Ottawa's mayoral candidates are rushing to propose transit improvements, but the real crisis lies beneath our tires. The city spends $914 million annually on OC Transpo, yet only 12.7% of residents use transit to commute. Meanwhile, roads receive just $530 million, despite 77.9% of commuters driving. This imbalance demands a serious re-evaluation of priorities.
Transit spending outpaces road investment
According to a recent city report, only 44% of Ottawa's transportation assets are in good or very good condition. Fifteen percent are poor or very poor, and the remainder are fair—showing signs of deterioration. The city needs $198.3 million per year for road renewal through 2035, but average spending is only $127.3 million, leaving a $71 million annual gap.
Road spending has increased, but not enough
This term of council has allocated $375 million for road rehabilitation over four years, nearly double the previous term. However, with 6,100 kilometres of roads and decades of underfunding, the backlog persists. Drivers face potholes, cracks, and rough surfaces daily.
Transit's actual value questioned
OC Transpo's new general manager boasts 99.5% bus reliability, and electric buses are arriving. The LRT, costing over $7 billion, will eventually connect east to west. Yet, only 20% of residents use transit more than a few times a month. Is spending $914 million justified when roads serve the vast majority?
A call for balanced priorities
City councillors spend far more time debating OC Transpo than roads. Every transit shortfall is treated as an outrage, while road neglect is accepted. Ottawa is not a transit company; it must serve all residents. A transit election would be welcome if it offered to cut transit spending to match its actual value, freeing funds for essential road repairs.
Everyone benefits from good roads—drivers, bus riders, cyclists, and delivery trucks. It's time for City Hall to shift focus and invest where it matters most.
