Ali Shayvard
"Ottawa needs a public transit system that people can actually depend on.
As Mayor, my priority will be to make OC Transpo reliable, frequent and affordable enough that taking transit becomes a real alternative to driving, not something residents use only when they have no other choice.
That starts with reliability. If a bus is scheduled to arrive, residents should be able to trust that it will show up. We need to focus resources on dependable service, better connections, realistic scheduling and enough service on the routes people rely on every day.
I will also introduce a $90 monthly adult transit pass. At a time when the cost of housing, groceries and everyday life continues to rise, public transit should help reduce the financial pressure on families and workers. A more affordable monthly pass will encourage more residents to choose transit regularly, helping increase ridership while putting money back into people's pockets.
But affordability only works if the service is worth paying for. My plan is to combine lower fares with better reliability and frequency so residents across urban, suburban and rural Ottawa have a system they can count on.
I am running for Mayor because I believe public services should work for the people who pay for them. Public transit is essential infrastructure, and Ottawa should have a system that is affordable, dependable and built around the needs of residents.
That is the kind of city I want to build."
Jeff Leiper
"For people to choose transit over driving, it has to be reliable, frequent and affordable. That means rebuilding the service before we can expect riders to come back.
I will reverse recent service cuts and restore frequency on the core routes people depend on most. I will introduce a Transit Service Guarantee, with clear and publicly reported standards for frequency and on-time performance, so riders know what level of service they should expect and OC Transpo is accountable when it falls short.
We also need to make buses faster and more reliable. I will expand dedicated bus lanes across Ottawa and move the Baseline BRT forward as a priority, allowing buses to spend less time stuck in traffic.
Finally, affordability matters. I will protect affordable fare options and make increasing ridership the priority. The goal is straightforward: a transit system that is reliable and convenient enough that leaving the car at home is a real choice for people across Ottawa."
Neil Saravanamuttoo
"Ottawa needs reliable, frequent and affordable transit. Delivering all three means fixing the service problems that frustrate riders while making transit a more affordable choice.
Cities across North America face long waits for new buses because of parts shortages, limited manufacturing capacity and financial pressures on suppliers. Getting more buses on the road and strengthening maintenance will take time. But riders need relief now.
My "Buck a Ride Citywide" proposal—$1 fares, capped at $40 a month at no additional cost to taxpayers—would provide immediate savings for existing riders and encourage people to return as service improves. Proposed financing draws on a provincial LRT upload and bridge savings identified through Open Books, 100 Days. Over the longer term, I'll establish City-owned real estate companies to develop public land along transit lines and generate an ongoing revenue stream to help fund transit.
Alongside affordability, I'll work to restore express routes as capacity allows, prioritize frequent service on key corridors, require accurate arrival and departure information and help buses move through traffic. Riders and front-line operators will shape a network redesign. I'll also pursue provincial operating support with other municipalities—so we can turn the page on this difficult chapter and deliver transit people can afford and trust.
Finally, we also need leadership and Truth in Transit: what is wrong with the LRT, what fixing it will cost and how long it will take. As mayor, I'll be clear about what we know, what remains uncertain and who is accountable, with honest updates on progress and setbacks."
Peter Westaway
"I would first offer one full week of free transit fares. Study the numbers to see what difference it would make and then ask everyone in Ottawa what would it take to get them to use transit. We should use small buses for after hours service so large buses aren't running around empty."