Although hundreds of residents have attended public meetings to protest OC Transpo bus route changes, some riders say they're not convinced council will reverse any of the recommendations.
"I believe this is only a formality. They just want to hear people, what they are saying, but already they've made their plan," said one rider who attended an open house in south Ottawa on Monday night.
OC Transpo is planning to make changes to 100 bus routes. Some will be cut; others will operate under reduced hours. The city hopes the changes will save nearly $30 million over the next two years.
Although transit riders are angry, Coun. Steve Desroches says the city needs to make the changes to keep within this year's budget.
"We are under the same pressure as any household is. We have to come up with a system that meets the revenue that comes in to provide the service," Desroches told CTV Ottawa Monday night.
The last in a series of public meetings will be held Tuesday night in Orleans. City council is expected to make a decision on the proposed changes by April 20.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Melissa Lamb
