OC Transpo employees honoured for coming to the aid of others

Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Stephen Blais, Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Transit Commission, honoured OC Transpo employees who went above and beyond to help members of the community in times of need.

“Through the OC Transpo Transecure Program, employees continue to serve our community beyond the duties in their job description,” Mayor Watson said at the ceremony. “The 2017 Transecure recipients are true heroes. Their commitment to safety and the well-being of others is inspiring and makes our city a safer place to live, work and play.”

 During the city’s 28th annual Transecure Awards ceremony held today at the Shenkman Arts Centre, 14 employees were recognized for their actions during 2017. Among them was Bus Operator Denis who was presented with a plaque and certificate for the call of the year. Denis was driving his bus when a man boarded with a two-year-old boy. Before the bus left the stop, a woman ran up to the door and told Denis not to leave, as the man had taken the child without permission. Denis immediately notified the Transit Operations Control Centre and the Ottawa Police Service was quickly dispatched to the scene. Thanks to Denis’ quick actions, the child was kept safe and unharmed.

The Transecure program is a community watch program on wheels. OC Transpo employees look out for the safety of all community members and, as a result, become the eyes and ears of the community. They notify emergency services when required and assist individuals who are in distress, offering a safe haven in any OC Transpo vehicle.

OC Transpo has an annual ridership of over 95 million.