Councillor proposes transit fare freeze for OC Transpo riders in 2024
An OC Transpo bus turns onto Elgin St. from Wellington St. in downtown Ottawa, Ont. in this undated photo. (Photo by Shubham Sharan on Unsplash)
An Ottawa councillor wants to freeze transit fares for OC Transpo riders in 2024, proposing the city increase the transit levy an additional one per cent to cover the revenue.
Council will vote Wednesday on the full 2024 city of Ottawa budget, including the Transit Services budget. The draft budget proposes increasing transit fares by an average of 2.5 per cent next year, with the cost of an adult monthly pass increasing $3.25 a month to $128.75.
The Transit Commission has referred a motion from Coun. Shawn Menard to Council that recommends freezing transit fares for a second straight year.
"Ottawa transit riders should not continue to face fare hikes in the context of reduced and inadequate transit service," Menard says in his motion, noting OC Transpo is planning to reduce bus service and the Confederation Line continues to operate at a reduce service level.
Menard's motion says a fare freeze would generate approximately 300,000 resident trips on average in 2024, and "create new long-term ridership."
Coun. Jeff Leiper told the Transit Commission meeting during the budget debate that increasing the transit levy an additional one per cent would add $8 to the average property tax bill.
"Eight dollars a year in order to achieve a fare freeze. Most folks will never even see that in the context of their tax increases," Leiper said.
A 2.5 per cent hike in transit fares would generate $3.8 million in new revenue for OC Transpo.
2024 OC Transpo fare hikes (2023 fares in parentheses)
- Adult monthly pass - $128.75 ($125.50)
- Youth monthly pass - $99.25 (96.75)
- Senior monthly pass - $49 ($47.75)
- Community monthly pass - $43.25 ($43.25)
- EquiPass monthly pass - $58.25 ($58.25)
- U-Pass (per semester) - $229.07 ($223.48)
- Adult single-ride fare (cash) - $3.85 ($3.75)
- Senior single-ride fare (cash) - $2.95 ($2.85)
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Latest info: FBI says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism'
The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism' when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revellers early Wednesday, killing 14 people.
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Man who died in Tesla Cybertruck explosion was active-duty U.S. Army soldier, officials say
The person who authorities believe died in the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters outside U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
FORECAST
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 6 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in six provinces and territories early Thursday morning.
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
5 things we know and still don't know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It's less deadly than it was in the pandemic's early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
More Popsicles, please: Your tonsils can grow back
Tonsil regrowth is rare. Here's one woman's experience when she had to get her tonsils removed – again.
Atlantic
-
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
-
Man who barricaded himself inside Porters Lake home found dead: N.S. RCMP
A man who barricaded himself inside a home in the Porters Lake, N.S., area Thursday morning has died.
-
Halifax police 'conducting an operation' in city's north end
There is a heavy police presence in Halifax’s north end, where officers are “conducting an operation" Thursday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Ontario approves 9 facilities to convert from supervised consumption sites to treatment hubs
The province has released new details of its plan to convert some of Ontario’s supervised consumption sites to Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs amid backlash from community advocates and medical professionals who say the closures will lead to more deaths.
-
'Absolutely crazy' snow squalls trigger whiteout conditions, crashes in parts of southern Ontario: OPP
Snow squall warnings are in effect for parts of southern Ontario with up to 60 centimetres of snow expected in some areas, and provincial police say they’re already responding to multiple crashes and rollovers across the region.
-
Road closures and TTC service changes to impact Toronto traffic this weekend
Road closures around Toronto and TTC route changes may make any travel plans on the first weekend of 2025 longer than normal.
Montreal
-
'Really disappointing': Organizer says Montreal New Year's Eve fireworks show interrupted by 'technical issue'
New Year's Eve is usually a time when spirits are high and everyone is in a celebratory mood, but if you spent the night at the Old Port in Montreal chances are you might have been let down.
-
From industrial highway to developer's paradise, Montreal's Lachine Canal turns 200
It used to be that on New Year’s Eve, people living along Montreal’s Lachine Canal would throw open their doors to hear the nearby factories blow their horns when the clocks struck midnight.
-
Unloading of grounded ship in the St. Lawrence postponed to Saturday
The unloading of the cargo of corn from the Cypriot ship that ran aground on Christmas Eve in the St. Lawrence River in the Verchères area has been postponed.
Northern Ontario
-
Body of one drowning victim recovered in Temiskaming Shores, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery unit has found the remains of one of two victims of Sunday's drowning in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
-
Charges after transport driver in northern Ont. fixed window with duct tape
A transport truck driver has been charged after a motorist alerted police about a commercial motor vehicle that had duct tape covering the driver's side window.
Windsor
-
Vehicle crashes into Running Factory window during theft on Walker Road
Windsor police are investigating after a break-in and theft at a business on Walker Road.
-
Man accused of taking upskirt photos of women on New Year’s at downtown business
Windsor police have arrested a Sarnia man for taking upskirt photos of a woman at a local business.
-
Statements to police admissible in Windsor terrorism trial
A Windsor judge has ruled that an accused statements to the Windsor police are admissible in an ongoing terrorism trial.
