OTTAWA -- OC Transpo is reducing service levels on the O-Train and on bus routes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a memo to Councillors, Transportation Services General Manager John Manconi says ridership levels have dropped between “70 and 90 per cent” on the O-Train, buses and Para Transpo over the past two weeks.

The changes include OC Transpo bus service running on a Saturday service level during the week, and adjusting the run times on the Confederation Line and the Trillium Line.

Manconi says “maintaining service to all neighbourhoods and to essential services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals, at levels that will allow customers to safely space themselves out on trains and buses and maintain social distancing continues to be a priority.”

Manconi also tells Councillors that reducing service levels on the O-Train and on bus routes “is required to sustain and continue to provide the service while at the same time ensuring levels of service that enables social distancing."

Here’s a look at the changes to bus routes, the Confederation Line, the Trillium Line and Para Transpo.

Conventional buses

As of Monday, March 30

  • Weekday service will move to Saturday service levels on many routes
  • Many routes, which normally operate only on weekdays, will continue to run at modified service levels
  • Rural weekly Shopper service will continue as usual
  • Saturday and Sunday service will operate as usual

Confederation Line – O-Train Line 1

As of Friday, March 27

  • Trains will arrive every 6 to 8 minutes at peak periods and every 10 to 16 minutes at other times of the day and on weekends
  • On Fridays, service will run until 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, and overnight bus service will be available from that time
  • Otherwise, service start and end times will remain the same
  • The number of dedicated R1 buses is being reduced to align with changed service levels on Line 1

The Trillium Line – O-Train Line 2

As of Wednesday, March 25

  • Trains will arrive every 15 minutes at all times
  • Service start and end times will remain the same

Para Transpo

As of Tuesday, March 24

  • All trips requests made a day in advance are being accommodated
  • Most trips are being operated with only one customer on board, to allow for social distancing

Manconi tells Councillors that if operators “report crowding on any services, we are ready to respond with spare vehicles.”

OC Transpo may adjust the plan as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

Schedule information is available at www.octranspo.com