After a long winter, a spring deep clean is underway as part of OC Transpo’s Customer-First Action Plan to improve customer comfort. Across the network, our teams are rolling up their sleeves to give stations, trains, buses, shelters, and pathways a spring refresh.
The Next Stop Blog went behind the scenes to find out more and speak to some of the staff working hard to keep your commute clean.
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Spring cleaning is more than just appearances: it improves safety, comfort, and reliability too.
- Every part of the transit system is getting attention, from deep cleaning stations, trains and buses to bus shelters, escalators, elevators, and pathways.
- It’s a team effort. OC Transpo staff, maintenance partners, and City of Ottawa Public Works crews work together to keep transit running smoothly for riders.
- The spring deep clean is part of OC Transpo’s Customer-First Action
plan.
More than meets the eye
Spring cleaning is more than just appearances: it also directly improves safety, comfort, and reliability for customers. Here’s how:
-
Safety
Clearing debris, cleaning walkways, and improving lines of sight reduce the risk of slips and trips and makes stations feel safer. -
Rider comfort
Clean vehicles and stations create brighter, more welcoming spaces that are easier to navigate and enjoyable to use. -
Reliability
Removing winter salt and grime protects equipment and reduces wear and tear on elevators, escalators, trains, and buses. -
Accessibility
Clear pathways and well-maintained elevators make it easier for customers with wheelchairs, those with limited mobility, or families with strollers to ride.
A closer look at what we're doing
O-Train vehicles and stations
On the O-Train side of the network, our maintenance partners RTM and TNEXT have begun their seasonal deep cleaning programs. Derek Moran, our Manager of Rail Operations, spoke to us about the importance of this work.
“Now that spring and warmer weather is here, it’s a chance for our maintenance partners to pressure wash stations and remove any winter salt buildup. The crews are also cleaning equipment like floor grilles, signage, lighting, and CCTV cameras.”
Escalators and elevators are also getting attention. We use special equipment to do escalator tread and landing plate cleaning. Elevators receive a deep clean of debris and salt corrosion. As Derek explains,
“Regular cleaning and inspections means we can keep this critical equipment running smoothly and safely for riders who rely on them."
✨ Did you know? Our 25 O-Train stations have a whopping 87 elevators and 47 escalators, all of which are cleaned and inspected on a regular basis.
Train cleaning continues throughout the spring when removing salt, grit, and dirt left behind by winter conditions is a priority. This is especially important for train doors. It helps ensure vehicles remain clean and in good working order for customers.
Buses and minibuses
In the spring, OC Transpo teams continue daily interior cleaning of buses and Para Transpo minibuses. Staff inspect and clean each vehicle, with special attention to removing leftover salt and sand from floors during springtime. During the nightly routine known as “countdown”, if attendants find bigger issues like sticky floors or soiled seats, they will book the bus for a more thorough deep clean.
Nelson, Program Manager for Transit Maintenance, walked us through the additional interior deep clean each bus gets every six months.
“It’s a comprehensive process where we remove a bus from service for about a day, so that we can give it a top to bottom makeover. Our attendants use a variety of equipment and cleaning products like brushes, rags, vacuums, soaps and foams to scrub and clean every interior surface, be it the ceiling, walls, windows, seats, floors and grab bars.”
Regular exterior washes also help protect vehicle components and keep buses looking their best.
Transitway stations and bus stops
Spring is a busy time of year on our Transitway too. Crews focus on landscaping to remove winter debris and prepare planting beds for the growing season. They keep the pathways clear so cyclists and pedestrians can easily access stations, while also managing weed control, grass cutting, and trimming throughout the warmer months.
We caught up with Ben, Superintendent of Transit Facilities, who explained that landscaping is about more than just having a clean look.
“It’s also important for rider and staff safety. We want our bus drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to have clear lines of sight. Keeping grass and shrubs in good shape around stations, pathways and roadways is key for safety.”
Across the city, the OC Transpo Facilities team is pressure washing all of our 1,800 bus shelters and 36 Transitway stations. The wash removes any leftover winter grime and improves lines of sight for safety. Staff also inspect and thoroughly clean elevator cabs, paying close attention to the sills to make sure doors continue to open and close smoothly.
A city-wide effort
Spring cleaning is truly a team effort across the City of Ottawa. Public Works crews play a key role by:
- Filling potholes on roads used by our buses.
- Sweeping roads, sidewalks, and pathways connecting to transit stops.
- Refreshing pavement markings for road safety.
Thank you to our teams
We’re grateful for everything the teams do this spring to keep transit running smoothly for our customers. None of this work would be possible without the dedication and pride of OC Transpo’s front line employees. From maintenance and cleaning crews to supervisors and inspectors, they take great care in ensuring your trip is clean and safe.
Stay connected by following OC Transpo on social media for updates on our spring cleaning progress, including more behind the scenes looks at the work that keeps Ottawa moving.
