Given the high number of emails, calls, in-person questions and comments I have received regarding the inadequacy of the transit to and from Kanata North, I thought I would post some information that might be helpful. Believe me, none of the information below indicates that I think all is well. I just thought I would write out what I have been telling people about the whole situation.
History
When Ottawa embarked on building a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system to complement our bussing system, our entire transit reality in this city changed.
When Covid hit, everyone’s current reality changed. Our transit system was impacted in myriad ways: ridership, costs, staffing, supply chain, training of drivers and maintenance staff, hiring, travel choices, destination choices etc.
As the impacts of both of these major events continue to be felt, our Transit Budget is $30 million overspent annually. In order to deal with the $30 million deficit, OC Transpo embarked on a Route Review that tried to accomplish two key things: a redesign of the system to a “hub and spoke” model and cost savings. This was done while adapting to the changes to routes that the new LRT line openings would require.
When the Trillium Line opened, more changes to routes resulted.
As well, OC Transpo recently completed a pilot project for on-demand bussing. The pilot in Blackburn Hamlet was highly successful. There is a plan to expand on-demand bussing to many other parts of the city, including Kanata.
Over the past couple of years, OC Transpo has been switching from a predominantly diesel fleet to an electric fleet. This transition has also had its impact on bussing effectiveness and efficiencies. All transitions are challenging. This one is no different.
Ongoing challenges
Staffing – OC Transpo has had a shortage of bus drivers since Covid. That is slowly becoming less of a problem, but helps to explain why many travel times have been sub-optimal.
Supply Chain – In ordering new electric buses, we join cities all over the world in line. There are only so many manufacturers of the new buses. OC Transpo is receiving them gradually, but not as fast as we would like.
The Old Diesel Fleet – This aging fleet continues to have maintenance issues. The buses need to be replaced with new electric ones. They just aren’t coming in fast enough, so the bus mechanics are doing their best to repair them.
Mechanics – There are not enough diesel bus mechanics to keep up with the maintenance requirements OC Transpo currently has. As a result, buses wait in line for repairs. This means that there are fewer buses available for some of the routes.
LRT Stage 3 Extension to Kanata – Given the issues with LRT Stage 1 and 2, with the provincial inquiry taking place, the general progression to getting Stage 3 going was halted. As you may recall, the Premier indicated that the Province would not be funding its 50% of Stage 3 until there was an inquiry into what went wrong with the first stage.
Investigations – The Provincial Inquiry and the Root Cause Analyses and other investigations took some time to get through. With the understanding that the nut pinning was required for the LRT wheel and hub assembly, a redesign is currently underway so that we won’t forever have to pin the existing wheels. If you have been following this file, there are still disagreements regarding what a permanent solution should be. As further discussions on this take place, it will impact the timing of the start of Stage 3 construction.
There is hope!
For Kanata, these are the eleven things that will help get us better transit services to Kanata North.
- East/West LRT opening – When the new east/west LRT lines open (2026), it will free-up busses that will be able to be reallocated to other parts of the city. OC Transpo knows that Kanata North, Kanata South and Stittsville are underserved.
- Moodie Drive Station – When it opens (2027), our west-end buses will be rerouted so that many go directly from Innovation Drive, Terry Fox Station and Eagleson Park and Ride to the Moodie Drive LRT Station. People will then be able to get to the LRT stations they need to get to much faster. As well, express buses that can travel up Carling Avenue to the back of the Tech Park and to March Road will also help get us faster routes to and from Kanata North.
- On-demand bussing – When we get more and more of the smaller buses in, OC Transpo will start more on-demand bussing pilots all over the city. Kanata North is an ideal location for on-demand bussing in and around Kanata. That way, other larger buses can be rerouted to be create more direct routes to other locations.
- Supply Chain Improvements – as more and more electric busses arrive, we will slowly get rid of our aging fleet. The new busses will need fewer repairs and will break down less often. Route efficiency and frequency will be impacted positively.
- More Voices – as the major employers in the Tech Park become more vocal about their challenges getting interns to their internship jobs, there will be more pressure to service the Tech Park better. When there is better/more frequent service to the Tech Park, other routes will be able to be rerouted and that will benefit other riders.
- Autonomous Vehicle Shuttle – There will be an autonomous vehicle shuttle project that will begin this fall in the Tech Park. The shuttle will help people get up and down Legget Drive better and faster. That shuttle will help fill a gap in service that OC Transpo cannot currently provide.
- Budget Season – we are headed into our final Municipal Budget season of this term of Council. I will be advocating for more money for transit. The Tech Park companies will be advocating for more money for transit.
- In order for money to be put into the next Federal Budget, the Mayor needs to ask for it when he meets with the local MP caucus in January 2026. If he asked for more funding for transit, the Federal Government may put more money in its budget when it comes out in March 2026.
- LRT Upload by the Province – Mayor Sutcliffe has been advocating for the Province to upload the LRT. That means that the Province would then take over the costs and construction of the LRT (as they do for Toronto and other municipalities). This would be a huge benefit to the City of Ottawa. It would positively impact our Transit Budget and our transit plans. The provincial Minister of Transportation has been actively working on this upload with our City staff and the Mayor.
- Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT) up March Road – This project has received $80 million in funding from the Province. The federal government needs to put in its $80 million. The City has to put in its $80 million. Given that March Road helps to deliver residents to the plentiful jobs in Canada’s Largest Tech Park, there are considerable incentives to getting faster and more direct transit to the Tech Park. This BRT would also benefit Kanata North residents as well.
- Bloomberg’s report on the Kanata North Tech Park – The Kanata North Tech Park, Canada’s Largest Technology Park, is home to many of the businesses that are fundamental to Canada’s national security. Given the current geopolitical climate, defence, cybersecurity, data security and sovereignty, and compound semi-conductor supply chain (to name just a few) are employment clusters, critical to Canada’s national security, located right in the Kanata North Tech Park. This gold mine of talent and expertise is fundamental and critical to Canada’s national security. Our MP and our Prime Minister know this. It does not make sense that there aren’t excellent, frequent and myriad transportation options to the Tech Park. There is a report on the future of the Tech Park, written by Bloomberg, that will highlight exactly this. It highlights the important path forward and gives important recommendations for transportation.
So, while things are not great right now, there is hope. Know that I will continue to advocate for better transit options for all. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to email me at cathy.curry@ottawa.ca.
You can also email the Mayor at mark.sutcliffe@ottawa.ca and our MP Jenna Sudds at jenna.sudds@parl.gc.ca.