OC Transpo has released their holiday service schedules that will run from December 23 to January 3. The service on New Year’s Eve is offered for free for the extended hours from 5:00 pm until 4:00 am. This free service for both OC Transpo riders and Para-Transpo service has been sponsored by Safer Roads Ottawa and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Holiday schedules are available at octranspo.com. Customers can get automated, real-time schedule information 24 hours a day by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus their four-digit bus stop number.
Special Holiday Bus Service
- December 23 – Reduced weekday schedule
- December 24 – Reduced weekday schedule
- December 25 – Sunday schedule
- December 26 – Saturday schedule with extra service on busy bus routes
- December 27 – Reduced weekday schedule
- December 30 – Reduced weekday schedule
- December 31 – Reduced weekday schedule and no-charge service after 5 pm
- January 1 – Sunday schedule
- January 2 – Reduced weekday schedule
- January 3 – Reduced weekday schedule
O-Train Schedules
Minor frequency adjustments will be made on O-Train Line 1 during the holiday period to reflect lower seasonal ridership. On Christmas and New Year’s Days, Line 1 will run on a Sunday schedule, with service from 8 am until 11 pm. On Boxing Day, it will run from 6 am to 1 am, and on New Year’s Eve, from 5 am until 2 am. New Year’s Eve night bus service will run through downtown to Rideau Station starting at 1 am.
O-Train Line 2 will run on a normal schedule on all weekdays except for Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days. Line 2 will run from 7:30 am until 11:30 pm on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and from 6:30 am until midnight on Boxing Day. On New Year’s Eve, Line 2 will run from 6 am until 1 am.
Para Transpo Holiday Bookings
Para Transpo will operate a holiday service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Regular scheduled trips will be automatically cancelled, but customers can book trips for these days by calling 613-244‑7272 on or after:
- December 18 for Christmas Day bookings
- December 19 for Boxing Day bookings
- December 25 for New Year’s Day bookings
Customers are reminded to suspend their regular bookings if they will be on vacation during the holiday season.
Holiday Office Hours
OC Transpo Customer Service (613-741-4390) will be open throughout the holidays to help customers with schedules and trip planning, including on Christmas Eve, from 7 am to 9 pm, Christmas Day, from 9 am to 5 pm, Boxing Day, from 7 am to 9 pm, New Year’s Eve, from 7 am to 9 pm and New Year’s Day, from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Days. It will open on Boxing Day, from 8 am to 8 pm. Customer Service Centres at Lincoln Fields, Place d’Orléans and St-Laurent stations will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The Para Transpo taxi coupon booking line (613-842-3670) will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but reservations (613-244-7272) and cancellations (613-244-4636) will be open during regular hours.
Service improvements coming January 5, 2020
Starting in the new year, customers can look forward to winter service improvements that will take effect on Sunday, January 5. The schedules will include improvements to bus service based on feedback from customers. A few service adjustments will also happen earlier, on Sunday, December 22. Details on new winter service can be found at octranspo.com.