Latest news with #ATULocal279
Ottawa Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Renée Amilcar resigning as OC Transpo general manager as of July 18
OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar will be leaving the transit authority on July 18 after more than three years in the position. Article content In a memo Tuesday afternoon, City Manager Wendy Stephanson said Amilcar had led OC Transpo 'through a period of significant operational transformation, modernization and service improvement' since joining the organization in 2021. Article content Article content Article content Troy Charter, director of transit service and rail operations for the City of Ottawa, will serve as interim general manager after Amilcar leaves, the memo added. Article content 'On behalf of the senior leadership team, I want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Renée for her contributions and wish her continued success in her future endeavours,' Stephanson wrote. Article content 'I recognize that ensuring strong, stable leadership during this time is of paramount importance — particularly as we continue to deliver safe, reliable transit service to residents while advancing major city-wide transformational projects.' Article content The announcement of Amilcar's departure came a little more than a month after OC Transpo's 'New Ways To Bus' initiative was met with sharp criticism from transit users and advocates. Previously, she told reporters that the sweeping changes were designed to improve connectivity to community hubs and to provide 'a sustainable network that meets the evolving needs of our customers.' Article content Article content But the community group Ottawa Transit Riders had previously said that their voices and opinions were not heard. Transit users have also said they lost trust in the public transportation agency, especially because service could be very unreliable. Article content Members of ATU Local 279, a union representing OC Transpo operators, called for a 'serious, honest review of Ottawa's transit system' last Friday. Union president Noah Vineberg previously told reporters that riders were frustrated at the city's transit system and that operators were overworked and exhausted. Article content 'For years we've heard promises of New Ways to Bus — promises of innovation, better service, and a transit future we could believe in,' Vineberg said. 'But we lived through unrealistic schedules and a system spiralling deeper into dysfunction for both riders and workers.'
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Union calls for ‘serious, honest' review of Ottawa's transit system
An OC Transpo bus is seen in this undated file photo. (CTV News Ottawa) The union representing OC Transpo drivers is calling on the City of Ottawa to conduct a 'serious, honest review' of the transit system, warning the system is 'spiralling deeper into dysfunction.' The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 issued a statement as negotiations get underway between the union and OC Transpo on a new contract. In April, OC Transpo launched the New Ways to Bus, a sweeping redesign of the transit system designed to shorten bus routes and connect more riders to the O-Train and in neighbourhoods. Some transit riders have raised concerns about the new system, saying they have longer commutes to work or school. The union is raising concerns about the new system, saying the latest release of schedules 'reinforces the chaos' on the transit system. 'Riders are frustrated. Operators are exhausted. And yet, the voices of those most impacted continue to be ignored,' the union said. ATU president Noah Vineberg there needs to be a review of the transit system, and the city need to listen to riders and workers. 'For years, we've heard promises of New Ways to Bus – promises of innovation, better service, and a transit future we could believe in,' Vineberg said in a release. 'But we lived through unrealistic schedules and a system spiralling deeper into dysfunction for both riders and workers.' The union submitted a petition to Wednesday's Council meeting 'requesting a collective agreement that addresses higher wages and proper compensation, better working conditions and work/life balance.' The union said the petition was submitted 'as part of a transparent process' to bring 'urgent transit issues to the attention of local decision-makers.' 'This is about putting fundamental needs and public service back at the center of the conversation,' Vineberg said. 'ATU members remain united and committed to ensuring their voices — and the voices of transit riders — are no longer brushed aside.' According to the union, the current contract expired on March 31.
