20 Dec OC Transpo Holiday Schedule
OC Transpo adjusts schedules for holidays, offers free service for New Year’s Eve and introduces new route in Barrhaven
Ottawa – Special holiday service will run from December 24 to January 4, so customers should check their schedule before heading out. Transit is the safe and reliable way to travel during the holidays, especially on New Year’s Eve when OC Transpo and Para Transpo will offer free service from 8 pm until 4 am. Winter schedules start Sunday, December 23, including a new Connexion route between Barrhaven and downtown.
Special holiday service
- December 24: Reduced weekday schedule
- December 25: Sunday schedule
- December 26: Saturday schedule with extra service on busy routes
- December 27 to 28: Reduced weekday schedule
- December 31: Reduced weekday schedule and free service after 8 pm*
- January 1: Sunday schedule
- January 2 to 4: Reduced weekday schedule
*Free service is sponsored by Safer Roads Ottawa, Canadian Automobile Association North and East Ontario, and the Ottawa Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).
Shopper routes will run on their normal schedule throughout the holiday period, including Route 303 on December 26, however Route 302 will not operate on Christmas or New Year’s Day.
Holiday schedules are available at octranspo.com or by calling 613‑741-4390. Customers can get automated real-time schedule information, 24 hours a day, by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus their four-digit bus stop number.
Para Transpo holiday bookings
Para Transpo will operate a service on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Regular scheduled trips are automatically cancelled, but customers may book trips for these days by calling 613-244‑7272 on or after:
- December 18 for Christmas Day bookings
- December 19 for Boxing Day bookings
- December 25 for New Year’s Day bookings
Customers are reminded to suspend their regular booking if they will be on vacation during the holiday season.
Holiday office hours
OC Transpo Transit Information (613-741-4390) will be open throughout the holidays to help customers with schedules and trip planning:
- Christmas Eve from 7 am to 9 pm
- Christmas Day from 9 am to 5 pm
- Boxing Day from 7 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Eve from 7 am to 9 pm
- New Year’s Day from 9 am to 5 pm
The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, and open Boxing Day from 8 am to 8 pm. Customer service centres at Lincoln Fields, Place d’Orléans and St- Laurent stations will be closed on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The Para Transpo taxi coupon booking line (613-842-3670) will be closed on Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but Reservations (613-244-7272) and Cancellations (613-244-4636) will be open during regular hours.
Winter schedules: New route in Barrhaven
New Connexion Route 275 will begin on Monday, December 24 by renumbering some trips on Route 95 between Cambrian Road and downtown. This new route will provide Barrhaven residents with an additional peak period option, with limited stops between Tunney’s Pasture Station and Hunt Club Road.
For more details on winter schedules, travel planning assistance and new timetables, customers should call OC Transpo at 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com. Printed timetables are also available at OC Transpo Customer Service Centres.
Construction detours
Routes 5 and 14 will be detoured downtown starting Monday, January 7 for the Elgin Street renewal project. Customers who use these routes should allow for additional travel time. For detailed information on these detours, visit octranspo.com.
Routes 283 and 301 will continue to be detoured around roadwork on the Richmond Bridge in the village of Richmond.