OC Transpo saw its highest ever single-day ridership on the O-Train Line 1 on
Canada Day
with approximately 246,000 customer trips.
Buses and trains were operating free of charge on
July 1
, and outgoing OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar said the transit service operated without disruptions.
“High passenger volumes were observed travelling to the downtown core as customers took advantage of the safe, reliable and clean trains, buses and Para Transpo,” Amilcar said in a memo to council.
This year marked the first Canada Day that O-Train Lines 2 and 4 were in operation to support the festivities, along with Line 1, Amilcar said.
Line 1 saw approximately 246,000 customer trips, marking a 66 per cent increase from last year, and “the highest single-day ridership ever on O-Train Line 1,” Amilcar said. Line 2 and 4 had about 24,000 customer trips.
Park & Ride lots along Line 2 at Bowesville, Leitrim and Greenboro stations almost reached capacity during the day’s peak travel periods.
Amilcar said OC Transpo worked with Rideau Transit Maintenance and TransitNext to increase the number of trains in service to support customer volumes throughout the day.
Line 1 service was increased further following the fireworks and operated every three minutes for revellers leaving the downtown core. OC Transpo had approximately 120 buses on Albert Street after the fireworks for customers heading west. Para Transpo customers were supported at specific drop-off and pick-up locations.
Amilcar said the majority of those attending events at LeBreton Flats departed the site by approximately 11 pm.
Amilcar said staff will continue to analyze ridership data and they expect system-wide ridership was higher than last year’s Canada Day. Full details will be shared at the next transit committee meeting.
