OC Transpo will be free on New Year’s Eve

An OC Transpo bus pulls up to a transit stop in the winter. (CTV News Ottawa)

OC Transpo will give you a free ride this New Year’s Eve.

Ottawa’s transit service outlined its winter service changes, which are scheduled to come into effect on Dec. 21.

Free service will be available on buses, O-Train lines and Para Transpo starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 31. Safer Roads Ottawa and MADD Ottawa and Area are picking up the tab.

Bus service on Dec. 31 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with additional resources available to supplement busy routes as required. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced Friday schedule from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Line 2 will operate on an extended schedule from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Line 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule. Para Transpo will operate until 3 a.m.

Bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Day.

Severe winter storm schedule

When a severe winter storm is bearing down on the capital, OC Transpo will bring its severe storm schedule into effect.

The changes will be enacted on weekdays when 31 centimetres of snow or more is forecast, or under other severe weather conditions, such as significant freezing rain.

The severe storm schedule will reduce bus service and replace many articulated buses with 40-foot or double-decker buses to reduce the risk of getting stuck. O-Train and Para Transpo service will not be reduced, but OC Transpo says customers should prepare for delays in the event of a severe winter storm.

A severe storm schedule will not be enacted if the storm comes on a weekend, but the number of articulated buses on the roads will still be reduced.

Holiday schedule

There will be several changes to transit service over the holidays between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

From Dec. 22 to Dec. 24, bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule

On Christmas Day, bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Sunday schedule. Shopper Route 304 will not operate. On Boxing Day, bus service and O-Train Lines 1, 2, and 4 will operate on a Saturday schedule, with additional resources available to supplement busy bus routes as required.

On Dec. 29, Dec. 30, and Jan. 2, 2026, bus service will operate on a reduced weekday schedule. O-Train Line 1 will operate on a reduced weekday schedule with peak period service every six minutes. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will operate on a normal weekday schedule.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App