New Solar Screens at Ottawa Bus Stops Spark Mixed Reactions

A new initiative by OC Transpo to enhance commuter experience has introduced solar-powered screens at several bus stops in Ottawa, including the Eagleson Park & Ride. The screens display real-time information about bus routes and estimated arrival times. While some commuters appreciate the technology, others express confusion over discrepancies between the screens and other transit tracking methods.

At the Eagleson Park & Ride, resident Jonathan Huang was pleased to see the new addition, which indicated a two-minute wait for his Route 62 bus to Tunney’s Pasture. “Hopefully it’s accurate,” he remarked with a laugh, moments before the bus arrived as predicted. This screen is part of a pilot project that will last one year, aimed at providing real-time updates at bus stops across the city. Additional screens have been installed at locations including Bank and Somerset, the Civic Hospital on Carling Avenue, and Bayshore Mall on Woodridge Crescent.

According to OC Transpo spokesperson David Jones, each screen costs approximately $9,500. Huang mentioned that the screen would save him from needing to check his phone for updates, a common practice he had relied on before.

Despite the positive feedback from some, other commuters question the reliability of the information displayed. Uzair Ahmed, a Kanata resident heading to class at the University of Ottawa, noted inconsistencies between the screen and Google Maps. While the app indicated his Route 61 bus would arrive in seven minutes, the screen projected a wait of 17 minutes. “It definitely adds a little bit of confusion,” he commented as he compared the two sources.

The situation became even more complicated when a Route 62 bus, not expected for another three minutes, arrived early. Ahmed boarded the bus, only to find that the bus he had originally intended to take showed up five minutes later, contradicting both the screen’s and Google Maps’ predictions.

Other passengers echoed similar sentiments, reporting that the new screens seem to share the same issues as the OC Transpo mobile app, which can be used to track bus arrivals. For instance, as friends Bartek Szerszen and Ayham Jalboukh awaited their Route 61 bus, both the app and the screen confirmed the bus was en route. Yet, when the time disappeared from the display, they learned the next bus would not arrive for another 37 minutes.

“It’s nothing new,” Szerszen said, reflecting on their experiences with transit delays. OC Transpo has stated that any cancelled buses will be indicated on the screens with a strikethrough to inform commuters of undelivered trips.

As this pilot project progresses, OC Transpo is actively seeking feedback from the public. Commuters are encouraged to complete a survey, accessible via a QR code located at the bottom of each new transit information screen.

The initiative represents an effort to improve transparency in bus schedules, but the mixed reactions highlight ongoing challenges in achieving reliability in public transit. As the pilot continues, the city aims to refine its approach based on user experiences and feedback.