Bus delays, route changes cause Canada Day commuter chaos
Thousands were stranded in Ottawa waiting in long lines to get on OC Transpo and STO buses
People standing in line to enter Parliament Hill weren't the only ones in Ottawa left waiting on Canada Day, with thousands of people across the city standing in wet puddles for buses that either drove past them filled to the brim or didn't show up at all.
OC Transpo riders taking advantage of the free service for Canada Day were stranded as they waited for buses that were delayed by more than 30 minutes.
These tweets offer a glimpse of how people reacted to the chaos.
This was the scene for the Eagleson Park and Ride in Kanata.
The lineup at the Eagleson Park & Ride for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OCTranspoLive">@OCTranspoLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/JNGu4pexJT">pic.twitter.com/JNGu4pexJT</a>
—@scottawa27<a href="https://t.co/5dnMdN48EE">pic.twitter.com/5dnMdN48EE</a>
—@MetcalfeRobOther west-end commuters were also stranded.
<a href="https://twitter.com/OCTranspoLive">@OCTranspoLive</a> you have no buses stopping at Bayshore (all full) lined up ariund the block. Fix it
—@deanfroMany extra buses are in service, Sunday service = no connexion buses. Thanks for your patience.
—@OC_TranspoHuge lines at Westboro <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a>. Lots of people anxious to get to the party.
—@Ksey76OC Transpo had to call in some in reinforcements.
Extra buses are being sent to Eagleson, Millennium, Trim and Hurdman to accommodate passengers.
—@OC_TranspoSteve's ride on OC Transpo seems to have been more pleasant than others.
David Pepper, an OC Transpo spokesperson, told CBC News the transit system is used to dealing with 350,000 commuters each day, but Canada Day presents a number of challenges for drivers since the rhythm is completely unpredictable.
He said some buses are kept on standby to manage build-ups at popular stations.
In a tweet, OC Transpo said they added dozens of trips for all buses that normally run on Sundays. Route 91 to Orléans will also run after the fireworks.
The Royals travelling around downtown has also caused a ripple effect for passengers to and from the area during the afternoon, according to OC Transpo.
Ate fruit at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeechwoodMarket?src=hash">#BeechwoodMarket</a> and now we're heading downtown on a free bus ride. Thanks, <a href="https://twitter.com/OC_Transpo">@OC_Transpo</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighamCanadaDay?src=hash">#HighamCanadaDay</a>
—@HighamStephenTo me, seems like the really eager beavers got to the Hill around 6-7, then the early risers 8-9, now the regular crowd is rolling in. <a href="https://t.co/I4ehUI8pDv">pic.twitter.com/I4ehUI8pDv</a>
—@amkfooteThis is the approximate 5-hour wait for thousands trying to get on Parliament Hill. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada150?src=hash">#Canada150</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaDay?src=hash">#CanadaDay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ottawa?src=hash">#Ottawa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/MWScjrYkU4">pic.twitter.com/MWScjrYkU4</a>
—@CBCOttawaOnce downtown, the lines were hours-long.
STO buses abandon downtown Ottawa
The buses across the river were experiencing similar issues.
Commuters on the Gatineau side said that STO buses began dropping people off at the Quebec-side of bridges, leaving them to walk across to downtown Ottawa.
STO representatives said their buses stopped venturing downtown just before 1 p.m. due to traffic and security reasons.
Tonight, Gatineau commuters will have to walk back across the bridges to catch STO buses home.
