OC Transpo’s New Ways to Bus initiative, starting in April, will shift bus routes from focusing on downtown access to better connecting community hubs and key destinations.

For some commuters, this may mean longer travel times; others will see shorter commutes and more convenient transit options.

In particular, residents of Barrhaven East should benefit significantly from the change. 

An OC Transpo bus pulls up to a curb to take on passengers. The transit commission recently approved a yearly budget that relies on a hoped-for $39-million in funding from the Ontario government. Critics question the assumption that the provincial money will come through, arguing the city should have raised taxes to cover the shortfall rather than risk a potential cut to services. [Photo © Gabrielle Huston]
Major changes are coming to bus routes throughout the city, including new routes in Barrhaven that should enhance service for local residents. Route 70 is expected to become the crucial transit connection in the south-end Ottawa suburb. [Capital Current file photo © Gabrielle Huston]

As part of the initiative, local bus route 171 will be replaced by route 70, alongside routes 73 and 74. Route 70 will be crucial , running between Barrhaven Centre Station and Limebank Station — the key south-end portal to the Line 2 of the light rail network.

Route 70 will also connect to Woodroffe Avenue and Stoneway Drive, as well as to Fallowfield Station.

The route will also improve local connections, with shorter walks to bus stops. This could make more people opt for public transit, reducing congestion.

OC Transpo is emphasizing the enhanced frequency of runs, local focus and linkages to rail in its branding of the “New Ways to Bus” initiative, with changes to be implemented by April. [Image courtesy OC Transpo]

Many Barrhaven East residents now rely on longer, more indirect routes to reach Line 2. Only routes 74 and 99 connect to Line 2, with route 74 linking to Limebank Station and route 99 connecting to Leitrim Station. For many, reaching Line 2 requires a bus transfer or a long walk to a bus stop, making the commute time-consuming and tiring.

New month, route 70 will provide more direct access, saving time and making commuting simpler and more convenient. The bus will run seven days a week, all day long, giving Barrhaven East residents more flexible and convenient commutes. It will also allow residents to access Line 2 during operating hours, from 6 a.m. to midnight.

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