While City Councillors said Tuesday’s evacuation of downtown Ottawa, following a major gas leak at the corner of O’Connor and Queen, was handled well, there have been questions raised about OC Transpo’s policies during emergency situations.
OC Transpo had to detour westbound buses around the closure, and had a detour route in place quickly Tuesday afternoon, but a large number of people were forced to evacuate onto those buses.
Allegations were made that fare inspectors, who were dispatched to the Mackenzie King Bridge to help direct transit riders and evacuees, were also enforcing fare payment. This is an allegation OC Transpo has denied.
Transit Commission Chair, councillor Stephen Blais, told CFRA’s Ottawa Now with Evan Solomon on Wednesday afternoon that he is willing to listen to anyone who witnessed fare inspectors demanding payment before boarding during Tuesday’s evacuation.
But some people have asked why customers must still pay at all during an emergency evacuation. OC Transpo offers free service on some days of the year, such as New Year’s Eve and Canada Day.
Director of Transit Customer Systems and Planning, Pat Scrimgeour, said in a statement, “The cost of providing free service on New Year’s Eve is taken care of through sponsorship. The current discounts and free service that OC Transpo provides on Canada Day is approved by Council as part of OC Transpo’s annual budget.”
When it comes to emergencies, Scrimgeour adds, “OC Transpo fares and discounts currently provided to customers are set and approved by City Council. There is no approved policy that allows for suspension of fares.”
Director of Transit Operations, Troy Charter, told CFRA in a statement that “operators are trained to use their discretion in allowing customers to board when faced with an emergency situation in order to ensure the safety of customers, as well as the surrounding community.”
Blais has said a post-mortem analysis of the handling of Tuesday’s evacuation is likely, though he admitted there was no immediate information about if or when such an analysis might take place.