OC Transpo encouraged after first week of Lines 2 and 4

OC Transpo says it's encouraged by the ridership numbers observed on Lines 2 and 4 during their first four days of service this week, but adds "there remains plenty of capacity for ridership growth."

The update on the Trillium Line to south Ottawa (Line 2) and the spur to the city's airport (Line 4) came Friday afternoon in a memo from transit head Renée Amilcar. The memo did not account for Friday ridership statistics.

Customers made almost 21,000 trips on Line 2 on Monday, with "positive" ridership numbers over the next three days, while Line 4 saw an average of 400 trips to and from the airport each day. 

The total number of trips on lines 2 and 4 peaked on Monday and declined each subsequent day: 17,500 on Tuesday, 16,200 on Wednesday and 13,700 on Thursday.

Service on those lines is not yet available on weekends.

"We look forward to welcoming more customers to Lines 2 and 4 as we proceed through the phased opening," according to the update.

Park-and-ride lots at Greenboro, Leitrim and Bowesville stations were "well used" this week. Greenboro was the busiest with about 50 per cent of spaces used on a daily basis, the agency added.