Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission

Languages	English

Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission
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Info
Managed by	City of Ottawa
Transit type	Bus Para-transit Train
Number of lines	248
Daily ridership	535,600 (Daily)
Headquarters	1500 St. Laurent Bvld Ottawa, Ontario
Website	www.octranspo.com
Operation
Began operation	August 1st, 1972
Number of vehicles	Approx. 1050

OC Transpo, formally known as Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission is the urban transit service for the Ottawa region of Ontario. Some routes enter the city of Gatineau, Quebec during peak hours.

OC Transpo provides a regular (accessible and non-accessible) bus service, a para-transit service (Para Transpo), and a light-rail train service (O-Train).

History

On August 1st, 1972, OC Transpo took over the Ottawa Transportation Commission (OTC) in order to expand it's services throughout neighboring cities. In early 1973, the commission revealed their new livery, giving them a distinctive red and white livery to the their ever growing fleet of buses. They also added 11 km of dedicated bus lanes. The commission continued to grow and provide improvements and in 1974 lauched a para-transit service, offering a door to door service for people suffering from various disabilities, and this such service was named Para Transpo in 1981.

In 1976, 2 new systems were introduced, the first people the start of exact fare aboard buses (tested in 1974, during the evening routes only, expanded to regular routes in 1976), and the launch of the monthly pass, giving a user who purchases it, to have unlimited access to the bus through the valid month. In order to gain ridership and popularity, OC Transpo started offering Sunday service on some of it's routes and launched an automated telephone schedule system on 560 east-end bus stops, which later was expanded to all stops in 1981.

The launch of the Proof of Payment in 1982 was introduced in 1982, the same year as the purchase of 21 GM New Look articulated buses. and a new fare structure, to encourage use of the system all day was launched in 1987. In 1998, a face-lift to the livery of the buses was done. Dubbed as the KFC livery, for the resemblance to the KFC colors, came the same year as the purchase of the first low-floor series, providing wheelchair accessible service throughout the network.

In 2000, a pilot project was launched, The O-Train (officially started service in 2001) is a light-rail train service connecting key parts of Ottawa. Though a pilot project, the line has been kept running because of disagreements and political deadlock with the city council. 2009 marked the year, OC Transpo launched 24 hours service on Route 95 Orléans & Trim, a first in Canada.

Other projects and service improvements launched by the commission include;

• Schedules and route maps were installed at bus stops to inform riders (1983).
• Introduction of a color coding system for bus routes (1983).
• Major changes made to downtown service, coinciding with the opening of 2 large malls (1983).
• 15 buses converted into propane powered buses, a study introduced by the Federal Government (1984).
• Voted for best Large transit system in North America by APTA (1987).
• Annual student pass is introduced. (1998).
• First articulated New-Flyer buses are purchased (2001).
• Bio-Diesel is introduced (2007).
• Testing of Hybrid diesel-electric Orion VII buses (2008).
• Trial of Double-decker buses (2009).
• Presto soft launch released in may of 2012

On February 22 2012, OC Transpo General Manager Alain Mercier was terminated from his position immediately and to be replaced by City of Ottawa Councillor John Manconi.

Transitway

The transitway is a bus-only dedicated lane. Conception of the plans for this transitway were started in 1978. The first portion of the transitway opened between Lees and Hurdman, and Lincoln Fields and Baseline in 1983, along with the opening of the Billings Bridge Terminal. Downtown service was changed because the bus-only lane near the Rideau Mall was opened up to traffic.In 1984, 3 new stations were integrated into the transitway; LeBreton, Tunney's Pasture and Westboro, with the opening of the new portion of the transitway between LeBreton and the Ottawa River Parkway (renamed Dominion Station). The transitway between Hurdman and St. Laurent stations, including the tunnel below the St-Laurent Shopping center was introduced in 1987 and the frequency of Route 95 Orléans & Trim was increased to 4 minutes at rush hours and 5 minutes off rush hour. Between St. Laurent and Blair, was completed in 1989. The whole transitway, approved in the plan of 1978 was completed in 1996.

