Mazhar Choudhry
"Via pay per passenger kilometre model accountability."
Bob Bell
"The key to improving OC Transpo service is to grow our bus fleet. We have fewer buses today than we did 20 years ago, and our population has grown by more than 300,000 in that time. In addition to population pressures, we continue to sprawl outwards, which means a much bigger area to service. We need to build a plan to grow our fleet responsibly and sustainably. On affordability, I think we need to bring our fares down. We have some of the highest fares in North America and it's putting a lot of pressure on our riders. We need to explore new revenue sources, including building on, around and in our transit stations to increase revenue."
Yvette Ashiri
"I'm committed to strengthening OC Transpo so residents choose it because it's faster, more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable than driving. I'll seek a seat on the Transit Committee to push for smarter forecasting and ensure residents aren't asked to pay more when services fall short. I'll go back to the drawing board and bring back proven transit models, like express buses, instead of repeating past mistakes. My focus will be on planning ahead, not patching problems. Drawing on my experience living in Paris and lessons from Luxembourg, I'll advocate for dedicated bus lanes, frequent "turn-up-and-go" service, micro-shuttles for low-density areas, and real-time reliability dashboards. Better shelters, stronger winter operations, and seamless links with cycling and walking paths will make transit comfortable and convenient. And because affordability drives ridership, I'll champion fare caps, employer-supported passes, and explore free transit for youth, seniors, and low-income residents, making public transit the most appealing way to move across our city."
Tammie Trellert
"I believe people will choose transit over their cars when it is reliable, frequent, affordable and convenient and making that shift is also an important part of building a greener, more resilient Ottawa.
We need to make it easier for people to leave the car at home, not lecture them about doing it. That starts with reliable service. I want clear, public reporting on on-time performance, cancelled trips, frequency and customer complaints so residents can see whether their service is actually improving and the City can be held accountable. For the east end, that means making sure buses connect reliably and frequently with LRT, particularly as our communities continue to grow. Service also needs to reflect how people actually live including evenings and weekends and not just traditional peak commuting hours.
A greener city also needs transportation choices. Better transit, safe walking routes, cycling connections and infrastructure that makes it practical to combine different ways of getting around can reduce unnecessary car trips, congestion and emissions while making our communities more livable. Affordability matters too. We shouldn't ask residents to choose transit over their cars while continually increasing the cost of getting around without demonstrating better service and value. I want to see efficiencies identified first, protect reduced-fare programs, and make sure every transit dollar is delivering value for residents.
My goal isn't to tell people they can't drive. It's to give people a genuine choice. If transit is dependable, accessible, affordable and connected, more people will choose it when it makes sense and that is better for our residents, our roads, our environment and the long-term resilience of Ottawa."