The Buzz · Ottawa Morning Wire

Your OC Transpo boss just got grilled by dozens of angry riders

Your OC Transpo boss got a grilling

You know, sometimes I wonder if *any* meeting with OC Transpo ever goes through just one level of approval, let alone three. But judging by the turnout for their latest town hall, it seems a lot of people in Ottawa are feeling like their concerns are stuck in some kind of bureaucratic purgatory. So, when the transit agency, OC Transpo, announced this new "customers first" strategy, dozens of riders showed up, ready to put that commitment to the test. And from what I hear, they didn't hold back.

### The Real Story Off the Hill

The real story is never on the Hill — it's always just off it. And what's more "off the Hill" than trying to get to work from, say, Barrhaven or Orléans when the bus is late, again? Or waiting at a station in the rain, which, by the way, this July is the rainiest on record for Ottawa. It's not just about a bus being late; it's about missing your connection, being late for work, or just standing there, soaked to the bone, wondering why you bothered.

* **What was tested:** OC Transpo's new "customers first" strategy. * **Who showed up:** Dozens of very motivated Ottawa transit riders. * **The outcome (so far):** A strong demonstration of public demand for accountability.

This isn't just a squabble over schedules; it’s about how people navigate their daily lives, from heading to the ByWard Market for groceries to getting to an appointment downtown. When transit doesn't work, it impacts everyone, from students at Carleton trying to get to class, to federal employees navigating the core. It reminds us that even with all the big policy discussions happening a few blocks away, the most immediate issues often hit closest to home, right on our bus routes.

Simone Okafor-Bouchard, MiTL Sports Desk.

You should hear the crew on "Morning Wire" dissect this one — catch it live at mornings.live!

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