All-Night Service for the transitway.

[matvail2002]

As all of you may know, Ottawa is a big city (with more than one million in population) and many cities which are smaller than Ottawa have an all-night bus service.

Also, there is quite a lot of people who are working at night who take transit.

So, I think that a service at the transitway (95,96,97) will be a good start for overnight service as there is only a few hours that the Transitway is not operational at night.

I made an outline of a typical night schedules for the three bus lines:

95 (From Fallowfield)

1:32 (Already in service)

2:02 (Already in service)

2:32

3:02

3:32

3:55 (Already in service)

4:25 (Already in service)

4:40 (Already in service)

4:55 (Already in service)

5:10 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

95 (From Orléans)

1:42 (Already in service)

2:14 (Already in service)

2:44 (Already in service)

3:14

3:44

4:16 (Already in service)

4:31 (Already in service)

4:46 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:16 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

96 (From Terry Fox)

1:35 (Already in service)

2:05 (Already in service)

2:35

3:05

3:35

4:15 (Already in service)

4:45 (Already in service)

5:12 (Already in service)

5:32 (Already in service)

96 (From Hurdman)

1:34 (Already in service)

2:04 (Already in service)

2:34 (Already in service)

3:04

3:34

4:04

4:34

5:15 (Already in service)

5:48 (Already in service)

97 (From Bayshore)

1:27 (Already in service)

1:57 (Already in service)

2:27 (Already in service)

2:57

3:27

3:57

4:27

4:48 (Already in service)

5:18 (Already in service)

5:37 (Already in service)

97 (From Airport)

1:29 (Already in service)

1:59 (Already in service)

2:29 (Already in service)

3:59

4:29

5:03 (Already in service)

The 2 (and the future 12) will also be a good candidate for an all-nighter route because it crosses the city and it has a few connections with the Transitway.

2 (From Bayshore)

0:31 (Already in service)

1:01

1:31

2:01

2:31

3:01

3:31

4:01

4:31 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

2 (From Blair)

0:45 (Already in service)¸

1:15

1:45

2:15

2:45

3:15

3:45

4:26 (Already in service)

4:56 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

5:35 (Already in service)

Any comments or thoughts?

[MCIBUS]

The thing here is the majority ogf workers in Ottawa work for the FEDs/City or high tech. All the others are either in regular retail or ptrivate biz. Most of these jobs in Ottawa basically are from 7:00AM to 11:00PM. Any jobs between 11PM & 7AM are few Mostly clubs/bars. Not even the airport isn't that busy, most shifts start abiout 11=midnight but you should be there by then.. There some but not that many. You have to remember Ottawa isn't like the GTA where there are factories anf \d majot shift work.

As to why exactly OC doesn't procide a better midnight ti 6AM service I don't really know, but least therer something. Something better then nothing.

[Canadian National]

As all of you may know, Ottawa is a big city (with more than one million in population) and many cities which are smaller than Ottawa have an all-night bus service.

Also, there is quite a lot of people who are working at night who take transit.

So, I think that a service at the transitway (95,96,97) will be a good start for overnight service as there is only a few hours that the Transitway is not operational at night.

I made an outline of a typical night schedules for the three bus lines:

95 (From Fallowfield)

1:32 (Already in service)

2:02 (Already in service)

2:32

3:02

3:32

3:55 (Already in service)

4:25 (Already in service)

4:40 (Already in service)

4:55 (Already in service)

5:10 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

95 (From Orléans)

1:42 (Already in service)

2:14 (Already in service)

2:44 (Already in service)

3:14

3:44

4:16 (Already in service)

4:31 (Already in service)

4:46 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:16 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

96 (From Terry Fox)

1:35 (Already in service)

2:05 (Already in service)

2:35

3:05

3:35

4:15 (Already in service)

4:45 (Already in service)

5:12 (Already in service)

5:32 (Already in service)

96 (From Hurdman)

1:34 (Already in service)

2:04 (Already in service)

2:34 (Already in service)

3:04

3:34

4:04

4:34

5:15 (Already in service)

5:48 (Already in service)

97 (From Bayshore)

1:27 (Already in service)

1:57 (Already in service)

2:27 (Already in service)

2:57

3:27

3:57

4:27

4:48 (Already in service)

5:18 (Already in service)

5:37 (Already in service)

97 (From Airport)

1:29 (Already in service)

1:59 (Already in service)

2:29 (Already in service)

3:59

4:29

5:03 (Already in service)

The 2 (and the future 12) will also be a good candidate for an all-nighter route because it crosses the city and it has a few connections with the Transitway.

