OC Transpo maintenance investigation finds issues with apprentices, 3rd-party work [Video]

The City of Ottawa’s auditor general has found issues within OC Transpo’s maintenance facilities surrounding supervision and certification of apprentices and around the outsourcing of some work to other garages.

The investigation came following a complaint to the city’s fraud and waste hotline. A report has been prepared for the Sept. 20 Audit Committee meeting.

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OC Transpo employs approximately 167 mechanics and 33 apprentices within the Transit Bus Operations and Maintenance Services department who provide 24/7 service across four garages. They oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the 738-bus and 80-minibus Para Transpo fleet, the Auditor General says. This includes responsibility for regular preventative maintenance inspections, as well as defect and collision repairs, as needed.

However, the auditor general’s office found that the number of licenced mechanics working at OC Transpo has been decreasing since …