Ottawa 2025 budget: School bus authority warns OC Transpo budget will cause ‘significant shortfall’ [Video]

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is facing a $4.6 million pothole in its budget this school year if OC Transpo’s plan to eliminate discounted youth passes is approved as part of the 2025 City of Ottawa budget.

“The proposed OC Transpo fare changes would result in a significant shortfall in our 2024-25 budget,” Cindy Owens, interim general manager of the OSTA, says.

Council is set to finalize the 2025 City of Ottawa budget on Wednesday, which includes a proposed five per cent hike in transit fares.

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The transit service’s draft budget, approved by the Transit Commission two weeks ago, includes eliminating the youth discount pass of $99.25 a month, and charging riders ages 11 to 19 the adult monthly pass fee of $135. OC Transpo is also set to eliminate the free transit for …