Pembroke’s new on-demand bus service has won a top regional award, just ten months after bringing public transit back to the city. Ottawa River Transit, known as ORTC, received the Project of the Year Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers National Capital Section in June, recognizing its fresh approach to getting residents around town.
The award announcement came on June 23, but Pembroke City Council got a formal presentation on June 16. Back in May, Angela Lochtie, the city’s Director of Corporate Services, and Jordan Papazoglou from the consulting firm Left Turn Right Turn officially accepted the honour. “This award recognizes the collaboration, planning, and commitment that have helped bring ORTC to life,” Lochtie said in a news release from the City of Pembroke.
ORTC launched on August 5, 2025, ending a roughly 12-year stretch without any public transit in Pembroke. Instead of following a fixed route, riders can book a trip through a smartphone app, online, or by phone for a flat $5 fare. Three Dodge ProMaster vans, each able to carry up to eight passengers and including space for two wheelchairs, are operated by Mobility Transportation Specialists. The software that powers the booking and real-time tracking comes from Montreal-based Blaise Transit.
Ridership has climbed steadily. In August 2025, ORTC logged 689 rides. By December that year, monthly rides hit 1,943, topping the city’s target range of 1,200 to 1,700. Riders have given the service high marks too, with satisfaction ratings between 4.7 and 5.0 out of 5 stars. On-time performance stayed above 88% each month. Nearly half of all trips, about 47%, are for work commutes, while 17% are for school and 8% for shopping.
The Institute of Transportation Engineers’ award spotlights projects that boost quality of life, spark innovation, and help the environment. City officials say the pilot’s early success came from strong teamwork between Pembroke, Left Turn Right Turn, Mobility Transportation Specialists, and Blaise Transit.
