Mayor Jim Watson announced Friday afternoon the city is bringing back an additional 40 buses to help try and fix chronic problems with the city’s new LRT system.
ʺOver the last few weeks, we have been as frustrated as our transit users with the poor performance of LRT and the unreliability of our bus system”, Watson said in a statement.
Starting next week the buses will be deployed on routes 39 in the east, 257 in the west and 75 in the south. Watson says these routes and others have faced chronic issues since October 6, and the full launch of the train system.
"I'm furious with what went on today," Watson told CTV's Christina Succi.
"This is not acceptable."
When asked if the LRT was ready, Watson said it is, but needs work.
"I think it was, it passed all the safety steps," said Watson.
"Our independent safety inspector signed off on it."
The city will also deduct $2.8 million from its Rideau Transit Group’s October payment. Watson says the city will continue to do that until the problems are fixed.
“Similar deductions will be made until the performance of the system improves and stabilizes”, Watson wrote.
An additional 19 buses will be added to the fleet on January 1st, Watson wrote.
"We want to once again apologize to our transit customers as we work through the growing pains of launching the Confederation Line."
The buses will begin their return next week in a staggered roll-out, not all 40 buses will be put back on the road at once.
"We're doing everything we can to improve," said Transit Commission Chair Allan Hubley.
"We're in this job to make this city better for everyone and right now we are struggling."
With the 2020 draft budget set for Wednesday Nov. 6, Hubley was asked about riders' calls for a transit fare freeze.
"Then there's improvements that won't get done," said Hubley.
"I know it's hard to ask people right now, can you pay a little more if you use the system, but trust me, that money is just going right back into the system."
