01am. 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 in response to a request from mayor
Larry O'Brien
. Both the city and the union published their positions on respective websites. Vote results released on January 9, 2009 revealed that of those eligible to vote, 64% rejected the offer.
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. 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.
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. 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. 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.
denotes wheelchair accessibility
s 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:
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. 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
, 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.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. 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
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
(BRT) system — a high frequency bus service operating on the transitway
Ottawa Rapid Transit
In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the public transit service operated by OC Transpo has two rapid transit systems: the Transitway, a bus rapid transit network, and the O-Train, a diesel-powered light rail transit service operated on one line.-Major routes:...
— 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
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
transit (LRT) system known as the O-Train
Ottawa O-Train
The O-Train is a light-rail transit service in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada operated by OC Transpo. The present line runs north-south on a railway line, from Bayview to Greenboro, a distance of approximately...
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
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, especially during rush hour.
Features
OC Transpo currently has a fleet of 1,048 buses (as of September 2011) that run on regular streets, all of which are fully accessible. The vast majority of regular routes are served by low-floor busLow-floor bus
A low-floor bus is a bus that has no steps between one or more entrances and part or all of the passenger cabin. Being low floor improves the accessibility of the bus for the public, particularly the elderly or infirm, or those with push chairs, and increasingly, those in wheelchairs.In the modern...
es. OC Transpo utilizes many articulated bus
Articulated bus
An articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint...
es 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
OC Transpo Route 95
OC Transpo Route 95 is the Ottawa transit network's busiest route, running on the Transitway across the city. The termination points are located at Marketplace, at Fallowfield Station and in Orléans, at Place d'Orleans. Weekday trips may be extended to Trim Station, a few minutes east of Place...
, 96
OC Transpo Route 96
Route 96 is a major bus-rapid transit route that travels between Terry Fox Station and Hurdman Station via downtown Ottawa and the Transitway. Selected route 96 trips are also extended to serve Stittsville Station and/or Blair Station. It is one of the busiest routes operated by OC Transpo, and...
, and 97
OC Transpo Route 97
OC Transpo Route 97 is a major transitway route that serves important areas across the City of Ottawa including the downtown core and the Ottawa International Airport. It starts at Bayshore Station near the Bayshore Shopping Centre and ends at either South Keys or the Airport. Several trips each...
). It is the most expensive public transportion in Canada.
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
service project, known as the O-Train
Ottawa O-Train
The O-Train is a light-rail transit service in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada operated by OC Transpo. The present line runs north-south on a railway line, from Bayview to Greenboro, a distance of approximately...
, 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
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport or Macdonald-Cartier International Airport , in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is named after Sirs John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier...
. Service to Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
would have also been possible, over the nearby Prince of Wales railway bridge
Prince of Wales Bridge
The Prince of Wales Bridge is a rail bridge across the Ottawa River joining Ottawa, Ontario to Gatineau, Quebec. It connected with the Canadian Pacific Railway line just west of Lebreton Flats, and crosses the south channel of the river to Lemieux Island; it then continues across the northern...
over the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
. However, on December 14, 2006, City Council
Ottawa City Council
The Ottawa City Council is the governing body of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is composed of 23 city councillors and the mayor. The mayor is elected at large, while each of the councillors represent wards throughout the city. Council members are elected to four year terms with the...
led by Mayor Larry O'Brien
Larry O'Brien (Canadian politician)
Lawrence Robert O'Brien , was the 58th mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is also a current director of Calian Technologies Ltd. and its former CEO and chairman....
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 rack
Bicycle carrier
A bicycle carrier, also commonly called a bike rack, is a device attached to an automobile or bus for transporting bicycles.- By vehicle type :Bus mounted bike carriers are usually attached to the front of the bus...
s 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
OC Transpo Route 2
Route 2 of OC Transpo is a major cross-town route in Ottawa. The route has its eastern terminus at Rideau Center and its western terminus at Bayshore. Some trips also end at Westboro on Weekends...
, 4, 7, 12, 14, 85, 95
OC Transpo Route 95
OC Transpo Route 95 is the Ottawa transit network's busiest route, running on the Transitway across the city. The termination points are located at Marketplace, at Fallowfield Station and in Orléans, at Place d'Orleans. Weekday trips may be extended to Trim Station, a few minutes east of Place...
, 96
OC Transpo Route 96
Route 96 is a major bus-rapid transit route that travels between Terry Fox Station and Hurdman Station via downtown Ottawa and the Transitway. Selected route 96 trips are also extended to serve Stittsville Station and/or Blair Station. It is one of the busiest routes operated by OC Transpo, and...
