OC Transpo starting new 24-hour service to the airport

Eight months after O-train light rail service to Ottawa Airport launched, OC Transpo is now starting a 24-hour bus route to “offer more options for east-end residents” looking to board a plane, says a memo to council. 

Route 105, as it will be labelled, will run about every 30 minutes and connect the airport to St. Laurent and Hurdman Stations. The number was selected in honour of the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow, a supersonic aircraft and symbol of Canadian innovation. It will launch at the end of August. 

When the O-Train isn't running overnight, a new overnight service will operate from Rideau and Hurdman stations, replacing Route N98 and part of Route 197.

It is believed that about 1,000 commuters ride the airport link from South Keyes every day. 

For those looking to take the service from the east end, they must take the Confederation Line to Bayview, then the Trillium line to South Keys, and then another train to the airport. The entire journey would take about an hour and 10 minutes from start to finish. Taking it by bus instead would take about an hour. The new route 105: only 30-35 minutes. 

The end of August will also bring an end to the youth pass, which currently costs $104 a month for those between the ages of 13 and 19. Instead, they will now be switched to an adult pass, which costs $135. 

Come Sept. 1, Route 125 to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Route 139 to Petrie Island and the extension of Route 8 to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, will all be cancelled. But to help with the demand of riders heading to Carleton University and La Cité, service on Routes 7 and 25 will be increased.