OC Transpo ridership steady in November, still below projections
OC Transpo ridership remained unchanged last month from October, but fell farther below projections.
New numbers from OC Transpo show there were 5.6 million customer trips in November, unchanged from October.
However, the service had projected a slight bump in riders, expecting 9.1 million in November compared to 8.9 million in October.
November's ridership represented 60 per cent of pre-pandemic figures, up from 58 per cent in October. That's because November 2019 saw fewer riders than October 2019 did.
Fare revenue in November was $13.3 million, below the projected $18.1 million.
In a memo to council, transit services general manager Renee Amilcar said the November revenue includes $1.75 million in deferred U-Pass revenue. The U-Pass is available to post-secondary students.
September ridership represented 64 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. The 5.7 million riders OC Transpo saw in September was the service's highest figure since March 2020.
OC Transpo is projecting an $85 million deficit this year, largely due to lower-than-anticipated ridership. Earlier this month, the Ford government pledged more than $63 million to help cover the deficit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.