Chair Diane Deans Opening Remarks / Verbal Update Transit Commission Meeting Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 9:30 a.m.

Good morning everyone, bonjour à tous.

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on a few items since our last meeting:

Canada Day

This year for the first time OC Transpo will be offering Free service during the day and after the fireworks on Day. In past years OC Transpo offered free service after 10 p.m. This year it will be 3 a.m. to 3 a.m. on July 2nd.

OC Transpo’s plan to offer complimentary bus service on July 1st will result in many residents who don’t normally take public transit enjoying a ride to their special Canada Day event.

The cost of providing this free service is estimated to be $180,000. This money will come from OC Transpo’s marketing budget. It is an excellent opportunity to promote public transit to non- traditional riders.

OC Transpo will be operating a special holiday schedule July 1st

It’s effectively an augmented Sunday service. More trips will be added at peak periods and additional late night service to local routes will also be increased.

 Residents are encouraged to Call 613 560-1000 or text 560 560 plus your four- digit bus stop number for automated schedule information. For more information, holiday schedules and travel planning, phone the OC Transpo Information centre at 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com. The centre will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 1.

 The Rideau Centre sales and information centre be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. OC Transpo will also be distributing PRESTO cards there.

OC Transpo staff will also be available at an information booth on , on the North East corner of Confederation Square, to provide transit maps, and helpful tips on what to see and do in the Nation’s Capital on Canada Day.

Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)

Earlier this month, Mr. Manconi and I attended the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s annual conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The theme for this year’s national event was ‘Urban Mobility Coast to Coast’. Topics of discussion and roundtable discussion were on inter-mobility, sustainable and long-term gas tax funding, focus on customer service and leveraging technology.

OC Transpo is making its mark as an industry leader. We were invited to make presentations on a variety of topics including on-time transit performance, transit technology (specifically on OpenData and the “where is my bus” live feed), as well as customer service. OC Transpo also served on a working group to help define CUTA's new mission statement which is, "To inspire and influence the evolution of integrated urban mobility."

As we continuously strive to improve the service we provide to our customers, it was a great opportunity to meet and exchange best practices with other CUTA members and other major transit systems from across the country.

I think it’s fair to say that Mr. Manconi and I both find the opportunity to meet and hear from other transit providers very beneficial.

Doors Open

On June 1st , OC Transpo welcomed over 1600 visitors to its Industrial Garage site as part of the annual Doors Open event proudly hosted by the for the past 11 years.

Cheered on by our very own OC Owl, over 90 volunteers ensured the event was another great success.

Guests were delighted by the historical buses on display, as well as some of OC Transpo’s more current buses, including the double-deckers, the articulated buses, and the Hybrid buses.

Information related to the O-Train, Transit Information, the Streetcar Restoration Project, PRESTO, and Mobile Travel Planning Tool, was also available to all those that attended.

I would like to thank OC Transpo for once again opening its doors to the public for a rare behind the scenes look at how all Transit Services branches work together to provide a safe, reliable and courteous transit service for the approximately 400,000 transit trips it provides each weekday.

Para Transpo Electronic Fare Consultations

I am also pleased to report that Para Transpo recently conducted another round of stakeholder consultations on May 21st and 23rd. These sessions provided customers and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the newly proposed electronic fare payment system.

Para Transpo staff have been researching and developing a fare management system that will offer customers a convenient, simple and flexible tool to pay for both Para Transpo and conventional transit.

The consultation sessions provided Para Transpo staff with the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation and to listen to customer and stakeholder concerns, experiences, and ideas on how to improve the Para Transpo payment system.

A report with recommendations related to the adoption of a new fare management system will be presented to the Transit Commission later this year.

Confederation Line Working Group

On May 15 2013, the Transit Commission carried a motion which established an ad hoc working group, comprised of myself, Commissioners Hobbs and Crew, as well as staff from OC Transpo and the Rail Implementation Office (RIO) to provide input on the Confederation Line Governance report that was tabled at FEDCO on June 4.

The department has asked that the working group continue to assist them in developing recommendations for future Transit Commission reports related to the Confederation Line.