, 97
OC Transpo Route 97
OC Transpo Route 97 is a major transitway route that serves important areas across the City of Ottawa including the downtown core and the Ottawa International Airport. It starts at Bayshore Station near the Bayshore Shopping Centre and ends at either South Keys or the Airport. Several trips each...
, 99 101, 102, 105, 118, the O-Train, all articulated (long) buses 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).
Pre history
Ottawa's first public transportation system began in 1886 with the operation of a horsecarHorsecar
A horsecar or horse-drawn tram is an animal-powered streetcar or tram.These early forms of public transport developed out of industrial haulage routes that had long been in existence, and from the omnibus routes that first ran on public streets in the 1820s, using the newly improved iron or steel...
system. The horse-drawn streetcars travelled back and fourth from New Edinburgh
New Edinburgh
New Edinburgh is a small neighbourhood in Ottawa, Canada. It is located to the east of the downtown core. It is bordered on the west by the Rideau River, to the north by the Ottawa River, to the south by Beechwood Avenue, to the east the border is less regular but is marked in part by Springfield...
to the Chaudière Bridge. The horsecar would remain a staple means of public transportation until 1891 after Thomas Ahearn
Thomas Ahearn
Thomas Ahearn, PC was a Canadian inventor and businessman. Ahearn, a native of Ottawa, was instrumental in the success a vast streetcar system that was once in Ottawa, the Ottawa Electric Railway, and was the first chairman of Canada's Federal District Commission in 1927...
founded the Ottawa Electric Railway Company
Ottawa Electric Railway
Ottawa Electric Railway Company was a streetcar public transit system in the city of Ottawa, Canada, part of the electric railway streetcars which operated between 1891 and 1959...
. This private enterprise eventually provided heated streetcar service covering the downtown core. 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
Lebreton Flats
LeBreton Flats is a neighbourhood in Ottawa, Canada. It lies to the west of Centretown neighbourhood, and to the north of Centretown West with "Nanny Goat Hill" as the dividing line...
). In May 1885, electric lighting commenced in the city. In 1885 council contracted Ottawa Electric Light Company
Hydro Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa is an electricity distribution company based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. As of 2010, Hydro Ottawa provides power to over 296,000 customers in Ottawa and Casselman.-History:...
to install 165 arc lamps on the city's streets.
1973: Formation
Transit in Ottawa was provided by the Ottawa Transportation CommissionOttawa Transportation Commission
Ottawa Transportation Commission was the public transit operator for the city of Ottawa from 1948 until the creation of OC Transpo in 1973.OTC took over streetcar operations from the Ottawa Electric Railway Company, but they were gradually abandoned for trolley bus and bus operations...
until 1973, when transit service in the city and its suburbs was transferred to the auspices of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
The Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton was a regional government area and census division in Ontario, Canada which existed from 1969 until 2001...
. 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.1980s: Transitway
In the early 1980s, OC Transpo began planning for a bus rapid transitBus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
system, the Transitway. Construction of its various stations and segments followed over many years. The first segments were from Baseline
Baseline Station (OC Transpo)
Baseline Transitway Station is directly across from the main campus of Algonquin College in Ottawa's west end, off of Woodroffe Avenue and Baseline Road. Many Algonquin students and Centrepointe residents use this terminal to get to various points in the city, and of course, to get to the College...
to Lincoln Fields
Lincoln Fields Station (OC Transpo)
Lincoln Fields Station is a station on Ottawa's transitway located at Carling Avenue and the Ottawa River Parkway. It is adjacent but not connected to nearby Lincoln Heights Galleria Shopping Centre. It is the main western hub of the transitway system and has a ticket sales and information office...
in the west end and from Lees
Lees Station (OC Transpo)
Lees Transitway Station is a station on Ottawa's transitway. It is located south of the Queensway just to the west of the Rideau River. It serves the Lees Avenue region and the Sandy Hill Heights community....
to Hurdman
Hurdman Station (OC Transpo)
Hurdman Transitway Station is a station on Ottawa's transitway. Hurdman is one of the busier stations, perhaps the busiest, as it is the main hub of the transitway network east of downtown. Hurdman is where the main transitway route from downtown to west branches off in two directions: one to the...
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.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. Lebrun had been fired in August 1997 but was later reinstated, and quit again in 1998.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. The inquest revealed an "atmosphere of bullying", described as a "poisoned" environment
Hostile work environment
A hostile work environment exists when an employee experiences workplace harassment and fears going to work because of the offensive, intimidating, or oppressive atmosphere generated by the harasser....
by an employment equity
Employment equity (Canada)
Employment equity, as defined in Canadian law by the Employment Equity Act, requires employers to engage in proactive employment practices to increase the representation of four designated groups: women, people with disabilities, Aboriginal peoples, and visible minorities...
manager. In response, OC Transpo instigated zero-tolerance policies regarding workplace harassment
Harassment
Harassment covers a wide range of behaviors of an offensive nature. It is commonly understood as behaviour intended to disturb or upset, and it is characteristically repetitive. In the legal sense, it is intentional behaviour which is found threatening or disturbing...
