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From OC Transpo
OC Transpo’s winter service begins Sunday, December 22. This winter, changes include bus service adjustments to get ready for the opening of O-Train Lines 2 and 4 on January 6, special holiday service, and changes to fares.
New winter schedules are available on octranspo.com(link is external). Before heading out, use the Travel Planner(link is external) or Transit app(link is external) to plan your trip.
Service adjustments for the opening of O-Train Lines 2 and 4
Starting on Sunday, December 22, Routes 74, 198, 278 and 406 will be extended to Limebank Station, and Line 2 buses will be renamed to B2 buses.
O-Train Lines 2 and 4 are planned to open for weekday service on Monday, January 6. As part of the phased opening, Line 2 and 4 service will be offered Monday-Friday for a minimum of two weeks. The second phase will see service expanded to include Saturdays. In the third and final phase, service will expand to seven days a week.
Bus service will continue to run in parallel with the new O-Train lines on B2 buses and Routes 97 and 99 during the phased opening, to assist customers in making the transition and provide backup in case of disruptions. Further bus route changes will come later in 2025.
Holiday service
Special holiday service will run from Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. Visit octranspo.com(link is external) for information on hours of operation, frequency adjustments and schedules. Customers can access real-time schedule information, 24 hours a day, by using the Transit app(link is external), by calling 613-560-5000 or texting 560560 plus their four-digit bus stop number or first three letters of the station name. Standard rates apply.
Para Transpo holiday bookings
Para Transpo will operate a holiday service on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days. Regular scheduled trips are automatically cancelled, but customers may book trips for these days by using My Para Transpo(link is external) or by calling 613-560-5000 up to seven days before each holiday. Don’t forget to suspend your regular bookings if you are on vacation during the holiday season.
Ride transit for free on New Year’s Eve
Free transit service will be provided on New Year’s Eve after 6 pm on buses, O-Train Line 1 and Para Transpo, courtesy of Safer Roads Ottawa and MADD Ottawa and Area.
On New Year’s Eve, bus service will operate on a special weekday schedule, with additional service on busy routes as needed. O-Train Line 1 will run until 2 am. B2 buses will operate from 5:45 am until 1 am. Para Transpo will run until 3 am.
Fare changes
OC Transpo fares are changing on January 1, 2025:
Most fares will increase by 5 per cent.
Senior single-ride fares will increase on January 1 to $3.20, but the monthly fare will be frozen until February 1 when it will increase to $58.25. Seniors will continue to ride free on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Kids 10 and under will continue to ride for free, and are encouraged to get a special smartcard from the OC Transpo customer service centre at the Rideau Centre if they travel independently. Kids aged 11 and 12 will now be eligible for a new $2 Pre-Teen single-ride fare on a Presto card.
The Youth monthly pass will be available until later in the year.
EquiPass, Community pass and Access pass prices will not change.
Discounted single-ride fares cannot be purchased by cash or at ticket machines, and customers must use a Presto card with e-Purse to pay a discounted single-ride fare for bus, train, or Para Transpo. Only Adult fare and Para Transpo rural fare will be accepted in cash.
Detailed information on the upcoming fare changes is available at octranspo.com(link is external).