OC Transpo insists capacity is 'sufficient' to meet demand as public service workers return to the office
The head of OC Transpo insists there is "sufficient additional capacity" available on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train as federal public servants return to the office this week.
Starting Monday, federal employees in the core public service will be required to be in the office a minimum of three days a week, and executives will need to be on-site a minimum of four days a week.
Workers return to the office two weeks after OC Transpo cut the frequency of midday and evening off-peak service on the Confederation Line. The O-Train is running at five minute intervals between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., but trains will run every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar says OC Transpo considered "many factors" when preparing the O-Train service schedule, including ridership changes.
"Since the fall service change began on August 25, OC Transpo has been closely monitoring ridership across the O-Train, bus, and Para Transpo networks," Amilcar said in a memo on Friday. "Early observations indicate there is enough capacity for current customers and sufficient additional capacity to accommodate more as ridership continues to grow."
Amilcar adds OC Transpo is "ready to adjust service as needed" if ridership increases beyond capacity.
OC Transpo's director of transit customer systems and planning told The Canadian Press the public transit system is ready for additional riders.
"There is sufficient capacity on the O-Train and bus network to support public servants as they return to the office more often," Pat Scrimgeour said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor ridership demand in case there is any location or time when ridership increases more than we expect."
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Polls close for closely watched byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
The NDP has a slight early lead in Winnipeg while remaining in a three-way race with the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in Montreal as ballots continue to be counted in two crucial federal byelections.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.