Dec. 12: Winter 2025 Transit Service Changes

The purpose of this memo is to provide an overview of OC Transpo’s winter service changes, effective Sunday, December 22, 2024, and Monday, January 6, 2025. Regular schedule adjustments take place four times a year – spring, summer, fall and winter – and memos are provided in advance of each new schedule period.

The winter service change includes the following:

• Service adjustments in preparation for the opening of O-Train Lines 2 and 4
• Parallel bus service supporting O-Train Lines 2 and 4
• Seasonal service changes

Service adjustments in preparation for the opening of O-Train Lines 2 and 4

Starting on Sunday, December 22, Routes 74, 198, 278 and 406 will be extended to Limebank Station, and Line 2 buses will be renamed to B2 buses.

O-Train Lines 2 and 4 are planned to open on Monday, January 6, initially operating only Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday service will be added in the following weeks.

When Sunday service has been added and O-Train Lines 2 and 4 are running seven days a week, Route 99 will be revised to make an additional O-Train connection at Limebank Station.

The New Ways to Bus network, as developed through the 2023 Bus Route Review, will be implemented in April 2025 and more complete details of those changes will be provided in advance.

Parallel bus service supporting O-Train Lines 2 and 4

During the phased opening of O-Train Lines 2 and 4, bus routes will offer parallel service to assist customers in making the transition to the new train lines and to provide a backup in case of service disruptions.

• B2 buses will continue to operate between Bayview and South Keys stations, serving all O-Train stations.
• Route 97 will continue to operate between Airport and Hurdman stations, making connections with the new lines at Airport, South Keys, Greenboro, and Walkley stations.
• Route 99 will continue to operate between Barrhaven Centre and Greenboro stations (extending to Hurdman Station during peak periods), and will connect with the new lines at Leitrim, South Keys, Greenboro, and Walkley (peak only) stations, as well as at Limebank once seven-day service has begun on Lines 2 and 4.

In addition, a bus will stand by at, or near, Limebank Station when O-Train Line 2 is in operation, to provide alternate service in the event of a service disruption.

Seasonal Service Changes

Holiday Service

• Christmas Week – Monday, December 23, Tuesday, December 24 and Friday, December 27, 2024 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O- Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with peak period service every five minutes. B2 buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.
• Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25, 2024 – Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a Sunday schedule. B2 buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Shopper Route 303 will not operate.
• Boxing Day – Thursday, December 26, 2024 – Bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule, with additional resources available to supplement busy routes as required. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a Saturday schedule. B2 buses will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• New Year’s Week – Monday, December 30, Tuesday, December 31, Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with peak period service every five minutes. B2 buses will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.
• New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31, 2024 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with additional resources available to supplement busy routes as required. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced Friday schedule from 5 am to 2 am, with peak period service every five minutes. B2 buses will operate on a special schedule from 5:45 am, extended to 1 am. Para Transpo will operate until 3 am. Free transit service will be provided after 6 pm on trains, buses, and Para Transpo courtesy of Safer Roads Ottawa and MADD Ottawa and Area.
• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a Sunday schedule. B2 buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Shopper Route 303 will not operate.
• Family Day – Monday, February 17, 2025 – Bus service will operate on a normal weekday schedule. O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. Service on the 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on this day; however, school trips on regular routes will operate.
• March Break – Monday, March 10, to Friday, March 14, 2024 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with peak period service every five minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.
• Good Friday – Friday, April 18, 2025 – Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• Easter Monday – Monday, April 21, 2025 – Bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, with peak period service every five minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. School service including 600-series routes will not operate as schools will be closed on these days.

Customer Information

Full details of these service changes will be communicated to customers throughout the rest of December. OC Transpo has several customer-friendly applications and tools to assist customers in accessing timely information about our service while on the go. These include texting 560560 for real-time bus schedule information, downloading the Transit app, signing up for text alerts to receive the latest information, checking transit information screens at many major stations, as well as visiting octranspo.com. Real-time information is also available by calling 613-560-1000 plus the bus stop number.

Once the winter service changes begin on December 22 and once O-Train Lines 2 and 4 open on January 6, customers can find up-to-date schedules and real-time information by using these applications and tools. Please direct customers to octranspo.com or to the OC Transpo Customer Service Centre (613-560-5000) for more information.

These winter service changes will be evaluated based on feedback we collect from customers and operating staff, as well as ridership and operational data measurements. Our goal is to continue to provide excellent service for customers as their travel needs change.

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Pat Scrimgeour, Director, Transit Customer Systems and Planning, at extension 52205.