Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill has been championing residents in his ward who have faced the inconvenience of paying double OC Transpo fares for a one-way commute. Despite OC Transpo offering transfers valid for 90 to 105 minutes, the recent changes in bus routes and ongoing transit delays have made it challenging for some riders to complete their journeys within the provided time frame.
In response to these issues, Hill proposed a motion in September to explore options for extending the transfer window temporarily. However, city staff indicated in a recent memo that increasing the transfer window would come with a significant cost implication. If the transfer window were to be extended to 105 minutes at all times, it could cost around $330,000 annually. Extending it to 120 minutes could result in an annual revenue impact of approximately $900,000.
The memo emphasized that altering the fare structure would require extensive engagement with transit users and residents, which is not currently part of the plan. It highlighted that other transit agencies, such as the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) and the Toronto Transit Commission, have a 120-minute transfer window.
Coun. Hill expressed his belief that there is a more cost-effective way to address the issue by adding just 15 minutes to the transfer window. He suggested implementing the extension during peak hours in the afternoon until the completion of the LRT extension to Algonquin College.
OC Transpo mentioned that as the O-Train system expands, there will be more stations where riders can seamlessly connect between services without requiring proof of payment. In the interim, the agency stated that it would issue refunds to customers who had to pay twice for the same trip upon request. The final decision on potential changes will be made during the budget vote in December.
Overall, the efforts to enhance the transfer window aim to provide a more convenient and cost-effective commuting experience for OC Transpo passengers.