OC Transpo honours employees dedicated to safety

Snowy and icy streets, congested roadways and aggressive drivers changing lanes without signaling are just some of the driving challenges that test our skills, nerves and patience when we get behind the wheel. However, for OC Transpo operators, these conditions and challenges are realities they face every day, all while safely transporting customers to their destinations.

The people who take the wheel and work on the frontlines at OC Transpo also keep their ears and eyes open to safeguard our communities and lend a helping hand to those residents in need of assistance.

For OC Transpo, safety is always the first priority. That’s why every year, OC Transpo recognizes these committed employees in a special awards ceremony highlighting the Safe Driving Awards and Transecure Awards – and the newly added Safety Awards category. This year’s event was held yesterday – April 28 – at the Nepean Sportsplex, to officially recognize and celebrate their commitment and accomplishments.

The Safe Driving Awards program recognizes bus operators who have an exemplary safe driving record, which includes over 1,000 hours of driving with no at-fault collisions. In addition, each year, OC Transpo recognizes bus operators who have achieved 20, 25, 30 or 35 or more years of collision-free driving.

This year’s ceremony recognized operators who achieved the following collision-free milestones:

• Fourteen operators with 20 years of safe driving
• Six operators with 25 years of safe driving
• Three operators with 30 years of safe driving
• Two operators with 35 years of safe driving
• Seven operators with more than 35 years of safe driving

The highlight of 2026 was Operator Armand who was honoured with the longest safe driving  record – an amazing 44 years of collision-free driving. 

OC Transpo’s Transecure program is a community watch on wheels, whereby employees become the eyes and ears on our roads, looking out for the safety of all residents. These community watch actions include calling in medical emergencies, break-ins, accidents, fire, suspicious situations, and any circumstance involving a person in distress.

This year’s ceremony recognized 13 OC Transpo employees whose quick actions assisted citizens of Ottawa in distress. The awards recognized the 12 Transecure Call of the Month Award recipients, plus the Call of the Year Award honouree – Operator Yasha. 

 Yasha’s story is one of compassion and quick thinking. While on his route one September evening in 2026, Operator Yasha stopped his bus after finding a man lying on the roadway who was expressing suicidal thoughts. Acting calmly and compassionately, Yasha ensured the individual’s safety by slowing down traffic, then bringing the man onto the bus and immediately contacting the Special Constable Unit. With the assistance of the Special Constable Unit and Ottawa Police, the individual was transported to the hospital to receive further assistance and mental health support.

You can read all about the monthly winning calls on octranspo.com. 

This year, the newly-introduced Safety Awards were also recognized at the ceremony. These awards recognize and celebrate individuals and teams who reinforce a strong culture of safety in the department and motivate continuous improvement in safe practices among all staff. 

The categories are: Safety Champion Award, Safety Excellence Award, Safety Innovation Award and Special Constable Act of Heroism Award. Some of this year’s winners include staff who proactively implemented safety protocols in their work, introduced additional safety training to their unit, and who put a safety lens on the customer experience. 

At the Awards ceremony, the Chief Safety Officer Award, , was presented to Sergeant Josh and Sergeant Daniel for their efforts during a medical emergency on transit. 

The annual Transecure, Safe Driving and Safety Awards ceremony is a reminder that safety is not just about policies – it's a shared commitment that guides OC Transpo staff each day. The commitment that leads to a safer workplace, transit system and community.