, a new employee-management communications program, and increased training on workplace respect. However, studies in 2003 and 2004 found there to be lingering elements of a negative work environment, and employee-management communication was reported to be strained following the 1996 strike.
Transition to new city government
The province of Ontario ordered the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-CarletonRegional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
The Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton was a regional government area and census division in Ontario, Canada which existed from 1969 until 2001...
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.
December 12, 2005: Southwest Transitway extension
A new section of the southwest Transitway opened on December 12, 2005, between the Nepean SportsplexNepean Sportsplex
Nepean Sportsplex is a sports facility in Ottawa, Ontario. It is located on Woodroffe Avenue north of the Ottawa Greenbelt, near the former Confederation High School along OC Transpo route 95. Unfortunately, the sportsplex does not have a website that adequately provides information.- History...
and Fallowfield Station. The new section runs parallel to Woodroffe Avenue
Woodroffe Avenue (Ottawa)
Woodroffe Avenue is the major north-south arterial road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's west end. It runs south from the Ottawa River Parkway through Baseline Road to Prince of Wales Drive towards the communities of Manotick and Barrhaven. The road runs through the heart of Nepean in Ottawa's west end...
and was built at a cost of $10 million. The new section has no stations and has replaced service along Woodroffe Avenue
Woodroffe Avenue (Ottawa)
Woodroffe Avenue is the major north-south arterial road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's west end. It runs south from the Ottawa River Parkway through Baseline Road to Prince of Wales Drive towards the communities of Manotick and Barrhaven. The road runs through the heart of Nepean in Ottawa's west end...
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
Strandherd Station (OC Transpo)
Strandherd Station is a transit station in Ottawa, Ontario. It opened on January 2, 2007 and contains a park and ride facility with over 300 parking spaces available. It is located northeast of the intersection of Strandherd Drive and the access to the Riocan Marketplace shopping area in which...
opened on January 2, 2007. There are also long range plans for other extensions in the Orleans
Orléans, Ontario
Orleans , also written Orléans, is a suburban area within the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the eastern part of the city along the Ottawa River, about from downtown Ottawa. The Canada 2006 Census gave Orleans a population of 95,491. It became a ward of the City of Ottawa in 2001...
and Kanata
Kanata
Kanata is an aboriginal word meaning "village" or "settlement."- Name of Canada :Until the mid-20th century, the Mohawk word "kanata" was thought to have been the origin of Canada's name...
areas to keep up with more growing communities there too.
December 14, 2006: Light Rail Expansion cancellation
During the 2006 municipal election campaignOttawa municipal election, 2006
The 2006 Ottawa municipal election was held on November 13, 2006, in Ottawa, Canada, to elect the mayor of Ottawa, Ottawa City Council and the Ottawa-Carleton Public and Catholic School Boards. The election was one of many races across the province of Ontario...
, Larry O'Brien
Larry O'Brien (Canadian politician)
Lawrence Robert O'Brien , was the 58th mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is also a current director of Calian Technologies Ltd. and its former CEO and chairman....
(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. 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 UnionAmalgamated Transit Union
The Amalgamated Transit Union is a labor union in the United States and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council in Canada, representing workers in the transit system and other industries...
local 279 went on strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
December 10, 2008 at 12:01am. The main causes of the strike were disagreements between the City of Ottawa and the union regarding scheduling, payroll and seniority. Rona Ambrose
Rona Ambrose
Ronalee "Rona" Ambrose, PC, MP is the Minister of Public Works and Government Services for Canada, Vice-Chair of the Treasury Board Cabinet committee, Minister of State for Status of Women Canada and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.In the previous Parliament, she was Canada's Minister...
, the Federal Minister of Labour
Minister of Labour (Canada)
The Minister of Labour is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for setting national labour standards and federal labour dispute mechanisms...
ordered a union membership vote on January 8, 2009 on the city's contract proposal in response to a request from mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Larry O'Brien
Larry O'Brien (Canadian politician)
Lawrence Robert O'Brien , was the 58th mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is also a current director of Calian Technologies Ltd. and its former CEO and chairman....
. Both the city and the union published their positions on respective websites. Vote results released on January 9, 2009 revealed that of those eligible to vote, 64% rejected the offer.
