OC Transpo ridership continues to dip‼️😳📉
Fewer people are using Ottawa’s transit system in 2026, with OC Transpo reporting just 5.6 million passenger trips in April compared to 5.9 million during the same month last year.
The decline marks the fourth consecutive month of lower ridership this year. According to a new report, lower passenger numbers contributed to a $9.8 million revenue shortfall during the first three months of 2026, helping push OC Transpo to a $7.2 million budget deficit.
The transit agency has faced a difficult start to the year, including thousands of cancelled bus trips due to a shortage of available buses caused by an aging fleet and delays in the arrival of new electric buses.
Riders have also been dealing with reduced O-Train service, as Line 1 has been operating with single-car trains since January. OC Transpo says regular double-car service on O-Train Line 1 is expected to return starting June 8.
Do you think OC Transpo can win riders back, or have to...
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