OC Transpo working on special pass for hybrid workers

OC Transpois developing options for a new monthly pass that will appeal specifically to hybrid workers in an attempt to woo more riders back to public transit, general manager Rene Amilcarsaid.

During a meeting of the city's transit commission Thursday, Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill asked Amilcarwhether a partial subscription pass would be made available tocustomers who only need to commutepart-time now that federal workers are mandated to return to the office for a certain number of days perweek.

"Ifwe know for a fact that a number of these public servants are coming backtwo to three times a week in many cases, for themthat decision metric to go to a monthly pass doesn't exist, and as a result they are going to take the choice to take a car," Hill said.

"We are working on that," Amilcar replied."Will come back to the transit commission [with]a few options."

In December, OC Transpo's ridership levels were at 62per cent of pre-pandemic levels, according to a presentation delivered to the transit commission Thursday. Ridership has remained relatively stable in recent months, hovering around 60 per centsince September.

That's still well below boththe national average and OC Transpo's target for 2022 of 82 per cent, however.

Even without a new hybrid pass, Amilcarsaid she'soptimistic January numbers will show anoticeable bump in ridership. The federal government's push to bring public servants back to the office after more than two years of remote workingbegan Jan. 16 and is set to culminate onMarch 31.

Along with proposing new pass options, OC Transpo is launching a new ad campaign directed at federal workers to help them navigate the transit system and plan trips, she said. The campaign will last several months.