NEWS
OC Transpo posts $7.2M deficit as ridership drops
Bus and rail service saw passenger trips fall to 14.4 million in Q1 2026, down from 19 million a year prior.
OC Transpo lost $7.2 million in the first three months of 2026, with combined bus and rail ridership dropping sharply to 14.4 million customer trips—down from 19 million during the same period last year.
The decline in fare revenue is the main driver of the deficit. The transit authority is now facing pressure to explain the drop and stabilize finances as summer demand typically climbs.
The shortfall comes as the city weighs service expansion plans and fare adjustments. Transit officials will need to address both ridership recovery and operational costs in upcoming budget discussions.