OC Transpo launching recruitment drive to hire 280 more bus operators

A big recruitment drive is being launched in the near future by OC Transpo in an attempt to acquire 280 new bus operators.

A new federal labour code mandates a 30 minute break after five hours of work leading to more drivers being needed. 

The City of Ottawa already approved the hiring of 80 new drivers, but this new mandate means 200 more are needed to successfully operate the transit system in the city.

“The Canada Labour Code (CLC) break requirement is the law, and we are following it,” said OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar to the City of Ottawa's transit commission on May 18. 

Not only are more drivers needed due to the new labour code, more drivers are needed as a result of attrition, light rail transit expansion, retirement, and employees moving to new roles within the organization.

“We are in a period of transition, and we are navigating our best plan of services around these mandated changes,” said Amilcar.