With Veteran’s Week approaching from November 5 to 11, staff at OC Transpo have been working behind the scenes on a special project to mark the occasion. In collaboration with partners at Veterans Affairs Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion, and the Department of National Defence, some of OC Transpo’s talented creative staff accepted the poignant task of creating a travelling tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.
Three buses in our fleet have been wrapped with a mural to commemorate those who have fallen in military service and to honour all Veterans who have served Canada, whether in war or times of peace.
The journey from mock-up to mural
When approaching the bus mural project, our graphic designer set out to develop a thoughtful, reverent design befitting the occasion.
The end result features a poignant silhouette of three soldiers traversing a field of poppies, set against the backdrop of a maple leaf standing in for the setting sun.
Given the significance of the artwork, OC Transpo consulted with representatives of The Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defense, to ensure our tribute treats the subject matter with due respect and accuracy.
With the final design approved, graphic files made their way to our contracted wrap installer for a final review. Once they checked for any potential issues with print or installation, they worked with OC Transpo staff to find the best buses to place the wraps on. The vinyl wraps were then installed on the buses at OC Transpo’s Industrial Garage overnight and into the early morning hours to ensure they were back on the road to serve customers the next day.
“The City of Ottawa’s visual display of Remembrance through striking images on its transit buses is a welcome and important visual display of gratitude. We deeply thank Ottawa for this educational and symbolic tribute to Veterans who have given their lives, and we hope other communities across Canada will follow suit with similar ideas.” — Berkley Lawrence, Dominion President, The Royal Canadian Legion
The three double decker buses featuring the Remembrance Day mural will be in service across the city through to the end of November.
Free service for those who have served
Each year during Veterans’ Week, from November 5 through November 11, Canadian Veterans in uniform, wearing medals, or displaying ID are welcome to free service on all OC Transpo buses and trains, as well as Para Transpo service and buses operated by the STO.
This free service is also extended to companions travelling with the Veteran. It’s a small gesture of thanks to those who have served.
Travelling to the ceremony with OC Transpo
It’s our honour to help Veterans, organizers, volunteers, and spectators make their way to ceremonies across the city on Remembrance Day.
If you’re planning to attend an event for Remembrance Day, you can plan your trip using the Travel Planner or Transit .
As in past years, customers can expect rolling transit impacts downtown related to the official Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial, and the latest details will be shared on this website.
Taking time to reflect
A tradition that OC Transpo will continue to observe this year is the moment of silence. Every year, OC Transpo bus service is paused at 11 am on November 11 to allow operators and customers two minutes of silent reflection.
On O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4, trains are briefly held at stations while the moment of silence is observed. We invite our customers to join staff in a brief moment of quiet contemplation at the eleventh hour on Remembrance Day, in respect for those who sacrificed.
Whether you are riding with us as a Veteran, an active service member, or a civilian paying respects, it remains our privilege to play a role in your Remembrance Day observations in Canada’s capital this year and in the years to come.
Lest we forget.