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. 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
OC 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
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
GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus
The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The...
or New Looks
GM New Look (Fishbowl) Bus
The GM New Look bus, also commonly known by the nickname "Fishbowl" , is a transit bus introduced in 1959 by General Motors and produced until 1987. More than 44,000 New Look buses were built. Its high production figures and long service career made it an iconic North American transit bus. The...
) 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
Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis Limited is the largest bus builder in the United Kingdom. It incorporated the three last surviving bus manufacturers which started bus production before World War II: Dennis, Alexander and Plaxton.- History :Alexander Dennis was formed as TransBus on 1 January 2001, after the...
, 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
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
, 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. All of the 2001-2004 D60LFs are now retired.
Some of the older New Flyer
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
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. 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.
| Model | Year | Bus Numbers | No. In Fleet* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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. According to Transport 2000 "several bus drivers reported that the front end of the bus vibrates when driven at more than 60 km/h." 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. Bus 4209 suffered an engine fire in November 2010. Bus 4244 suffered a brake fire in June 2011. |
| New Flyer New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... D40i "Invero" |
2005–2006 | 4274-4439 | 166 | Bus number 4299 was crashed into a median en route to the stop at Queensway Station Queensway Station (OC Transpo) Queensway Transitway Station is located around and under the Queensway along the southwest transitway leg. The upper platforms provide access to the crosstown Route 101 while the lower platforms are for transitway routes such as the 95 and eastbound trips of Route 96.Despite its seemingly isolated... . It has been rebuilt and has re-entered service. Buses 4427 to 4439 are equipped with bike racks between May and October. |
| New Flyer New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 bus Articulated bus An articulated bus is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint... es and all are fully accessible for strollers and the disabled. These buses are equipped with bike racks between May and October. |
| New Flyer New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... D60LFR |
2010–2011 | 6404-6709 | 306 | They are 226 buses replacing the New Flyer New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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. 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 Alexander Dennis Alexander Dennis Limited is the largest bus builder in the United Kingdom. It incorporated the three last surviving bus manufacturers which started bus production before World War II: Dennis, Alexander and Plaxton.- History :Alexander Dennis was formed as TransBus on 1 January 2001, after the... Enviro500 |
2008–2009 | 1201–1203 | 3** | Double-decker bus Double-decker bus A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates... es entered service on route 94 on March 30, 2009. They have since also been used on routes 31, 35, 38, 61, 77, 96 OC Transpo Route 96 Route 96 is a major bus-rapid transit route that travels between Terry Fox Station and Hurdman Station via downtown Ottawa and the Transitway. Selected route 96 trips are also extended to serve Stittsville Station and/or Blair Station. It is one of the busiest routes operated by OC Transpo, and... , 97 OC Transpo Route 97 OC Transpo Route 97 is a major transitway route that serves important areas across the City of Ottawa including the downtown core and the Ottawa International Airport. It starts at Bayshore Station near the Bayshore Shopping Centre and ends at either South Keys or the Airport. Several trips each... , 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 Bombardier Transportation Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.... Talent Talent (train) The Talent is a multiple unit railcar manufactured by Bombardier that was developed by Waggonfabrik Talbot in Aachen shortly before the company was acquired by Bombardier in 1995... 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 Bayview Station (OC Transpo) Bayview Station is a transitway and O-Train station in Ottawa, Ontario. The bus stop is at the eastern end of Scott Street when it becomes Wellington Street. The O-Train station, the northern terminus of the current line, is located on a stub-end track branching off from the railway line,... and Greenboro Station Greenboro Station (OC Transpo) Greenboro Station in Ottawa, Ontario is a stop on the transitway, and is the current southern terminus of the O-Train. It was expected to extend towards the south by 2009 , and the proposed East-West Line would have intersected at this station... . |
denotes wheelchair accessibility
Retired fleet
- This is a list of retired GM, Ford, Orion Bus Industries and Nova bus fleets.
