OC Transpo will be free across Ottawa next weekend

Ottawa residents and visitors will be able to ride OC Transpo for free all weekend on **September 26 and 27, 2026**, as the transit agency opens its buses, O-Train services and Para Transpo to unlimited free trips. The initiative is intended to give residents an opportunity to experience recent transit improvements while making it easier to attend events taking place across Ottawa. ## When is OC Transpo free in Ottawa? All OC Transpo buses, trains and Para Transpo services will be free from **3 AM Saturday, September 26, until 3 AM Monday, September 28**. Customers can take unlimited trips during the free-transit period without purchasing a fare. At O-Train stations, fare gates will be open, while passengers boarding buses can simply walk on without paying. ## Do you need to tap your PRESTO card? OC Transpo is reminding customers **not to tap their PRESTO, credit or debit cards** when boarding during the free weekend. Although transit is free, fare readers on buses cannot be disabled. Tapping a payment card could therefore result in a charge. Passengers should keep their cards away from fare readers while boarding. ## Will Para Transpo be free? Yes. **Para Transpo trips will also be free** during the weekend. Customers will still need to book their trips in advance. Para Transpo customers can book through My Para Transpo or by calling **613-560-5000**. Trips must be booked one day before travel. ## What is happening at Place d'Orléans Station? OC Transpo will host an open house at **Place d'Orléans Station on Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.** Visitors can explore the station, learn more about its features and hear about progress toward expanded O-Train service in Ottawa's east end. ## What is happening at Hurdman Station? A transit showcase will take place at **Hurdman Station on Sunday, September 27, from 10 AM to 2 PM.** The event will feature OC Transpo staff, transit vehicle displays and information about new services, safety and customer-experience initiatives. One of the vehicles on display will be OC Transpo's new **60-foot articulated bus**. Visitors can also meet **OC Owl**, the transit agency's mascot, and participate in Para Transpo discussions with staff. ## Where can you get free coffee during the weekend? OC Transpo is offering free coffee on Sunday morning. From **9 AM to 11 AM on September 27**, customers can receive one free drip coffee or oat-based coffee at the O-Train kiosks at: * Blair Station * Hurdman Station * Tunney's Pasture Station ## Will O-Train trains have extra capacity? OC Transpo says **double-car trains will operate on both Saturday and Sunday** to provide additional capacity, particularly on Saturday when several major events are taking place. The agency is encouraging customers to use transit to avoid downtown traffic and parking challenges during the busy weekend. ## What time does the O-Train run during Nuit Blanche? For people attending Nuit Blanche on Saturday night, **O-Train Line 1 will operate until 2 AM** Overnight bus service will operate at or near most O-Train stations after regular train service ends. Customers travelling after 7 PM can also ask their bus driver about being dropped off at a safe location along the route closer to their destination, where applicable. ## Where can you park and take free transit? OC Transpo is encouraging people driving into Ottawa to use its **Park & Ride** facilities rather than driving into the downtown core. The agency says there are approximately **9,000 free parking spaces** available across its Park & Ride network, allowing customers to leave their vehicles and continue their trips by transit. ## A free weekend to explore Ottawa With free fares across buses, O-Train services and Para Transpo, the September 26–27 weekend will give Ottawa residents and visitors an opportunity to explore different parts of the city without paying for transit. The free weekend also comes as OC Transpo continues rolling out service improvements across its network, making it an opportunity for customers to experience the changes while attending events throughout Ottawa.