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Transit has again become a battleground in the Ottawa mayoral election campaign as Mark Sutcliffe releases a transit plan he says will make transit more reliable and affordable, while his rivals say it’s either too modest, too reckless or based on hopes and dreams.
Sutcliffe had already told CBC he planned to cut the cost of a monthly adult transit pass from $138.50 to $95, but he released a more wide-ranging plan on Monday. It includes other affordability measures, like a $10 daily fare cap and a two-hour transfer window to ensure passengers aren’t charged twice for one trip.
“This is a plan to make transit faster, more reliable and more affordable,” he said during a media event at Terry Fox station in Kanata. “It’s a plan to make transit cleaner, safer and more accessible.”
Sutcliffe also promised that, if re-elected, he would improve bus service by bringing back express routes, buying 200 additional buses by 2030 and hiring 250 new drivers and mechanics. He said he would also speed up work on bus rapid transit corridors along Baseline and Blair roads, and in Orléans, Barrhaven and Cumberland.
He said he will “immediately begin work” on securing federal and provincial funding for Stage 3 of the LRT to Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven — something he also committed to in 2022 though the money has so far eluded him.
Finally, Sutcliffe said he will make the transit system cleaner and safer with dedicated cleaning staff and more special constables.
Mark Sutcliffe promises $95 monthly transit passes as part of mayoral campaign
Mark Sutcliffe says he will cut monthly adult transit passes to $95, if he’s re-elected as mayor. It’s part of a wide-ranging transit platform that also pledges to buy more buses and bring back express routes. Arthur White-Crummey has more on the campaign pledge and reaction.’A transit system in crisis’
On the same morning Sutcliffe made his announcement, eastbound LRT trains were being held on Line 1 due to a stopped train during rush hour. Mayoral candidate Jeff Leiper spoke to CBC at Bayview station as passengers stood waiting in packed train cars.
“We all believe that transit is too expensive, but it doesn’t really matter how much transit costs when you can’t rely on it,” Leiper said.
“The fare reduction is a gimmick when we’re not providing a transit service that people want to use.”
On the other hand, Neil Saravanamuttoo, who is also running for mayor, said Sutcliffe’s $95 promise doesn’t go far enough. He’s promising $1 rides with a $40-per-month fare cap.
“I’m very flattered that the mayor wants to copy my affordability agenda for transit,” he said. “Frankly, the mayor’s measure is a half measure. We have a transit system in crisis. We need to take bold action that will turn [it] around.”
For his part, Leiper said he is open to modest and affordable fare increases to make transit reliable.
“I am worried this is a reckless spending promise,” he said of Sutcliffe’s $95 pledge. “The Metrolinx deal is nothing that is signed or sealed or delivered today, and might never be.”
The Metrolinx deal is Sutcliffe’s funding source for the ideas he announced Monday. If the province takes over responsibility for the LRT, he said it will free up $85 million per year to spend on his transit priorities.
But Leiper wasn’t the only one to see risk in funding a platform with money that isn’t yet in the bank.
“It’s a pretty ambitious plan and it seems to be based on money that doesn’t exist,” said Alex Lawson, another mayoral challenger. “We’re all going to have fantastic plans for if we win the lottery one day, but you need to spend your paycheque wisely in the meantime.”
Mayor still optimistic on upload
Sutcliffe said Premier Doug Ford and his transportation minister have clearly stated they will follow through on the upload, even if a deal isn’t yet signed. He said he’s the one who can get it done.
“As the person who negotiated the upload, I’m the one person who can bring it across the finish line,” Sutcliffe said. “I have the experience and relationships to close the deal. No other candidate does.”
He also defended his record on transit, pointing to a record investment in OC Transpo, the successful openings of Lines 2 and 4, and a new electric bus fleet that’s strengthening reliability. Still, he said there’s still work to do, and addressed passengers directly during his media event.
“I hear your frustrations. I share those frustrations. I’ve been working hard for four years to improve transit and I’ll be honest, it’s still not where we want it to be, but we’re making progress,” he said.
“I know your patience has worn thin. I know it feels like we’re never going to get there. But I can tell you, we are getting closer.”