what ottawa is talking about

🚌 School Buses

•  The general manager of the Ottawa School Transportation Authority has taken a leave of absence. The Board of Directors of the authority, who are appointed by bott the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board, released a statement apologizing for the lack of drivers. The lack of drivers led to hundreds of cancelled bus runs. Vicky Kyriaco’s leave of absence was left unexplained. Kyriaco, the appointed general manager of the authority, was in the news last week when she had City Councillor Clarke Kelly, an elected official, kicked out of a public Zoom meeting after he asked about the bus cancellations. (Ted Raymond at CTV)

🍁 Gatineau Park

•  The free shuttle to view the Fall Rhapsody of changing leaves is now running until Oct 22. Managed by the National Capital Commission, the hop on/hop off shuttle leaves Ottawa between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, with the final trip back at 4:00 pm. There is no charge. (Hannah Manning in Apt 613) (Shuttle)

🚊 O Train

•  The Trillium Line opening has been delayed until next April at least. Transit general manager Renée Amilcar says the main reasons are testing the system and training operators. (Elyse Skura at CBC) 
  
  ➕ Related OC Transpo will pay $2.1 million monthly plus $1 million for staff and electricity when the Trillium Line finally opens. 

🤝 Safe Trading Zones

•  Ottawa Police Services have set up three safe trading zones for people to locally exchange items. The zones, identified with a drawing of a handshake on a blue background, are intended to let people who have bought or sold something online meet safely with the other party. All three zones are in police station parking lots: Orléans, Kanata, and Metcalfe Street. (Josh Pringle at CTV)