An audit of Ottawa's bus scheduling has sparked debate over whether city councillors should have the power to veto transit route adjustments in their wards. The audit, presented to a committee on Friday, criticized councillors for sometimes blocking changes that could improve service efficiency.
The report highlighted instances where tweaks to bus routes or schedules were delayed or canceled due to councillor objections, often based on local resident concerns. The auditor argued this practice can undermine the goal of a streamlined, effective transit system.
Committee members clashed over the issue, with some defending councillors' roles as advocates for their communities, while others called for clearer rules to prevent political interference in operational decisions. The debate comes as OC Transpo faces ongoing pressure to improve reliability and reduce wait times.
No specific councillors were named in the audit, and the report did not quantify the number of blocked changes. The committee is expected to issue recommendations in the coming weeks.
