iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Why the heck hasn’t the Byward Market been fully pedestrianized yet: George St, William St, Market Sq St; York St converted to pick-up/drop-off loops; parking garage converted to open plaza with benches, busking, planter boxes. And yes yes, retractable bollards to still allow off-peak deliveries.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Wishing all the best with these measures, but can’t help but notice that the “put customers first” appears to be the *second* section of the Customer-First Action Plan.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Given the current state of the city, can we “Yes and” this to also be considered a callback to the 2022 election? 👀

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Does anyone know if the new arena plans include refurbishing Pimisi Station with a design to better manage large crowds?

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Yes yes, the operating costs would add to the transit deficit, but this could be part of a multi-pronged campaign to win back some ridership. Invite residents to try to transit for their 2025 New Year’s resolution. (if only more could be done about reliability, like more bus lanes, nudge nudge)

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Exactly - instead of providing “free” (voucher required) transit to a subgroup, why not take the holiday season opportunity to just make transit free for all users. Easier to administer too. Hosting the World Juniors, a once-every-15-years event, is something the whole city could celebrate.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

It’s likely too late, but seeing the free transit initiative for ticketholders for the World Juniors, from Dec 19 to Jan 5. Why not just make transit free entirely for this period? Encourages a safer and more responsible transportation option in a time of year when impaired driving rates go up.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

It would also be a positive safety measure that encourages use of a safer and more responsible transportation option during a time of year when increased rates of impaired driving are, unfortunately, a thing.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Why not free transit service across the board from Dec 19 to Jan 5? Not just for ticketholders for the World Juniors (who have to use a video call feature at ticket machines to bypass fare gates at Line 1 stations?)

octranspo.com

The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship is here! | OC TranspoClose

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Jun Nogami @jnyyz.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

This summarizes the results of the public comments on Bill 212. Read the last line and weep. Full text here: ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-9...

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

That and the prevailing narratives among detractors seem to be either it won’t be effective (in diverting enough truck traffic), or it will only ‘’move the problem to another neighborhood” (so, it will be effective?)

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

A sixth bridge crossing consistently slips off the local priority list because I think supporting it sucks up even more political capital than Stage 3 LRT or dedicated bus lanes on Baseline/Bank/Carling/Montreal, in terms of congestion-reducing initiatives.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

When the Kichi Zibi Mikan lane reductions end west of Dominion (bringing it back to two lanes per direction), make one lane per direction a bus lane to give some congestion relief to the 31 bus routes that use this stretch of the parkway. The single lanes have been brutal for these routes!

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

What tactics will OC Transpo deploy to not only keep existing ridership, but also entice 10-16K people to commit to transit? How many Riverside South residents will adopt Line 2 for their regular commute?

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

5,000,000 new trips / 150 work days per year (3 days per week RTO) / 2 trips per work day = 16,666 new riders. Adjust the assumption to 250 work days per year (5 days per week RTO) gets you to 10,000 new riders.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

To help reach fare revenue targets, Ottawa’s transit budget for 2025 is counting on an increase in ridership from 73 million trips in 2024 to ~78 million trips in 2025. That means OC Transpo needs 10,000 to 16,666 new people to choose transit for their regular commute in 2025. Napkin math below

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Thanks for this post, lots of interesting numbers to digest. “In 2019, Ottawa’s projected transit ridership for 2025 was 125.8-million trips.” !!! Where can I find this stat? And do you have any idea what the new ridership projection is for, say 2030, and what the plan is to get there?

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Catherine Fife @waterloompp.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

“the monthly cost of social housing is $613. This is starkly lower than $2,100 for a shelter bed, $4,300 for a correctional facility bed, $13,500 for a hospital bed. Housing people is not only a moral imperative but also an economically sound decision.” Kathy Moreland RN #onpoli

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Like that the article highlighted that risk aversion can lead to political concessions that increase costs. Creates a vicious cycle that in turn undermines the “transit consensus” (that transit is worth the investment, period) which leads to more risk aversion, more concessions, then higher costs.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

“Understanding the Drivers of Transit Construction Costs in Canada: A Comparative Study” Lots of good stuff in this article. Thanks to @taras-grescoe.com for sharing and authors @jedwin.bsky.social @chittimarco.bsky.social Balthazar Crane & Amer Shalaby

stateofcitiessummit.ca

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

More from today’s Ontario AG report: “Unlike CTS sites, these Hubs will not provide some key harm-reduction services, such as supervised consumption or needle exchange, despite the fact that these services have been proven to prevent overdose deaths.” www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/a...

Screenshot of text from the 2024 Annual Report of the Auditor General of Ontario, which lists several bulleted paragraphs that summarize the report’s findings with respect to the Ontario government’s decision to change supervised consumption services without proper planning, impact analysis, or public consultation.

