I have mentioned Ottawa’s abysmal transit service here more than once. So many times that I have been avoiding the topic this year.
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The service hasn’t improved though – despite the promises. The eastern light rail extension should have been opened long ago, but no-one can commit to a date. Will it be this fall? Will it be 2027? The only thing sure is it won’t be soon.

The latest news is that the multi-billion dollar western LRT extension will be delayed into 2028 because it rained on July 1. In fairness, it was a massive storm. More than 5,000 homes had flooded basements. Still, it is just one of a myriad of delays that has commuters desparing of ever using the service.

You know public transit is a big issue when it makes it into the formal prayers of the church.

This past Sunday, 15 west and south-end Ottawa churches from a number of different denominations got together for a joint service, outdoors in the sunshine. It is an annual event, an expression of unity for the congregations in the area. I doubt many people took the bus there, given how abysmal Sunday service is, but people were encouraged to pray for the transit system.

Sandwiched in between prayers for the state of the world and the challenges facing immigrants were these words:

Lord, grant us a double portion of inner peace and patience with OC Transpo when the LRT breaks down. Or when we wait on a cold winter’s day for a bus that is either crammed or just never shows up; Remind us – that even those operating the service – they are your children.

It is interesting to me that the prayer did not ask that the LRT not break down, or that the buses would come as scheduled. Apparently Ottawa residents have given up on ever having a properly working transit system.

Although given the challenges, maybe a little divine intervention is necessary to get things working properly again.