The NCC led
interprovincial transit study which was initiated in 2009 published
its concluding report in April 2013. It consists of a single
summary document together with a number of supporting documents
focused on specific sub-topics (long term network infrastructure
evolution, user experience harmonization, STO/OC Transpo bus
operations improvements, governance issues).
This final report recommends
tweaks to improve the operational integration between OC Transpo and
STO but does not recommend any major inter-provincial transit
changes until at least 2031 at which time it is suggested that the
STO Rapibus facility be converted to LRT with a link across the
Ottawa River west of downtown. The report identifies challenges to
finding a way to terminate this new interprovincial LRT line in
downtown Ottawa, outlines several possible
options (transfer all passengers to Ottawa east-west
LRT, operate through Ottawa's tunnel, or build a new line on
the surface in Ottawa's downtown) and leaves a final decision
to some time in the future.
In terms of STO bus operations in downtown Ottawa, the
report basically calls for the status quo of ~100
buses per hour (at rush hours) on Rideau/Wellington
streets for another 20 years. This is combined with 35 OC
Transpo buses per hour on the Rideau portion which together
translates to approximately 1 bus every 25 seconds (during rush
hours for another 20 years). Uninspiring to say
the least.
In the interim (between 2013 and 2031) the study
identifies the possibility of extending the existing O-Train across
the river. This will not address the core challenge of moving
large numbers of passengers to/from Ottawa's downtown. It's
main benefit would be allowing some interprovincial passengers
better connections between points south and west in Ottawa and
Gatineau's downtown without them needing to connect through existing
downtown transit routes. This would help to reduce slightly
the number of STO buses downtown. Similarly, a potential new
bridge at Kettle Island could carry some bus routes which would
enable some transit trips between the east sides of both cities
without those passengers needing to transit through the
downtown. This too helps reduce slightly the number of STO
buses in Ottawa's downtown. As I understood
it, the O-Train interprovincial extension and bus
routes on a Kettle Is bridge are peripheral initiatives
and not core to the long term interprovincial
transit evolution .
More detailed
information about the results of the study and the CCC's involvement
can be found on this interprovincial transit study
webpage.
This is the NCC's interprovincial transit study website.