2 (From Bayshore)

0:31 (Already in service)

1:01

1:31

2:01

2:31

3:01

3:31

4:01

4:31 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

2 (From Blair)

0:45 (Already in service)¸

1:15

1:45

2:15

2:45

3:15

3:45

4:26 (Already in service)

4:56 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

5:35 (Already in service)

Any comments or thoughts?

Comments:

Waste of money. I don't think we need a 24hour system on the transitway. If you think hard enough, the 95 is almost like a 24 hour route on weekdays.

Also, I see you didn't include 98. Why not? It's a Transitway route too.

Thoughts:

Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo *mary had a little lamb rythm*

My 2 cents.

Point55.

[matvail2002]

Adding the 98 is not necessary as the service is only provided from appox. 5:30 to Midnight . The 94, 101, 102 and the 106 and is also considered a part of the Transitway system.

About the overnight service, I was at one point surprised that this was not a priority for OC Transpo. Many smaller cities (in the U.S, in Europe, in Asia) which are less important and have less transit ridership than Ottawa have a 24 hour service. We are not taking about a small hick town here, we are talking about the capital of Canada and the 4th largest city in Canada.

Basically, having an overnight service on main bus routes (and I am thinking about the main crosstown routes) will be a good idea because:

-I personally know many people who work at night and they use their car, even through they are living at a 5-10 minute walk from a Transitway station. They would like to take the bus at night because they have a pass, however they cannot because they don't want to wait an hour outside freezing at minus twenty in the winter.

-Many people who are going at bars or clubs take their car (sometimes in the influence of alcool) because they think that taking a taxi is too expensive and they know that the buses are not running at 2 or 3 am.

Also, I have a question about OC's service in the late evening.

Because the Transitway buses take the Rideau Street in lieu of the Mac Bridge late at night, do the Rideau Centre (as a passageway) is open all night?

Also, do some transitway stations close at night? I know that access is prohibited in the O-Train stations between Midnight and 6:00 as there is a sign at Bayview telling that.

[Steve]

So, I think that a service at the transitway (95,96,97) will be a good start for overnight service as there is only a few hours that the Transitway is not operational at night.

Any comments or thoughts?

The schedules you've suggested would definitely be, as you say, a good start. With minimal investment, OC would gain the ability to market the Transitway as a 24-hour service. As for the 2 and other on-street routes (the 85, maybe?), I'm a bit more skeptical, but I still think it might be worth a shot. It might also be a good time to consider a reorganization/rethinking of the 800-series routes.

I'm actually surprised at the pessimistic responses others have given. Arguing that "the ridership isn't there" is to adopt a reactionary approach to transit planning (OC-style!) rather than a proactive one. The idea with visionary transit planning isn't to respond to existing travel patterns, but rather to put the service in place (perhaps on a trial basis at first), market it heavily, and, over time, create new customers and new travel patterns. That being said, if OC staff (or city council) have, in fact, ever considered 24-hour service and decided against it, it would be enlightening to hear their reasons why.

[tomsbuspage]

-Many people who are going at bars or clubs take their car (sometimes in the influence of alcohol) because they think that taking a taxi is too expensive and they know that the buses are not running at 2 or 3 am.

Wouldn't 24-hour bus service be a nice alternative to IMPAIRED DRIVING?!?!?!?!?!

[Canadian National]

Wouldn't 24-hour bus service be a nice alternative to IMPAIRED DRIVING?!?!?!?!?!

That is what a taxi is for...

Point55.

[Gregory]

That is what a taxi is for...

Point55.

Not everybody can afford to take a cab home, especially if they're living well outside of the downtown core.

To take a cab back to my place from downtown is guaranteed to cost me at least $30, I would rather put those $30 elsewhere, tyvm, thus I'm in favour of all-night service on at least the Transitway routes.

[Canadian National]

Not everybody can afford to take a cab home, especially if they're living well outside of the downtown core.

To take a cab back to my place from downtown is guaranteed to cost me at least $30, I would rather put those $30 elsewhere, tyvm, thus I'm in favour of all-night service on at least the Transitway routes.

Oh..forgot about the cost of the ride (whoops, everyone makes mistakes )

I guess an all night service would be alright. Perhaps something like the TTC? (The blue night network). I seem to use it pretty often, since service at night is awesome!

