OC Transpo to keep mask mandate in place for 'foreseeable future'
OC Transpo will keep its mask mandate in place even after the province lifts its masking requirements on public transit, the city’s transit chief said Wednesday.
The province lifted masking rules in most places last month, but they remain in place on public transit.
That mandate is set to expire on April 27, although health minister Christine Elliott mused Tuesday an extension “might be necessary.”
Transit general manager Renee Amilcar said if it’s not extended, OC Transpo will keep its own mask mandate in place.
“Should the provincial mandate end, we will continue to use the transit bylaw to maintain the current making requirement on our system for the foreseeable future,” Amilcar told transit commission on Wednesday.
Amilcar said the decision is based on advice from Ottawa Public Health. She added that masking on OC Transpo remains high, and special constables continue to monitor compliance with the rules.
“We will continue to communicate with customers that they must wear a mask on transit. We will also increase enforcement across the system to educate transit riders and ensure compliance,” she said.
“And we will await further instruction from the province and follow all legislation.”
Masks have been mandatory on all OC Transpo trains and buses, Para Transpo buses and at transit stations since June 2020.
Ridership increases, but still below budget projections
Ridership on OC Transpo buses and trains went up to 4.4 million in March, up from 3.4 million February.
However, ridership was still well below city projections. The city's 2022 budget estimated that ridership would reach 69 percent of pre-pandemic levels in March. However, ridership was under 50 per cent of March 2019 levels.
Transit on downtown bus routes on the O-Train was free for much of March, a move the city made because routes were affected earlier in the year by the 'Freedom Convoy' protest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.