Thursday, January 13, 2011

Want to join Ottawa's transit commission? Here's how

Plenty of transit users think they can do a better job of managing OC Transpo than those currently in charge. With Ottawa's new Transit Commission, you're getting a chance to have at least some say in the decisions the city makes with regard to transit services.

The city is expected to release information on how to join the Transit Commission, as well as many of the city's other boards and committees, tomorrow (Friday) morning, but I've received a draft-poster from city staff that you can download here.

Some key information:
  • These are voluntary positions
  • Members must be Ottawa residents and 18 years of age or older
  • There is generally one meeting a month, but there may be subcommittee or working group meetings more often than that
If you's like more information, you can contact Diane Blais at 613-580-2424, ext. 28091 or committees@ottawa.ca. There will also be four open houses in the coming weeks:

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Orléans Client Service Centre
255 Centrum Blvd, Room 340

Thursday, January 20, 2011
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Nepean Sportsplex, Hall D
1701 Woodroffe Avenue

Saturday, January 22, 2011
9 a.m. to noon
Jean Pigott Place
Ground Floor, Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Councillors’ Lounge
2nd Floor, Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West

You can see application details in the city poster (here it is again). They're due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2011. Good luck!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why is it only open to Ottawa residents? OC Transpo operates in Gatineau as well. There are 19 OC Transpo stops on the Quebec side serving 6 routes (8, 27, 40, 88, 105, and 195).

Anonymous said...

I suspect the reason that Membership is only open to residents of the City of Ottawa is, quite simply, because they are the only ones who pay taxes that fund the transit system. Despite the fact that OCTranspo operates in Gatineau, only those who contribute to the system should have a say in how the money is spent.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who gets on the bus in Gatineau and pays the fare is contributing to fund the Ottawa transit system. Likewise, Gatineau residents that ride any OC Transpo bus in Ottawa are also funding the Ottawa transit system with their fares.

I'm not saying that a lot of Gatineau residents should be allowed on the transit commission, but maybe at least one.

Anonymous said...

What about the Ottawa residents who use the STO? It does run on the Ottawa side after all.
Does this reasoning follow for drivers who use the road?

Anonymous said...

What about the Ottawa residents who use the STO? It does run on the Ottawa side after all.

If there is an Outaouais transit commission, I think it would only be fair to have 1 or more Ottawa residents on the commission.

Does this reasoning follow for drivers who use the road?

No. The Ottawa transit commission, as I understand it, is concerned with public transit (mainly OC Transpo).