Transit Commission

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Transit Commission Budget Book (English full version) is amended at page 47 to replace the narrative text in account 911730 (Operations Support Vehicles – Growth 2025) with the following correct narrative text: This project will fund the purchase of two growth vehicles for Stage 2 for operational requirements and two additional Supervisor vehicles for the expanded system. The project also includes vehicles for Public Works for maintenance and snow removal at Park and Ride lots on the expanded O-Train Line 2.

Moved on behalf of the Long Range Financial Plan Transit Working Group: WHEREAS the City of Ottawa is committed to fostering affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity for all residents, especially seniors who rely heavily on public transit; WHEREAS all seniors in Ottawa in 2024 received a discount of 62% off the price of a regular adult monthly pass, which is significantly above the average discount offered by comparable municipalities across Canada, and is a larger discount than the EquiPass offered to economically disadvantaged residents; and WHEREAS all seniors in Ottawa, regardless of their income, currently pay less than low-income residents on the EquiPass and ride for free on Wednesdays and Sundays; and WHEREAS the draft 2025 City budget included an increase in fares and the removal of free seniors days on Wednesdays and Sundays; and WHEREAS free transit on Wednesdays for seniors was a valued program that encouraged transit usage among this demographic, contributing to community participation, reducing isolation, and supporting seniors with limited incomes; WHEREAS maintaining free transit days on Wednesdays and adjusting the senior discount to 42% off the price of an adult monthly pass would align Ottawa more closely with similar cities and reflect the City’s commitment to equitable transit access, with seniors paying $78.50 compared to the regular adult fare of $135.00; WHEREAS low-income seniors in Ottawa will continue to be eligible for the EquiPass, which offe

WHEREAS the U-Pass agreements between the city and four post-secondary institutions —Algonquin College, Carleton University, St. Paul University and the University of Ottawa—have proven successful for more than a decade, providing students with a means of navigating our city and OC Transpo with a steady and sizable revenue stream; and WHEREAS in recent years, revenue from the U-Pass has accounted for 19% to 27% of OC Transpo revenues, annually; and WHEREAS encouraging transit use provides financial and environmental benefits to the city; and WHEREAS Ottawa’s U-Pass price is among the highest—if not the absolute highest—U-Pass price in Canada; and WHEREAS the city has an agreement with each of the four institutions to limit annual price increases to 2.5%; and WHEREAS any increase beyond 2.5% would require agreement between the city and each of the schools; and WHEREAS maintaining the integrity of the U-Pass program is vital for OC Transpo and the city’s transportation system; and WHEREAS school tuition and budgets for the 2025 Winter Term are already set and consultation did not occur on the proposed changes to long-standing U-Pass agreements; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Transit Commission recommend that Council approve that: Staff be directed to enter into negotiations and consultations with the four affected post-secondary institutions’ administration and students, prior to the 2025 Fall Academic Term, to achieve the budgeted revenue targets as approved by Council on Dece

BE IT RESOLVED that the Councillor Brockington Motion (on behalf of Councillor Bradley) re: seniors fares be

WHEREAS for more than a decade, the city has had an agreement with post-secondary institutions in the city to implement a U-Pass program for college and university students in Ottawa; and WHEREAS until this year, children 12 and under could ride OC Transpo for free; and WHEREAS this year, OC Transpo will be implementing a new fare class for children 11 or 12 years of age, eliminating free transit for this age group; and WHEREAS establishing a u-pass for under 18 students would assist them attending school, extracurricular activities, personal engagements and work; and WHEREAS it is to the benefit of the city to establish new generations comfortable with transit ridership and the potential for life long transit users ; and WHEREAS some economies of scale exist and duplication of transportation that could bring new affordable benefits to residents of Ottawa and the Province; and WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and local school boards to provide and pay for transportation for students who require busing to attend school; and WHEREAS extending a U-Pass for under 18 students—without receiving appropriate funding from the Ministry of Education and/or local school boards—would create a budget pressure for OC Transpo; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Transit Commission recommend that Council direct staff, in collaboration with city elected officials, to explore and work in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and local school boards on the feasibili

WHEREAS during the 2018-2022 Transit Commission, the Commission directed the General Manager to increase advertising revenues, particularly via ad space on public transit vehicles and in public transit stations; WHEREAS all-types of advertising opportunities remain grossly underutilized in stations, in public transit vehicles, on the exterior of public transit vehicles and in bus shelters; WHEREAS direction has previously been given to OC Transpo management to increase the number of free transit days sponsored by corporate, community partner or other interested parties; WHEREAS opportunities remain to increase rental and lease opportunities as well; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Transit Services staff be directed to bring a report to the Commission by Q2 2025, illustrating a plan to increase revenues associated with rentals, retail leases, advertising and sponsorships by 10% in 2025 and another 10% in 2026.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Councillor Lo Motion re: UTA-RTA Boundary be

BE IT RESOLVED that the Brockington Motion (on behalf of Councillor Devine) re: youth fares be

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Transit Commission recommend that Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, approve the Transit Commission 2025 Draft Operating and Capital Budgets, as follows: Transit Services as follows: User fees (pages 8-9); Operating Resource Requirement (page 6-7); Transit Commission Capital Budget (page 10-11, individual projects listed on pages 20-51, including page 47 as amended). For (6) G. Gower, T. Tierney, J. Leiper, C. Curry, D. Hill, and M. Carr Against (3) R. Brockington, S. Menard, and W. Lo