By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-13, City: Ottawa, View Transcript
The Transit Commission met to discuss ongoing service reliability issues affecting OC Transpo. Despite receiving new electric buses, service remains below targets with only 86.5% of conventional bus trips delivered in February (target: 99.5%) and Line 1 operating at just 67.2% capacity. The city aims to restore 250 cancelled bus routes by mid-April, though this depends on fleet availability and driver training. The eastern LRT extension has reached substantial completion, but testing requirements and vehicle availability constraints mean no firm opening date can be provided. A major 5-month closure at Woodroffe and Richmond begins March 30 for infrastructure work related to the western extension.
OC Transpo is experiencing severe service reliability problems across the system. Conventional bus service delivered only 86.5% of scheduled trips in February 2026, far below the 99.5% target and down from 95.4% the previous year. On-time performance stands at 71%, 14 points below target, with 16% of buses arriving more than 5 minutes late. Line 1 train service has been particularly problematic, operating at only 67.2% capacity in February due to fleet availability issues. Routes 12, 6, and 7 have been identified as having the most service problems. Over one-third of missed bus trips are due to driver unavailability, approximately one-third due to traffic congestion, and one in six due to mechanical breakdowns. Officials stated they need 525 buses available daily to restore full service but are currently operating around 500 buses, with some days as low as 485. The city is targeting mid-April to restore 250 missing bus routes, though this depends on several variables including fleet availability and driver training completion.
The rollout of electric buses is significantly behind schedule. While 80 electric buses have been delivered, only an average of 20 are in service, far short of the promised 110 buses. Officials explained that new electric buses require 2-3 weeks of inspection before deployment, and many are currently being used for driver training rather than active service. Four pilot electric buses are operating at only 75% maximum charge capacity due to battery system issues stemming from batteries coming from different manufacturers. The Saint-Laurent garage is undergoing major infrastructure renovations including drainage systems, plumbing, ceiling sprinkler systems, transformers, generators, and underground electrical cabling to accommodate the electric fleet. Officials acknowledged a timing dilemma with mechanic training: "If we start training too early, there are no buses available and they will forget. We have to restart the training afterwards. If we do the training close to the arrival date of these buses, well these are mechanics who cannot work on the regular fleet, and that reduces the reliability of diesel buses." The city expects 110 buses by end of March, 234 by year-end, and 354 total 40-foot electric buses by 2027.
OC Transpo faces critical staffing gaps directly impacting service delivery. The transit system needs to fill 360 bus driver positions, 110 electric train operators, 27 diesel train operators, 18 paratranspo bus drivers, 20 special constables, and 20 certified mechanics. The selection process is rigorous and time-consuming, with a 6-week selection process followed by training. Last year, 1,500 candidates applied for driver positions, but only 185 were selected. The mechanic shortage is particularly acute, with only 149 certified mechanics currently employed against a need for 169, and only 5 new certified mechanics hired recently. Weekend and evening shifts are the main recruitment problem, as these positions go to newly hired mechanics based on the seniority system. Officials noted that "each transit system is different" and includes cultural factors, barrier systems, ticket structures, and enforcement presence. A new collective agreement with mechanics was signed early this year with increased wages, and officials report "dramatic improvement" in recruitment interest, with "much more" candidates now compared to "maybe one or two interested candidates" previously.
The Stage 2 LRT eastern extension has reached substantial completion, as certified by an independent certifier last week. However, significant hurdles remain before passenger service can begin. Testing requires a minimum 5-day initial period where the system must perform at required levels for 3 consecutive days, followed by a full testing period lasting at least 21 days. Critically, if any failure occurs during testing, the entire testing period must restart from day zero. During pre-testing, existing Line 1 service will continue, but passengers will disembark at Blair station - no passengers will be allowed on the new extension during testing. The city currently has approximately 20 vehicles available but needs 38 vehicles plus 7 for full service. A 100,000 km operational limit on vehicles is constraining fleet availability for testing. Officials stated: "We have a project agreement, it was very clear. Testing must be done with passengers on the territory from Tunney Pasture to Blair. After that, we will offer the appropriate level of service... But the trains will run empty for testing." No firm opening date can be provided until vehicle availability improves and the contingency plan is finalized.
Major construction work on the western LRT extension will cause significant traffic disruptions throughout 2026. Beginning March 30, Woodroffe Avenue will be completely closed on the north side of Richmond between Richmond and Dayin until fall 2026 for installation of vital infrastructure at what officials described as "a very complex intersection" with multiple utilities. Byron will be closed at Richardson and Compton beginning March 30 for sanitary sewer main replacement, grading, paving, and traffic reconfiguration. The project is experiencing delays affecting Moodie Station and Algonquin College Station, with completion now targeted for Q3 2027 (previously Q4 2026). Councillor Cavana expressed concern about the short notice: "There was very little advance notice about what happened at Woodroffe and Richmond. This is for an 8-month closure. An intersection that will have repercussions not only on people who work in these small businesses but the whole city really. These are very important arteries." Officials committed to exploring extended work hours from the current 5-day workweek to potentially 7 days to reduce the 5-month timeline, with a modified schedule expected within 2-3 weeks.