City council approves free LRT, parking for downtown visitors
Posted Feb 23, 2022 08:45:00 PM.
Free LRT service and parking in city-owned lots should do the trick to get people to come back to downtown Ottawa.
At least, that’s what city council hopes as it passed the two motion at the Wednesday, February 23 meeting.
The two motions were brought forward following the truck convoy occupation, as a way to help with the economic recover of downtown Ottawa.
Free bus service had already been approved on several bus routes that go through downtown areas, as well as Para Transpo trips until 30 days after the City decides to end its State of Emergency — which is still in effect.
The free service will be offered on the O-Train Line 1 starting Friday, February 25 and until 30 days after the state of emergency is lifted.
The estimated cost of offering the free service on the LRT is about $1.052 million, which will be covered by transit reserves.
This cost would also be included in the city’s request for compensation from the federal and provincial levels of government to help pay down the cost related to the protest.
Free parking will start as of Friday, February 25 as well and will last until Thursday, March 31.
“I think we’re seeing it first-hand how these businesses were impacted,” Coun. Tim Tierney said. “Now I think the residents of Ottawa want to be able to support those districts that have been impacted the most.”
Drivers will be able to park at six city-owned garaged in the downtown and ByWard Market area.
The lots are located at:
- 210 Gloucester St.
- 234-250 Slater St.
- 422 Slater St.
- 70 Clarence St.
- 142 Clarence St.
- 110 Laurier Ave. W.
The estimated loss for the free parking is about $380,000 in parking revenue, also to be covered by reserve funds.
