The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) today released the findings of the public consultation conducted between June 22 and July 19, which gave Gatineau and Ottawa residents the chance to comment on the two options for integrating a future tram into downtown Ottawa, one at grade on Wellington Street, the other under Sparks Streets.

The following observations reflect the opinions of the 1,500 respondents, 60% of whom were Gatineau residents, and 40% Ottawa residents:

- The large majority of residents, between 84% and 87%, believe it is important to provide proper service to both downtowns and to connect Gatineau's and Ottawa's transit systems.

- The three most important factors for respondents in regard to the integration options are the performance of the public transit system, i.e. commercial speed, reliability and resilience (84%), the quality of the pedestrian environment (67%), and the quality of public transit, i.e. the importance of limiting the number of transfers (65%).

- The option of running the tram under Sparks Street is the preferred choice of six out of ten respondents: 56% of Gatineau residents and 67% of Ottawa residents.

- Half of the respondents believe that the presence of a tram on Wellington Street is compatible with preserving the image and heritage value of the nation's capital and Parliament Hill.

- A large majority of respondents, i.e. 89% of Gatineau residents and 78% of Ottawa residents, believe that not all STO buses should be eliminated from downtown Ottawa.

For details, go to the dedicated page on the STO website.

"The public consultation findings confirm that more than 80% support a system that connects the two downtowns. This is the point on which there is the highest level of agreement, in addition to the findings confirming that performance, quality of service and quality of the environment are determining factors in promoting public transit," indicated STO President Myriam Nadeau. "Essentially, the idea is to get customers as close as possible to their destination to avoid the need for more transfers or a significant increase in the distance they have to walk.

For example, getting customers beyond the Lyon Station would encourage the use of public transit."

The preferences and concerns of respondents in terms of both the scenarios and the modes of transport will be taken into consideration in the next phases of the study. These findings were presented to Gatineau Municipal Council this week, and will be presented at Ottawa's September 2 Transportation Committee meeting. 

Source : STO

Consultations on options for a future tram linking Gatineau's west end and the downtowns of both cities now open 

The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), in partnership with the City of Ottawa, will start public consultations today on the options to link Gatineau's future rapid transit system to Ottawa's transit system. 

Following presentations to Gatineau, and Ottawa City councillors in May, residents from both cities are now invited to review and comment on the work completed to date. The consultation, in the form of a questionnaire available on sto.ca aims to determine which of the two corridor options for the tram integration into downtown Ottawa is the most appropriate: 

• On Wellington Street 
• A tunnel under Sparks Street. 

The feedback will be analyzed and posted on the STO's website. The information will also be shared with the study's government stakeholders: the Ministère des Transports du Québec, Public Services and Procurement Canada, the National Capital Commission, Ville de Gatineau, and the City of Ottawa. 

The final recommendations will be presented this winter to Gatineau City Council and to the City of Ottawa's Transportation Committee. 

"Public transit projects have to involve everyone. This is fundamental to the very nature of such projects! Taking part in the public consultations means taking part in the development of a unique infrastructure that promises to improve the quality of life for our residents," indicated STO Chairman Myriam Nadeau. 

"This electric tram project supports Ottawa's goals towards sustainable transportation and promises to provide improved transit connections between our two cities. I encourage residents to take this opportunity to have their say on this transformative project that will shape how people move between Ottawa and Gatineau in the future." said Mr. Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa. 

Source : Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO)

Audio of the meeting and media availability.

The Gatineau Tramway, proposed for the west-end of the city, will transform public transit, most notably in the Plateau and Aylmer sectors, which currently do not have any rapid-transit offered. 

In this video discussion with Maude Marquis-Bissonnette (Mayoral Candidate, Leader of Action Gatineau, and councillor for Plateau), we discuss the tramway project, the eventual rapibus conversion, the tramway insertion into Ottawa, and a 6th crossing between Gatineau-Ottawa.

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• 00:19 - Introduction 
• 00:31 - Gatineau Tramway 
• 01:52 - How will the tramway improve the transit experience 
• 03:04 - How will the tramway improve road congestion in the Plateau and Aylmer 
• 05:08 - Closure to cars on rue Laurier near Place du Portage and Terraces de la Chaudiere 
• 07:33 - Interest in converting the Rapibus to rail 
• 08:54 - Timeline of converting the Rapibus 
• 10:33 - The possible 6th crossing between Gatineau and Ottawa 
• 11:42 - How can citizens voice their comments and become engaged with this project 
• 13:11 - The routing of the tramway through the Plateau 
• 15:55 - The insertion into Ottawa, on the surface on Wellington or in a tunnel under Sparks 
• 17:35 - The Ottawa-Gatineau Loop

The City of Gatineau is moving forward with opportunity studies to determine the need, technology, route options to better serve the West-End of Gatineau (specifically Aylmer and the Plateau). It has been determined that a service offered by rail is needed to provide adequate service in the future for these growing communities as well as providing service in and out of the downtown core of Ottawa. 

In this March 2021 interview with Myriam Nadeau, City Councillor for Pointe Gatineau and President of the STO, we discuss the West-End tram for Gatineau and answer the following questions: 

• How a decision was made to pursue building a Tram/LRT in Gatineau. 
• The advantages that the Tram/LRT will bring to commuters and citizens of Gatineau and in particular to those residing in the Plateau and Aylmer. 
• The currently proposed routing options. 
• The options for entry into Ottawa via the Portage Bridge: Surface on Wellington / Underground beneath Sparks. 
• The timelines: work that has been completed, the next steps, and when might we see the first passengers ride this new transit service. 
• How citizens can get involved during consultations, as well as providing feedback and support.