Khairallah: OC Transpo shouldn't be just for people without cars

I was a daily rider of OC Transpo, until I realized it no longer served me and it would be cheaper to own a car. That's not how public transit should work.

Published Dec 27, 2024  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Surely there are more imaginative ways to structure OC Transpo fares in order to encourage wider use. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

As a newcomer to Ottawa, living in Centretown, I depended on OC Transpo for transportation during my first three years in the city. Now that I have a car, I find myself never using public transit, preferring to drive or walk instead.

Why is it so? Is Ottawa public transit only for those who do not have a car or do not drive? It seems that public transit is solving a big problem for those without any other option, but once the option presents itself, the user will switch without looking back. It is a shame and a missed opportunity, for both the citizens and the city.

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I am a fervent defender of mobility and freedom of movement, and public transit has always aligned with these interests. If I could and it were a reasonable choice, I would depend on public transit alone and not drive, but the upcoming OC Transpo fare increases in 2025 and the shortage in transit offerings confirmed to me that, even as a resident of Centretown, if I could afford a car, the annual cost would be cheaper than combining public transit with other shared options such as car rentals, Communauto, Ubers and taxis.

Coming from a car-centric city with limited public transportation, I was initially happy with Ottawa’s public transit service. Despite frequent complaints from others, the transit system served me well daily, taking me to work, helping me visit family around town, and allowing me to access more affordable grocery stores outside of Centretown. This was when I had limited working hours per week, which gave me more time for “wasted” hours waiting for buses. “Wasted” is in quotation marks because I would much rather walk in cities, people-watch and daydream while waiting for buses than efficiently drive and tick items off to-do lists. But that’s called tourism. Back to our main subject: OC Transpo.

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The monthly pass was particularly wonderful. I had access to the entire web of buses anytime; I could hop on and off without worrying about my pass balance. During my first year in Canada, in Ottawa, the Équipass allowed me to access public transport for less than $60 a month. As a couple, we paid about $120 combined for monthly transportation. However, as our income increased, our transportation costs rose. The adult pass now cost around $125, and I needed it to access both OC Transpo and STO buses for work in Gatineau.

In our second and third years in Ottawa, we also relied on Uber, Lyft and Communauto for occasional weekend trips. These services were lifesavers for trips outside Ottawa, but that meant we were spending a minimum of $400 monthly on transportation, and up to $500 if we kept the Communauto car longer or drove it further than 100 kilometres.

Ultimately, purchasing a car proved more cost-effective for our mid-income family. Ottawa, as a city, is indeed (and unfortunately) a car city and not a train/bus city for a busy and active family, even when one lives in the centre.

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After three years of relying on public transport, this year I am missing the convenience of trains and buses, as a tourist would miss them and appreciate them, yet I am happy to have switched to a car.

The question now is: as an urban dweller, will I use OC Transpo services ever again?

Is public transit only for those who can’t afford a car, the student and the newcomer? That seems like a poor position to be in if Ottawa wants to be a sustainable capital with modern transportation. The key to incentivizing the use of public transportation is affordability and convenience — not just for lower-income people but for everyone.

The current price barrier-versus-convenience is significant, yet OC Transpo is missing an opportunity to attract occasional riders who use cars. Is there a way for the bus to compete with the car in convenience and for the price to be attractive? While some are asking for free public transportation for all, I wish OC Transpo would introduce occasional but abundant low-cost trip options: perhaps $2 rides on weekends, off-peak hours or Sundays, or better yet, a special pass for the occasional rider. Having a pass that’s already paid for makes it convenient to use without pre-planning.

Anything, really, so those who can afford to support the system don’t all end up leaving it forever. Such offerings could entice car owners like myself to use public transit more frequently, especially for the simple joy of train rides with children.

Céline Khairallah is a designer, artist and educator living and working in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

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