OC Transpo faced significant challenges with bus cancellations on key routes during a troublesome week. Between January 4 and 10, approximately six percent of all scheduled bus trips were canceled due to a shortage of buses, with certain busy routes experiencing even higher cancellation rates. Downtown routes such as the 6, 7, 5, 11, 12, and 14 were notably affected.
These routes have been consistently flagged as unreliable in OC Transpo’s monthly reports to the transit committee. However, the situation worsened during this period, with all listed routes experiencing cancellation rates exceeding 10 percent.
Local representatives, including Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster and Coun. Shawn Menard from Capital ward, expressed dismay over the situation, with residents reporting long waits due to multiple consecutive bus cancellations. OC Transpo acknowledged that canceling trips is a last resort under extreme circumstances, attributing the recent bus shortage to the issue.
In addition to the bus shortage, OC Transpo faced further service disruptions as it removed train cars from Line 1 of the O-Train due to a mechanical problem, leading to potential overcrowding on trains and platforms.
Various council members, such as Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr, highlighted the urgency of addressing the bus cancellations, particularly on routes like 5 and 6, which are vital for their constituencies. OC Transpo explained that frequent routes are more susceptible to cancellations during system-wide issues due to their high ridership and trip frequency.
The transit agency emphasized the need to prioritize frequent routes for cancellations during bus shortages, as it causes less disruption compared to less frequent routes. However, this policy disproportionately affects areas within the Greenbelt, as noted by Menard.
OC Transpo attributed the surge in bus cancellations to an aging bus fleet and a shortage of mechanics. Menard advocated for immediate action, suggesting the acquisition of more used buses and the deployment of additional mechanics to address repair backlogs promptly.
While Carr raised concerns about the feasibility of reallocating mechanics due to licensing requirements, Menard proposed exploring options for licensed mechanics who previously worked for OC Transpo. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe acknowledged the challenges but assured the public of ongoing efforts to enhance bus reliability gradually.
Despite the pressing issues faced by OC Transpo, the agency is committed to resolving the reliability concerns and improving the overall public transit system.
