Ottawa (October 27, 2008) - Ottawa’s award-winning Transitway forms the backbone of OC Transpo’s current commuter system. The Transitway has become a part of everyday life for thousands of Ottawa residents and offers commuters a faster, more reliable and convenient transportation option.

A dedicated system of bus-only roadways, the Transitway was North America’s first bus-based rapid transit system. Countries from around the world have visited Ottawa’s Transitway as a model of success.

The Transitway has been the largest project in the city’s transportation history, and in 2001 was awarded a Canadian Public Works Project of the Century.

The advantages of a rapid transit system have had a direct impact on ridership, which is expected to surpass 100 million trips in 2009.

Over the past 25 years, the Transitway has proven to be an innovative and affordable rapid transit solution, and has benefited the community by attracting economic development along its corridor and connecting people across the city.

The Transitway has undergone a number of changes and improvements throughout its 25-year history and will continue to evolve.

Plans for 2009 include the opening of a new section of the West Transitway, with a station at Pinecrest and an expanded station at Bayshore. Four new Park & Ride lots are also scheduled to open – Millennium and Chapel Hill in the east and Riverview and Leitrim in the south that will increase parking capacity substantially to meet the city’s growth.

Looking forward to 2010, Longfields Station will open along with a new section of Transitway between Fallowfield and Strandherd Stations, improving the commute for Nepean South residents.

Also planned are new Transitway links and station upgrades that will improve customer convenience.

Future changes to the Transitway include:

• 22 km of Transitway will be converted to Light Rail (Blair to Baseline Station)
• The number of Transtiway stations will almost double from 38 to 74, and the length will grow from 34 km to 118 km
• 8 km of O-Train track will be converted to electric Light Rail and extended 20 km to the airport and Riverside South

The future is bright as the City embarks on a new vision for rapid transit in Canada’s Capital that integrates bus and rail into a top-rated transit system.

1978: The Transitway system is approved.

1983: The first sections of the West Transitway open in December from just south of Baseline Road to Carling Avenue, and in the east across the Rideau River, with seven new stations at Baseline, Iris, Queensway, Lincoln Fields, LeBreton, Lees and Hurdman.

1984: Lincoln Fields is connected to LeBreton Station via the Ottawa River Parkway and the new West Transitway running parallel to Scott Street, featuring a large rock cut and new stations at Westboro and Tunney’s Pasture.

1985: Campus Station opens and the Transitway is extended north from Mann Avenue to Laurier Avenue.

1986: Laurier Station opens and the Transitway is extended to Mackenzie King Bridge. The first Park & Ride opens at Place d’Orléans.

1987: Train and St. Laurent stations open, along with a new section of Transitway from Hurdman Station to Michael Street.

1989: Blair Station opens and the Transitway is extended east of Blair.

1991: The Southeast Transitway opens from Hurdman Station to Riverside Hospital, featuring new stations at Abbey (now Lycée Claudel), Smyth and Riverside Hospital.

1994: Place d’Orléans Station opens along with a permanent Park & Ride lot. Greenboro Park & Ride also opens.

1995: In September the new Southeast Transitway opens from Billings Bridge to Hunt Club Road with new stations at Heron, Walkley and Greenboro. Eagleson East Park & Ride opens.

1996: South Keys Station opens. The 31 km of Transitway – first approved in 1978 – is completed for $420 million with the opening of the Transitway from Billings Bridge to Riverside Hospital. Pleasant Park Station opens and Billings Bridge is expanded.

2000: Mackenzie King Station opens, featuring an underground passageway between the Rideau Centre and the eastbound platform. Fallowfield Park & Ride opens in October and Bayshore Station opens in December.

2001: Bayview Station opens in October and Greenboro Station is expanded, coinciding with the launch of the Light Rail Pilot Project. Trim Park & Ride opens in November.

2005: Terry Fox Station opens. A new 3.2 km extension of the Southwest Transitway from the Nepean Sportsplex to Fallowfield Station is completed in December.

2006: Jeanne d’Arc Park & Ride opens in June and Strandherd Station and Park & ride open in December.

Length of Transitway bus-only roadway – 34 km

Average weekday passenger volume – 240,000

Peak-hour one-way passenger volume – 10,500

Buses per peak hour through central area – 180

Number of stations – 38

Number of Park & Ride lots – 11

Number of parking spaces at Park & Ride lots – 5,372

Number of Bike & ride locations – 31

For more information:
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