At Council this week, we advanced two important motions aimed at restoring confidence in our transit system and supporting the riders who rely on it every day. I was pleased to second the Transit Reliability & Accountability Framework motion, which directs staff to evaluate modern, customer‑focused approaches used in cities around the world. This work will look at clearer service expectations, transparent reporting, and accountability tools that ensure improvements are not only planned but delivered. It also requires an update to OC Transpo’s reliability policies and targets so that our goals reflect what riders actually experience on the ground.
Council also supported a complementary motion to explore compensation options for riders affected by the ongoing disruptions across both the bus network and O‑Train Line 1. With aging buses awaiting replacement, mechanic shortages, and persistent rail issues, too many residents have been left late, stranded, or forced to pay out of pocket for alternate transportation. Staff will now bring forward scenarios, ranging from refunds to discounted future service to targeted reliability investments for consideration at Transit Committee in May 2026.
Together, these motions signal a clear direction: transit must be reliable, transparent, and accountable to the people it serves. These steps won’t solve every issue overnight, but they move us toward a system that respects riders’ time, restores trust, and delivers the service a growing city deserves.
