Ottawa Transit Committee Meeting - May 14, 2026

Ottawa's Transit Committee meeting on May 14, 2026 focused on OC Transpo service reliability, Line 1 recovery, bus maintenance and staffing, safety performance, customer support, and recognition of transit staff for emergency response. Committee members pressed staff on cancelled trips, buses arriving on time only "65% to 70% of the time," the continued 100,000-kilometre maintenance restriction on Line 1 vehicles, and the lack of a firm opening date for the east LRT extension. Staff also discussed youth fare changes, recruitment of mechanics, schedule revisions, and efforts to improve customer confidence in the system.

Topics Discussed

1. SERVICE RELIABILITY AND THE "CLIENT FIRST" PLAN

Committee members received updates on train, bus and paratransit service, including OC Transpo's five-year roadmap and "Client First" action plan. Management said reliability remains the central issue. Mayor Plante said, "The two main complaints received by our team concern cancelled trips and delays," adding that buses arrive at their stop on time only "65% to 70% of the time" and that riders are late to their destination "33% of the time."

Staff said missed trips have fallen since January and described reliability, customer focus, financial stability and workforce sustainability as the main priorities. Councillors, however, continued to question whether service levels match rider needs. One councillor said a previous motion had called for restoring more frequent service and said that remained "very important."

2. LINE 1 RECOVERY AND EAST EXTENSION DELAYS

Committee discussed the gradual return of Line 1 vehicles and the delayed opening of the east extension. Staff said 28 vehicles with cartridge wheelset assemblies were in service, with 24 more expected by mid-June, and said they were aiming to restore capacity in time for major summer events.

Councillors focused on the ongoing 100,000-kilometre maintenance limit. Councillor Brockington asked, "si on a les pièces de rechange nécessaires, pourquoi est-ce que la limite des 100000 km est un problème si on a les pièces qu'il faut ? On a qu'à changer les pièces." In response, Councillor Laper said the limit "est en fait une mesure de sécurité demandée par la ville" and that staff were trying to end it "le plus rapidement possible."

The east extension timeline also drew criticism. One resident told committee, "Cela fait 7 ans que nous attendons pour cette analyse. Cela est devenu presque inacceptable d'attendre encore plus longtemps." Councillor Menard asked why information that had been public in January was "no longer the case now."

3. BUS FLEET CONDITION, MAINTENANCE AND STAFFING

Staff said about 49 per cent of maintenance time is being spent on corrective repairs rather than preventive work, and outlined a 10-point plan to improve fleet condition. Committee also heard that 17 per cent of buses had not met inspection or performance standards. An unidentified councillor said, "17 % des autobus n'ont pas eu une note de passage," adding that 30 per cent of schedules would be revised by September because "C'est la fiabilité qu'il faut assurer."

Staff said nine mechanics had been hired since January toward a target of 20 for the year, and described apprenticeship and recruitment efforts with local schools and colleges. Discussion also returned to overcrowding and service frequency. AJ Ramandran said major routes now have less capacity with 40-foot buses replacing double-deckers or articulated buses, with no matching increase in frequency, resulting in overloaded buses and riders left behind at stops.

4. SAFETY, SECURITY AND STAFF RECOGNITION

The meeting included recognition of OC Transpo employees for emergency response and safe driving. Staff described how driver Yacha stopped a bus and approached a person in distress on the roadway, immediately asking vehicles around to slow down and convincing the man to board the bus so he could be kept safe until help arrived.

Sergeant Josh said another incident showed "the crucial role that special constables play on our transit system and in the community generally," referring to an emergency response by transit staff. Committee also heard updated safety metrics, including workplace incidents and violence against employees. Sabrina said reports involving customers spitting at operators are tracked through the health and safety committee, and that the two-month average had improved from 17 incidents last year to 12.

5. FARES, ACCESSIBILITY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Committee discussed free transit for riders 18 and under in July and August, along with the elimination of youth fares on weekends starting in the fall. One councillor said that when school ends, riders 18 and under will be able to travel free on buses in July and August.

Members also raised concerns about customer information, compensation, and accessibility during disruptions. Councillor Diane De Block said, "On devrait pas être obligé de demander ces renseignements. Ça devrait être fait automatiquement," arguing riders should not have to request basic service information. Discussion also touched on complaints about buses passing waiting passengers, paratransit reliability, and the need for clearer communication when service is disrupted.

Motions

• Transit User Compensation (Agenda Item 6.2) — Discussed; no final committee decision is stated in the notes provided.
• Request for complaint data on buses failing to stop for waiting passengers at bus stops (May 2024-2026) — Information request referenced in discussion; no final vote outcome is stated in the notes provided.
• Previous motion to restore more frequent departures / train frequency — Referenced during discussion; no action taken at this meeting is stated in the notes provided.

Attendees

The notes provided identify the following councillors as participating in discussion:

• Councillor Carr
• Councillor Brockington
• Councillor Menard
• Councillor Plante
• Councillor Laper
• Councillor Diane De Block

Other committee members may have been present, but their names are not clearly identified in the notes provided.