Faulty fare boxes on the city's 300 buses are causing headaches for some OC Transpo drivers, but provide a boon for riders who are forced to board the bus for free.
There are separate compartments for cash and tickets in the new fare boxes, installed last year. Problem is, the boxes -- which collectively cost $2 million to install -- have a tendency to jam.
The problem was first reported in the fall, but has persisted as more boxes are placed on city routes.
"You walk on, and there's a sign saying the fare box is broken," says regular bus rider Kate Headley. "The driver has his hands over the box, and says, 'Go ahead on.' "
Headley carries a bus pass and couldn't take advantage of the free ticket to ride, but others around the city have.
In Orleans, Coun. Bob Monette says he's received several phone calls from his constituents complaining about the jammed boxes.
They penalize those who shell out dozens of dollars for monthly passes, he says, and also mess up the bottom line in the transit budget.
"The more passes we can sell, the better it is for the city so we already know what kind of ridership we have," he adds.
Monette is asking OC Transpo just how widespread the problem is -- and more importantly, how much money the city's transit service is losing due to the problem.
According to transit manager Alain Mercier, once a problem is reported it's dealt with overnight and the box is ready for full service the next morning.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley
