Fare increases should come with service improvements, OC Transpo riders say

Ottawa’s Transit Committee is set to vote on the city’s latest budget, one that includes fare hikes for transit riders. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The City of Ottawa’s Transit Committee will soon be voting on the 2026 budget which includes a proposed increase in transit fares, and some OC Transpo users say they would like to see the extra funds go toward improving service.

On Monday, the Transit Committee is set to vote on a 2.5 per cent increase in transit fares in the 2026 budget. That means an adult monthly pass will increase to $138.5 per month, up from $135 in 2025 – a $3.50 an increase. Adult single fare rides would increase by $0.10.

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It’s a contentious proposal that has some transit riders frustrated, including Ashley Mak, who says she doesn’t want to see a fare hike.

“That’s absurd,” she told CTV News.

In total, the proposed price change would cost riders an extra $42 for the year, and while Mak says she’ll be ok if the change goes through, she worries for others.

“Not everybody can afford $3.50 more a month (on top of) whatever other expenses they already have,” she says. “I think that they should keep that in mind.”

Monthly senior’s passes would see an increase of $1.50, bringing their total to $59.75.

Senior’s pass holder Richard Fussell has been riding the bus since the 90s, and he says he’s used to seeing fare hikes.

“It’s going to happen every year regardless,” says Fussell. “It’s never going to change, and people to ride the bus must pay their fair share.”

However, the delayed launch of the O-Train east extension has caused bus service changes for Fussell and other Orléans residents. With another potential fare increase on the horizon, Fussell hopes the long-delayed service won’t see it’s timeline pushed back further.

“Hope it comes soon,” Fussell explains. “Because it’s an hour and a half to two hours to get to work, when that used to be half an hour by the 38 express.”

Many riders say an increase in monthly costs should come with improvements to services to encourage more ridership.

“If they raise the prices, I think the busses should be a little faster, cleaner and more reliable,” says Mak.

“You would hope that it would go towards making changes, making things better,” says rider Jacelyn Sear.

“But I’ve lived here for almost 25 years, and I haven’t seen a lot of improvements. The train would be great if you can get it.”

Rider Aton Biakabutuka says if the price increases result in cleaner buses and better security, it would be worth the cost.

“I think that would be beneficial because, you know, 3.50 cents is not a lot of money being added towards those added benefits for passengers,” he says.

OC Transpo has a total budget of $938.7 million for 2026. On top of a fare hike for transit users there will also be an per cent per cent jump in the transit levy that will impact property taxes.

A look at the proposed fare increases

Here is a list at the proposed fare increases:

• Adult monthly pass: $138.50/month ($135 in 2025)
• U-Pass: $60.17 per month ($58.70 per month currently)
• Senior monthly pass: $59.75 ($58.25 in 2025)
• 3-day pass: $30.75 ($30 in 2025)
• 5-day pass: $49 ($47.75 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by card): $4.10 ($4 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by cash): $4.15 ($4.05 in 2025)
• Senior single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $3.28 ($3.20 in 2025)
• Pre-teen single ride fare (paid by e-purse: $2.05 ($2 in 2025)

The EquiPass and Community monthly passes will keep the same rates as in 2025.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle

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