Some OC Transpo fall bus schedule changes coming this weekend

Changes are coming to some OC Transpo bus schedules and routes this Labour Day weekend as customers return to work and school. 

A couple of the biggest changes are being made to downtown Routes 11 and 19 on September 1, in preparation for the opening of O-Train Line 1 on September 14.

Labour Day

On Monday, September 2, OC Transpo will operate a Sunday schedule, meaning only those routes that normally run on Sundays will be in service. This will also be the last day for summer service to museums and recreational destinations on Routes 129, 139 and 185. 

The DayPass will be valid as a Family Pass on Labour Day. 

Para Transpo will operate a holiday service on Monday. Regular scheduled trips are automatically cancelled, but customers may book trips for Labour Day by calling 613-244-7272 on or after August 26.

Changes at Parliament Station in preparation for the opening of O-Train Line 1

Route 11 service will be removed from Slater Street, Metcalfe Street, and Wellington Street and will be revised to run on Queen Street to Parliament Station. Customers can catch Route 11 at Elgin Street and Sparks Street and bus stops on Queen Street. Route 19 service will be removed from Albert Street between Elgin Street and Bank Street and from Slater Street between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. Customers can catch Route 19 at bus stops on Queen Street outside Parliament Station and at Slater Street and Metcalfe Street.

Signs of change at bus stops

Customers will notice changes at their stop, including new bus stop signs, schedules and maps. 

With almost 6,000 stops across the city, OC Transpo is preparing for the network-wide service change that will take place on October 6, three weeks after the launch of the Confederation Line. Current bus service will remain in place until then and up-to-date maps and schedules are available online, or by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the four-digit bus stop number. 

Customers can find out how their trip will change after October 6 by using the Travel Planner at octranspo.com.

Back to school for students

Special service to French language schools resumed on Tuesday, August 27, while service to English language schools starts Tuesday, September 3. 

École secondaire publique Omer-Deslauriers

School Route 696 will be replaced by extensions on Route 96. In addition, a new morning trip will be added on Route 689 and select Route 689 trips will be extended to the Alta Vista neighbourhood.

Students and parents can visit their school board website to see if they are eligible for a school board transit pass. Other customers aged 13-19 can get a Youth discount set on their Presto card at an OC Transpo Customer Service Centre or Shoppers Drug Mart/Loblaws/Real Canadian Superstore locations with proof of age.

Fall/Winter U-Pass

Eligible university and college students can pick up or reload their 2019-20 U-Pass on campus at Carleton University, Saint Paul University, the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College. The Fall/Winter U-Pass is valid from September 1, 2019 until April 30, 2020. The 2019 Summer U-Pass expires August 31.

Fall construction detours

Several bus routes will continue to be affected by construction this fall. Customers on the following routes should give themselves extra travel time:

• Routes 5 and 14 — Detoured downtown due to the Elgin Street Renewal Project
• Routes 12, 14, 18 and 19 — Service may be impacted by construction on Montréal Road between North River Road and the Vanier Parkway
• Routes 40 and 48 — Service may be impacted by construction on St-Laurent Boulevard and Walkley Road
• Routes 228 and 302 — Service may be impacted by construction on Navan Road between Renaud Road and Mer Bleue Road
• Routes 252 and 256 — Service may be impacted by construction on Old Richmond Road between West Hunt Club Road and Hope Side Road

Real-time schedule information is available 24 hours a day by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the four-digit bus stop number. For more details, travel planning assistance and new timetables, customers are encouraged to visit octranspo.com for detailed information. Customers can also call OC Transpo at 613-741-4390 if needed.