Ottawa River Transit

Fares and Passes

Flat fare (ages 12 and up): $5 per ride. 

Ways to Pay

Payments can be made directly through the website or app using a credit card, Visa debit card, or supported digital wallets. You can also pay on-board with exact cash ($5).

Cancellation Policy

What is the ORTC On-Demand Transit service?

Is there a route for the service?

Unlike traditional buses that stick to a set route, ORTC will be an on-demand service that uses smart-technology to find the best route to get you where you need to go. Rides are available on a first come, first served basis. During the trip, the bus will try to group together passengers.

What does the bus look like?

The On-Demand Transit service will use three 2025 Dodge Promaster vehicles that have space for a total of eight passengers including up to two wheelchair accessible spaces. The vehicle will have a side-entry accessible ramp. 

Where are the bus stops?

ORTC will be made up of virtual stops (stops without any physical markers like a bus sign or shelter). This approach will provide the City the ability to move stops based on demand and feedback from the community.

Where can the service pick me up and drop me off?

ORTC uses a “stop-to-stop” model, with many virtual stops within City limits. This means that you will be picked up and dropped off at the closest stop to your desired location. The expectation is that riders will walk about 5 minutes to/from their designated stop to their origin/destination. Riders will be provided details about their stop location when booking their trip. 

Trips can be booked up to seven (7) days to as little as 15 minutes in advance. If you need a return trip, try to book both trips at once, ensuring a ride home. 

When will I receive the details of my booking?

You will be notified within two minutes of selecting your ride if it has been accepted or rejected. If accepted, you will be provided with the estimated departure and arrival time for your trip.  Book early to get the ride you want.

You will receive confirmation of your complete trip details 30 minutes in advance of your trip. The confirmation will include your pick-up time. Be ready at your pick-up stop at least five minutes before your pick-up time to ensure a smooth ride.

I don’t have an email address. How can I use the service?

Rides can be booked by calling the Customer Service line at 613-631-1766. 

Can I purchase bulk tickets?

Community groups and institutions are permitted to purchase tickets in bulk. Any interested party wishing to purchase shall contact the City’s Transit Liaison for pre-approval. Applicants must fill out a form that provides sufficient evidence that they operate within the City of Pembroke and intend to offer the tickets to their constituents on a free or non-profit basis.

You may travel with bags, parcel, laptops, or other items on the trip. There is a bag limit in place so that we can offer everyone a comfortable shared journey with adequate space. Please ensure each shopping bag weighs less than 10 pounds.

Our vehicles cannot accommodate big-boxed items. Small boxes that are similar in size to shopping bags are fine. The same 10-pound maximum weight applies.

Can I bring a wheelchair on board?

The Pembroke and Laurentian Valley Handi-bus service offers door-to-door pickup and drop off transit service and are the typical transit service used for riders in wheelchairs.  For more information on the Handi-bus, call 613-735-6998.

Keep in mind, ORTC operates on a stop-to-stop model, with the expectation that riders will travel up to 400m or about 5 minutes to/from their designated stop to their origin/destination

ORTC vehicles are fully wheelchair accessible. There are two wheelchair spots on each bus. If you are travelling with an attendant, they ride free. The two services may coordinate with each other as needed, but start by calling the Handi-bus service to ensure you receive the right level of service for your needs. Handi-bus drivers are trained in first aid and CPR.

Can I bring a stroller on board?

All ORTC customers are allowed to board with small pets. Here are the rules to follow when boarding the bus with your pet:

• Your pet must be secured in a pet carrier at all times
• When seated, pet carriers must be carried on the customers’ laps
• Pet carriers must not be placed on seats or on top of any wheel well housing
• Pet carriers must not be placed within aisles so as not to impede customer flow through the vehicle

Is my child allowed to ride on their own?

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to ride the bus alone and must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver aged 12 years or older. Children under the age of 12 will ride for free with a paying caregiver.

What is ORTC’s Cancellation and No-Show Policy?

A trip is considered a "late cancellation" if it is cancelled less than 15 minutes before the start of the scheduled pickup window.

A rider is considered a "no-show" if they are not at the designated virtual stop and ready to board within one minute of when the vehicle arrives during pre-determined pick-up window.

A progressive, educational approach will be used to manage service misuse. Upon three incidents of "no-show", the rider’s account will be automatically flagged and booking privileges will be temporarily suspended.

Can the driver wait for me?

Upon arrival at the pickup location during the pre-determined 10-minute pick-up window, drivers will wait a standard of one minute. For example, if your pre-determined 10-minute pick-up window is 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., and the driver arrives at 9:05 a.m., the driver will wait until 9:06 a.m.

If a driver arrives at the pickup location prior to the beginning of the 10-minute pick-up window, they will wait until the opening of the window and the additional one minute. For example, if your pre-determined 10-minute pick-up window is 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., the driver arrives at 8:59 a.m., the driver will wait until 9:01 a.m.

What happens if I have a late cancellation or no-show?

A progressive, educational approach will be used to manage service misuse. The Blaise Transit technology platform will automate the tracking and initial communications for this policy.

• First and Second Incidents (within a 90-day period): The system will log the incidents. After the second incident, an automated educational warning will be sent to the rider explaining the negative impact of no-shows and late cancellations on service for the entire community.
• Third Incident (within a 90-day period): The rider’s account will be automatically flagged and booking privileges will be temporarily suspended.
• Account Review and Suspension:
  • Suspended accounts will be placed in a queue for manual review by designated City of Pembroke staff.
  • Following review, a 30-day suspension may be applied.

What if my rides are booked through a third-party?

The same rules apply to all trips, including those booked on behalf of riders by partners.

Policy communications (warnings, suspension notices) for these trips will be directed to the partner organization, who will be responsible for managing the issue with their client. This will be formalized in the agreements between these partners and the City of Pembroke.

Can I appeal my suspension?

A simple appeals process will be available. Riders who feel they have been suspended unfairly may appeal by contacting ORTC customer service via email or phone for a secondary review.