Dear Gloucester-Southgate Residents,
I’d like to take a moment to inform you about some significant changes to local bus routes that will soon be implemented. Prior to getting into the specifics, I’d like to share a bit of background as to how we arrived at these changes.
These updates are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve the reliability of public transit, and align with the OC Transpo’s five-year roadmap. Over the past few years, a comprehensive review of bus routes was conducted in response to the evolving travel pattern in the wake of the pandemic. This process included extensive consultations with customers, Councillors and operators throughout 2023 and 2024.
Based on the feedback gathered, a new network has been developed and will launch on April 27th, 2025. While some of these changes are positive, it’s important to acknowledge that certain areas may see a reduction in service levels.
I have been a passionate advocate for our transit system and for securing more sustainable funding for transit. The reality, however, is that transit continues to face funding challenges, and the new network reflects the balance between maintaining service and increasing reliability. I want to assure you that I remain committed to pushing for the resources necessary to strengthen this essential service to ensure that transit is an option for everyone.
What’s Changing?
Several bus routes in our community will undergo modifications starting April 27th, 2025. These changes are designed to encourage use of the O-Train and Transitway as the spine of the network, will provide daytime service at least every 15 minutes on Rapid and Frequent bus routes, and will provide service every 30 minutes on remaining local and connection routes.
Key Changes:
Route 40 – Frequent
Will be changed south of St-Laurent Boulevard to run on Conroy Road, Queensdale Avenue, Albion Road, Bridle Path Drive, Hunt Club Road, and Transitway to Greenboro Station.
O-Train connections:
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1 St-Laurent Station
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2 Greenboro and South Keys stations
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4 South Keys Station
Route 41 – Frequent
New route will run between St-Laurent and Billings Bridge stations.
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Will replace current Route 46 on Walkley and Heron roads.
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Will serve St-Laurent Boulevard, Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre, Russell Road, Southvale Crescent, Walkley Road, Heron Road, Clementine Boulevard, Bélanger Avenue, and Bank Street.
O-Train connections:
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1 St-Laurent Station
Route 43 – Local
New route will run between Greenboro Station and Karsh Drive.
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Will replace current Route 40 service along Johnston Road and Karsh Drive.
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Will serve South Keys Station, Hunt Club Road, Dazé Street, Cahill Drive, Southgate Road, Johnston Road, Tapiola Crescent, Johnston Road, Blohm Drive, Karsh Drive, and Lorry Greenberg Drive.
O-Train connections:
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2 Greenboro and South Keys stations
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4 South Keys stations
Route 48 – Local
Will be extended to run between Hurdman Station and Carleton University.
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Will run along Industrial Avenue, Coronation Avenue, Russell Road, Smyth Road, and St-Laurent Boulevard to Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre. Will serve Southvale Crescent instead of remaining on Russell Road, then serve Bank Street, Billings Bridge Station, Bank Street, and Sunnyside Avenue to Carleton University.
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Will replace current Route 46 on Coronation Avenue, Russell Road, and Southvale Crescent.
Service will be removed along the Transitway between Billings Bridge and Hurdman stations.
O-Train connections:
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1 Hurdman Station
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2 Carleton Station
Route 92 – Local
Will be changed to run between Greenboro and Walkley stations.
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Will serve South Keys Station, Hunt Club Road, Uplands Drive, Paul Anka Drive, McCarthy Road, Plante Drive, McCarthy Road, and Walkley Road.
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Peak period trips extended to/from Hurdman Station on Walkley Road, Albion Road, Heatherington Road, Walkley Road, Baycrest Drive, Heron Road, Clementine Boulevard, Bélanger Avenue, Bank Street, and Billings Bridge Station.
Will replace part of current Route 291 in the Heatherington Road area, but travel is the opposite direction.
O-Train connections:
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1 Hurdman Station
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2 Walkley, South Keys and Greenboro stations
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4 South Keys Station
Route 116 – Local
New route will run between Baseline and Greenboro stations on Hunt Club Road.
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Will run on Woodroffe Avenue, West Hunt Club Road, Hunt Club Road, Transitway, and South Keys Station.
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Will replace current Route 96 between Greenboro Station and Antares Drive and along Merivale Road north of Hunt Club Road and Route 96B between Greenboro Station and Merivale Road.
O-Train connections:
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2 South Keys and Greenboro stations
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4 South Keys Station
Route 197 – Local
Will change between Greenboro and Uplands stations.
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Will run on Airport Parkway, Uplands Drive, and Breadner Boulevard.
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Service on Research Private will be removed.
O-Train connections:
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2 Greenboro and South Keys stations
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4 South Keys and Uplands stations
Route 294 – Connexion route
Will be shortened to run between Greenboro Station and Lester Road.
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Service will be removed between Leitrim Road and Findlay Creek Drive and between Hurdman and Greenboro stations.
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Afternoon trips will continue on Lester and Albion roads and end at Albion Road, south of Queensdale Avenue.
O-Train connections:
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2 Greenboro and South Keys stations
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4 South Keys Station
Student Route 693:
Unfortunately, on the NWTB network update, there was the elimination of the student Route 693.
I have heard from many parents, and we are strongly advocating on your behalf to senior level management at OC Transpo to review this decision. I recognize that the new route is unreasonable to ask a young student to navigate, and I am encouraged to hear that after our discussion with OC Transpo this week, they are committed to trying to find an interim solution for the remainder of the school year.
I will be updating the community as soon as we hear more back from staff. I appreciate your patience.
Share Your Feedback:
As the new network launches, I encourage you to share any feedback and rider experience with OC Transpo via email directly at newwaystobus@ottawa.ca. This email has been created and is being monitored by a team who has been specifically designated to respond to feedback and questions relating to the new network.
My office will also be gathering information as this network is implemented and we will bring it forward to Transit Services when it comes for review. In the meantime, if you would like more information on any of these changes or would like to attend an information session from the Outreach team at OC Transpo, please visit the following links: OC Transpo Information Event Schedule and New Ways To Bus Information.
Best regards,
Jessica Bradley
