OC Transpo Spring Bus Cancellations 2026: Dozens of Daily Ottawa Bus Trips Cut as Fleet Pressure Grows

OC Transpo is temporarily cancelling dozens of bus trips each weekday this spring as Ottawa’s public transit system deals with longer travel times, higher fleet demands, and ongoing pressure from an aging bus network. The changes come as the OC Transpo spring schedule takes effect, bringing route adjustments, detours, and reduced service on selected lines across the city.

According to a memo sent to council by new OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary, the transit agency is now proactively cancelling 279 bus trips every weekday under the spring schedule. That is an increase from the 255 weekday trips that were being cancelled between early January and April while the service struggled with a limited number of available buses.

The move highlights ongoing challenges for Ottawa transit riders, many of whom continue to face schedule disruptions, less frequent service, and route adjustments during a period when dependable public transportation remains critical for work, school, and daily travel.

Why OC Transpo Is Cancelling More Bus Trips This Spring

OC Transpo says the temporary increase in daily bus trip cancellations is tied to several operational pressures. These include longer run times on some routes, a rise in the number of buses needed to maintain service, and ongoing efforts to manage fleet availability more effectively.

Transit officials have also pointed to deeper structural issues that have affected bus service in recent months. These include an aging fleet, a maintenance backlog, and delays in receiving new buses. Together, those issues have reduced the number of buses that can reliably be placed into service each day.

Rick Leary said the transit agency is continuing work to improve bus availability and expects trip delivery to increase as conditions improve. Still, for now, the spring schedule reflects the reality that OC Transpo is being forced to balance demand with limited operational capacity.

Which OC Transpo Routes Are Most Affected?

Among the 279 proactively cancelled bus trips, several routes are being hit harder than others. The largest number of cancelled trips is on Route 5, with 21 trips removed each weekday. Other major reductions include:

• 11 trips on Route 41 between Hurdman Station and Blair Station
• 10 trips on Route 14
• 9 trips on Route 7
• 9 trips on Route 12
• 9 trips on Route 48
• 8 trips on Route 90 between Greenboro Station and Hurdman Station

OC Transpo has also cancelled 13 trips on Route E1, the express route operating between Blair Station and Lyon Station during morning and afternoon peak periods.

These changes are especially important for regular commuters, as many of the affected routes serve busy transit corridors or connect major stations used by workers, students, and downtown riders.

Bus Availability Remains Tight Despite Current Numbers

As of Friday, OC Transpo said it had an average of 534 buses available each weekday, while the average weekday requirement stood at 500 buses. On paper, that suggests the system still has a buffer. However, transit planning is not only about the total number of buses available. It also depends on route timing, service demands, maintenance needs, and how many vehicles are required at specific times of the day.

In a separate memo, Leary said the daily bus requirement will rise slightly during the spring service period. That means even with more than 500 buses available, the system remains under pressure because any increase in required buses narrows the margin for breakdowns, delays, or maintenance disruptions.

This helps explain why OC Transpo is choosing to proactively cancel trips instead of waiting for service failures to happen in real time. By planning around shortages in advance, the agency appears to be trying to deliver a more stable service pattern, even if that means fewer scheduled trips overall.

OC Transpo Spring Schedule Includes More Than Just Cancellations

The new OC Transpo spring schedule, which began on Sunday, includes a broader set of service changes beyond proactive cancellations. The transit agency says these updates are linked to seasonal service changes, construction projects, and observed differences in route travel times.

Weekday schedule adjustments are being made to Routes 12, 15, 30, 53, 81, 82, and 168 to better match actual travel conditions. This suggests that travel times on some routes may have been running longer than scheduled, creating reliability issues that required timetable corrections.

Meanwhile, Routes 7, 25, 75, and 88 will run less frequently during certain weekday periods because of lower seasonal ridership as the winter academic term comes to an end at post-secondary institutions. This reflects the annual spring drop in student travel demand across parts of Ottawa.

Construction Detours Add More Pressure to Ottawa Transit

Construction is also shaping the OC Transpo spring service changes. Several routes are being detoured because of infrastructure work across the city.

• Routes 7, 10, 48, and 111 will be detoured through Carleton University due to watermain work along Campus Avenue
• With construction underway on Richmond Road at Bayshore Drive, Routes 11, 57, 81, and 691 will be detoured when leaving Bayshore Station, using Holly Acres Road and Richmond Road
• Route 87 will also be detoured along Churchill Avenue and Richmond Road between Scott Street and Woodroffe Avenue

These detours could lead to further travel time changes for riders, especially during peak hours or on routes that already face congestion.

What This Means for Ottawa Transit Riders

For commuters, the latest OC Transpo bus cancellations are likely to create added frustration, especially on already busy routes. Fewer trips can mean longer waits, more crowded buses, and less flexibility for people trying to get to work, classes, appointments, or transit hubs on time.

At the same time, OC Transpo is presenting these changes as a short-term measure aimed at improving reliability. Instead of running a schedule the system cannot consistently support, the transit service is reducing trips in advance while it works to strengthen fleet performance and expand bus availability.

That may offer some operational stability, but for many riders, the immediate reality is that Ottawa bus service remains under strain.

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