London
-
London president named to the Order of Ontario 2025
A local president and CEO has been named to the Order of Ontario for 2025.
-
Snow squall warning in effect for parts of Midwestern Ontario
Parts of Midwestern Ontario are under a snow squall warning, according to Environment Canada. Other areas are under a weather advisory.
-
Single vehicle collision leads to impaired charges on New Year’s Day
Charges have been laid after a single vehicle collision in London on New Year’s Day.
Kitchener
-
Perth County resident loses $320K in computer scam involving gold bars
A Perth County resident has lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam after receiving a notification there was a security breach of their personal information.
-
Kitchener, Ont. artist designs new Raptors logo for Indigenous Heritage Game
The Toronto Raptors have unveiled a reimaged Indigenous-inspired logo, created by Kitchener, Ont. visual artist Luke Swinson.
-
UPDATE
UPDATE Heavy snow and snow squall warnings for parts of southwestern Ontario
After a weekend of mild and wet weather, winter is making its return to southwestern Ontario, with Environment Canada issuing heavy snow and snow squall warnings for Waterloo Region, Stratford, Wellington County and Brant County.
Barrie
-
Canada Post pulls workers off routes in Barrie and surrounding areas
Canada Post has issued a red alert, pulling postal workers due to inclement weather.
-
Criminal investigation into individual's death in Alliston underway
Police are asking for the public's help during this investigation.
-
Snow Squall warning issued with up to 60cms of snowfall possible
Environment Canada has issued a Snow Squall warning for Barrie and surrounding townships.
Winnipeg
-
St. Andrews home a total loss following fire
A home in St. Andrews is a complete loss following an early morning fire on Thursday.
-
Winnipeg man dies following two-vehicle crash: RCMP
A 32-year-old man from Winnipeg has died following a two-vehicle crash on New Year’s Eve.
-
Gas tax returns to Manitoba
Manitoba’s gas tax holiday has now come to an end.
Calgary
-
Marathon rezoning meeting and transit troubles among Calgary City Hall's biggest stories of 2024
Calgary’s city council had a busy year in 2024, contending with backlash over bag fees, a marathon debate about city-wide rezoning, broken water mains and a stop-and-go process with the Green Line LRT project.
-
'It's just unbelievable': Calgary-based band performs in front of thousands in iconic Rose Parade
A Calgary-based band travelled to Pasadena, Calif., to play in the 136th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Calgary to see colder temperatures until next week
A stagnant weather pattern will support the flow of Arctic air toward the U.S. Midwest over the next few days.
Edmonton
-
'Radon exists everywhere': How to detect and keep the harmful gas out of your home
An invisible, odourless and harmful gas could be making its way into your home.
-
'We had so many hopes': Syrian refugee family reflects on nearly a decade in Canada
When asked about her life in Syria a decade ago, Amani Shamseddin struggles to find the words.
-
New year brings new Alberta taxes, electricity 'rate of last resort'
Alberta’s electricity “rate of last resort” starts Wednesday, replacing the province’s previous default rate for consumers who don't have a contract.
Regina
-
Regina police charge 2 following armed robbery investigation
Regina police have charged two people following an unsuccessful robbery attempt outside a business on News Year's Day.
-
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
-
No injuries in early morning Regina house fire
No one was hurt in a house fire in Regina early Thursday morning.
Saskatoon
-
Man seriously injured following a shooting in Saskatoon
Police say a 20-year-old Saskatoon man is recovering in hospital after being shot while at a residence on the 100 block of Avenue V South.
-
Saskatoon mayor optimistic about what's to come, despite challenges
As Saskatoon welcomes 2025, Mayor Cynthia Block begins the year with optimism, reflecting on 2024's accomplishments.
-
Sask. women between 47 and 49 now eligible for breast cancer screening
More Saskatchewan women are now able to access breast cancer screening as the province takes a phased approach to lower age eligibility.
Vancouver
-
Eyewitnesses to unsolved Vancouver homicide urged to co-operate with police
Vancouver police are urging witnesses to a fatal stabbing several years ago to "do the right thing" by coming forward and co-operating with investigators.
-
Investigators probe strip mall fire in Surrey, B.C.
Police are investigating after an overnight fire damaged multiple businesses at a strip mall in Surrey, B.C.
-
Pedestrian hospitalized following collision with tour bus in Surrey, B.C.
A man is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a tour bus in Surrey, B.C.
Vancouver Island
-
'Cash poor' businesswoman is worth at least $20M, can pay off mortgage debt, B.C. court rules
A Vancouver businesswoman who claimed to be too "cash poor" to pay off a roughly $3 million mortgage debt – despite having claimed a net worth in excess of $94 million as recently as 2018 – has been ordered to pay up.
-
Investigators probe strip mall fire in Surrey, B.C.
Police are investigating after an overnight fire damaged multiple businesses at a strip mall in Surrey, B.C.
-
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu no longer in ICU
The B.C. teenager who became infected with Canada's first human case of H5N1 avian influenza was transferred out of intensive care and taken off supplemental oxygen last month.
Kelowna
-
Kamloops couple delivers B.C.'s first baby of 2025
B.C.'s first baby of 2025 was born just after midnight at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
-
B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation
More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025.
-
B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation
A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year.
