Almost 50 OC Transpo bus routes could soon be cut to help save the city $3 million.

The proposed cuts, which target bus routes across the city, come at the same time as a 7.5 per cent fare hike scheduled to take effect in March.

If passed, the cuts will remove or reduce service for 47 bus routes, angering commuters, who could be forced to either:

  • take long walks to get to a more central bus stop,
  • add a transfer to their commute,
  • or not take the bus at all.

When CTV Ottawa asked about the rational behind the cuts, OC Transpo would not comment.

Commuters who rely on the bus routes say they're not impressed with the cuts.

"It's not such an attractive idea to leave the car at home and walk 1.5 kilometres to the arena along unlit roads," said Chris MacPherson, 65, who takes the bus from Navan to Ottawa's downtown core every morning.

Right now, the bus stop for route 231 is only a few hundred metres from her home. MacPherson is now collecting signatures to help save the route.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua