Renée Amilcar, OC Transpo’s manager, says transit ridership is not expected to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels for up to a decade.
Published Feb 06, 2024 • 1 minute read
OC Transpo bus. File photo. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia
OC Transpo laid off 35 workers Tuesday, saying a continued loss in ridership has created a “permanent gap” in its funding at a time when operating costs are increasing.
A memo from Renée Amilcar, OC Transpo’s manager, says transit ridership is not expected to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels for up to a decade.
Article content
“Based on our current projections, transit ridership is not expected to recover further than 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in the immediate future,” the memo reads, meaning OC Transpo “must adjust as we continue to identify ways of reducing costs.”
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Article content
“As a result, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our management and administrative workforce today.”
The layoffs include 25 unionized employees and 10 management staff, the memo says, but did not impact front-line employees, including bus and rail operators, nor mechanics and apprentices.
“We continue to have a need for new operators, mechanics and apprentices in 2024 and are maintaining our efforts to fill these positions,” Amilcar wrote. “These new recruits will replace current front-line employees as they move to other positions, retire, or leave the organization, ensuring we can continue to deliver reliable service.”
More to come…
Recommended from Editorial
On-demand bus pilot project launches Sunday
‘Much worse’ than he imagined: Mayor reveals grim finances of OC Transpo
Article content
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : OttawaCitizen – https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/oc-transpo-announces-layoffs-as-ridership-continues-to-stall
