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Ottawa’s transportation system is broken
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CTV’s report on weekend commuting disruptions — with O-Train Line 1 shut down and lanes closed on Highway 417 — is just the latest reminder that Ottawa’s transportation system is broken. And weekday commutes are no better.
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From the east, west, and south ends of the city, what should be a 30–40 minute rush-hour trip is now, on some days, close to two hours. For most residents, the LRT is not a realistic option: its reach is limited, it doesn’t serve suburban communities, and reliability has been undermined. On top of this, OC Transpo has cut bus routes and reduced frequency, leaving fewer connections and longer waits.
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Yet both the federal and provincial governments are mandating public servants back to the office more days each week, with private employers following suit. These policies are being made without coordination across levels of government or recognition of how people are supposed to get to work.
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Ottawa deserves better. We need clear timelines for construction, reliable and restored transit service, and real collaboration between municipal, provincial, and federal governments. Mandating office returns without a functioning transportation system is not leadership — it is creat