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We include below two responses received from OC Transpo. The first is from the Director of Transit Bus Operations & Maintenance in response to our inquiries about salt application practices in their facilities. Note the absence of any mention of ecology. The second is from OC Transpo's Customer Service email in response to a community member's notification of oversalting.
Response from OC Transpo to Ecology Ottawa's inquiries
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns regarding winter salting practices at OC Transpo and City of Ottawa locations.
Ensuring the safety and accessibility of our transit system during all weather conditions is the top priority for OC Transpo. Minimizing the risk of trips, slips, and falls is a leading factor of our winter maintenance program, which is designed to maintain a safe and reliable network for both passengers and pedestrians.
The application of salt on asphalt is a key safety measure, as it prevents ice formation and improves traction, reducing risks during winter conditions. All of the City of Ottawa’s, including OC Transpo’s road salt is provided by the City’s Public Works Department on an as-requested basis, which varies depending on the weather intensity of any given winter season. Any remaining unused salt is returned to Public Works at the end of the winter season.
Several internal and external parties are involved in the winter maintenance of different transit facilities, including salt application. For example, the application of salt on sidewalks and roads is maintained by the City's Public Works Department. O-Train stations are maintained by external partners; Line 1 stations are maintained by Rideau Transit Maintenance, and Line 2 and Line 4 stations are maintained by TransitNEXT. OC Transpo is responsible for the salting of bus loops at stations, bus stations, park-and-rides, and bus shelters.
OC Transpo’s salting procedures adhere to the broader winter maintenance standards established by the City of Ottawa for roads and sidewalks. We work closely with our internal stakeholders to ensure salting operations are consistent, effective, and prioritize safety and accessibility. The amount of road salt applied varies based on current and forecasted weather conditions. For instance, more salt will be applied in anticipation of freezing rain for a flash freeze than for a typical snowfall. Other considerations include anticipated customer foot traffic as well as the unique layouts of transit stations.
The City’s asset management infrastructure renewal team regularly monitors and assesses transit facility conditions as part of the City's asset management program. These assessments do not specifically isolate impacts caused by any one material, like salt for example. However, it is recognized that the application of rock salts for the purpose of mitigating ice build-up can induce infrastructure problems and corrosion. Costing of such damage due to winter maintenance is still under research and not conclusive.
The City’s Public Works Department has previously piloted alternatives to road salt such as beet juice, naturally occurring brines, and salt brines. However, the City ultimately did not proceed with these options as there were challenges with material sourcing and cost, odour and residue tracking in commercial and residential areas.
Thank you again for reaching out with your inquiry. If passengers observe instances of excess salting at a station or bus shelter, we encourage them to contact Customer Service at 613-560-5000 or via Customer Feedback | OC Transpo so that our Facilities Team can quickly remove the excess salt or share with the appropriate maintainer to action and prevent reoccurrence.
Response from OC Transpo Customer Service to a community member after a notification of oversalting
We maintain our stations and stops regularly. If a location has not already been cleaned or repaired, we will have someone address it. Thank you for submitting your feedback.
And even after receiving this response, the community member reported that "Several days later I noticed that the floor was still covered."