Weekly newsletter: July 11, 2023

I recently bought new pants. 

I did so not to expand my wardrobe, but because my waistline has expanded a bit since I was sworn in (the CBC photo above shows all of it), and shows no signs of retracting, despite my efforts. 

Why am I telling you this? Because I’m about to make the worst segue ever about embracing a new reality. 

It’s been three years since society experienced a seismic shift, and probably about a year since the “state of flux” gave way to some stability. 

I made mention of this at the June Transit Commission meeting, after General Manager Renée Amilcar presented OC Transpo’s first ever long-term plan (yes, you read that right…more on that later). 

Following the presentation of the document, I spoke to it and said having tangible guidelines and goals will help OC Transpo embrace and succeed in our new reality. 

The thought was expanded upon by Councillor Gower, who suggested it may be time to stop comparing pre-pandemic to now. Maybe we should just look at the now and work towards better from here. 

I agree with his expansion upon my statement. While it’s worth keeping a benchmark in mind, part of me feels that basing our current work, data, and effort on pre-pandemic numbers may be starting to hold us back. 

For transit, current ridership and revenue numbers are always monitored against pre-pandemic numbers, which I feel does more harm than good — we lose sight of making the service better for current riders and to attract new riders, because our focus was winning back riders for so long. 

It’s not limited to transit, but it’s the best example I have. 

Like old pants that are too tight, pre-pandemic data may still be a good benchmark to use from time to time, but it should no longer be the basis from which we operate. 

OC Transpo’s five-year road map 

As mentioned earlier, OC Transpo presented its five-year road map at the June Transit Commission meeting. 

It’s an impressive document that outlines realistic goals and what they will do in service of those goals; from the route review to new service initiatives like on-demand, as well as improving employee engagement and transition to more light rail services. 

Surprisingly, this is OC Transpo’s first post-amalgamation long-term plan, although when I think back to my time as an employee at the transit service, I can recall hints of the company being operated with very little long-term direction. 

Not only are there goals and initiatives in service of those goals, but each section includes key performance indicators. The document is also flexible so it can also adapt to changing needs and circumstances. 

I have a pin on my desk from 1987 when OC Transpo was named the best transit system in North America. While achieving that again by the end of this Council term is a bit aspirational, I believe the success of the five-year road map will get us much closer to that distinction. 

OC Transpo doesn’t have to be the best in North America, but it needs to be the best for Ottawa. 

Anyway, I hope you have the chance to get out and enjoy all our community and city has to offer throughout the summer. I will be knocking on doors around the ward to chat with neighbours and residents throughout the summer! 

Take care! 

-Wilson