Since taking over this area in late 2022, I have been relentless in my push for better transit options for Orléans South. One of my biggest frustrations has been the underutilization of the Chapel Hill Park & Ride—not because people don’t want to use it, but because there hasn’t been an efficient route to make it worthwhile.
For years, OC Transpo has maintained that ridership must justify increased service. But I’ve never accepted that as a final answer. We’ve been stuck in a chicken-and-egg scenario—how can ridership improve if we don’t offer a service that makes sense? After two budget cycles where my requests didn’t materialize, I refused to take the idea off the table. And now, after continued advocacy, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re finally getting a 6-week pilot shuttle service to and from Blair Station!
Introducing Route 226 – The Chapel Hill–Blair Shuttle PILOT:
Monday, March 3 to Saturday, April 26
Westbound to Blair Station in the morning (every 30 minutes from 5:44 am to 8:53 am)
Eastbound to Chapel Hill Park & Ride in the afternoon (every 30 minutes from 3:20 pm to 6:03 pm)
Direct, peak-time service for a quick, direct connection to Line 1 LRT at Blair
See full schedule through the OC Transpo Travel Planner
This is a huge opportunity for South Orléans transit riders, but I need your help to make the case it should be permanent. Ridership on this pilot will be the key factor in proving that residents will take transit when it is fast, reliable, and convenient. If we show strong numbers, I will have the leverage to request better service for our area.
As of now, the plan is that after the launch of OC Transpo’s New Ways to Bus network on Monday, April 28, the 226 route will be modified to serve Blackburn Hamlet and Chapel Hill South, stopping along the way to provide more access. Please note that at that time, the pilot will have concluded, and it will no longer be a direct service. Further changes will be introduced when Stage 2 LRT becomes operational in the east end later this year. I’m hopeful that if the pilot is a success, we can prove the benefit of adding a more direct route permanently.
I appreciate that this is not a perfect solution, but I saw an opportunity to make the case that we deserve better, and I will take that opportunity every time.
I want to thank General Manager Renée Amilcar for recognizing the need for improved service in Orléans South, and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe for always ensuring my voice is heard on transportation issues.
Now, it’s up to us. If you have considered using transit to commute, now is the time to do it. Let’s fill those buses and prove that Orléans South deserves better transit!
For more information on the shuttle and service schedule changes, please click here.
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