'It's OK to cry': Elizabeth gets back on the bus, with a little help

Elizabeth Langan is thanking Ottawa's bus-riding community for all its support aftershe boarded bus route 269 for the first time since she was involved in last week's fatal crash at Westboro station.

With her motherby her side and a transit buddy close by,provided by OC Transpo, Langan stepped onto adouble-decker bus Friday morning andimmediately recognized the driver.

"Morning, Elizabeth," he saidwith a smile.

Moments earlier, a fellow rider and friend gaveLangan a beaded bracelet for comfort, giving her theextra bit of confidence she needed.

"It gives energy and brings security," said the woman. "It brings love, confidence and calm, so this is for you to wear."

Several riders offered smiles and nods of encouragement, as she settled into priority seating, the same seat she was in when the bus crashed into the shelter last week.

OC Transpo offers support

Langan's mother, Lyne Filion, said she was contacted by OC Transpogeneral manager John Manconi on Thursday, after Langan's family posted photos of her on Facebook, asking for some help.

• If you see Elizabeth: Family asks OC Transpo riders to help daughter regain confidence

Filion said Manconi hadbeen touched by Langan's story and wanted to help make sure she returned to being the independent bus traveller she was before the crash.

"He understood completely that I didn't want Para Transpo, [because] that would not be helpful in thelong run," said Filion. "This is what is needed, is for her to get back into her routine, get back on the bus."

Manconi arranged to have an OC Transpo supervisor follow the bus downtown in case Langanneeded to get off and go home, and for a transit buddy to tag along until she's ready to travel alone.

"I'm very thankful," said Filion,"just really happy that they did this and they reached out to us."

Tears at Westboro station

Langanbobbed her head to music as the bus made its way through her Bridlewood neighbourhood, past the Eagleson park-and-ride and onto the Transitway.

"We gave Elizabeth strategies to listen to her music, a lot of friends and family are texting her this morningand sending her positive vibes, and so she's reading those now," said Filion.

But when the bus systemannounced Westboro station, Langan's mood shifted. Tears streamed downher face and shelooked ather motherwith fear in her eyes.

"Westboro," she said.

"You're OK, Elizabeth, you're safe," Filion replied, holding tightly onto her daugher's arm. "It's OKto cry."

As the bus zoomed by the station, pride beamed from Filion as Langan's tears gave way to a smile.

"You did it," she said.

The rest of the ride downtown went smoothly with light conversation about the art program Langan was headed to and her favourite characters on the soap opera TheYoung and the Restless.

When she stepped off the bus at Bay and Slater streets, the 25-year-old was all smiles, givinghigh-fives all around.