Confederation Line launch day: What you need to know
Posted Sep 14, 2019 12:17:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Ottawa officially cuts the ribbon and opens the $2.1-billion Confederation Line on Saturday, September 14.
Opening ceremonies take place at 10 a.m. and run until noon with Mayor Jim Watson taking part in a inaugural first ride, along with representatives from the Canadian and Ontario governments.
The 12.5-kilometre line won't open to the public until 2 p.m. with services running until 2 a.m.
How long the train will be operational varies on the day:
Monday to Thursday 5 a.m – 1 a.m.
Friday 5 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Saturday 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Sunday and Holidays 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Each night Line 1 will close for train and track maintenance. Night routes will replace the train overnight, providing bus service to the stations along Line 1 and into nearby neighbourhoods.
A trip on the 13-stop line costs $3.50, the same as a bus, with the normal 90-minute transfer period between both buses and the train. Passengers can use their Presto, ParaPay or purchase a pass at one of the stations from the ticket station near the fare gates.
Once the trains take off Saturday, a three-week transition period takes place to get passengers ready for a dramatic change to OC Transpo bus routes on October 6.
The city plans to change 86 OC Transpo bus routes like the 91, 94 and 95 stopping service to downtown. Most routes will now end at Tunney's Pasture, Hurdman, or Blair Station where passengers will have to jump on the Confederation Line. You can follow the change on twitter with #ReallyBigServiceChange.
