OC Transpo in 2026 includes higher rates, O-Train Line 1 changes and free rides on weekends for youth

Improvements to headways on O-Train Line 1 and to how long a transfer lasts were part of the budget vote. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports.

OC Transpo will run O-Train Line 1 trains more often during off-peak weekday hours and extend the afternoon commute transfer window next year, as part of changes to the transit service in 2026.

Ottawa City Council approved the 2026 City of Ottawa budget on Wednesday, including the Transit Services budget.

The 2026 transit budget includes a 2.5 per cent hike in transit fares, which will see the cost of an adult monthly transit pass increase $3.50 to $138.50 a month.

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Council approved several motions to offer free transit to youth on weekends and holidays, extend the afternoon commute transfer window and boost service on O-Train Line 1 during weekday off-peak periods.

Here is what you need to know about the OC Transpo changes.

O-Train Line 1 frequency

Starting in April, trains on O-Train Line 1 will run every 6 minutes on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and every 7.5 minutes between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekday evenings.

Council voted to use $620,000 from the fuel hedging program to fund the increased LRT service.

In the summer of 2024, OC Transpo reduced off-peak weekday service on Line 1 to every 10 minutes from every five minutes as part of a move to save money. Staff estimated the change would save $1.6 million per year.

For transit user Thomas Dalton, the increased service for the O-Train Line 1 will be a welcome change.

“It would be much better every six minutes instead of every ten,” Dalton said. “Today, it was 13 minutes. I don’t know why, but something must have been wrong.”

Extended transfer window

Starting on Canada Day, commuters will have extra time on their transfer during the afternoon commute.

Council voted to extend the transfer time for weekdays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. from 90 minutes to 105 minutes.

“This measure would be temporary until the launch of LRT Stage 2 West to Algonquin Station and Moodie Station, expected in 2027,” the motion said.

Coun. David Hill had raised concerns that due to construction, traffic delays and bus availability, the 90-minute transfer window wasn’t long enough for commuters heading home during the weekday afternoon periods.

Free riders for youth

Transit riders under the age of 18 will be able to ride OC Transpo buses and the O-Train free on weekends and holidays.

Council approved a motion to offer free transit fares for riders aged 18 and under on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, starting on July 1.

Staff will explore the feasibility of free fares after 5 p.m. for riders aged 18 and under on weekdays.

Transit Fares

Transit riders are facing a 2.5 per cent hike in transit fares in 2026.

• Adult monthly pass: $138.50/month ($135 in 2025)
• U-Pass: $60.17 per month ($58.70 per month currently)
• Senior monthly pass: $59.75 ($58.25 in 2025)
• 3-day pass: $30.75 ($30 in 2025)
• 5-day pass: $49 ($47.75 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by card): $4.10 ($4 in 2025)
• Adult single-fare ride (paid by cash): $4.15 ($4.05 in 2025)
• Senior single-ride fare (paid by e-purse): $3.28 ($3.20 in 2025)
• Pre-teen single ride fare (paid by e-purse: $2.05 ($2 in 2025)

The EquiPass and Community monthly passes will remain the same as 2025 rates.

“The average adult fare is rising by $0.10 per adult ride, but we made sure that we froze the EquiPass rate for low-income riders and the community pass rate, which is a discount for riders who receive ODSP,” said Coun. Glen Gower, who chairs the Transit Commission.

With fares set to increase for most groups in 2026, transit user Bee Benton worries costs will discourage ridership.

“I do think it might be an issue with the adult price going up, especially if downtown Ottawa wants people to use like public transportation more, rather than driving around downtown, especially like as a student. It’s hard to afford doing $4 a day,” said Benton.

For others, the fee increase does not match the quality of service provided.

“Well, I think that the busses are always late. I think that they should be given us a cut in the price instead of charging us, overcharge us,” transit user Wanda Dugas said.

Ottawa Coun. Riley Brockington says OC Transpo is falling short of the city’s service standards.

“The reliability of bus service in the city does not meet our standards, it does not meet any benchmarks that we set and we continue not to see progress month after month after month at the transit Commission,” Brockington said.

With files from CTV’s Natalie van Rooy.