Ottawa School Bus Authority Faces Budget Crisis Amid Proposed Transit Fare Hikes
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) has raised urgent concerns about a looming financial crisis tied to changes in OC Transpo’s fare structure as part of Ottawa's proposed 2025 budget. The authority is bracing for a significant budget shortfall that could have widespread implications for the city’s students and school boards.
At the heart of the issue is OC Transpo's proposal to eliminate discounted youth passes and raise transit fares by 5%. Under the current draft, youth aged 11 to 19 will no longer pay $99.25 for a monthly pass but instead will be charged the adult fare of $135. Additionally, free transit for children aged 11 and 12 is set to be discontinued. If implemented on January 1, 2025, these changes will add an immediate $4.6 million burden to OSTA's budget for the current school year. The authority projects this number to balloon to $8.4 million for a full academic year, marking a staggering 58.6% increase in transportation costs.
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The OSTA, which oversees transportation for over 74,000 students in Ottawa’s two largest school boards, relies heavily on OC Transpo for about 20,000 students who use public transit. This reliance has grown in recent years due to an ongoing shortage of school bus drivers. Cindy Owens, OSTA’s interim general manager, warns that the fare hike will not only strain the school boards financially but also impact programs supporting students with disabilities. Compassionate passes, granted through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, are at risk of being significantly scaled back.
Owens has called for urgent collaboration between the city and school boards to develop an alternative solution, such as a dedicated U-Pass for students under 18. She has also appealed to the Ministry of Education for additional funding but has received a noncommittal response.
With the city council set to finalize the budget this Wednesday, the stakes are high. Without immediate intervention, the proposed fare hikes could force OSTA to cut critical services, leaving many Ottawa families scrambling for affordable transportation options.
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