OC Transpo adds capacity to 10 bus routes for federal office return

OC Transpo announced it will add capacity to ten bus routes to accommodate the federal government’s shift to a four‑day‑in‑office work schedule beginning July 6, a move aimed at easing commuter frustration that has plagued the service.

Preparing for the return to office

Pat Scrimgeour, OC Transpo’s director of transit customer systems and planning, said the agency has used home‑and‑work location data supplied by the federal government to pinpoint the routes most likely to face increased demand【2】. The identified routes span the city and its suburbs, linking key employment hubs such as Tunney’s Pasture, Gatineau, and Innovation. While the exact number of additional trips has not been set, Scrimgeour confirmed that “extra trips” will be added where needed, signalling a proactive response to anticipated ridership spikes【2】.

Reliability concerns and federal pressure

A federal memo obtained by The Canadian Press highlighted persistent reliability issues, noting that the bus network “consistently fails to meet its performance targets” and is a primary source of commuter frustration【2】. This criticism has prompted senior officials, including Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia and deputy clerk Isabelle Mondou, to meet with Ottawa’s mayor to discuss system readiness【2】. The upcoming schedule change—most federal workers moving from three to four days in the office—intensifies pressure on OC Transpo to improve service levels ahead of the July 6 rollout【2】.

What to watch

• Route capacity updates – Monitor OC Transpo announcements for finalized extra‑trip schedules on the ten targeted routes.
• Ridership metrics – Watch weekly passenger counts on these routes for signs of congestion or improved on‑time performance.
• Federal office‑return timeline – Any adjustment to the July 6 start date could alter demand forecasts and capacity planning.

The agency’s capacity boost underscores the growing intersection of public‑sector staffing policies and urban transit planning, leaving commuters and policymakers alike watching closely for whether the added trips will resolve the long‑standing reliability gap.