Trains in Ottawa open all of their doors at every stop, regardless if anyone is getting on or off. As a result, the climate-controlled air regulated by the onboard HVAC system is sucked out every 3-4 minutes, leaving commuters uncomfortable at best and downright distressed at worst. This issue is particularly noticeable in winter, when a commute of only a few stations during -15C weather can cause significant grief because of how cold one can get by sitting in sub-zero temperatures without physically moving their body. Why should Octranspo continue this practice when it inconveniences and dissuades riders, especially when a push button system has successfully been used on Line 2 for over two decades and continues to be used effectively on trains throughout Europe?

The O-train has been the target of dissatisfaction and complaints since it was built a few years ago, and the OCtranspo system has come under even more criticism lately due to its "New Ways to Bus" initiative. Although budget constraints caused by lower ridership are an understandable cause for poorer service, there is no reason why existing service should be less comfortable than it could be, especially if adding to commuters' comfort is a matter of keeping doors closed. Since enthusiasm for public transportation in Ottawa is currently extremely low, why not make small incremental changes to make it at least slightly more appealing? Why not save a few dollars here and there by not having the HVAC system running full blast as air gets sucked out at each stop? Carrying on as things are now would only encourage people to avoid public transportation in times of extreme weather, continue to weigh on OCTranspo's already strained budget, and erode the credibility of its so-called eco-friendly approach to transit. And although the justification behind opening all doors at stations is that disabled groups would have trouble boarding, there are surely other alternatives to the existing system that would not leave all riders freezing cold or hot and sweaty during their long commutes home. Accessible push buttons, designated boarding areas, or sound pulses at each door are good examples. Besides, by making the train accessible to one group, such as disabled people who cannot physically push buttons, we may be making it inaccessible to others, such as those with arthritis who cannot bear the cold for too long. 

Now is an ideal time to try running the system without automatically opening doors at each station to make our rides home less stressful,  improve OCTranspo's appeal, contribute to eco-friendly commuting, and make the train truly accessible for all. If we gather signatures now, we'll be able to present the petition to city councilors when they reconvene in September. Let's improve our transit system together!