| GM and Ford Buses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 Hamilton Street Railway The Hamilton Street Railway Company is the Transit Division of the City of Hamilton, Public Works Department in Ontario, Canada. The name is a legacy of the days when the majority of public transit vehicles were streetcars; the present-day Hamilton Street Railway is in fact a bus operator... . 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 Big Blue Bus Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines, more commonly known as the Big Blue Bus, is a municipal bus operator in the Westside region of Los Angeles, providing both local and bus rapid transit service in Santa Monica and adjacent neighborhoods of Los Angeles... 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 Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... 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 Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... 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. 9307, 9309, 9311, 9314, 9315 and 9316 were leased to Société de transport de Laval Société de transport de Laval Société de transport de Laval is the public transit system in the city of Laval, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in June 1971 as the Commission de transport de la Ville de Laval ... but most have returned after the opening of the Montreal Metro Montreal Metro The Montreal Metro is a rubber-tired metro system, and the main form of public transportation underground in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.... 's Orange Line Line 2 Orange (Montreal Metro) The Orange line is the longest, most congested, and first-planned of the four lines of the Montreal Metro, in Montreal, Canada. It formed part of the initial network, and was extended between 1980 and 1986... extension to Laval Laval, Quebec Laval is a Canadian city and a region in southwestern Quebec. It is the largest suburb of Montreal, the third largest municipality in the province of Quebec, and the 14th largest city in Canada with a population of 368,709 in 2006... . 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 Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... E450 Ford E-Series The Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and its descendants are still produced... |
2005 | 2601 | 1 | This minibus operated primarily on Route 123. |
| New Flyer Industries | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Flyer New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Year | Bus Numbers | No. In Fleet* | Notes |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... I 01.501 |
1978 | 8801-8832 | 32 | |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... I 01.501 |
1982 | 8231-8266 | 36 | |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... I 01.501 |
1983 | 8371-8392 | 22 | 8390 is preserved in the historical fleet. |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... III 03.501 |
1987 | 8601-8655 | 55 | Some buses were equipped with newer powertrains prior to retirement in 2003 |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... III 03.501 |
1987 | 8719-8764 | 46 | |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... III 03.501 |
1988–1989 | 8875-8899 | 25 | Purchased from the Toronto Transit Commission Toronto Transit Commission -Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:... in 1997-1998 (This series was equipped with 4-piece exit doors). |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... V 05.501 |
1997-1998 | 9701-9720 | 20 | Fully retired by July 12, 2011. |
| Orion Orion Bus Industries Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975... 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 coinCoin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
s 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. This fare was matched by STO
Société de transport de l'Outaouais
Société de transport de l'Outaouais is the transit service of the Outaouais region of Quebec. It operates public transit routes in Gatineau, Quebec, including the Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau, Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors, plus limited service to suburban communities such as Chelsea and...
, the transit operator across the Ottawa River
Ottawa River
The Ottawa River is a river in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For most of its length, it now defines the border between these two provinces.-Geography:...
in Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
on January 1, 2006. OC Transpo & York Region Transit
York Region Transit
York Region Transit is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road....
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
City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is the corporate entity of municipal government in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The corporation is responsible for provision of services to the public as well as enforcement of municipal by-laws...
. 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.
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)
- 2009 - $3
- 2010 - $3.25
Para Transpo
Para Transpo is an accessible paratransitParatransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
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.
Para Transpo operations were contracted to First Bus Canada
FirstGroup plc
FirstGroup plc is a public transport company, registered in Scotland at its headquarters in Aberdeen, operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and the United States...
, previously operated by Laidlaw
Laidlaw
Laidlaw, organized as Laidlaw International, Inc. , was a predecessor corporation of First Student , a US subsidiary of the Scottish transport firm FirstGroup plc...
. On January 1, 2008, the City of Ottawa
City of Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is the corporate entity of municipal government in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The corporation is responsible for provision of services to the public as well as enforcement of municipal by-laws...
assumed complete control of this service.
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 AdvertisingPattison Outdoor Advertising
Pattison Outdoor Advertising is Canada's largest Out-of-home advertising company, holding a 55% market share of the core out of home advertising product in Canada and a 46% market share of all traditional Out-of-Home media in the country .Pattison Outdoor is a division of the Jim Pattison...
. Advertising on bus shelters is contracted to Clear Channel Outdoor
Clear Channel Outdoor
Clear Channel Outdoor , is a company controlled by Clear Channel Communications and is one of the world's largest outdoor advertising corporations. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has operations in six of the seven continents....
. There has also been local funding to advertise on local TV stations such as CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
and A Channel.
Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 279
The Amalgamated Transit UnionAmalgamated Transit Union
The Amalgamated Transit Union is a labor union in the United States and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council in Canada, representing workers in the transit system and other industries...
, 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.
See also
- Ottawa Rapid TransitOttawa Rapid TransitIn Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the public transit service operated by OC Transpo has two rapid transit systems: the Transitway, a bus rapid transit network, and the O-Train, a diesel-powered light rail transit service operated on one line.-Major routes:...
- Société de transport de l'OutaouaisSociété de transport de l'OutaouaisSociété de transport de l'Outaouais is the transit service of the Outaouais region of Quebec. It operates public transit routes in Gatineau, Quebec, including the Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau, Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors, plus limited service to suburban communities such as Chelsea and...
(STO) in Gatineau, Québec