OC Explained: Major Events
Illustration of customers and a bus at TD Place
Ottawa is a fun city. Anyone who disagrees hasn’t been to one of our amazing major events such as Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada Day, a Redblacks game or Bluesfest.
Helping thousands of attendees get to and from these major events is where we come in. Whether you’re travelling by train, bus or Para Transpo, we carefully work with event organizers to make sure getting to and from the event is as seamless as possible.
Just like how a football team has a playbook that guides how various positions will help them score a touchdown, we also have a playbook for major events. Let’s look at a Redblacks football game as an example of how our teams prepare for major events in Ottawa and how we help get you there.
What is your playbook for major events?
Every year, our team provides special support to more than 150 events. Extensive planning and significant day-of coordination take place to make sure we can get you to and from these major events.
There is no such thing as a typical event. They are all different and require different levels of support.
For events at Lansdowne, where attendance can exceed 20,000 people, we have an agreement that includes a transit and transportation plan. Ticketed events at Lansdowne, such as Redblacks games, allow attendees to ride OC Transpo for free, with the cost built into the ticket prices. This means we see a lot of additional riders on game days and our teams need to work closely with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to incorporate game day service into our regular schedule for summer and fall.
Some events have a lot of notice (6+ months in advance), while others require us to adapt quickly with less notice. The Service Planning team will typically look ahead to the year’s events, including the Redblacks’ season, and begin preparing months in advance.
First, the City of Ottawa’s Special Events Advisory Team (SEAT), organizers and other City service representatives meet to discuss the event and its needs.
Those considerations are brought back to the OC Transpo team, who:
- Review service information and feedback from the prior year’s events with similar attendance to plan service
- Look at tickets scanned, passenger counts and reports from staff
- Review construction projects to assess what may impact service to plan detours or stop adjustments
The Scheduling, Booking and Fleet teams work together to ensure that bus operators and additional staff are available. Considerations like other events that could be scheduled on the same day as a football game can heavily impact resources.
Customer service and Information teams are notified of available service and relevant passenger information like bus schedules and how to access free service with your event ticket. They inform passengers through social media, on our website, and are ready to answer any questions by phone.
At TD Place, Operations staff plan where to stage buses ahead of the event, including predefined pickup and drop-off locations for ParaTranspo, and notify customers about these arrangements. A supervisor on-site calls on the buses and directs them based on demand.
Managing the departures of attendees after an event requires a hands-on approach. Part of the game plan to ensure that operations run smoothly involves creating a plan in advance for staff to reference. This plan will include information about detours, sample event tickets and any other details relevant to the event.
Who are the key players?
There are many roles working together to move thousands of people to and from events. Transit Supervisors, Superintendents, Bus Operators, Event Coordinators and more are all working together to ensure service runs smoothly.
OC Transpo event staff can usually be seen wearing yellow vests, some with a radio in hand, on location working to problem-solve with the event organizer or helping our operations team.
Staff are also situated in the Transit Operations Control Centre working with City partners and event organizers.
Ahead of a Redblacks game, our teams work with TD Place staff to see what the ticket count is for that day’s game.
The team assesses changes to the on-street landscape that may impede or pose a hazard for passengers and pedestrians. The Transit Superintendent goes over the game plan for the evening and will check in with our Para Transpo Supervisor to see how their service is going.
OC Transpo typically receives an update regarding tickets scanned at half-time which is passed on to staff so they can strategize how buses are being brought up for departure and discuss the general atmosphere at the game.
Staff on site also relay information to Supervisors and Superintendents for bus service which allows staff to call up buses in advance, so they are ready to receive passengers.
After a large event, staff share feedback with event organizers to help improve how OC Transpo plans for future events.
Tips for travelling to major events
Are you planning on taking transit to an upcoming event? Use the Travel Planner to plan your trip in advance and sign up for alerts to see how service will change. Check with event organizers to find out if your travel on transit is covered by the cost of your entry ticket.