http://www.octranspo1.com/images/files/maps/large/rtn_map.gif

Stats

• Average daily ridership: 49543
• Average weekly ridership: 346 800
• Average monthly ridership (based on 30 days) 1 486 290
• Annual Ridership: 99,300,000 ( as of 2010 )
• Approximately 2700 people working at OC Transpo.
• 6360 bus stops located across Ottawa.
• 248 bus routes (including school, employee ect.)
• Number of active buses in fleet: 1,059
• Average age of buses: 4.71 years
• Average life of a bus: 12-15

Garages

• Industrial Garage: Is the newest garage opening in 2010 this garage can hold 167 buses at full capacity and is the main garage for Articulated Buses
• Merivale Garage: Opened in 1978 this is the third oldest garage and can hold at full capacity 275 buses -temporarily closed to mechanical work
• St. Laurent North Garage: Opened in 1987 this garage can hold 207 buses at full capacity
• St. Laurent Garage: This is the oldest garage, opening in 1959 this garage can hold 275 buses at full capacity
• Pinecrest Garage: opened in 1976 this is the second oldest garage that can hold 193 buses -temporarily closed to mechanical work

Routes

Color Codes

In 1983, OC Transpo decided to color code their routes in order to make them are easier to identify. The colors chosen were Black, Red and Green

Black Routes

These routes operate 7 days a week from 6:00AM to 0:00 (Monday-Staurday) and from 7:00AM to 23:00 on Sunday and most holidays. Some exceptions are if a route, or a portion of the route is operating during certain periods, it will have stripes on the bus stop flag. Ottawa's 3 major transitway routes provide early morning Sunday Service and Route 95 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and route 97 works 24 hours a day, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday). The Fare on a regular Black bus route is 3,25$ or 2 tickets.

Red Routes

These routes operate during rush hour only. Their main operating hours are from 6:00 to 9:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday. Most routes operate in one direction in the morning and do the opposite in the afternoon. The fare on Red routes is 3,25$ or 2 tickets.

Green Routes

These routes operate during rush hour only. Their main operating hours are from 6:00 to 9:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday. All green routes travel towards Downtown Ottawa in the AM rush, and towards the suburbs in the PM rush. Most green routes travel to suburban areas and some travel to rural areas. Rural express routes are identified by an R after the route number on the bus stop flag. The fare on Green routes is 4,25$ or 3 tickets, for routes going to suburban areas and 5,25$ or 4 tickets for routes going to rural areas.

Route Numbers

OC Transpo has an extensive way of organizing it's route numbers according to the destination and type.

Route number range	Type	Details
1-19	Regular	1 to 19 serve downtown Ottawa
20-79	Rush Hour/Express	20 to 39 serve Ottawa East, Orléans and require you pay an Express Fare. (Exception: Route 24) 40 to 49 serve Ottawa South, Regular Fare. 50 to 59 serve Ottawa West, Nepean, Regular Fare. 60 to 69 serve Kanata and Bells Corners and require Express Fare. (Exception: Route 67) 70 to 79 serve Nepean South, Barrhaven and require Express Fare.
80-89	Downtown via Transitway	Routes 82 and 88 are rush hour routes.
93-98	Rapid Transit	Uses Transitway and bus lanes to bypass traffic on city streets All routes except 100-109 travel through downtown. Frequency of 15 minutes or more.
200-series	Rural Express	Travel to/from the city's outskirts. Express fare is required upon boarding, but an additional top-up is required upon getting off the bus past a certain point in each route.
400-series	Scotiabank Place Shuttle	These buses shuttle customers to/from various parts of the city to events at ScotiaBank Place Only run on days where specific events are scheduled
500-series	Contracted	Routes that are contracted to other operators, such as 417 Bus Lines.
600-series	School	Most have been elimated.
900-series	Driver Shuttle	Assigned internally

Current Routes

Route number
Regular Service
Rush Hour service
Express Service
Rural Express Service
School Route Service

Fleet Roster

OC Tranpo's fleet once included various vehicles like GM New Looks, GM/MCI/Nova Classics and some Nova LFS. In the present day, the main portion of their fleet is produced by New Flyer Industries and Orion Bus Industries as well as a future order of 75 ADL Double deckers

