Eastbound or l’ouest? OC Transpo translation error sends O-Train riders in different directions

OC Transpo says incorrect signage with a translation error was installed on fencing near Bluesfest on Thursday. A photo sent to CTV News Ottawa showed the sign said “Eastbound – Vers l’ouest,” which translates to “west” in French. (Simon Festa-Bianchet/submitted)

Festivalgoers heading to the opening night of Ottawa Bluesfest may have been confused which direction the O-Train was heading downtown, after a translation error had the train heading eastbound in English and westbound in French.

OC Transpo installed signs along Wellington Street and Booth Street to direct people to Pimisi Station to head eastbound towards downtown or westbound to Tunney’s Pasture.

A photo sent to CTV News Ottawa showed a translation error on a large green sign directing patrons to Line 1 for a trip towards downtown Ottawa. The sign said “Eastbound – Vers l’ouest,” which translates to “towards the west” in French.

Another sign with a wheelchair image directing people to O-Train Line 1 to downtown also said “Eastbound – Vers l’ouest.”

There were smaller signs directing people to the O-Train with the correct direction in French, but the main signs had the translation error.

According to the OC Transpo website, green signs direct transit riders to the O-Train eastbound and orange signs will direct people to westbound trains at Pimisi Station and to buses on Albert Street.

An OC Transpo spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the incorrect signage was removed Thursday afternoon.

“OC Transpo became aware of incorrect signage yesterday. The incorrect signage was quickly replaced at approximately 4 p.m. yesterday,” the transit service said in an email.