Rural Transit Needs Local Solutions
Effective public transit is one of the most important services a municipal government can provide. It connects communities, supports jobs and education, reduces traffic, and helps local businesses thrive. Unfortunately, Ottawa’s system isn’t meeting those goals. OC Transpo continues to struggle with unreliable service in the urban core, while rural communities, making up most of our city’s geography, remain underserved. If transit cannot reliably serve the downtown, it’s clear the model will not work for rural residents either. Yet their needs are just as real. This is despite the record level of investment increase by $128 million from $727 million in 2022 to $855 million in 2025
OC Transpo’s financial model is also under pressure. Designed to be funded roughly 45 per cent through taxes and 55 per cent through fares, ridership declines have shifted that balance to about 70 per cent taxes and 30 per cent fares. This leaves the system with an unsustainable $40-million deficit. Geography compounds the problem: rural Ottawa is four times the size of urban Ottawa, and Ward 21 alone is larger than the entire urban area of Ottawa. Expecting one transit model to serve both areas equally has proven unrealistic and unfair.
Every year, residents of our ward contribute more than $2.75 million in transit levies, while the cost of service delivered here is less than a fifth of that. Villages like Richmond and Manotick have grown quickly, but practical transit options are still missing. The current bus routes, for example, see very low ridership and even expanded service would be unlikely to change commuting habits while cars remain a necessity for most families.
But this doesn’t mean rural transit should be abandoned, it means we need to rethink how it is delivered. Restoring express bus routes downtown would make transit more competitive with driving. Expanding on-demand service pilots, using minibuses to connect residents directly to major hubs like Barrhaven or Riverside South, is another promising option. OC Transpo has already ordered 10 minibuses for 2026, and I will be advocating that at least one or two serve Ward 21. We should also look to partnerships with the private sector. Neighbouring municipalities already benefit from contracted bus services, and returning rural Ottawa to a hybrid model, similar to what existed before amalgamation, could provide reliable options without further straining OC Transpo’s budget.
Beneath these service challenges lies a deeper question of fairness. The current funding structure does not reflect the actual benefit residents receive. A more balanced model could include fare zones, as many other cities have done. Those in central Ottawa with frequent service would continue to pay more through their property taxes, while rural residents would pay slightly higher fares but contribute less through taxes. This would better reflect real usage while keeping the system fair citywide.
Transit is ultimately about people. It is about the young person in Richmond who cannot afford a car but needs to get to work or school. It is about the senior in Manotick who risks losing independence without reliable access to appointments. It is about keeping our villages connected and vibrant as they grow. For too long, Ottawa has tried to fit rural communities into an urban transit mold. It has not worked and it will not work. With creative solutions, restored express routes, public-private partnerships, and a fairer funding model, we can finally build a system that reflects Ottawa’s unique geography.
That is why my office has been working with community partners for more than a year to explore new transportation options for Ward 21. Many residents have already shared their desire for better access to mass transit. The next step is to hear more from you. We have launched a public transit survey to gather feedback and help guide planning for models that could supplement OC Transpo service. We would greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6FP7P2D.