On June 19, safety was highlighted as a priority for OCTranspo as the Transit Commission discussed installing surveillance cameras on new buses (Item 7). It was noted that these surveillance cameras would be financed by increasing transit fares. However it was explained that the surveillance cameras would not necessarily increase ridership. Councillor Wilkinson expressed regret that the money for the surveillance cameras would come from transit users and not from city revenue. Despite this, the item was passed by the Transit Commission with 5 Yays and 3 Nays. Thumbs Down to Councillors Wilkinson, Egli, Deans, and Tierney for approving an increase in fares for an initiative that will not necessarily increase or improve ridership. It is worth nothing that the three Nays were from Commissioners (public citizen members) Ferrabee, Rahn, and Johnson. Only Commissioner Crew voted for the increased fares for surveillance. Initiatives to improve the public transit system should ideally come from city revenue and not from transit users. Ever increasing transit prices is likely to ultimately decrease transit ridership, and in order to have a sustainable city it is necessary to have a cheap and user friendly transit system in place. It would be excellent if Councillors on the Transit Commission acknowledged this fact and acted diligently to deter rising fares in the future.
Latest posts
Announcing our Executive Director!
Dear Ecology Ottawa Community,
I want to share some exciting news with you. After serving as Program Coordinator at Ecology Ottawa for two years, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director in July; today, I’m honoured to write to you as permanent Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa.
2025 Budget: Ecology Ottawa calls for more trees, CCMP funding, and engagement
At a meeting of City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee on Wednesday, November 13, Ecology Ottawa called for further funding of climate action in Ottawa, improvements to the City's budget consultation process, and more trees—many more trees