The summer 2020 transit service changes that will start on Sunday, June 28, 2020. OC Transpo will return to normal summer service levels to accommodate an expected increase in ridership with the reopening of the economy. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary introduction of adjusted service levels, some of the planned service improvements that were scheduled for spring 2020 will be implemented this summer.
The summer service changes include two types of changes:
- Service improvements (includes those postponed from the spring); and,
- Seasonal service changes.
Service Improvements
Improvements to service in neighbourhoods or destinations:
- Route N39
To accommodate the 23:16 VIA train arrival at Tremblay Station on Sundays and enable customers to make a connection with the Southeast Transitway, the westbound trip at 22:56 will be adjusted to start at 23:03 and modified to travel via the VIA Station loop and serve Hurdman Station en route to downtown. This trip will replace the temporary shuttle from Tremblay Station to Hurdman Station, which will be discontinued; - Route 55
- To improve service for customers in Sandy Hill, the route will be modified to travel via Chapel Street to Mann Avenue and Greenfield Avenue.
- Frequency will be increased to every 15 minutes during the early morning and throughout the midday in both directions, as well as westbound in the afternoon peak period, to maintain the improved service to hospitals that was introduced during the temporary service adjustments.
Improvements in Hours of Service:
- Route 11 – Earlier Sunday morning service will be provided from Bayshore Station by extending the eastbound trip that currently starts at Lincoln Fields Station to start at Bayshore Station at 09:14;
- Route 12 – Adding a new earlier morning westbound trip from Blair Station arriving at Parliament Station at 04:47;
- Route 16 – Earlier weekend service will be added. On Saturdays, the westbound trips that currently operate from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Westboro Station at 08:00 and 09:00 will be extended to operate between Saint Paul University and Westboro Station, and a new westbound trip will be added from Saint Paul University at 08:17. On Sundays, a new earlier westbound trip will be added from Saint Paul University at 08:06 and an earlier eastbound trip will be added from Tunney’s Pasture Station at 08:30;
- Route 30 – Adding a new earlier westbound morning trip from Millennium Station at 05:12;
- Route 37 – Adding a new earlier eastbound trip from Blair Station at 05:45;
- Route 64 – Two late evening full round trips will be added to start at Tunney’s Pasture Station at 21:52 and 22:22 to extend the span of service:
- Route 98 – Early morning service will be increased to approximately every 25 minutes.
Schedule Improvements:
- Schedules will be adjusted on Routes 20, 44, 57, 63, 64, 85, 87 and 92 to improve the reliability of service;
- Trip times will be adjusted on Routes 33, 35, 61, 62, 233, 257, 264, 267, 270, 271, 272, 273, 277 and 278 to reduce gaps between trips, and on Routes 222 and 228 to improve connections and better meet the needs of customers:
- Connection times will be reduced for customers who transfer downtown between overnight Routes N39, N57, N75, and N97.
Bus stop changes at stations:
- To more efficiently use platform space, reduce crowding and group routes that serve similar destinations together, bus stop changes will be made at Blair, Lincoln Fields and Place d’Orléans stations.
Seasonal Service Changes
Seasonal Adjustments – The return to normal summer service will reinstate approximately 95 percent of pre-COVID-19 service levels, restoring greater frequencies on most routes compared to the current modified service, but also reflecting the lower ridership demand that normally occurs over the summer. Frequencies will be adjusted on Routes 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 25, 30, 38, 39, 40, 44, 61, 66, 82, 86, 90, 96, 98, 99, 111, 228, 235, 236, 251, 256, 272, and Line 2 replacement buses. Higher capacity buses will be used on key trips where needed. Line 1 will operate on a normal schedule.
Special School Service – School services will not operate during the summer.
Summer Weekend Service to Seasonal Destinations – As these destinations are reopened, summer weekend service will return on Route 25 to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, on Route 139 to Petrie Island, and on Route 185 to the Canada Agriculture Museum. Specific start dates will be provided on octranspo.com.
Construction Detours:
- Routes 16, 50, 81 and 153 will experience increased travel times beginning mid-July as they will be on detour away from Scott Street between Island Park Drive and Ross Avenue;
- Routes 5, 14 and 114 will continue to be detoured northbound only, until July 26 as Elgin Street will be closed northbound between Catherine Street and Laurier Avenue;
- Routes 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 114, N39, N45, N57, N61, N75, and N97 will continue to be detoured due the construction on Rideau Street;
- Routes 12, 14, 15, 18 and 19 may continue to experience delays to service along Rideau Street and Montreal Road due to construction between North River Road and St. Laurent Boulevard;
- Routes 252 and 256 may continue to experience delays because of construction on Old Richmond Road between West Hunt Club and Hope Side Road;
- O-Train Line 2 remains closed until 2022. Replacement bus service continues to operate and serve all five Line 2 stations as well as South Keys, Walkley, and Heron stations and Gladstone/Preston during the closure.
Holidays and Special Events:
- Canada Day – On Wednesday, July 1, regular celebrations have been cancelled. Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with additional buses available to provide more capacity on busy routes where needed. Overnight service on Routes 39, 45, 57, 61, 75, and 97 will start at 23:00 to provide supplemental evening service from downtown. Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule until 1 a.m. with enhanced evening frequency. Line 2 buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with enhanced evening frequency.
- Colonel By Day (Civic Holiday) – On Monday, August 3, bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with additional service scheduled on busy routes and select trips on Routes 61, 63, and 75 will be extended to Gatineau (where it is not a holiday) during peak periods. Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. Line 2 replacement bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Full details of these service changes will be communicated to customers through June with use of signage and electronic materials accompanied by in-person customer outreach at key locations and times.
The following are OC Transpo tools to get timely information about service while on the go.
These include:
- texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information,
- downloading the OC Transpo iPhone app or an independent app,
- signing up for text alerts on octranspo.com to receive the latest information,
- checking transit information screens at many major stations,
- visiting octranspo.com from a smartphone, and
- calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number
Once the summer service changes begin on June 28, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please direct customers to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-741-4390) for more information.
These summer service changes will be evaluated based on feedback that OC Transpo collects from customers and operating staff, as well as ridership and operational data measurements. The goal is to continue to provide excellent service for customers as their travel needs change.
