Recap: September 11 Transit Committee

Stage 2 O-Train extensions update

In the east, final construction activities and system testing on the O-Train are nearing completion. On September 13 and 14, a performance test will take place where 23 trains will operate between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations. Due to the requirements of the test, R1 bus replacement service will operate in place of Line 1. This test will help show that the newly integrated system can achieve future? peak service levels and is an essential step before the system can begin trial running, which is anticipated to take place this fall.

In the west, rail installation has been completed and the installation of the overhead wires which will power the trains is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Test trains have operated on a section of track between the Corkstown Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility and Pinecrest Station. 

You can listen to the full construction update here  or check out some progress photos below.

Fall 2025 Service Change

As part of our Fall service change, we prepared over the summer to welcome additional customers back on board transit this fall. The transit network was adjusted to accommodate an increase in customers as students return to school and employees return to the office after summer vacation. We are ready to welcome back more customers as more employers in the region transition to in-office work on a more frequent basis.  

Recommendations from the Westboro Collision Coroner's Inquest 

​A status update was provided on the City’s Action Plan to respond to the Coroner's Inquest on the 2019 bus collision at Westboro Station. Approximately half of the 41 recommendations are on track to be implemented or completed by the end of 2025. Our team will continue to bring recommendations for consideration through the budget process to address many of the recommendations from the inquest focused on safety and security.  More updates will be provided at an upcoming Transit Committee meeting in Q1 2026.

Bus Service Reliability Report

We also provided an overview of ongoing efforts to improve bus service reliability. Progress is being made through the Transit Services’ Five-Year Roadmap, the Zero-Emission Bus Program, the Bus Maintenance Action Plan, and the New Ways to Bus network.
We are committed to ongoing improvements and will continue to adapt plans, monitor progress and report regularly to Council and the public.

Bus Fleet Update

An update was shared on our bus fleet and the delivery of vehicles, including 11 used diesel buses that are anticipated to enter service later this fall.
Here is what you need to know:

• In 2025, 26 new electric buses have begun providing regular service and 34 more are anticipated to arrive by the end of the year.
• By the end of Q3 2027, half of our conventional bus fleet is planned to be made up of electric buses.
• 17 new minibuses have been added to the Para Transpo fleet and an additional 45 are expected to be in service by the end of the year.
• 50 new diesel buses have been purchased and are anticipated to arrive between Q2 2026 and Q1 2027.

Ridership Update

Here’s what you need to know about our latest ridership statistics: 

• There were 4.5 million customer-trips on the O-Train and on buses in August. 
• O-Train service delivery on Line 1 was 99.8 per cent and 96.4 per cent on Lines 2 and 4 in August. 
• Bus service delivery in August was 98.4 per cent.
• Over the past 12-months, 873,000 customer-trips have been taken on Para Transpo.

This festival season marked the first summer with Lines 2 and 4 in operation alongside Line 1.

Here’s a quick recap of O-Train ridership during major events:

• 84,100 customer trips taken during Ottawa Race Weekend
• 270,000 customer trips on Canada Day 
• Approximately 737,000 customer trips throughout Bluesfest. 

Do you love metrics? So do we! Check out our new Key Performance Indicators webpage.