R1 Express Shuttle Begins Today

07/31/2023

This is a release from the City of Ottawa:

Good morning Mayor and Members of Council,

I am writing to provide a brief update on the service levels customers can expect today.

R1 service began this morning at 5am.\

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R1 bus service uses Albert and Slater streets:?

Westbound R1 buses are running on Albert Street, with stops at Bank and Kent
Eastbound R1 buses are running on Slater Street, with stops at Kent and O’Connor

Westbound R1 service is running from Blair to Tunney’s Pasture, stopping at each station, except for Lees

A shuttle operates between Lees, uOttawa, and Rideau stations:

Customers travelling to Lees station from the east can connect with the shuttle and eastbound R1 service at uOttawa station
Eastbound R1 service will continue to serve Lees station

A shuttle is running between Cyrville station and St-Laurent station to connect customers with R1 service

To supplement the existing R1 bus service, a new R1 Express shuttle will begin operating today and run westbound on weekday mornings and eastbound during weekday afternoons. This will offer our customers an additional travel option during the busiest commuting times.

The R1 Express will initially operate with 12 buses, running approximately once every 15 minutes. These buses are in addition to the 36 buses that continue to deliver the R1 bus service. OC Transpo will continue to monitor and make adjustments, where possible.

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R1 Express will operate on:

Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 8:30am: Blair Station to downtown with service on Mackenze King Bridge and on Albert Street at Bank and Kent
Monday to Friday from 3 to 6pm: Downtown with service on Slater Street at Bank and Kent and Mackenize King Bridge to Blair Station

The R1 Express buses are easily identifiable as R1 Lyon Express in the westbound direction and R1 Blair Express in the eastbound direction. There will also be staff and signage at stations to assist customers.

Further details on how the R1 Express service operated will be provided in the next update to Council.

Line 1 stations remain closed, and our staff are at major transit stations providing support to customers. Social media updates continue to be shared and customers are encouraged to check?OCTranspo.com for the latest information regarding their trip.

Later today, an update will be provided on the ongoing investigation and safe return to service, following the update provided on Friday.