O-Train Rideau Station to undergo a makeover, with new special constable office

The O-Train Rideau Station in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday, June 3. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

The O-Train Rideau Station in downtown Ottawa is set to undergo a makeover, including new signage, changes to security cameras and a dedicated office for OC Transpo special constables.

When OC Transpo general manager Rick Leary unveiled the transit service’s Customer-First Action Plan in May, he said Rideau Station would receive a refresh as part of the spring-cleaning campaign.

“In the coming weeks, you’re going to see employees at Rideau Station, as we put new efforts into revitalizing the station with repairs, signage and cleanliness,” Leary said.

“And you’re going to see more visibility and presence in our stations with more special constables.”

The OC Transpo Public Safety Strategy update for the June 11 transit committee meeting outlines some of the plans for the Rideau Station revitalization project.

Staff say the project will be led by the Chief Safety Constable and will aim to “implement a variety of improvements” to Rideau Station.

The changes will include:

• Updates to signage and wayfinding
• CCTV changes
• Improved cleaning
• Installation of additional strategic public art
• Environmental changes such as removal of electrical outlets and modifying design features at entrances
• Increased OC Transpo staff visibility

The plan also includes the inclusion of a dedicated “community space” within the station for OC Transpo special constables.

A spokesperson for OC Transpo told CTV News Ottawa last week there was no update on the special constable office “at this time.”

The City of Ottawa is looking to reallocate $920,000 of the $10 million in provincial funding for a new pedestrian plaza in the ByWard Market to improvements to Rideau Station and the corridor connecting Rideau Street with the market.

“The initiative will also introduce coordinated arrival experience features and destination-branding elements designed to create a more vibrant, memorable and welcoming gateway into the district,” staff said in a report for council on May 27.

“These may include gateway signage, branded wayfinding, animated lighting, seasonal beautification, banners, street furniture and other placemaking features that reinforce the identity of the ByWard Market and strengthen the sense of arrival for residents and visitors.”

Community Visibility Team

OC Transpo has launched a new Community Visibility Team, designed to enhance the visibility of special constables on the transit system.

Staff say the team of five special constables and a sergeant are “focused on proactively patrolling the transit system on foot, by bike and on transit during daytime hours.”

“They are distinguishable from existing special constables as they wear high-visibility vests while on duty,” staff said.

“In addition to regular patrols, the Community Visibility Team will also attend community and engagement events, including councillor-led events, community events, and BIA meetings. These events provide opportunities to inform Ottawa residents of the role of the Special Constable Unit and of the CVT and to listen to concerns and feedback from the community.”

O-Train Station washrooms

OC Transpo is looking at installing blue lights and vandalism proof infrastructure in O-Train station washrooms after all washrooms were closed this spring.

Staff say, in response to an increase in safety concerns and vandalism, all Line 1 public washrooms were closed for several weeks in March and April.

“Following the reopening and the completion of a risk assessment, staff are actively exploring a variety of mitigation measures to safely and sustainably ensure all washrooms can remain open,” staff said.

Needle drop boxes have been installed in all washrooms.

Some of the options being considered are:

• Enhancing staff and contractor Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Physical infrastructure changes (blue light, heavy-duty/vandalism proof infrastructure)
• Access controls
• Increased staff monitoring and cleaning

Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo said needles “were discovered placed in an intentional way that could cause harm to staff and customers” in the washrooms.

Lo said in March that some of the measures being explored to enhance safety in the washrooms included “blue lights that make it difficult for drug users.” He was referring to blue lights making it harder for intravenous drug users to find veins.

Line 1 has bathrooms at four stations: Tunney’s Pasture, Bayview, Hurdman, and Blair.

OC Transpo outlined a Public Safety Strategy last fall, focusing on eight pillars:

• OC Transpo Public Safety Action Plan
• Improved communication
• Staffing and Training
• Increased visibility
• Environmental adjustments
• Leveraging technology
• Partnership with OC Transpo
• Community collaboration

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond