O-Train Ottawa

The O-Train, operated by the OC Transport Corporation in the Canadian city of Ottawa, is the city’s light rail transit system. The current service operates on an existing railway line running north-south between Greensboro and Bayview over a distance of approximately eight kilometres. Although it is not affected by road traffic, the service shares the rail infrastructure with Ottawa Central, which operates its freight service to the National Research Council along this route after regular subway service ends for the day.

Since opening in October 2001, Ottawa’s O-Train service has experienced exponential growth and popularity among commuters over the past decade.

The Ottawa O-Train, also known simply as the O-Train, is a major public transportation service in Ottawa. It facilitates the movement of approximately 12,000 passengers each day, demonstrating its key role in the city’s transportation infrastructure. Despite its importance, the train system does not operate 24 hours a day. Instead, its operating hours vary throughout the week. From Monday to Friday, the service runs from 6:00 am to midnight, while on Saturdays it runs from 6:30 am to midnight. On Sundays, the service is available from 7:30 to 23:00.

As for the fare, passengers can expect to pay either $3 or $3.65, depending on the specific conditions. However, the O-Train system lacks some features. For example, the train has no air conditioning. Also, the design of the stations doesn’t allow for easy walking between platforms, and the trains are not driverless. The platforms do not have screen doors for safety reasons.

The O-Train is operated by OC Transpo, an organisation that can be contacted for information at 613-741-4390.

O-Train Ottawa Map

The O-Train line serves 5 stations over a track length of 8 km (5 miles). It runs between Bayview station to Greenboro station. Map of O-Train showing its lines and stations.

Map of O-Train Ottawa showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the O-Train Ottawa map in PDF format.

Ottawa’s O-Train System

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is located in the province of Ontario, close to the regions of Gatineau and Quebec. With a population of over 1.3 million, it is the fourth most populous city in the country. It is home to the Office of the President of Canada and is known for its well-educated population, low unemployment rate and high life expectancy.

Since 2002, all businesses in Ottawa have been required to provide information in both English and French. As a result, bilingual conversations are a common sight, with nearly 40% of the city’s population fluent in both languages. This cultural dynamic contributes to Ottawa’s rich diversity.

Ottawa consistently ranks high in global quality of life surveys, reflecting the city government’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship. Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of public transit in an effort to reduce car dependency. Despite these efforts, cars remain the primary mode of transport for most Ottawa residents.

Local authorities have been exploring environmentally friendly transport alternatives to reduce car use. One such alternative is the O-Train, a light rail system that has been in operation since 2001. Initially, the system consisted of a single 8-kilometre line serving five stations and carrying approximately 10,000 passengers per day. The system’s growth plan envisages a total of 41 stations by 2023.

The O-Train operates on a single 8-kilometre line that crosses Ottawa from north to south. It starts in the northern neighbourhoods of LeBreton Flats, Mechanicsville and Little Italy and ends in the southern communities of Hunt Club East-Western Community and South Keys. The system plans to add eight stations to the existing five by 2021.

O-Train Stations

• Bayview Station: Located on Albert Street, this station serves the LeBreton Flats, Mechanicsville and Little Italy neighbourhoods in north Ottawa. It has a single platform and offers connections to many bus routes.
• Carling Station: Located in the Centretown West area near the intersection of Carling Avenue and Preston Street, this station is close to the Dominion Arboretum and Dow’s Lake. It has an island platform and provides access to several bus routes.
• Carleton Station: Located on Campus Avenue within the Carleton University campus, this station has two platforms serving trains travelling in both directions.
• Mooney’s Bay Station: Located on the edge of the Riverside Park and Alta Vista neighbourhoods, near the intersection of Heron Road and Bronson Avenue, this station is close to Hog’s Back Park and Vincent Massey Park. It has a single island platform.
• Greenboro Station: Located between Bank Street and Johnston Road, this station serves the southern neighbourhoods of Hunt Club East-Western Community and South Keys. It has a single platform and parking for 678 vehicles.

Interconnectivity

All Ottawa O-Train stations are well integrated with the city’s bus network. The aim is to facilitate seamless transfers between the two modes of public transport, thereby minimising the need for car use.

• Bayview Station: It provides connections to bus routes numbered 16, 61, 62, 63, 64, 87, 91, 94, 95, 97, 98, 105, 107, 164, 252, 256, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 277, 278, 282, 283, and 403.
• Carling Station: This station links with bus routes 56, 85, 101, and 103.
• Carleton Station: Connections are available to bus routes 7, 10, 104, and 111.
• Mooney’s Bay Station: This station provides connections to bus routes 87, 88, 104, 107, 111, 290, and 456.
• Greenboro Station: It offers connections to bus routes 6, 40, 87, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, 99, 107, 189, 197, 199, 293, 294, 299, 304, 402, and 452.

Operating Hours

The O-Train responds to user demand with convenient operating hours. From Monday to Friday, the service starts at 6:00 am and continues until midnight. On Saturdays, the service starts at 6:30am and also runs until midnight.

On Sundays and public holidays the train runs from 7:30 to 23:00. On weekdays and Saturdays, trains arrive at the station every 10-12 minutes. On Sundays and public holidays the frequency is reduced to every 15 minutes.

Fares

The O-Train, Ottawa’s subway system, offers a variety of payment options to suit both regular commuters and new riders. The fare structure is based on the number of trips made by the user, a system that differs from many other metros that charge by the distance travelled. This approach reflects the relatively small size of the Ottawa subway system.

