Who should residents contact if they have questions or concerns regarding OC Transpo service?
For general service inquiries such as trip planning, lost and found, and schedules, please contact OC Transpo’s Transit Information line at 613-741-4390 or 613-741-5280 for persons with hearing loss or speech or language impairments. For those with visual impairments, please dial 613-842-3627.
Customers can reach the Customer Relations office at 613-741-4390, or if they have access to a computer they can complete a Customer Relations Form found on our website at https://customerfeedback.octranspo.com/.
To report transit safety issues, please call 613-741-2478.
- FAQs – OC Transpo
- FAQs – Presto Card
What is Para Transpo? How can eligible residents access the service?
Para Transpo is a public transportation alternative for customers who are unable to take conventional transit (buses and O-Train) some or all of the time due to a disability. Para Transpo provides a shared ride, booked in advance, door-to-door service available for customers registered to use the service.
Para Transpo service is available to residents of the City of Ottawa who are approved for eligibility through the application and registration process. Interested individuals can apply for Para Transpo by obtaining an application form from Para Transpo by calling (613) 741-4390 or by visiting OC Transpo’s web site. The form must be signed by an appropriate health care professional such as a physician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or chiropractor. Eligibility will be assessed based on the information provided in the application form.
Para Transpo service is also available to qualified people visiting Ottawa on a temporary basis, who also have a mobility impairment which prevents them from using conventional OC Transpo bus service. Longer term visitors may be required to have an application for service submitted. Visitors should contact Para Transpo at 613-741-4390 for details and instructions prior to their visit.
How do I book my trip with Para Transpo?
Para Transpo trips must be reserved one day in advance. For next day trips, customers can call 613-244-7272 (TTY 613-244-4833) the day before they plan to travel. Those who need to travel in a Para Transpo wheelchair accessible minibus may call between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., whereas all other customers may call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Para Transpo does not offer priority booking and therefore trips are booked on a first call, first served basis.
Customers can also consider making a regular booking for trips that occur the same time on the same day each week for at least a month. Customers can contact Para Transpo to set-up regular bookings and, once they are set up, customers must use these bookings unchanged at least 75 per cent of the time or the regular booking may be cancelled. Approximately 60 per cent of all of Para Transpo’s bookings are regular bookings, with approximately 40 per cent of bookings being casual bookings.
Pick-up times are scheduled on the quarter hours, and customers will usually be scheduled for pick-up within 30 minutes of the requested pick-up time. Customers are asked to request a pick-up time that is at least one hour before they want to arrive at their destination. Para Transpo estimates a half hour travel time for most passenger trips.
Can Para Transpo accommodate all trip requests?
Para Transpo can generally accommodate approximately 95 per cent of all trip requests received. If a vehicle is not available at the time requested, an alternate time may be available. Depending on the time, origin and distribution of the trips, transportation may not be available. Para Transpo’s busiest hours of operation are between 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., which can make it challenging to accommodate 100 per cent of trip requests during these times.
How can I pay for my trip on Para Transpo?
Para Transpo fares can be paid with cash, with money loaded on a ParaPay account to pay-per-ride, or with a monthly pass loaded on a Presto card or a ParaPay account. Customers can visit www.octranspo.com and check the fares section for prices and details of urban and rural fare information for Para Transpo.
Registered Para Transpo customers may also purchase up to four Taxi Coupon books ($40 value per book) per month of taxi coupons at a 40% discount, which are valid for regular taxi services. This option allows customers the flexibility to travel for last minute, unexpected trips. More information can be found at the website.