Some OC Transpo riders feeling 'betrayed' by plans to cut bus routes

Changes are coming to OC Transpobus routes after a review was conducted earlier this year, according to a report that will be presented to the city'stransit commission on Nov. 14.

As part of those changes, multiple 200-series routes are set to be cut, including routes 232, 236, 252, 257, 258, 265, 267, 268, 270-273,278 282, 290 and291.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffeoutlined some of the shifts in a YouTube video, noting many riders' travel patterns have"changed dramatically" since thepandemic.

• Read the full report here.

"So our public transit system needs to adapt, asit alwayshas,to changing demands," Sutcliffe said.

Rohan Thukraltakes the 257 bus to school every day. The 15-year-oldsaid his commute will double if it's cut from the network.

"I'd like to take the bus because Iwant to do my part," he said, calling it"ridiculous" that using transit will now take him four times as long as driving.

'Get on the bus you see, not the one you want'

According to the new report, the changes will mean more frequent service on some routes, though it also sayssome people will have to walk farther to get to bus stops.

"It makes me feel betrayed by our city," said Thukral. "I expected [the city]to reduce frequency on some routes, not cut them altogether ... [that]makes me feel like the city doesn't care."

Meghan Lapointe, who lives in Stittsville, said the changes will turn her 45-minute commute into a one-hour trip whichshe said "doesn't sound like a lot, but it is when it's, like, every day."

Lapointesaid she often gets on buses that aren't the ones sheshould be taking because service is unreliable.

"I come to Tunney's Pasture, and I get literally anything that comes close to [my destination]," she said.

"My bus doesn't always come, so I'll just get on whatever bus will get me close get on the bus you see, not the one you want."

Review completed by consultant

The review that's led to the changes looked at the agency's transit planning principles, specifically those related to service hours and frequency, area coverage and walking distances to transit.

It also took into account changes in OC Transpo ridership since the pandemic, plus network design changes needed due to thedelayed opening of the Trillium Line in early 2024.

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The city hired Dillon Consulting to review the city's transit plans, compareperformance of the system to other similar-sized cities and recommendchanges on things like network design, service levels and reliability.

There were several in-person consultations, as well as a virtual one. There was also a survey sent out in May, which received8,200 responses.

In designing the new routes, the consultant highlighted several themes:

• Adapting capacity to and from downtown to reflect current ridership.
• Increasingtrips on "important routes" in the city.
• Forging betterconnections with the Trillium Line and its airport extension.
• Improving connectionsbetween community hubs.
• Redirecting service off of some streets.

"Change is coming, and change is never easy," Sutcliffe said.

Sutcliffe also said the moves aren't about saving money, noting more money will be added to the transit budget.

OC Transpo says it willcommunicate the changes to riders over the next few months.