Additional study for a dedicated public transit system in Gatineau's west end
Overview of the study
The study completed in 2017 concluded that tram/light rail was an option that should be examined in more detail, from the perspective of integrating the systems and the longer term vision for development of the greater Gatineau-Ottawa metropolitan area. With this in mind, the STO granted a mandate to WSP in August 2018 to expand on the opportunity study from 2017. This new study will help to:
- Determine the mode (or modes) that would be implemented: light rail system/tram or BRT (bus rapid transit);
- Refine the corridors taken: combined use of the Allumettières (with a variation via Plateau) and Aylmer/Taché axes is necessary to provide efficient service in the city's west end;
- Define the optimal alignment with the Rapibus from Gatineau's east end and Ottawa's light rail system;
- Define the specific locations of the different stations;
- Identify the preferred interprovincial bridge.
This study is being financed by contributions from the federal government (50%) and provincial government (40%) under the financial assistance program of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).
Major phases of the study
Phase 1 : Needs and constraints
Objective: Update the data and refine the needs and constraints described previously in past studies.
Deadline: Winter 2019
Phase 2: Development of solutions
Objective: Identify the solutions that will address the needs and constraints identified in Phase 1, and analyse them in detail.
Deadline: Spring 2019
Phase 3: Comparative assessment of solutions
Objective: Assess the performance of each chosen solution in terms of the needs and constraints identified in Phase 1, and identify the most effective solution.
Deadline: Summer 2019
January 30, 2020 - Update: The study confirms the need for a tram component
Phase 3b: Integration into Ottawa : Evaluation of options
Objective: Thorough analysis of the specific questions related to Ottawa's downtown core. STO feeder buses options, number of stations, insertion options (overground on Wellington or via tunnel below Sparks street).
Deadline: Fall 2020
May 15, 2020 - Update: Progress of the analysis of options for the integration in Ottawa
Phase 4: Refinement of the chosen solution
Objective: Describe the most performing solution based on the vision, goals, requirements and constraints identified; refine and introduce the solution that is technically recommended.
Deadline: Summer 2021
The consultation process in general: Advisory committes and public consultations
Consulting the public and stakeholders is a key element of this study.This process was achieved by the creation of the Advisory commitees and the helding of public consultations.
Creation of the Advisory commitees
The STO created advisory committees in fall 2018 whose members are organizations that were identified as important partners:
- Associations
- Organizations representing residents in the sectors concerned.
- Organizations representing people with functional limitations.
- Business and institutional communities
- Mobility / urban planning / environmental organizations
The advisory committees met several times during the different phases of the study.
Public consultations
Consultation process during the phase 1 - Needs and constraints:
Consultation on the issues with members of the advisory commitees
30 organizations participated to the consultation on the issues, expectations and concerns related to the study and the future implementation of a dedicated public transit system in Gatineau's west end. Several observations emerged from their responses and comments.
All 30 respondents support the project. The main reasons are:
- Environment – sustainable mobility
- Need for an efficient system
- Demographic growth
- raffic congestion
The main expectations of this structuring system are:
- An efficient structuring system
- Improved safety for everyone
- Transportation to all trip generators
- Take the environmental impact into account
The expectations of the STO regarding completion of the study and the consultation process are:
- Consult the public
- Validate the solutions with the public
See the Summary Report (In French only)
Consultation process during the phase 2 - Development of solutions
Workshop on the solutions with the members of the advisory commitees
21 organizations participated to the workshop with the objective of identifying paticipant issues, preoccupations and suggestions in regard of the 3 principal components of each studied solutions:
- « Aylmer-Alexandre-Taché »
- « Plateau-Allumettières »
- « Downtown links »
See the report (available in french)
Consultation process during the phase 3 - Comparative assessment of solutions
In the context of the study's phase 3, the STO proceeded to the following consultation activities.
June 2019: Public consultation on the 5 scenarios selected in the study.
In June 2019, the STO launched a public consultation process to give the public a chance to comment on the five selected scenarios for the dedicated public transit system.
A workshop open to the general public was organized to encourage a discussion about the conditions of success of the dedicated system, and to further develop views about the scenarios. In addition, 11 organizations submitted briefs to the STO.
The results of these consultations are extremely valuable to the project because they enabled the partners to determine the respondents' main requirements and constraints. The information obtained through them is being taken into account in stages 3 and 4 of the study (details about the routes and factors to be used for comparing the scenarios under study), as well as in future design stages.
Consultation process during phase 3b - Integration into Ottawa: Evaluation of options
June and July, 2020: Public consultation on the options for integration of the system into Ottawa
From June 22 to July 19, 2020, the STO consulted the population of the entire Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan region on the integration options into downtown Ottawa.
The various feedback from these consultations will allow to nourish the evaluations required to recommend an option of integration into Ottawa.
See the public consultation report on the integration scenarios for downtown Ottawa
The consultation process during the phase 4 - Refinement of the chosen solution
In 2021, the consultative committees will be invited to this stage in order to hold a workshop on the chosen solution.
During the same period, public meetings will be held with the population on different themes identified during the public consultations.
Next steps
- the final study report will be tabled in 2021; and
- there will be several additional steps, including getting funding, developing plans and specifications, and the actual construction. The new system is expected to be ready in 7 to 10 years.
Until then, in order to meet the increased traffic in the west as in the east, the STO will continue to invest heavily and to implement the most efficient ways of improving its system's performance and reliability. By the fall of 2019, it should be noted that the STO has injected $4 M into its offer of service, which has led to 24,400 additional hours and 524,500 additional kilometres for customers. Many of those changes benefited the western part of Gatineau.
Partners involved
Given the geographic layout and the inter-provincial nature of the project, the study is being conducted in collaboration with the STO's partners: Ville de Gatineau, Quebec's ministère des Transports, the National Capital Commission, the City of Ottawa and OC Transpo.
Additional informations
- Summary of previous studies (in French only)
- Frequently asked questions
For any questions or comments, please e-mail us at: etudedelouest@sto.ca
