Final construction and testing underway on O-Train East Extension to Trim Road

Transit Committee was provided with an update on Stage 2 O-Train extensions, ongoing efforts to improve bus reliability, and a status update on actions to address the recommendations from the Westboro Inquiry.

The Transit Committee today received a progress update on the Stage 2 O-Train east and west extensions, efforts to welcome customers back to transit this fall, an update on ridership, an overview of new vehicles being added to the existing bus fleet and ongoing work to address the recommendations from the Westboro Inquest.

The Committee heard that final construction activities and system testing on the O-Train East Extension are nearing completion. On September 13 and 14, a performance test will take place with trains operating between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations. Due to the various test requirements, R1 bus replacement service will operate in place of Line 1. This exercise will help demonstrate that the newly integrated system can achieve peak service levels and is a critical milestone before the system can begin trial running, which is anticipated to take place this fall. Further details on this process will be provided at an upcoming technical briefing.

In the west, rail installation has been completed and the installation of the overhead catenary system, which will power the trains, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Test trains have operated on a section of track between the Corkstown Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility and Pinecrest Station.

Transit Committee heard details on how OC Transpo prepared to welcome additional customers back on board transit this fall as they return to school and work. As part of the fall 2025 service change, the transit network has been adjusted to accommodate an increase in customers as students return to school and employees return to the office after summer vacation. OC Transpo has capacity and is ready to welcome back more customers as more employers in the region transition to in-office work on a more frequent basis.

Staff provided a status update on the City’s Action Plan to respond to the Coroner's Inquest on the 2019 bus collision at Westboro Station. Approximately half of the 41 recommendations are on track to be implemented or completed by the end of 2025. OC Transpo will bring forward items for consideration through the budget process to address many recommendations focused on safety and security. Further updates will be provided at an upcoming Transit Committee meeting in Q1 2026.

OC Transpo provided an overview of ongoing efforts to improve bus service reliability. Progress is being made through the implementation of multiple plans, including Transit Services’ Five-Year Roadmap, the Zero-Emission Bus Program, the Bus Maintenance Action Plan, and New Ways to Bus network. OC Transpo is committed to ongoing improvements and will continue to adapt plans, monitor progress and report regularly to Council and the public.

OC Transpo also provided an update on its bus fleet and the delivery of vehicles, including 11 used diesel buses that are anticipated to enter service later this fall. So far, in 2025, 26 new electric buses have entered operations and 34 more are anticipated to arrive by the end of the year. By the end of Q3 2027, half of OC Transpo’s conventional bus fleet is anticipated to be comprised of electric buses. In addition, 17 new minibuses have been added to the Para Transpo fleet and an additional 45 are expected to be in service by the end of the year. Finally, 50 new diesel buses have been purchased and are anticipated to arrive between Q2 2026 and Q1 2027.

Committee members also heard that there were 4.5 million customer-trips on the O-Train and on buses in July. Rail service delivery in August was 99.8 per cent on Line 1 and 96.4 per cent on Lines 2 and 4. Conventional bus service delivery in August was 98.4 per cent. Over the past 12-months, 873,000 customer-trips have been taken on Para Transpo. This festival season marked the first summer with Lines 2 and 4 in operation alongside Line 1. There were approximately 84,100 customer trips taken on the O-Train system during Ottawa Race Weekend, 270,000 customer trips on Canada Day, and approximately 737,000 customer trips throughout Bluesfest.

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