OC Transpo’s New Ways to Bus initiative, which launches in April 2025, will shift Ottawa’s bus routes from focusing on downtown access to better connecting community hubs and key destinations.

For some commuters, this may mean longer travel times; for others, it will lead to shorter commutes and more convenient public transit options.

Residents of Barrhaven East stand to 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 for the area, running between Barrhaven Centre Station and Limebank Station — the key south-end portal to the city’s rail network.

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

Route 70 will significantly improve connections to Limebank Station, the closest access point to Line 2 of the expanded O-Train network. This will give Barrhaven East residents easier access to the rest of Ottawa.

The route will also improve local connectivity, with shorter walks to bus stops compared to current routes. This could make more people opt for public transit, which will help reduce congestion across the city.

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 credit: OC Transpo]

Currently, many Barrhaven East residents rely on longer, 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 the bus stop, making the commute time-consuming and tiring.

Starting in April, route 70 will provide more direct access, saving time and making commuting simpler and more convenient. Route 70 will run seven days a week, all day long, giving Barrhaven East residents increased flexibility and convenience when planning their commutes. It will also allow residents to access Line 2 during its full operating hours, from six in the morning to midnight.

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