Clarence-Rockland considering transit link with Ottawa

The City of Clarence-Rockland is looking to restore a transit link with the City of Ottawa. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports.

The city of Clarence-Rockland is looking at restoring a transit link to the City of Ottawa with the help of OC Transpo.

The eastern Ontario city is about a 40-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, but there’s currently no direct transit that links the municipality to the capital.

Clarence-Rockland resident Lorraine Roy says it’s difficult to get around without a car.

“I know lots of people who don’t have a car that live here,” said Roy.

She has a vehicle herself, but wishes her city had a bus to Ottawa.

“You have to call a taxi to go get some groceries or to go to the hospital or to try to get a ride somewhere and a taxi is very expensive,” she said.

Clarence-Rockland city council wants to start discussions with the City of Ottawa to see if a link is possible with OC Transpo.

Mayor Mario Zanth says the area used to have a Leduc bus line, but now the city is reaching out to the City of Ottawa.

“Our goal right now is to look at options ranging from inner city to links to the train,” said Zanth. “Obviously, OC Transpo fits into that conversation. It could look like anything from a park-and-ride at the edge of town to conversations of them coming into Ottawa.”

While it’s still early to decide how it’s funded, the city council update is welcome news for the area.

“We used to have buses going back and forth, now we don’t,” said Charles Allard, a Clarence-Rockland resident. “I don’t really travel to Ottawa much, but it would be nice to have it back for sure.”

Zanth says the city may decide next month.

“Everyone on council is pretty much in favour of starting discussions,” said Zanth.

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