Park the car and start walking if you really want to discover the nuances of Canada's capital city.
Those are the pragmatic words of recent Carleton University grad, Oliver Brackenbury.
“Even people who have cars tend to walk,” says Brackenbury. “Ottawa is colourful and exciting when you walk. You never know what you’re going to stumble across.”
For a guy from the country, Brackenbury isn’t at all surprised that he embraced living amid the hustle and bustle of “downtown”. “Ottawa is a great city, and an easy city to get around in once you park your car,” he states enthusiastically.
While Brackenbury admits he prickled when his “driving” classmates complained about lack of parking, expensive parking, or the insanity of Ottawa’s infamous one-way streets, he says that most eventually came to their senses, trading gas motors for the human kind.
“The first thing I did was learn what is north and south of the highway, and then I learned the main streets – Bank, Bronson, Elgin. Ottawa U students quickly become familiar with the Sandy Hill area and Laurier Street, Rideau and the Byward Market.”
When foot power failed him, usually because of distance or inclement weather, Brackenbury swore by the city’s public transportation service. “Lots of times I was happy to have it, especially when I had to get to my job.”
OC Transpo provides a rapid transit link across much of the city’s urban area. It operates 22 hours a day and features a “transitway”, or a dedicated system of bus-only roadways, and seven park and ride lots that cater to downtown commuters.
The “Travel Planner” feature at www.octranspo.com has been responsible for getting many a student to school and work on time and many tourists to their destinations. Simply enter the address you are going to, then the address where you are, and it will spit out a detailed bus plan for you, complete with estimated travel time. If you’re standing at the bus stop and need to know when to expect the next bus, dial 560-1000 plus the bus stop number (located on every sign), and you’ll receive an estimated time of arrival.
Bus tickets can be purchased at most corner stores, and on campus, for $.95 each or 10 for $9.50. If you’re not going to be using the system enough to warrant buying a pass, it’s worth it to have a few tickets on hand at all times.
Although paying as you go can be costly, with a one-way cash fare hovering around $3.00, students who use the OC Transpo system daily have the option of purchasing a pass that is good for a month, a semester, or a year.
Your pass is only valid with a $5 photo identification card.
If you’re worried about your pass being lost or stolen, OC Transpo offers purchase protection for an additional $23.
Don’t let getting around downtown intimidate you, is Brackenbury’s overall message. Grab a map and go for a walk. Hop on the O-Train. Pick a destination and go for a ride on the bus. If inline skating or cycling is your thing, take advantage of the city’s extensive network of pathways. But whatever you do, don’t shy away from the unique flavour, style and texture that make up the Nation’s Capital.
