Service adjustments
To prepare for increased ridership and normal seasonal service levels, additional health and safety measures come into effect Monday, June 15.
The novel coronavirus (COVID‑19) outbreak continues to change rapidly. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends that Ottawans strengthen their physical distancing measures and avoid gatherings of all sizes and non-essential travel outside the home. At the same time, OPH acknowledges that there are essential services – including public transit – that must continue to allow the city to function.
Returning to normal schedule
Get your reduced service Travel Plan
As the economy reopens, transit ridership in Ottawa will increase. We have developed a transit service recovery plan to accommodate this increase and help keep you safer:
- Starting June 28, full Summer Service levels will be in operation to keep customers and employees safer as more people begin using transit;
- Bus stop reassignments planned for Blair and Place d’Orléans stations will change on June 28 to reduce crowding and improve customer flow at those stations;
Plan your trip in advance as service adjustments may result in changes to your regular trip times.
Boarding adjustments during recovery
O-Train Line 1
O-Train Line 1
- Customers and employees will be required to wear cloth masks or equivalent face coverings when entering buses, trains, stations, shelters, and Para Transpo minibuses and contracted taxis. Customers can visit Ottawa Public Health for information on purchasing and/or making their own cloth masks;
- Use full length of the platform when boarding;
- Doors closest to Operator cab will be in operation, increasing space as we move to normal service levels;
- Customers are still be able to use Cooperative seating areas in all parts of the train;
Buses
Buses
- Customers and employees will be required to wear cloth masks or equivalent face coverings when entering buses, trains, stations, shelters, and Para Transpo minibuses and contracted taxis. Customers can visit Ottawa Public Health for information on purchasing and/or making their own cloth masks;
- Front-door boarding will be reinstated on June 15, allowing more space for customers, and allowing customers to pay fares normally. Customers who use Presto or U-Pass cards should continue to board and tap their cards at the rear doors of articulated and double-decker buses;
- Exit at the rear of the bus when possible;
- Protective shields for drivers will be installed on all conventional buses by June 15;
>Para Transpo service
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Customer Service Centres
Most transactions can be completed online, at participating retailers, by phone, or at ticket machines; customers can call us at 613-741-4390 to find the best way to avoid in-person line ups.
Our Rideau Customer Service Centre (CSC) is now open with reduced hours.
New temporary hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 11 am until 7 pm,
- Sundays, 11 am until 6 pm
Enhanced safety measures have been introduced at the Rideau Centre Client Service Centre, which include:
- longer cords on card readers,
- installation of microphones and speakers,
- replacement of protective shields where appropriate, and
- signage for customers.
All other OC Transpo Customer Service Centres remain closed.
Starting July 6, the following Service Ottawa Client Service Centre locations will be open by appointment only:
During this time, Ticket Machines, Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws store locations, as well as Prestocard.ca are alternatives for most transactions. ParaPay accounts can be loaded by phone (613-741-4390) or online or with the Presto app (Apple, Android)
Below are different ways you can purchase or renew transit products:
Presto
Purchase, load, and query a Presto card at:
- Ticket Machines
- Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws
- Prestocard.ca
Set up auto-renew or an e-purse top up online at Prestocard.ca.
Discounted fares
Senior and youth fares can be set at Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws locations.
New applications and renewals for the EquiPass and Community Pass discount programs can be submitted by postal mail or fax. If your eligibility for the EquiPass and Community Pass expired between February 1 and July 31, 2020 and you have not already renewed your discount, it will be renewed to August 15.
To renew your discount, you will need to:
- Tap your card at a fare gate or on the bus if you are paying a fare
- Check your balance at a ticket machine
- Check your balance at a Shoppers Drug Mart or Loblaws location
Access Pass discounts will not be automatically renewed. To renew your eligibility for this discount, submit a new Access Pass application by postal mail or fax.
For renewal applications that have been declined, the discount will not be renewed.
Read more about discounted fare applications and eligibility
ParaPay
To set up ParaPay, call 613-741-4390.
Load your ParaPay account:
- By phone 613-741-4390
- Online at https://parapay.octranspo.com/
- By mail:
- Write cheque to “City of Ottawa”, and include your Client ID and name in the memo field
Mail cheque to: City of Ottawa, Attn: Para Transpo, 925 Belfast Road, Ottawa ON K1G 0Z4
- Write cheque to “City of Ottawa”, and include your Client ID and name in the memo field
a-cards
To request a new or replacement a-card, please contact our Accessibility Specialist:
- By email at accessibility@octranspo.com
- By telephone at 613-741-4390
Lost & Found
Until further notice, OC Transpo Lost & Found, managed by Heartwood House, has made the following changes:
- New office hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm. Calls will only be accepted during these hours.
- The public is no longer allowed to visit the office. You can pick up urgently needed items (wallet, purse, work device and medication) by appointment. To book a time:
- Call 613-563-4011
- Email lostandfound@heartwoodhouse.ca
- All other items will be held in storage until it is safe to resume normal operations. In the meantime, you can call to have your name placed on your item.