Point55.

[MCIBUS]

Not everybody can afford to take a cab home, especially if they're living well outside of the downtown core.

To take a cab back to my place from downtown is guaranteed to cost me at least $30, I would rather put those $30 elsewhere, tyvm, thus I'm in favour of all-night service on at least the Transitway routes.

Thiis s true. I don't live that far from Greg(if I thinking the area he lives in) and YES!! INDEED its about $20-$30

[matvail2002]

A taxi ride from Downtown to Orléans is 35$-40$.

Downtown to Kanata or Barrhaven is 40$-45$.

And this without the tip!

Also, I would better like to see less impaired drivers on our roads and this by only adding a few buses each night.

[tomsbuspage]

I guess an all night service would be alright. Perhaps something like the TTC? (The blue night network). I seem to use it pretty often, since service at night is awesome!

Ottawa already has a pretty good early morning system. The Blue Sun routes include the 800s plus various other major routes such as the 7 and 95. Extending them back from 4 am to 1 am should cover the night schedule pretty nicely.

[MCIBUS]

The bottom line here is $$$$. If the citizens of Ottawa and city is willing to pay more for it(operating cost) Sure OC wil provide it, but like everything else it comes downb to two things

1)$$$

2)Demand/is it worth the cost for the service

TOM

[Oc4526]

Also, I have a question about OC's service in the late evening.

Because the Transitway buses take the Rideau Street in lieu of the Mac Bridge late at night, do the Rideau Centre (as a passageway) is open all night?

Also, do some transitway stations close at night? I know that access is prohibited in the O-Train stations between Midnight and 6:00 as there is a sign at Bayview telling that.

No the Rideau Center promply closes (the Building) at 1 am with securty escorting every one out.

as for the stns i beleave there left open (i know lincoln feilds is as i have used the atm in the stn a few times at 3 am)

As all of you may know, Ottawa is a big city (with more than one million in population) and many cities which are smaller than Ottawa have an all-night bus service.

Also, there is quite a lot of people who are working at night who take transit.

So, I think that a service at the transitway (95,96,97) will be a good start for overnight service as there is only a few hours that the Transitway is not operational at night.

I made an outline of a typical night schedules for the three bus lines:

95 (From Fallowfield)

1:32 (Already in service)

2:02 (Already in service)

2:32

3:02

3:32

3:55 (Already in service)

4:25 (Already in service)

4:40 (Already in service)

4:55 (Already in service)

5:10 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

95 (From Orléans)

1:42 (Already in service)

2:14 (Already in service)

2:44 (Already in service)

3:14

3:44

4:16 (Already in service)

4:31 (Already in service)

4:46 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:16 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

96 (From Terry Fox)

1:35 (Already in service)

2:05 (Already in service)

2:35

3:05

3:35

4:15 (Already in service)

4:45 (Already in service)

5:12 (Already in service)

5:32 (Already in service)

96 (From Hurdman)

1:34 (Already in service)

2:04 (Already in service)

2:34 (Already in service)

3:04

3:34

4:04

4:34

5:15 (Already in service)

5:48 (Already in service)

97 (From Bayshore)

1:27 (Already in service)

1:57 (Already in service)

2:27 (Already in service)

2:57

3:27

3:57

4:27

4:48 (Already in service)

5:18 (Already in service)

5:37 (Already in service)

97 (From Airport)

1:29 (Already in service)

1:59 (Already in service)

2:29 (Already in service)

3:59

4:29

5:03 (Already in service)

The 2 (and the future 12) will also be a good candidate for an all-nighter route because it crosses the city and it has a few connections with the Transitway.

2 (From Bayshore)

0:31 (Already in service)

1:01

1:31

2:01

2:31

3:01

3:31

4:01

4:31 (Already in service)

5:01 (Already in service)

5:31 (Already in service)

2 (From Blair)

0:45 (Already in service)¸

1:15

1:45

2:15

2:45

3:15

3:45

4:26 (Already in service)

4:56 (Already in service)

5:25 (Already in service)

5:35 (Already in service)

Any comments or thoughts?

Insted of haveing the 97 run all night i would suggest extending the 96 from hurdman to the airport /south keys late at night. Since the 2 and 96 covers parts of the 97 route.

[38 Highland Creek]

Wouldn't 24-hour bus service be a nice alternative to IMPAIRED DRIVING?!?!?!?!?!

Definitely. Depends on which route is worth implementing.

