OC Transpo ridership dips again after strongest month since pandemic began
OC Transpo’s ridership dipped in October, a month after achieving its highest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New numbers from OC Transpo show there were 5.6 million customer trips in October, 58 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. That’s down from 5.7 million in September, which was the highest figure since March 2020.
September ridership represented 64 per cent of pre-pandemic levels (the service originally said 63 per cent, but said Thursday it has revised that to 64 per cent after more information about U-Pass use).
In a memo to council on Thursday, transit general manager Renee Amilcar attributed the drop to reduced transit use among university students.
“Both uOttawa and Carleton University had their reading weeks in October, which decreased the trip rates for U-Pass holders,” she said. “As the U-Pass is prepaid for the entire semester, the reading weeks do not affect fare revenue.”
OC Transpo revenue was $11.7 million in October, down slightly from $11.8 million in September.
That figure is 44 per cent higher than in October 2021, but still below the forecasted fare revenue of $17.5 million in the 2022 budget.
But the ongoing ridership issues have transit advocates calling for an overhaul of the system.
“I think it’s time to have lots of options on the table,” Laura Shantz of Ottawa Transit Riders told CTV News. “Not everyone is travelling from the suburbs to a downtown office five days a week, and going in at rush hour and coming back in rush hour in the evening.”
“We need to think about other destinations that are important to our communities, and how we can provide that really good service that people need, that makes OC Transpo a first choice instead of a last choice.”
OC Transpo is projecting an $85 million deficit this year, largely due to lower-than-anticipated ridership. Earlier this week the Ford government pledged more than $63 million to help cover the deficit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.