LRT service cuts spark anger among riders, councillors

Two major service reductions announced last week to Ottawa's LRT service have left transit riders and city councillors feeling some strong emotions.

LastMonday, OC Transpoannounced that as ofAug.26, trains on the Confederation Line wouldrun every 10 minutes from9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Then on Friday, a memo to council confirmed that changewould be accompanied by an evening reduction in service, with trains alsorunning every 10 minutes from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The changes would double the current length of time riders wait for Confederation Line trains during what the agency describes as "off-peak" hours.

OC Transpo said the Aug. 26 start date should give riders including students returning to class and federal workers heading back to the office more frequently enough time to prepare.

Vansh Sharma makes several transfers to getto both Algonquin College and work in downtown Ottawaand fearsthe impact the reductions will have on their commute.

"It's not about five or 10 minutes," Sharma said, adding that a 10-minute wait for the train comes on top of waiting for the bus which can often take 30 minutes.

Robert McBrydedoesn't have a car, so he relies on public transit. He said he was disappointed after moving to Ottawa after living in places like Dijon, France, that have a bustling transit system.

"In Ottawa it's been very sad," he said."It's been heartbreaking for us as public transit enthusiasts to see these problems."

Small changes like scheduling cuts can contribute to whatsome call a "transit death spiral," McBryde said. They candissuade a few riders from using transithere and there, he said, leading to significantly reduced ridership over time.

"The fewer trains there are, the fewer riders there'll be and it's just going to deteriorate," McBryde said. "The system in Ottawa is appalling anyway."

'A concerning thing'

Independent transit and data research consultantWillemKlumpenhouwertoldCBCthat service reductions,in addition to delays and other issues, can eroderider trust.

"Less service is always a concerning thing,"Klumpenhouwersaid.

One thing that's worked for Canadian transit systems that want to boost ridership, he said, isincreasing frequency across fewer routes.

But for transit rider Roger Ferland, OC Transpo's changes seemto make sense.

"If it's based on economics ...then they should do it," Ferland said. "Instead ofrunning trainsthat [won't be] even half full."

OC Transpo said if demand rises, it will increase the frequency of trains again.

Councillors could be 'pushing back'

At city hall, councillors are gearing up to discuss the changes when meetings resume.

"There is no sugar-coating that our transit service faces a major funding gap," wrote KitchissippiCoun. Jeff Leiperin a newsletter to constituents Friday.

"I believe at least some of my colleagues will be joining me in pushing back at this when next council meets."

His colleague, College Coun. Laine Johnson,published a post on X(formerly Twitter) on Friday while she was on vacation, stating she was"incredibly angry" about the cuts.

The city's light rail subcommittee does not meet again until Aug. 29, three days after the changes are set to go into effect.

Regular council meetings aren't expected to resume until September.