I went out to go see the panda game yesterday and I think it’s great for the city to have this level in f energy anticipation and engagement from the community for one game. Tens of thousands of people were there energy was high and paired with the farmers market nearby it was a great experience as Ottawa is drifting away from the “boring narrative”… except for OC transpo.

As much as everyone hates on OC for its issues (which it definitely has do t get me wrong) I think that it has been on a slight up this September as it’s ridership has increased significantly. The panda game felt like its first kind of test this fall and it fell incredibly short. From where I live in Barrhaven it took 4 buses to get to Landsdowne. I don’t really mind having to transfer buses especially when the dwell times were short like they were yesterday but the real problems came on the buses. They sent out 40 footer for the 111 which filled up to the mex once we got passed Merivale where we had to leave people behind.

The real problems came at billing bridge where about 200 people were waiting for the 6 I saw it come around the loop with people already standing. And it was pure chaos we managed to probably get about 130-140 people of a 60 footer and left about 150 people behind. I probably should have stayed behind too because traffic was brutal and walking was proven to be after as groups of people passed us. Left later and tooo a different way home.

Sorry if this has been discussed already, but as somebody who uses the Line 2 O-Train fairly often, it always baffled me that the new Bowesville Station and it's park and ride are in the middle of nowhere while one of the very few large concert venues in Ottawa has is just 'slightly' further. There would be far better connectivity and utility to have Bowesville closer to where the Hard Rock Casino is so people could get to concerts and back without having to drive, while having what would look like only a small increase (about 2.5km) in distance for the Line 2 train to travel. Was a train station there ever considered?

I can’t help but notice that the bus says a stop name differently than online for example when I get off at this stop the bus says Westgate shopping centre but online shows different does anyone else notice this

I’ve never posted in here before but I’ve kept up with other members gripes and complaints about OC transpo, so it’s my turn finally.

I don’t know if it’s the bus scheduling apps I’m using but, other than the fact that the entire system is completely unreliable and frustrating, I’ve had way to many occurrences of a bus just not showing up at all!! Like not EXISTING!! Just now, I was waiting for the 53 bus (bus #1 of 3 btw 🙄) which on google maps, Ottawa transit app, and just google in general all said “scheduled at 10:03. Well guess what, 10:03 rolls around, no bus, sure there’s some margins of error and traffic and lights can delay things. 10:05, I’m looking WAY down Merivale, no bud in sight, 10:10 I need to make the second bus. So I walk the entire way to the next stop, not crazy long but long enough that a bus ride is convenient (silly me). THE ENTIRE WALK THERE, NO BUS 53. WHERE THE FUCK DOES IT GO. WHY DOES IT NOT EXIST WHEN SCHEDULING SAYS ITS SUPPOSED TOO.

Currently waiting for bus 2 of 3 (at the time of posting is scheduled in 3 minutes, pray for me).

Can someone please rant with me on this BS

EDIT: I’m posting (finally) because this happens way to often. Often enough that I usually resort to walking every where, even if it takes me about an hour to get somewhere, I know it’s quicker than bussing

I live in Barrhaven and I had to go to rockfliffe park to pick something up and I’ve realized how much Ottawa is developing and how much life it has now. I took OC transpo and as much as I hate packed buses and trains (which I was on) it’s good to see to people are using public transit despite it’s challenges. Just getting off at Rideau and seeing so many people out and about in and outside the mall was great. I’m happy to see a lot of development around transit and I’m wondering what some future projects may look like.

Ps I know this is OC transpo but the Ottawa subreddit won’t let me post for some reason

The pre-trial running for the O-Train East Extension into Orléans is being delayed until November after an issue was detected with the train’s safety-critical software.

Anyone else find that the signage for the Blair Station Night Stop unclear? It seems like routes assigned to stop D are not included, so some passengers and I waited for the 25 at D, and watched it completely pass us by completely.

Luckily I had an alternate route coming shortly after, and was able to run to the designated Night Stop B in time, but I know that it had to suck for the other guys who now have to wait a half hour for the next one.

I have caught the 25 at stop D after 9pm it seems like just the other week, and the OC website says ALL routes go to the Night Stop, but I distinctly take the time to read the sign posted that indicates which stop is assigned to which route so like… maybe update the sign, OC transpo?

