The pandemic had eroded OC Transpo’s budget by nearly $45 million by June 30, according to a report to Ottawa’s transit commission Wednesday. The report blames lost revenue and declining provincial support. Pandemic-related losses came in at $21 million more than originally forecast, after tightening pandemic rules in January led to further declines in both passenger and advertising revenue. There were concerns about ridership projections when the 2022 transit budget was approved. At the same time, the city has so far received just $11 million from the province for pandemic recovery, less than a third of the $37 million it was counting on. On the other side of the ledger, the drop in ridership has saved OC Transpo about $2.8 million in cleaning and other services. City staff are hoping a pool of money from the provincial and federal governments will help cover COVID-related shortfalls, but they don’t know how much money Ottawa will receive. The city has received this kind of help in the past. City Treasurer Wendy Stephenson said there is a backup plan if the city does not receive that money.
Convoy also cost OC Transpo
OC Transpo also lost about $4.5 million during last winter’s convoy seizure. About $3.8 million of that was in lost revenue due to canceled services and the free service offered after police cleared protesters from downtown. Another $700,000 was spent on extra buses for police and communications staff. This winter’s occupation by escort protesters forced OC Transpo to detour buses from the downtown core. (Michael Cole/CBC) According to the report, Public Safety Canada is expected to cover these costs. In a press release issued Wednesday, the city said OC Transpo has expanded its “We’re here to take you there” advertising campaign “to rebuild positive attitudes toward public transit in Ottawa and increase ridership.” .
