The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to change rapidly. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) acknowledges that there are essential services – including public transit – that must continue to allow the city to function. OC Transpo is working closely with Ottawa Public Health to make transit as safe as possible. Every step along the way, our priority is the health and safety of our employees and customers.
Working together with OPH and the City of Ottawa’s Office of Emergency Management, we proactively track and quickly respond to incidents of COVID-19 among OC Transpo staff.
Time | Transcript | Text description |
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0:00 | [Music] At OC Transpo, we’ve been working with Ottawa Public Health to make transit as safe as possible. | Aerial view of Line 1 train; customer walking toward entrance to Tunney’s Pasture Station. |
0:04 | Please don’t use transit if you’re not feeling well, have had contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case, or recently travelled outside Canada. | Customer approaches fare gates, coughs into elbow, stops and turns away from station. |
0:11 | We’re good to go at OC Transpo, | Multiple masked customers boarding Line 1 train. |
0:12 | so put your mask on and let’s go. | Masked customers onboard bus. |
0:13 | OC Transpo, City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health logos appear. |
All health and safety measures have been developed in close consultation with Ottawa Public Health and are in line with provincial and federal guidelines.
Customers and employees are required to wear cloth masks or face coverings that cover the nose and mouth when using OC Transpo.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
Masks should be worn before entering buses, trains, bus shelters, stations, and Para Transpo buses and contracted taxis.
How to safely put on and remove a cloth mask *
*An accessible version of this text can be found on ottawapublichealth.ca.
Visit Ottawa Public Health’s website for information about wearing a mask, where to get a mask and other resources.
Protective shields are installed at the front of all buses for the safety of operators and customers.
Trains have a separate operator cab that provides protection for rail operators.
Board at the front of the bus to open up more space for customers.
Customers who can are reminded to exit using the rear doors.
Customers must pay fares when boarding the bus.
Customers can pay using touch-free methods, including dropping cash fares into the fare box and obtaining a transfer, or tapping a Presto card.
Customers with Presto or U-Pass cards are encouraged to continue to board at the back when possible and tap their cards there.
Hand sanitizer dispensers are available at all O-Train stations and most Transitway stations.
Customers are encouraged to pump some on before they jump on – and again after their trip.
Para Transpo operators wear surgical masks and face shields.
Face shields take the place of protective shields around operators on conventional buses and trains.
Para Transpo trips continue to be limited to one customer per trip while ridership levels are low.
This will continue as long as all Para Transpo customers can be accommodated.
New signage is installed to remind customers to stay home if they’re not feeling well, have had contact with a confirmed or suspected covid-19 case, or recently travelled outside Canada.
Following Ottawa Public Health guidelines, OC Transpo is conducting enhanced sanitizing and cleaning of all vehicles and stations around the clock.
Time | Transcript | Text description |
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0:00 | [Music] Public transit moves people and will be essential to moving our city forward during the economic recovery. | Early morning views of Bayview Station; trains departing Tunney’s Pasture Station. |
0:08 | The good news: thanks to measures OC Transpo has put in place in close consultation with Ottawa Public Health, we’re returning to full service on June 28th. | A view of the concourse at Hurdman Station; aerial view of a train approaching Lees Station; close up of bus operator wearing cloth face mask; customers wearing face masks entering the fare gates at Lyon Station and on the concourse at Lyon Station. |
0:18 | Starting June 15th, customers and OC Transpo staff must wear cloth masks in stations and onboard trains and buses. Para Transpo operators will wear surgical masks and face shields. Please put yours on before getting on. | Views of customers and OC Transpo staff wearing cloth face masks. |
0:34 | Hand sanitizer dispensers are now installed in all o-train stations and most Transitway stations. Customers are encouraged to pump some on before they jump on–and again after their trip. | Views of customers using hand sanitizer dispensers in Line 1 stations. |
0:46 | Protective shields have been installed around bus operator cabs so customers can board and pay fares at the front, starting June 15th. | A bus arrives, the doors open to show protective shield around bus operator. Customers board and pay at the front door of the bus. |
0:55 | Bus volumes at major transfer stations are being controlled to help reduce crowding in stations and on train platforms as much as possible. | Aerial views of Hurdman and Blair Station with buses arriving. |
1:05 | Enhanced and approved sanitizing and cleaning of trains, buses and stations is happening around the clock. | Views of workers cleaning trains, buses and stations. |
1:15 | Customers who aren’t feeling well, are being reminded not to use transit. | A customer coughing as he arrives at a transit station turns around and leaves before entering. |
1:21 | “Hi, I’m Dr. Vera Etches. Let’s each all do our part. Wear a cloth mask, sanitize your hands, and stay home if you’re sick.” | Dr. Vera Etches stands in front of a Line 1 station and speaks on-camera wearing a mask. |
1:30 | We’re good to go at OC Transpo, so put your mask on and let’s go. | Customers boarding and riding trains and buses wearinCg masks. Train departs station. OC Transpo, City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health logos appear. |
Everyone uses public transit in their own unique way. Take a moment to review the best ways to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19 at each stage of your trip. Thanks again for your cooperation - now let's go!