Users can purchase either single-ride tickets or refillable fare cards. These cards, available through two private companies, Presto and ParaPay, offer additional benefits to their holders. The company name is printed on the card, allowing users to choose their preferred provider.

Prices

• Single trip: This is the most economical option for occasional O-Train users. A single trip costs 3.50 Canadian dollars (CAD) (about 2.70 USD) for a ticket and 3.45 CAD (about 2.66 USD) if you use a Presto or ParaPay card.
• Day Pass: Ideal for short-term visitors to Ottawa, this pass allows unlimited travel on the city’s bus and subway lines for an entire day. Priced at CAD $10.50 (approx. USD $8.12), this option is especially beneficial for those who will be using public transportation frequently during their stay.
• Family Day Pass: This pass allows up to six family members unlimited travel on Ottawa’s O-Train and bus routes for an entire day. Priced at $10.50, the Family Day Pass is only valid on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
• Monthly Pass: For regular commuters, the Monthly Pass offers unlimited travel on the Ottawa Metro for an entire month. This pass is only available with a Presto or ParaPay card and costs $116.50 CAD (about $90.08 USD).

Guidelines

• Have your ticket ready for quick boarding and easy checking by Metro staff.
• For safety reasons, do not run after a departing train.
• Avoid walking on the tracks. Always use designated walkways to move between stations.
• Ensure that small children are supervised and held by the hand at all times.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions such as texting while waiting for a train.
• Stay in well-lit areas of stations after 21:00.
• If you experience or witness intimidating, threatening or violent behaviour, use station emergency phones to inform the authorities.
• Do not rush onto trains. Wait for other passengers to disembark.
• In winter, take extra care in stations as floors may be slippery.
• Make sure your belongings do not obstruct train doors or disturb other passengers.
• Respect seats reserved for people with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women.
• Use respectful language; profanity and hate speech are prohibited.
• Familiarise yourself with the location of emergency equipment on each train.
• Keep your baggage on your lap.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol or boarding trains while under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.

Accessibility

Ottawa Metro prioritises accessibility in its design, making its facilities user-friendly for all passengers. Train cars are aligned with station platforms for easy boarding, and reserved spaces are available for people with disabilities and older adults. However, station staff are not available to assist passengers with physical disabilities, so they must be self-sufficient or have an escort. Alternatively, Para Transpo services offer home collection for passengers with reduced mobility who are unable to travel independently.

Interesting Facts

• Several stations have ample car parking, which is free until 11:00 in the morning except in the early hours of the morning.
• There are no turnstiles or station staff to restrict access to trains, but onboard supervisors will ensure that passengers have valid tickets.
• If a passenger with reduced mobility requires the assistance of an escort, the escort travels free of charge, provided they remain with the passenger.
• Despite their smaller size, Ottawa Metro stations are equipped with surveillance cameras and canopies to protect against harsh weather and sun.

Airport Connection

The Ottawa O-Train does not provide direct service to Ottawa International Airport. However, the Greenboro terminal station is only a 16-minute walk from the airport and offers an easy connection by bus. To get to the airport, take the Ottawa Metro system to Greenboro, located in the south of the city. A short 200-metre walk will take you to the Greenboro 1A bus stop, where Route 97 buses arrive every 15 minutes. After boarding the bus and paying the appropriate fare, it will take approximately 16-18 minutes to get to the airport, alighting at the Airport/Airbus Private bus stop just outside the airport. Conversely, to get from the airport to downtown Ottawa, go to platform 14, located at the arrivals gate on Level 1. Buses run 24 hours a day except on Sundays when service is suspended from 2:30am to 5:00am. Remember to check the metro timetable if you are planning to change from train to bus. Taxis and car rental services are also available at Ottawa International Airport for those with heavy luggage.

Future Expansions

In 2013, Ottawa city council unanimously agreed to extend the Ottawa subway by 30 kilometres and add 19 new stations in a project called Stage 2 LRT. This project will extend the existing line and build an additional line. Upon completion, scheduled for late 2023, 70% of Ottawa residents will live within five kilometres of a station. Construction is expected to begin in 2019. Meanwhile, the Stage 1 project aims to extend the current line to east Ottawa, while the Stage 2 LRT will connect west Ottawa to the Trillium line and the Stage 1 project route. In mid-2017, the Canadian federal government committed additional funding to the Stage 2 LRT project, allowing for further expansion, train upgrades and the addition of new environmentally friendly trains.

Tourist Attractions

Downtown Ottawa, accessible via the Bayview Station and then by bus from the Bayview 2A stop, is home to many attractions.

Among them is:

The Canadian War Museum, a comprehensive exploration of the country’s military history, from Canada’s earliest recorded violent deaths to recent international peacekeeping operations. It features exhibits on battles fought on Canadian soil, the nation’s role during the Cold War, and a memorial to fallen Canadian soldiers.

Bayview Station also provides access to the National Gallery of Canada, one of the most important museums in the Americas. It boasts an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and drawings, with a focus on Canadian works alongside internationally renowned pieces. Visitors can explore an area dedicated to contemporary art, including iconic works by filmmaker and artist Andy Warhol, and immerse themselves in Native Canadian art, which offers insights into the lifestyle and cultural heritage of Aboriginal peoples.