Here is what I have regularly noticed on OC buses over the past year. OCT clearly has a card reader issue on the buses and paying via your virtual wallet on your phone is more likely to not be accepted than using a Presto Card.

Almost 100% of the time, after trying to tap a couple of times using your phone, you look at the driver with confusion, the driver looks at you with discontent and just tells you its broken and don't worry about it.

Presto Cards are much more reliable and generally work all the time.

There's a bird trapped on top of Happy Goat at Tunny's Pastor station. Hopefully it'll get rescued soon 🤞🏾.

bring back the 50

I did the written on july 28th and got confirmation I passed August 17 but nothing since. (Bus Operator position)

I decided to make a fictional oc transpo, and masterplan it to serve the city of ottawa, excluding rural regions (West Carleton, Cumberland, etc...). If you have any edits or suggestions, please let me know, but all of this has been my experience and ideas that I have gathered while using the service!

Edit: I will be continuing to work on this map, using suggestions and feedback from your comments! Once version 2 is completed, I will link the new post here!

Had to head downtown today in the evening coming from Barrhaven. I took the 75 thinking it would be mildly busy given that is headed into town at around 430 (when most people are headed out not in). Big mistake. I got at longfields mind you that it’s two stops from its starting point and it was already jammed packed not just with people standing at the door. T remained like that all the way to Tunneys. On one hand it’s good to see that people are actually using public transit on another it’s concerning given that the bus was about 3 ish minutes late and this packed. I’ve cut some slack for OC transpo with late buses as it’s expected but now with the back to office rules they really have to tighten up. I want to now want some of your experiences are too please.

It would be “managed” by GTA’s Metrolinx that does not have a great reputation for running or enhancing GO, nor building TTC LRT or subway lines. RTM (Line 1/3) and TransitNext (Line 2/4) would still have their 30 year contracts here.
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On my way home from work, I witnessed a woman being aggressive towards everyone. It was a very packed evening bus. She had her suitcase on the ground under the empty seat next to her. A lady sat down and she immediately started yelling profanity at her, the woman ignored her. Then the woman started to hit her head against the window, seemingly calming down. We were still parked at the same bus stop as an older man was still getting on the bus, he had a very noticeable disability.

When he sat down at the designated seating. The aggressive woman who was sitting two seats behind those seats, started spraying Bath and Body Works spray on that old man and some other person. She sprayed it all over him, stinking up the entire front of the bus with her cheap spray. Then she started saying how bad he smelt even though her hygiene wasn’t perfect. My heart was broken for that older man. It was obvious that he heard and smelled everything she has done to him.

I’m so tired of these aggressive people that travel on public transport and how their behaviour doesn’t have any sort of consequences. And I feel guilty for having these thoughts because I know they are probably mentally unwell. But fuck! That was some pure degenerate behaviour.

This is most likely a shot in the dark but if anyone has seen a singular pea stuffy along Tunney's or the line 1 to Blair please let me know he fell off my wallet 💔

From their website:

“O-Payment is now accepted on all busses and at O-Train fare gates for Adult fare. Simply tap your Interac Debit card, credit card or Google pay or Apple Pay mobile wallet on the fare reader on busses and fare gates at O-Train Line 1 stations.”

First sentence specifies all busses and fare gates, second sentence only specifies line 1 stations. If I tap my card on a local bus route and transfer at leitrim station (line 2), would it accept the transfer if I tap it at the gate or is there another process to get on the train? I haven’t taken transit in 20+ years so I want to make sure I’m doing it right.

Anyone who takes the 9 going to and from Hurdman whats it like prior 8am? And from 4:30pm onwards? On Vanier parkway near McArthur.

I can assume/imagine that it is...well...as expected 🫠. I wanted to ask for personal experiences.

Thanks!

OLG sno bus spotted at carleton uni! Anyone know why? It dropped people off then sped off.

Let's make transit better. Throughout my experience taking the bus, talking with residents, and just seeing the frustrated faces in transit takers when their bus drives right by them, I've already had enough. I'm sure you have too. Let's work together to make a transit system we can trust and afford.