City staff is recommending changes to 100 OC Transpo bus routes. The routes would be cut, shortened or have reduced hours in an effort to save $22 million per year, according to a plan presented to the city's transit commission.
City officials say the routes slated for consolidation serve similar areas and are recommending that some routes be cut.
"Anytime you have this magnitude of change you have a reaction. There will be a lot of people affected by these changes," said Coun. Diane Deans, chair of the transit commission.
Routes on the chopping block include: 3, 32, 65, 103, 145,153, 167, 169, 197, 306.
- View all the proposed changes by route HERE
Other routes will merge. For example, route 121 will merge with 125; the 191 will merge with route 192; and the 62, 63, and 64 in Kanata will be combined into one route.
Many other routes are also on the list to be consolidated:
4, 5, 16, 18, 22, 23, 31, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 57, 61, 82, 85, 87, 88, 93, 97, 101, 104, 107, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 120, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 146, 150, 151, 154, 155, 156, 159, 160, 165, 166, 168, 172, 173, 174, 176, 182, 183, 187, 188, 190, 316.
While the list is extensive, city staff says 90 per cent of transit trips won't be affected. Those who do see changes may have to walk further to catch a bus or see less frequent service during non-peak hours.
Routes that would be shortened:
5, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 31, 34, 40, 61, 82, 85, 101, 102, 105, 129, 176, 179, 182, 221, 232.
Routes with reduced hours of service:
5, 6, 16, 106, 116, 120, 127, 136, 137, 149, 151, 152, 161, 163, 166, 171, 174, 175, 178.
Public consultations on the route changes will begin next week. The shift in service is planned to begin in September.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
