In response to various issues with the O-Train throughout much of 2021, Ottawa decided to give riders free transit throughout December. As Election Day here in Ottawa gets closer and closer, many Ottawa residents will likely be loading up their presto-cards and collecting spare change so that they can cover their bus fare to get to and from their poll.
The current advance voting and Election Day plans make it reasonably easy for individuals with vehicles to get to and from a poll. In contrast, voting remains relatively difficult for those who rely primarily on public transit especially for those who live further from the core. While other jurisdictions in Ontario like Thunder Bay and Cambridge have decided to give residents free access to transit during Election Day, Ottawa is still lagging behind.