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Reposted by David Muddiman

The Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 03/12/2024

Ontario Place redevelopment now estimated at $2.2-billion as Auditor-General notes ‘irregular’ bid process: The audit concludes that the process used to select Therme for the Ontario Place site was not ‘fair, transparent or accountable to all participants’ as required by the province’s own rules…

theglobeandmail.com

Ontario Place redevelopment now estimated at $2.2-billion as Auditor-General notes ‘irregular’ bid process

The audit concludes that the process used to select Therme for the Ontario Place site was not ‘fair, transparent or accountable to all participants’ as required by the province’s own rules for real estate transactions

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Ridiculous take: Metcalfe St should be widened/realigned so that it lines up symmetrically with the Peace Tower, Centennial Flame, and Museum of Nature, creating a clear sight line between the museum and Centre block. Ottawa’s own little Champs-Élysées.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

You don’t have to be a “cyclist” to support safe bike infrastructure in your city. You don’t have to ride bikes at all. You just have to understand the FACT that bike infrastructure makes getting around easier & safer for EVERYONE, saves us all public money, & makes cities generally more successful.

People riding in a safe bike-lane in downtown Vancouver

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

For 2023-24 the announced amount for Ottawa was $33,061,834. For 2022-23 it was $37,804,511.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Ottawa transit funding question: Where does the Ontario Dedicated Public Transit Fund fit into the Budget 2025 conversation? This legislated funding (passed in 2013) brought Ottawa $30m+ in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Has the city already accounted for this funding and asking for $18m in addition?

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Brigitte Pellerin @brigittepellerin.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

This is an excellent documentary on transit woes in Ottawa, and I don't just say that because I'm in it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPaO...

youtube.com

DUDE, WHERE'S MY BUS? - A look at Ottawa's Messy Transit System (Full Documentary)

YouTube video by GioTV1

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Reposted by David Muddiman

Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher, PhD @mbonsma.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

"What we see here is a contest over what informs transportation and infrastructure policy: either that irritated feeling you get when you’re stuck in traffic, or actual data-driven evidence." My first op-ed, with the wonderful @sarahelton.bsky.social!

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

It appears the city is also working on brick-and-mortar solutions, including a converted retirement home, a converted office tower downtown, a closed convent in Orleans, and the Taggart Family YMCA. My guess is these retrofis won’t be ready fast enough, but are part of a multi-pronged approach.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Hi Nancy, the answers to your questions can be found in these places: www.seandevine.ca/newcomer_rec... ottawa.ca/en/city-hall... engage.ottawa.ca/newcomer-rec...

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

If Ontario were to bring Ottawa’s per resident transit subsidy up to the provincial average of $112.16 per resident (still well below Toronto’s subsidy), then we should actually expect $80m from the province. Instead, the City is asking for $18m from the province.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Re: the current transit funding situation in #Ottawa and the case for other govts to help pay for its transit operations. In 2024-25, the Toronto economic region will receive $196.49 per resident in transit operating subsidies from the province. Ottawa? $31.91 per resident.

fao-on.org

Media Release: FAO releases report on Ontario's public transit agencies

The Office provides independent analysis on Ontario's finances, trends in the economy and related matters important to the Legislative Assembly.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

That said, Ottawa’s tax rate increases in past two years have been low compared to inflation as well as other Canadian cities. e.g. While Ottawa’s increase was 2.5% in 2024, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver increased their taxes by 7.5-9.5% that same year.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

FWIW, Denley’s also wrong about tax going up if other govts don’t provide the additional funding. Glen Gower (Transit Chair) has said that if the $36m from other govts doesn’t come, then OC Transpo will make up for the gap through deferral of capital projects, not higher taxes.

glengower.ca

NOTEBOOK: The 2025 Draft Budget for OC Transpo - Glen Gower | Councillor / Conseiller | Stittsville

Where to begin with breaking down the 2025 Draft Budget for OC Transpo? Our Transit Commission spent over eight hours on Monday hearing delegations, asking questions, and discussing the numbers. Some...

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Thanks for the clarification!

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Thanks for sharing this breakdown. Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t property taxes covering 52% of the transit operational budget, not 69%? $447m / $856m = 52.2% Including the $144m in revenue from advertising, development charges, leases, rentals etc as property tax is potentially misleading.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

And don’t get me started on Hwy 413!

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

It is small consolation that Doug Ford is definitely not obsessed with Ottawa, and is not coming for Ottawa’s bike lanes (yet). Overall, this will worsen congestion as cyclists are forced to mix with car traffic, slowing everyone down, and increase risk of cyclist injury and death.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

"We have a premier who is so focused on his vanity projects and fighting battles that he lost on Toronto city council, instead of actually focusing on the priorities of Ontarians.” “People are really fed up with the fact that this premier is so obsessed with downtown Toronto."

cbc.ca

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Ottawa transit data nerds! Any tips on accessing OC Transpo ridership data and info on pass sales? I am finding the Transparency section of their website and what’s available on Open Ottawa rather wanting…

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

The transit levy is a better tool IMO for addressing the transit deficit. Rather than increase senior fares by $700+ per year and youth fares by $400+ per year (plus counter productive impacts on ridership), a 12% transit levy increase would cost taxpayers $100 more per year. Less than $10/month.

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

And budget documents are counting on an additional $20m in revenue in 2025 from *increased* ridership (not including addtl revenue from fare increases & reduced discounts). How do they expect to realize this additional ridership revenue with measures that will discourage ridership?

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David Muddiman @dmuddiman.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Newly joined after spending too much time scrolling in the dark place. Happy to be here! Welcoming any follow recommends for: - sustainable cities - Canadian & US politics - nature & outdoor living

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