========================================================================= O t t a w a T r a n s i t B u l l e t i n ========================================================================= J u l y 2 0 0 5 ========================================================================= ==> Notes before the News Welcome to the July issue of OTB, issued early on 28th June 2005. This is an earlier-than-usual edition, to announce Canada Day service and a few other items. No OTRA meetings are scheduled for this month. Watch the otra-discuss mailing list for further information. *** Canada Day Fri 1 July 2005 *** OC: Sunday schedule, with added trips on routes 1, 2, 7, 8, 85, 86, 95, 96, 97 - buses detoured on many central area streets through Canada Day - free shuttle between Majors Hill (Ottawa) and Jacques-Cartier (Hull) parks across Alexandra Bridge - 09h00-18h00, every 10 min. STO: Sunday schedule with various extra trips Free service after 10pm Canada Day on both OC and STO. *** Ontario Civic Holiday Mon 1 August 2005 *** OC: Sunday schedule with extra service on routes 8 and 95 STO: special schedule - check with STO for particular routes *** Next general schedule changes *** * OC: 5 September 2005 (http://www.octranspo.com) * STO: 29 August 2005 (http://www.sto.ca) ========================================================================= ==> In this issue (in order) ... * City approves massive fare increases in future years * TransPlan and other September changes * Sightings and Mysteries * Riders' Calendar * Contact us Thanks again: ------------- To those whose contributions, encouragement and feedback help make this issue of OTB possible. ========================================================================= ==> City approves massive fare increases in future years City Council went against a committee recommendation last month and approved a plan that would massively increase transit fares far beyond inflationary levels starting in 2006. The current 2005 fare increases remain as planned, at the traditional inflationary increase. At issue was the low cost recovery (about 51% of costs) that fares support. The remainder comes from taxes, and perhaps relatively small revenues from sources such as advertising. Unfortunately the decision fails to tackle the real problems in the transit system. Issues such as service efficiency and changing the way OC Transpo does business were avoided; these are the structural concerns that will continue to drag down the transit system. Higher fares will lead to loss of ridership. Loss of ridership will lead to loss of service. Therefore, the new fare plan will result in less service and more cost. The 2006 fare structure will be part of the 2006 budget. Information and debate on that should begin over the coming weeks. ========================================================================= ==> TransPlan and other September changes September route changes are now indicated at http://www.octranspo.com More details in next OTB (either a mid-July edition, or in August). Detailed route schedules should be available later this summer. ========================================================================= ==> Sightings and Mysteries 1. Mystery: Some articulated buses have wild combinations of rear door signs. Most of them correctly indicate that there is no rear door boarding except with regular or express pass. Some rear doors incorrectly state that there is no rear door boarding period. Others have an outdated sign that mentions the Transpass and Unipass as being valid to allow rear door boarding (the Transpass and Unipass names are long gone). 2. Sighting: Construction on the southwest transitway portion between Fallowfield and Nepean Sportsplex has begun in earnest. ========================================================================= ==> Riders' Calendar Fri 1 July - Canada Day - various service changes and detours Wed 6th July, 9:30am - Ottawa Transportation Committee, City Hall Thu 21st July, 7pm - Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee, City Hall. ========================================================================= ==> Contact us OTB welcomes letters and articles on transit topics - please e-mail them to: otra-info@flora.org - please note that typical editorial and content type rules may apply to letters or other contributions. Note that issues of OTB are available in various ways, including: OTRA website (includes back issues): http://otra.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca/otb/index.html OttawaStart Transit Guide - Ottawa Transit Bulletin is linked from here: http://www.ottawastart.com/transit.shtml ========================================================================= Ottawa Transit Bulletin (OTB) is a monthly electronic publication produced by the Ottawa Transit Riders Association (OTRA). It is primarily available in e-mail format. Distribution of this bulletin to those interested in Ottawa Transit is encouraged, but please 1) leave its contents unaltered, and 2) don't "spam" with it. Publication will normally be around the first day of each month (may vary slightly due to holidays, production and other circumstances). There may be special occasional bulletins beyond the base monthly frequency if news and special circumstances warrant. OTRA is an independent transit users group dedicated to supporting customers of transit services, and improving the quality of transit service. Neither OTRA nor OTB are directly associated with OC Transpo, or any other passenger transportation carrier. Viewpoints and content of OTB articles may not necessarily be those of OTRA. There is also the otra-discuss e-mailing list - available for subscription. Send an e-mail to majordomo@flora.org and enter as the first and only line of the message text: "subscribe otra-discuss" (without the quotes, though). Initial membership in OTRA is free - help OTRA to help transit riders by joining today! For more information on OTB and OTRA: E-Mail: otra-info@flora.org Web: http://www.flora.org/otra/ Mail: Suite 103, 797 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R3 =========================================================================