OC Transpo ridership jumps 10 percent on key routes as feds return to office
Summer commuter traffic is already climbing on seven bus routes as the federal government's return-to-office mandate takes hold. The city is adding service ahead of an expected surge this fall.
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OC Transpo is seeing early signs of the traffic surge the city prepared for this summer. Ridership on seven key bus routes increased by about 10 per cent compared to summer 2025, data released Friday, August 21 shows.
The affected routes — 5, 8, 13, 24, 61, 63, and 66 — were flagged by the city based on federal data about where public servants live and work. All carry commuters into downtown. Two other routes the city earmarked, 74 and 75, saw drops year over year, likely due to the opening of O-Train Line 2; route 62 saw no notable change.
The federal government's return-to-office mandate kicked in July 6. The city is now bracing for an additional 65,000 transit trips each week starting in September as workers return from vacation and students head back to school. Last month, city councillors unanimously approved a 48-point transit plan to manage the increase.
OC Transpo will add multiple trips to each affected route and along "key corridors" starting August 30. New service includes six direct bus trips to Gatineau from Barrhaven and Kanata, 20 express trips from park-and-ride lots to Tunney's Pasture Station, the Department of Defence Carling Campus and the Kanata North tech park, plus 10 express trips to Blair Station. OC Transpo General Manager Rick Leary said he is "very comfortable" the plan will handle the demand, though not all councillors share his confidence. Some have predicted the fall will bring traffic "hell."
Will the 48-point transit plan's new bus routes and expanded schedules actually prevent the traffic congestion some councillors are predicting?
Why did it take a federal return-to-office mandate for the city to implement service improvements residents have requested for years?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How much did ridership increase on key OC Transpo routes?
Ridership on seven key bus routes increased by about 10 percent compared to summer 2025, according to data released on Friday, August 21, 2026.
When did the federal government's return-to-office mandate start?
The federal government's return-to-office mandate kicked in on July 6, 2026.
What new service is OC Transpo adding?
Starting August 30, 2026, OC Transpo will add six direct bus trips to Gatineau from Barrhaven and Kanata, 20 express trips from park-and-ride lots to Tunney's Pasture Station, the Department of Defence Carling Campus and the Kanata North tech park, plus 10 express trips to Blair Station.
How many additional transit trips does the city expect weekly starting in September?
The city is bracing for an additional 65,000 transit trips each week starting in September 2026 as workers return from vacation and students head back to school.
