Is a different model needed to fund and provide transit in rural neighbourhoods?

Good morning,

Charlie is a bit under the weather, so I’m subbing in on the extra content today. Luckily, he managed to deliver another great story before he got sick, so stay tuned for that right off the top.

Speaking of the weather, the smoke that’s blanketed the city has abated mostly. I was in Toronto this weekend, and according to the data, Ottawa was even worse. Sadly, this type of situation seems more and more like the norm these days, as fire seasons start earlier and earlier.

WIthout further delay, let’s dive into today’s stories.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

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WEATHER

Monday: 20 🌡️ 17 | 🌧️ 

Tuesday: 22 🌡️ 13 | ☀️ 

Wednesday: 23 🌡️ 14 | 🌧️

TRANSIT

Is a different model needed to fund and provide transit in rural neighbourhoods?

By Charlie Senack.

It’s no secret Ottawa has struggled with its transit system for years, and for many rural residents, they are left questioning why they pay so much money for property taxes when they have fewer services. 

In late April, OC Transpo rolled out ‘New Ways to Bus’, the transit organization's biggest overhaul in history, which brought changes to 123 routes. The overhaul was meant to increase performance by working within the system’s capacity, but also included 74,000 fewer bus service hours. 

While a loss in some areas, it brought gains to others, including in Manotick and Richmond. 

Route 279, for example, from Manotick to Tunney’s Pasture runs three times in the morning between roughly 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. In the evening, it runs in the opposite direction four times between about 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Another option is route 299 from Limebank Station to Manotick, which runs a handful of times during both the morning and evening commutes. 

For Richmond residents, route 283 runs between that community and Limebank Station three times in the morning and four times in the evening. During a portion of those routes, it instead starts and ends at McBean and Perth Streets. 

Rideau-Jock Coun. David Brown said it’s too early to say if the changes have increased ridership, but said public transit is a tough sell in rural neighbourhoods. 

“Manotick has actually received an increase in the level of service they experienced, though the timing has changed. Now you can catch a bus into Barrhaven and over to Limebank, whereas before it was just a bus to Barrhaven. Richmond is a similar story where you can take a bus into Manotick at Limebank or into Stittsville over to Tunney’s Pasture,” said Brown. “Though the routes have increased in time and, of course, very few people want to spend four to five hours a day commuting for an eight-hour a day job.”

But it hasn’t all been peachy. A few weeks ago, CTV Ottawa reported on a story about a woman who regularly travels from her home near Bank Street and Walkley to the music school she teaches at in Manotick. Before the system overhaul, she’d take routes 99 and 176, but now no similar options exist. 

Brown calls it a unique scenario and says while he feels for the music teacher, it costs too much money to run transit routes where there is too little demand. 

“It's unfortunate, but given the geography of the city of Ottawa, it just isn't always possible to provide that urban style service in a rural area,” he said. 

 So what is the answer?

But Brown also admitted there needs to be better transit options in rural areas. He said it starts with OC Transpo looking at itself more like a regional provider, such as the GO Transit service in Toronto. 

“I think we really need to look at the level of service we provide to each of the areas in the city and how we fund those services. I am not opposed to a lower property tax charge the further away from the service that you are,” said Brown. “However the fare would need to then increase for a rider living in Munster, as an example, compared to someone in Westboro who’s surrounded by public transit options.”

A method like that would work if city council decides to move away from its “one size fits all” agenda, said Brown. He also pointed out that before amalgamation, rural areas had a private bus service.

“I think there's an opportunity that exists today to leverage that,” said Brown. “But right now we are saying there's only one level of service that can be provided. I think that's where we're missing the market — specifically in rural Ottawa. It’s a change I’d like to see.”

There are also concerns over how transit is funded as a whole. In 2007, council voted that 55 per cent of the cost of public transit should be covered by the transit fare, and the remaining 45 per cent by taxpayers. But that isn’t currently how it’s working. 

“In 2025, 70 per cent of the cost is being covered by the property taxpayers and only 30 per cent is covered by the transit users,” said Brown. ”I'm looking forward to the 2026 budget getting back to that funding formula. And if not, I'll expect city staff to come back and say council needs to officially change that funding policy because I think it's disingenuous to property tax payers.”