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
Time | Transcript | Text description |
---|---|---|
0:00 | [Music] At OC Transpo, we’ve been working with Ottawa Public Health to make transit as safe as possible. | Cleaning staff cleaning stairway in line 1 station as train arrives; close up of staff cleaning ticket machine in Line 1 station. |
0:04 | We are now conducting enhanced sanitizing and cleaning of trains, buses and stations around the clock. | Cleaning staff sanitizing a train interior, bus interior and Line 1 station fare gates. |
0:11 | We’re good to go at OC Transpo, | Multiple masked customers boarding Line 1 train. |
0:12 | so put your mask on and let’s go. | Masked customers onboard moving train. |
0:13 | OC Transpo, City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health logos appear. |
Since the the beginning of the pandemic, we have enhanced our cleaning measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to perform enhanced daily cleaning of all vehicles, stations, and employee areas to keep our transit network as safe as possible.
Para Transpo trips will continue to be limited to one client on board per trip, when possible.
All Para Transpo vehicles undergo enhanced cleaning each day. Common touch points are also sanitized with a disinfectant cleaner by the Para Transpo Operator.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has been provided to all Para Transpo Operators. Each Operator is equipped with gloves, face shields, surgical masks, and hand sanitizer.
For FAQs about Para Transpo applications during the pandemic, click here.
If a customer has or is suspected to have COVID-19 and requires transportation to a medical facility or to an assessment centre, OC Transpo will work with the customer to provide them with a transportation option that ensures their safety and the safety of other customers and the operator or driver.
Yes, all customers are required to wear a mask on Para Transpo vehicles, buses, and trains.
In keeping with recommendations from the Province of Ontario, an exception will be made for:
Remember, not all disabilities or medical conditions that prevent someone from safely wearing a mask are visible.
Para Transpo’s number one priority is the health and safety of customers and staff. Operators and drivers will limit close contact as much as possible. We are also limiting the number of customers in a vehicle at one time, cleaning and sanitizing all touch points and following medical advice as it becomes available or changes. We are also trying to segregate more vulnerable customers such as dialysis patients as much as possible.
Para Transpo is transporting customers to hospitals at certain doors as outlined by the hospitals. We are in communication with local hospitals to ensure proper safety measures are maintained.
Yes, all vehicles, including buses and taxis, are being sanitized after each trip.
Yes, all Para Transpo taxi vehicles have plastic dividers between the front and back seat.
You are allowed to bring one person with you in the vehicle when you travel. Remember though that your companion is responsible to pay a fare when travelling.
If you have medical information on file saying that you need the assistance of a support person for your trip, the support person does not pay a fare. If your file says that a support person is required at all times, you will not be able to travel without having the support person present. If your file specifies you only need a support person occasionally, you need to specify for each trip if the support person is required, so that we can allow for space.
Yes, regularly scheduled Para Transpo trips are automatically suspended on holidays, with the exception of Easter Sunday and Remembrance Day. Customers can submit holiday booking requests using the online reservation form or by calling 613-244-7272.
Yes, Para Transpo Operators continue to accept fare payments from customers.
Special thanks to all of our frontline workers and staff.
Show your support for our frontline workers on Twitter at @OC_Transpo #thankyouOC
If you are feeling sick, stay home and take the online self-assessment.
To stay informed on the latest COVID-19 developments in Ottawa, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.com or