Transit Committee approves OC Transpo’s 2026 Draft Budget

Transit Committee approves OC Transpo’s 2026 Draft Budget

The Transit Committee yesterday approved OC Transpo’s 2026 draft budget. The 2026 net operating budget is $906 million, and it will rise to Council on December 10, 2025. 

The draft budget will support several strategic initiatives tied to OC Transpo’s 5-Year Roadmap and goal of reaching 99.5 per cent for bus service delivery. It ensures that OC Transpo can continue to deliver the services that residents rely on.

Investments in 2026 include the opening of the O-Train Line 1 East Extension to Trim Station and connecting the surrounding bus routes, recruitment for Para Transpo operators, maintaining O-Train services at current levels and maintaining current bus service levels with increased reliability. Capital investments for lifecycle replacements will return to historic norms following efficiencies that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 budget will also see continued preparations for the O-Train West Extension to Algonquin and Moodie Stations.

As part of the draft budget, an eight-per-cent increase to the transit levy is proposed, as well as some changes to OC Transpo’s fares:

• Most fares will increase by 2.5 per cent.
• The new Adult single-ride fare will be $4.10, and a monthly adult pass will be $138.50.
• EquiPass, Community Pass and Access Pass fares will not change.

Fare changes proposed in the draft budget will take effect January 1, 2026.

The Committee learned that ridership was 7.4 million in September, and 7.8 million in October – both at 81 per cent of 2019 ridership for the same months. These are the highest ridership numbers OC Transpo has seen since the pandemic. 

Para Transpo’s 12-month total ridership is 873,000 customer-trips, an increase of six per cent compared to the previous year.

Staff also presented the OC Transpo Public Safety Strategy. The Strategy sets out safety priorities, initiatives, milestones, and key performance indicators aligned with industry best practices and recommendations from the Westboro Coroner’s Inquest. It includes a communications plan, additional provincially supported staffing, and enhanced Special Constable training, including for hate-motivated incidents. Riders will see more uniformed personnel, a new high-visibility patrol platoon and increased peak-hour coverage. A new safety and security reporting app will launch next year as part of the phased rollout.

An update on the opening of the O-Train Line 1 East Extension was provided to Council. Work is underway to address final construction items before Substantial Completion of the system can be achieved and before Trial Running can begin. This process is thorough and deliberate to ensure that the East Extension is safe, ready for customers and meets all requirements. It is anticipated that the East Extension will be ready to open to the public in 2026.

The 41st annual OC Transpo/Loblaw Holiday Food Drive will take place on Saturday, December 13 from 10 am to 5 pm at participating Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer and No Frills stores across Ottawa. The OC Transpo/Loblaw Holiday Food Drive is Ottawa’s largest annual, single-day grocery store food drive.   

For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook,  X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.