Current Fleet

Thumbnail	Fleet number range	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Remarks
	1201-1203	2008	ADL	Enviro500	Cummins ISM 330HP	Allison B550R	Pilot Project
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5594129558_68a7c8f3df_m.jpg [1]	4001-4140	1999	BIA	Orion 06.501	Detroit Diesel S50 275HP	Allison B400R 5 Speed
	4201-4202	2003	NFI	D40i	Cummins ISL 280HP	Allison B400R 5 Speed
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5593560187_eb353da429_m.jpg [2]	4203-4273	2004	NFI	D40i	Cummins ISL 280HP	Allison B400R 5 Speed
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5594145846_98ba0ef1bc_m.jpg [3]	4274-4439	2005 2006	NFI	D40i	Cummins ISL 280HP	Allison B400R 5 Speed
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/5763455504_481e8af3de_m.jpg [4]	4440-4526	2006 2007	NFI	D40i	Cummins ISL 280HP	Allison B400R 5 Speed
	5001-5002	2008	OBI	07.501 NG Hybrid	Cummins ISB 260HP	BAE Systems HybriDrive hybrid system
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5594302446_9aef9028e3_m.jpg [5]	5003-5097	2009	OBI	07.501 NG Hybrid	Cummins ISB 260HP	BAE Systems HybriDrive hybrid system
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/5594298534_0cb366bbbf_m.jpg [6]	5098-5177	2008	OBI	07.501 NG Hybrid	Cummins ISB 260HP	BAE Systems HybriDrive hybrid system
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/5762929373_a608abac07_m.jpg [7]	6351-6398	2008	NFI	D60LF	Cummins ISL 330HP	Allison B500R6 6 Speed	- 6383 was rebuilt in the front due to accident at unknown location ( possibly Downtown Ottawa ) - 6391 was rebuilt in the front due to accident at Carleton University
	6399-6403	2009	NFI	D60LF	Cummins ISL 330HP	Allison B500R6 6 Speed
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5607618552_c3d74612a6_m.jpg [8]	6404-6709	2010 2011	NFI	D60LFR	Cummins ISL9 330HP	Allison B500R6 6 Speed	First Order of Low Floor Restyled buses from New Flyer Industries

Demo Roster

OC Tranpo has tested many buses over the years, varying from 30 feet to 60. Most demo buses OC Transpo have tested were not purchased

Thumbnail	Fleet number range	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Remarks
	1771	1984	Orion Bus Indsutries/Ikaurs	03.501	N/A	N/A
	1780	1986	Orion Bus Indsutries	02.502	N/A	N/A	First 25ft bus Demo in Ottawa
	1781	1986	Vanhool	AG280	N/A	N/A
	1782	1986	Orion Bus Indsutries	02.506	N/A	N/A
	1783	1986	Orion Bus Indsutries	01.508	N/A	N/A
	1784	1986	Renault	N/A Articulated Model	N/A	N/A
	1786	1986	New Flyer Indsutries	D40HF	N/A	N/A
	1787	1989	Ikarus	436	N/A	N/A
	1789	1989	Orion Bus Indsutries	05.501 ( V )	N/A	N/A
	92011	1995	New Flyer Indsutries	D40LF	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA 253HP	Voith D863, 3 Speed Automatic	Borrowed from Kitchener Transit
	1710	1996	Orion Bus Industries	6.501	Cummins L10G, 253 hp	: Allison B400R,5 Speed Automatic	Borrowed from London Transit
	1711	1996	Orion Bus Industries	6.501	Detroit Diesel Series 50, 275HP	Allison B400R,5 Speed Automatic
	N/A	2005	Orion Bus Industries	07.501	Cummins ISB 270HP	BAE HybridDrive System with ZF Transmission	on Loan from MTA New York 6454, this bus never ran in service for OC Transpo
	4997	2006/2007	AD	Enviro500	Cummins ISM, 330HP	Voith D864.3, 4 Speed Automatic	First Double Deckers to be tested in Ottawa, these buses would slate the way for a purchase of 75 in 2011/2012
	N/A	2006	New Flyer Industries	DE60LF	Catepillar C9, 330HP	Allison EP50