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THE OTTAWA NUMBER

183

Ottawa’s Air Quality Index score on Friday was the worst air quality in the country due to the wildfire smoke coming in from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. [CTV]

THE AGENDA

🔥 The special air quality statement for Ottawa that blanketed much of the city over the weekend is now over as of Sunday morning. The city had an air quality rating by Friday of 10+, which was rated as a very high risk. It’s expected that the skies will be clearer over the next few days, assuming rain that’s forecasted for today and Tuesday occurs. [CityNews]

🏠️ A report shared with the audit committee on Friday shows that housing supports aren’t going far enough to help people, especially when it comes to operational costs of these services, which aren’t covered by other levels of government. This is especially true for individuals with greater needs.  [CBC]

❌ The Department of Justice will be laying off 264 employees due to budget issues. A spokesperson for the ministry did not say how many of those laid-off positions would be in the Capital Region. [Ottawa Citizen]

📈 Orléans and Barrhaven are getting another 1,000 homes. Orléans will see 450 stacked dwellings southeast of Lamarche Ave. and Innes Rd. Barrhaven is getting 508 new homes between Strandherd Dr. and the Jock River, east of Borrisokane Rd. [CityNews]

🏒 Those Senators trade rumours involving Drake Batherson? They aren’t true according to general manager Steve Staios, who says there are no plans to trade the forward. [TSN]

EVENTS

Dumpling Fest Ottawa | Ottawa, ON K2P 2E3 | June 11, 5:30–9:30 pm | Tasting tour of global dumplings at local restaurants | Tickets $69

Family Paint Party | The Bridge Public House, 1 Donald St | June 13, 7 - 9 pm | A Night of creativity and fun to celebrate Pride | Tickets $ 47.08 

Celebrate Pride with Author Emily Austin | Bayview Yards, 7 Bayview Station Rd | June 14, 7 - 8 pm | Emily will be in conversation with Francesco MacAllister-Caruso, discussing her novels | Free

Star Trek vs Star Wars | Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St | June 14, 7:30 - 9:30 pm | Which universe will triumph in this cosmic showdown? | Tickets $22.08 

Navy Bike Ride | Hog’s Back Park, 600 Hog's Back Rd | Jun. 14, 8:30 am | 5K run, rides & family-friendly cycling | Free to register.

Fiesta Cubana Fest | Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way | Jun. 13, 7–11 pm & Jun. 14, 2–10 pm | Salsa, dance, Cuban food & culture | Tickets $15+

Live from the Booth | The Booth on Sparks Street, between Elgin St & Metcalfe St near 56 Sparks Street | Jun. 14, 7 pm | Free electronic music DJ concert series | Free

Britannia Village Community Arts Crawl | Britannia & Howe, Ottawa | Jun. 14, all day | Outdoor showcase of local artists and musicians | Free

Kanata North Book Fair | Royal Canadian Legion, 70 Hines Rd. | June 14, 12 pm | Local & Canadian books at great prices | Free

Star Trek vs Star Wars | Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St. | June 14–15, various times | Epic orchestral battle of two sci-fi legends | Tickets $49

Ottawa Retro & Antique Market | 955A Gladstone Ave | June 14–15, 11 am to 5 pm | Vintage decor, fashion, vinyl, and collectibles | Free

Orléans Pickleball Festival | Orleans Tennis Club, 1257 Joseph Drouin Ave. | June 15, all day | Family-friendly pickleball fun and tournaments | Free (tournaments extra)

Ottawa BlackJacks Professional Basketball Club | TD Place, 1015 Bank St. | June 15, time TBA | Pro basketball and family fun at Lansdowne | Tickets $30

Osgoode PorchFest | Various porches in Osgoode | June 13–15, various times | Live music on porches across the community | Free

EU Cultural Fair 2025 | Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier St. | June 15, 10 am to 4 pm | Music, food & culture from EU countries | Free

Spring Workshop: Tropical Terrarium Workshop by The Urban Botanist | Wallack's Art Supplies and Framing, 305 Bank St | June 15, 12:45 - 3 pm | create stunning, nature-inspired masterpieces | Tickets $218.54

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Councillor intends to file motion to stop controversial Tewin development

An urban Ottawa city councillor wants the city to reconsider its decision from four years ago to build the 445-hectare Tewin development in the city's rural southeast end. 

Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh says moving forward with the original plans would be costly, rushed, and noted that there should be more consultation done with local Indigenous communities. 

NEW JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Ottawa:

• Advisor, community relations, Alto

• Regional director, Ontario and Atlantic, Health Standards Organization

• Director, stakeholder experience and strategic engagement, Invest Ottawa

• Board relations coordinator, The Royal

• Research associate program, National Research Council Canada

OTTAWA QUIZ

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Looking for some good patios this summer? Here’s a helpful list. [CTV]

• Pedal for the planet this June! Join Let’s Bike Month—log rides, win prizes, and take part in workshops and events across Ottawa. [Sponsored]

• Keep an eye out for this white bike which was stolen. 

• This transit plan looks amazing, but also very unlikely! 

• Ottawa hosted 62 girls' teams for flag football this weekend. [CTV]

• This dog is looking for a new home after his owner passed away.

COMMENT CORNER

Every week we feature comments and insights from our community on stories from the previous week. Here’s what you all had to say:

You can read our story on the future of Mooney’s Bay Beach here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The bad smoke means truly weird photos of the skyline.