Longer walks to bus stops, merged or cut routes, and reduced off-peak service hours could soon be new realities for some OC Transpo riders.
The transit commission is currently examining the above options to alter service on as many as 47 bus routes in a bid to cut $7.2 million from its 2011 budget.
"We can make this work better by taking out some of the inefficiencies in the system," said Alain Mercier, president of OC Transpo. "And that's what we're trying to do."
Some are speaking out against the potential changes, saying they will limit bus service for Ottawa residents.
"When you start talking about longer distances to routes, eliminating routes, you're taking away service," said Councillor Rainer Bloess. "It's that simple."
The transit commission is also considering the purchase of 75 new double decker buses to increase route capacity.
The routes that the transit commission is considering changes for include:
3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 23, 32, 34, 39, 40, 43, 57, 62, 63, 64, 65, 85, 88, 101, 111, 112, 115, 116, 117, 125, 130, 131, 133, 141, 142, 143, 144, 150, 151, 154, 155, 156, 158, 160, 165, 166, 168, 182, 188, 190, 191, 316.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
