OTTAWA – OC Transpo resumed full summer service Sunday (June 28), to give more travel options as more customers begin using transit once again.

OC Transpo reinstated all bus routes except for special school services and return service frequencies to normal summer service levels.

“Ensuring more space for customers on buses and trains remains a key part of OC Transpo’s recovery plan to keep everyone as safe as possible,” OC Transpo staff released in a statement.

Service improvements, including new trips, schedule adjustments and bus stop changes at stations, were also be implemented on June 28.

Service improvements

Route 55 will travel via Chapel Street and Mann Avenue to improve service for customers in Sandy Hill. Frequency will increase to every 15 minutes during early mornings and midday, as well as westbound during the afternoon peak period, to maintain improved service to hospitals.

Route 98 frequency will increase northbound in the early morning with the addition of a new trip.

Earlier or later service will be added to routes 11, 12, 16, 30, 37 and 64 to better meet the needs of customers.

Schedule improvements

Trip times on routes 222 and 228 will be adjusted 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.

Schedules will be adjusted on routes 20, 44, 57, 63, 64, 85, 87 and 92 to improve reliability.

Seasonal schedule adjustments

The return to normal summer service will reinstate approximately 95 per cent of pre-pandemic service levels, restoring greater frequencies on most routes.

Frequencies will be adjusted on routes 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 25, 30, 38, 39, 40, 44, 61, 66, 75, 82, 86, 90, 96, 98, 99, 111, 228, 235, 236, 251, 256, 272 and Line 2 replacement buses.

Bus stop changes at stations

Bus stop changes will be implemented at Blair, Lincoln Fields and Place d’Orléans stations. These changes will reduce platform crowding and group together routes with similar destinations to simplify customer options. Consult station signage or octranspo.com for more information about changes to boarding locations.

No need to pay on Canada Day

Transit service will be no-charge all day on Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1. There will be no Canada Day celebrations downtown this year and events will be held virtually. Buses will run on a Sunday schedule. Night service will begin at 11 pm on routes N39, N45, N57, N61, N75 and N97. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with increased evening service until 1 am. Line 2 bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule, with increased service in the evening until midnight.

Special service to recreational destinations

Summer weekend service will return on route 139 to Petrie Island starting on Saturday, June 27. Buses to recreational destinations will run every 30 minutes during the day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until Monday, Sept. 7. Summer weekend service to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum will begin when those museums open.

Construction and detours

Construction projects are ramping up this summer and will affect several routes. Customers on the following routes should give themselves extra travel time and check octranspo.com for the latest service updates:

• Routes 5, 14 and 114 northbound will be detoured away from Elgin Street between Catherine Street and Laurier Avenue until Sunday, July 26.
• Routes 12, 14, 15, 18 and 19 may experience delays to service along Rideau Street and Montreal Road due to construction between North River Road and St. Laurent Boulevard.
• Routes 16, 50, 81 and 153 will be detoured away from Scott Street between Island Park Drive and Ross Avenue, starting in July.
• Routes 252 and 256 may experience delays because of construction on Old Richmond Road between West Hunt Club and Hope Side roads.

Rideau Street Renewal and O-Train Line 2 closure

Rideau Street will remain closed between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street until the end of the year. Routes 5, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 114, as well as overnight routes, are detoured away from Rideau Street. Most bus service is being relocated to Mackenzie King Bridge.

O-Train Line 2 remains closed until 2022 for the Line 2 expansion. Line 2 bus service operates every 12 to 15 minutes. Buses serve each O-Train station plus South Keys, Walkley and Heron Stations, as well as Gladstone and Preston.

Customers are reminded to give themselves additional travel time when travelling on routes impacted by the Rideau Street closure or on Line 2 buses.

What OC Transpo is doing to keep you safer

To prepare for increased ridership and the return to normal seasonal service levels, the following health and safety measures are now in place:

• Mandatory cloth masks for customers and employees
• Protective shields around the operator cabs at the front of conventional buses
• Return to front-door boarding to allow for more space for customers
• Touchless fare payment options, including with Presto and ParaPay
• Hand sanitizer dispensers at stations
• Masks and face shields for Para Transpo operators
• Limit of one customer per trip on Para Transpo while ridership remains low
• Around-the-clock cleaning and sanitizing of vehicles and stations
• Reminders not to use transit if you’re sick

Customer Service Centre

The Customer Service Centre in the Rideau Centre will reopen on Monday, June 29. Hours of operation will be from 11 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm, on Sunday. New health and safety measures will be implemented for the safety of customers and employees. When possible, please avoid the line and take advantage of these alternatives when loading or buying a new Presto card: Prestocard.ca, the Presto App, ticket machines at O-Train stations, as well as Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore locations. EquiPass, Community Pass and Access Pass discount applications can also be submitted by mail or by fax.

For more information on transit services, visit octranspo.com or call 613-741-4390.

For more information on city programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401).