Some of the proposed OC Transpo route changes on the table for this fall are along the Trim Road corridor, where transit users would see amended express service and expanded local routes.
The aim of the suggested modifications is to “straighten out and simplify” Orléans-based routes, explained Cheryl Savage, a city transit planner, at the Cardinal Creek Community Association’s Thursday, April 2 meeting. One of the main changes being considered is to express route 22, a long-time a source of frustration for residents along Trim.
“A lot of people get stuck at Place d’Orléans (waiting for a 22),” recounted Sean Crossan, past president and current planning and development director for the association, with some delayed up to 20 or 30 minutes before another bus arrives.
The line – which currently runs from Valin Street to Lebreton Flats – is being proposed for an alteration which would continue buses down Valin instead of crossing a section of Trim Road, an idea applauded by many residents in attendance at last week’s meeting.
“It’s proposed for this fall, so we’re looking for comments from the public,” Savage added.
Another move that received positive feedback was increased local service for the area, in particular plans to extend routes up to North Service Road past the future La Cité collégiale campus.
At the meeting, residents cited complaints of waiting in the cold for buses running behind schedule or too crowded to take on more passengers once they arrived, including some who suggested they have switched to carpooling or driving because of frustrations with east-end transit service.
“Definitely we have a capacity issue,” Crossan added.
In response to concerns about current overcrowding on routes like the 22, the fleet is still “not quite up to full compliment,” Savage explained. The Trim Road corridor, however, “may get a few more buses as things develop,” she suggested, also pointing to increased options in the future for switching buses and using a network of routes.
Full capacity at the Trim Road Park & Ride is another issue, continued resident Sandra Anthony, who estimated the lot is at 80 per cent on a typical weekday. She pointed to service between Trim and Place d’Orléans as where many of the problems arise, indicating there is a three- to five-hour period where east-end riders meet serious difficulties trying to get transit service.
“There’s definitely a gap there,” Anthony said.
Even more frustrating is that while city residents pay for such facilities via transit fees in municipal taxes, they are also being used by commuters from beyond Ottawa’s limits, recounted Crossan.
“I would like to see OC Transpo implement (a system with tickets for residents),” he explained, adding that such an initiative would free up space in area Park & Rides and reduce transit fees. “It’s a major issue in the east end.”
According to city planners, while capacity for water infrastructure is manageable in the east end, ensuring reliability is still an issue of concern with ongoing growth in the area. To that end, several future upgrades are in the works, including a second water main to serve Orléans. Work will be completed along St. Joseph and Orléans boulevards, as well as Trim Road, within the next several years. The Trim location in particular – which will also coincide with further residential development in that area – should see advancements this year or in 2010, according to planners, funded via development charges and water rates.
