OC Transpo
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OC Transpo is a company providing transit service to the communities that make up the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Some OC Transpo routes also provide service to the downtown core of the nearby city of Gatineau, Quebec.
Formed in 1973, OC Transpo currently has a fleet of 898 buses that run on regular streets and a dedicated roadway bus rapid transit system known as the Transitway.
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In 2001, a pilot diesel-powered light rail service project, known as the O-Train, was introduced. The local government has announced expansion plans for the light rail to other parts of Ottawa, including a possible link to the Ottawa International Airport. Service to Gatineau would also be possible, as a nearby rail bridge exists over the Ottawa River.
OC Transpo also administers a door to door transportation service, known as Para Transpo, for persons with disabilities that prevent them from being able to use OC Tranpo's regular, fixed-route transit service.
For a number of years, OC Transpo has carried bicycle racks on some routes as a part of the "Rack&Roll" campaign. These racks carry up to two bicycles at the front of the bus, and fold up against the bus when not in use. Although it started only on three routes, it has been expanded to include routes 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 85, 95, 96, 97, 118 and 180, and all articulated (long) buses. Traditionally, the racks have only been available between April and October, and there has been much debate over continuing the program throughout the year; however, cyclists may use the racks at any time on any bus that is equipped with a rack, provided there is room for him or her in the bus.
The system derives its name from the initials of the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, which was merged into the City of Ottawa in 2001.
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Fares
(All fares as of 1 May 2005) OC Transpo has 3 levels of fares for its buses:
- Regular fare (Currently $2.60, or 2 tickets.)
- Express fare (Currently $3.75, or 3 tickets.)
- Rural fare (Currently $4.75, or 4 tickets.)
Children 6 to 11 can ride for $1.75, or 1 ticket, and children under 6 ride free.
Tickets must be pre-purchased, and are available at outlets throughout Ottawa. Tickets are $0.90 each.
Conventional service is free for anyone in a wheelchair, scooter, or using a walker -- provided the bus they are boarding can accommodate them.
O-Train tickets are $2.00 each, and are valid for 120 minutes. A ticket can be exchanged for a 90-minute transfer when boarding any regular-fare bus.
Day passes are $6.50 if purchased on the bus, and $6.00 if pre-purchased.
Passes are as follows:
- Regular adult monthly: $63.00
- Express adult monthly: $78.00
- Adult rural monthly: $98.00
- Regular student monthly: $51.75
- Express student monthly: $60.00
- Rural student monthly: $78.50
- Regular student annual: $497.00
- Express student annual: $576.00
- Senior 65+ monthly: $25.75
To use any of the above passes, the passenger must also have a valid OC Transpo photo ID, which is available for $6.25 for adults, and $4.25 for students.
ECOPASSes are also available through selected employers in the city, which provide OC Transpo riders with single-card indefinite passes in exchange for a percentage of their paycheque deducted monthly.
Transfers are free upon boarding. They are valid for 90 minutes in any direction.
Current roster
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- 1 Ford Minibus (1998) for Para Transpo
- approx. 40 General Motors Diesel Division T6H-5307N's (gradually being retired; 1978-1982)
- approx. 45 General Motors Diesel Division TC40102N Classics (gradually being retired; 1985, 1987)
- 1 GMC Minibus (1997) for Para Transpo
- 55 Motor Coach Industries (MCI) TC40102N Classics (1988-1989, 1991)
- 20 NovaBus LFS (1997)
- 30 NovaBus TC40102A Classics (1993)
- 82 New Flyer Industries D40HF's (1989-1990, 1992)
- approx. 110 New Flyer Industries D40i (Inveros) (2004, 2005 currently entering service, more expected 2006)
- 227 New Flyer Industries D60LF's (2000-2004)
- approx. 155 Orion Bus Industries Orion V's 05.501 (first batch gradually being retired) 1990-1992, 1998-1999)
- 140 Orion Bus Industries Orion VI's 06.501 (1999-2000)
- 3 Bombardier/Adtranz Talent BR643 DMU's - O-Train (2001)
Retired roster
- Flyer Industries D800B (1974, 1978)
- General Motors Diesel Division TDH-5105 (1960s)
- General Motors Diesel Division T8H-5307A (1973) - second hand from Santa Monica Bus Lines
- General Motors Diesel Division T6H-5307N (1974-1977)
- General Motors Diesel Division New Look TDH-5301, 03, 05 (1960s)
- General Motors Diesel Division TA60-102N (1981-1982)
- General Motors Diesel Division TC40-102N Classic (1984)
- Orion Bus Industries I 01.501 (1978-1980, 1982-1983)
- Orion Bus Industries II 02.501 (1985, 1992)
- Orion Bus Industries II Propane 02.501 (1996) - second hand from Phoenix Valley Metro?
- Crown Ikarus 286 Articulated (Orion Bus Industries III) (1985-1988)
- Crown Ikarus 286 Articulated (Orion Bus Industries III) (1987-1989) - second hand from TTC
- Twin Coach 38-S (1950s)
- Western Flyer D700A (1970)
The year of manufacture of each OC Transpo bus can be figured out by its bus number. The first two digits of the bus number are the last two digits of the bus's year. i.e., bus # 8204 was built in 1982. For buses built after 2000 (starting with the Orion VI), the first number will be either a 4 (for a 40-foot bus) or a 6 (for a 60-foot bus). The next three digits are the order number (i.e., 4001 = first bus ordered, 4060 = 60th ordered).
Other
Advertising on OC Transpo (bus shelters, bus ads, etc...) are contracted to Pattison Outdoor Advertising.
See also
- Société de transport de Montréal
- TransLink (British Columbia)
- Toronto Transit Commission
- Ottawa Rapid Transit
- Société de Transport de l'Outaouais (STO) in Hull and Gatineau QC
External link
- OC Transpo Website (http://www.octranspo.com/)