Will Transpo Survive Big Route Changes? CRERAR

In an attempt to increase ridership OC Transpo will roll out its latest gamble, New Ways to Bus at the end of April.

The benefits are straightforward; reduce carbon emissions, open up crowded roadways, slow down the further deterioration of our streets, and so on.

The big risk is yet another failed project by the city. Instead of taking a phased approach to this project, the city is planning to undertake all the changes at once, putting all their eggs in one basket so to speak, and hoping this time OC Transpo gets it right.

Local residences have received a bilingual foldout pamphlet in the shape of a bus, suitable for placement on their living room mantle, as well as a multi-page pamphlet/user guide entitled Connections To Move Us. As with all City of Ottawa projects, the pamphlet is full of catchphrases such as “Connect to more of your city,” “Plan your next trip” (how much planning should a simple bus ride from point A to point B require?), “We are here to help” (you can likely expect to hear the following message when you dial 613-560-5000 “Due to unexpected call volumes, wait times are longer than expected”).

Rather than finesse this latest project, senior city management has once again decided to make a leap of faith in the hope they’ll finally get everything right this time around. Will everything go as planned (assuming there is a plan) or will this be the death knell for OC Transpo?  We’ll find out soon. If I were a betting man …

Howard Crerar is a project manager and has worked in the software industry for three decades.

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