Edited August 22, 2008 by 38 Highland Creek

[MCIBUS]

The only Station that is closed(actually locked and can't get into is Rideeau Center(Point Mckenzie Bridge on both sides as this leads too the Rideau center), And the only reason for this station to be locked is because the homeless would flock to it in the winter like volchures to keep warm. I'm not sure about Laurier as it now has two shelteres(east bound) that are now heated. Not sure if they wil/are locked at noght, of not expect to see the homeles tpo slepo there over night,

[tomsbuspage]

The bottom line here is $$$$. If the citizens of Ottawa and city is willing to pay more for it(operating cost) Sure OC wil provide it, but like everything else it comes downb to two things

1)$$$

2)Demand/is it worth the cost for the service

TOM

Of course everything eventually boils down to money, of which our city has none...

[Oc4526]

I'm not sure about Laurier as it now has two shelteres(east bound) that are now heated. Not sure if they wil/are locked at noght, of not expect to see the homeles tpo slepo there over night

U of O Securty patrols that bulding (area) at night so i doubt that homless people get the chance to sleep in the shelters at all

[M.Wright]

Case anyone has never stayed up late who has a scanner, after the buses stop running till about 30 minutes before the next bus (no matter what the bus, no matter what the station cept mack bridge), the special constables monitor the cameras and pretty much send a officer to advise them that no buses are running and they advise them to take a cab.

If you don't believe, you could try it yourself. A special constable will show up within 5 to 10 minutes. I can guarantee that.

And the special constables for some reason appear to always follow the last 95 Orleans of the day for some weird reason. Though sometimes they don't go all the way to Orleans with it.

[Canadian National]

U of O Securty patrols that bulding (area) at night so i doubt that homless people get the chance to sleep in the shelters at all

I've watched a man get yelled at by a prostitute saying she didn't want to sleep with him in front of our packed D60LF on the 95 ORLEANS. I must say, the driver wanted the light to switch to green as fast as possible! Haha!

Anyways, back on topic;

I must say, I've seen some homeless people at Hurdman, St.Laurent, and Blair asking people for money, cigarettes, and they've even asked me.

Point55.

[qc165007]

Hi i made a map about my vision for night bus in Ottawa Gatineau area.

And BTW, i'll rather spent money in thing like that than paramedics/hospitals fees (i mean, less impaired driving, etc)

[M.Wright]

Hi i made a map about my vision for night bus in Ottawa Gatineau area.

And BTW, i'll rather spent money in thing like that than paramedics/hospitals fees (i mean, less impaired driving, etc)

Doesn't the 94 do the same job the 102 will do? Except for the fact that the 102 won't go downtown if the city was to take your plan seriously. Though as late at night, traffic is low, I doubt there is a need to end a bus anywhere outside downtown as it's not like downtown will be congested with buses that late at night.

But I do like the plan, it would really be helpful late at night.

[Gregory]

Hi i made a map about my vision for night bus in Ottawa Gatineau area.

And BTW, i'll rather spent money in thing like that than paramedics/hospitals fees (i mean, less impaired driving, etc)

Some of those routes are way too long, and some of them seriously need to be rerouted.

[Canadian National]

Hi i made a map about my vision for night bus in Ottawa Gatineau area.

And BTW, i'll rather spent money in thing like that than paramedics/hospitals fees (i mean, less impaired driving, etc)

Great job, just... What about the neighborhoods?

What if I was late out night, near Lebreton, and I needed to get home which would be at Trim Rd/Watters Rd, that was seem impossible.

So I would uhh..have to take the 102 to Trim / Innes? (I thought 102 is a peak route??) Oh, that's a 94. Wow, lot's of walking for me I guess, but what about the bad guys that are hiding out and waiting to attack me... I can't walk that far home from the 102/94. Unless we had Batman watching over us, then that'll be fine but, let's be realistic.

Perhaps if you rethink and redid and made it more logical, then it would be a useful network.

BTW, late night service to Buckingham, Aylmer and Masson-Angers isn't really needed..

Point55.

[Cre47]

I would have runned Route B via the Hospital instead of Mont-Bleu, unless you want to Run a Route E from the western part of Hull via the Hospital (or to start at the Hospital) so to straighten up Route A

And the map clearly shows how Kanata was poorly planned during the sprawling years. Hopefully with the future neighborhoods and the pretty much the integration of Stittsville will make Kanata less ridiculously looking with more west-east size.