Derrick Simpson

@derricksimpson

Transportation and Board Chair, Centretown Community Association | Carleton Journalism Grad | Ottawa Urbanism Book Club | Board @strongtownsottawa.bsky.social‬| Substack: Improving Ottawa

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Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· 5d

The Ottawa Urbanism Book Club’s social meet up and book swap is happening tonight at the Bank and Waverley Street Seats. Starts at 6:30, and there will be a lot of free books being given away. Bringing a book or RSVPing is not required!

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· 23d

Ottawa is so cooked on return to office. We spent an hour and 10 minutes in traffic for what’s a 12 minute drive outside of rush hour. Makes me sad that OC Transpo has gotten so much worse, and people are not being allowed to work from home more often. God help all of us in September.

Traffic blocking the intersection at Elgin and Laurier

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jul 22

Among a lot of issues I think my biggest issue is #27, restricting road closures downtown for events. Whether they are going to do it or not is one thing, but to do it with no consultation, not even discussing at a committee meeting first is unacceptable.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jul 13

Went to the beach in a very car dependent area in Southern Ontario and a person that joined us spent 30 minutes looking for parking. All the parking was free. If parking was priced based on demand, finding parking would be easy!

A full parking lot at the beach in Leamington, Ontario

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jul 7

I can’t recommend The Years of Lyndon Johnson book series by Robert Caro highly enough. Just finished the 2nd book and so far it’s shaping up to be even better than The Power Broker. The best piece of media I’ve ever read on the extent some people will go to acquire power.

Robert A Caro, The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Means of Ascent

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jul 2

The next Ottawa Urbanism Book Club will be July 27 at 6:15pm at Sunnyside Public Library. We’ll be discussing Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City by Jorge Almazán. Reading is optional and RSVP is not required.

Emergent Tokyo: Designing the spontaneous city by Jorge Almazan

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jun 29

I mostly like Ottawa’s E-Scooter system, but I can’t stop thinking about how much better bike share would be. Makes me sad that Ottawa is showing no real urgency in setting up a bike share program. Most major Canadian cities have bike share, we should too!

Two orange e-scooters parked on the sidewalk on O’Connor in downtown Ottawwa

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jun 28

Finally visited the Chinatown Street Seats early this morning and man it’s nice. Best part is definitely the ping pong table, the shade is a nice touch too.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Mar 19

The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter suggesting changes and improvements to the Bank Street Transit Study. As the busiest bus corridor in Ottawa, Bank street needs to prioritize moving people over cars.

Dear Lise Guèvremont,

While we are optimistic for the Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study, we believe the most recent public proposal does not go far enough to prioritize public transportation and move as many people as possible.

The Centretown Community Association would like to make the following suggested changes to the Bank Street Transit Study:
Bus lanes should be bi-directional whenever in use and the city should consider expanding the duration of active bus lanes.
The number of 24/7 bus lane sections should be expanded.
There should be more frequent use of transit priority signals throughout Bank Street.
The definition of large events requiring bus lanes should be expanded to include events like 613flea and Ottawa Charge games.
Signage should be improved to direct drivers to the 2nd Avenue parking garage.

As OC Transpo faces reliability and confidence issues, we need to prioritize fast and reliable public transit. Bus lanes are a great way to reduce operating costs, speed up travel times, and increase the number of people that will ride the bus.

We would also love to see the city lean into the pilot project aspect of the Bank Street Transit Study. Once implemented, we believe the project should be reviewed within the first six months with consideration taken to increase bus lane durations and to expand bus lane locations, including into Centretown.

As the busiest bus corridor in the city, we need to be maximizing the efficiency of bus travel to ensure traffic flows smoothly and reliably. A reminder that the City’s own data collected outlined that 77% of respondents want more space for people outside of private vehicles on Bank Street.

Thank you,
Robert Dekker
CCA President

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Feb 4

Shoutout to @stephanieplante.bsky.social for speaking out on unfair transit reliability issues downtown. Thank you for stating your commitment to bus-only lanes and transit priority signals. Let’s speed up the 6, 7 and more urban routes! cc: @arieltroster.com @shawnmenard.bsky.social

Troy Charter
Interim General Manager of OC Transpo
Friday, January 30, 2026
Bus cancellations unfairly impacting downtown core and equity-seeking residents
Mr. Charter,
I don't need to explain to you the issues facing OC Transpo at the moment, and the impacts that these issues are having on the whole city. I know that you are well aware of these problems, and I have appreciated your transparency and knowledge when talking to the media.
I am writing to state more specifically that the cancellations and lack of reliable service has been impacting residents of Ward 12 more than others.
During the first few weeks of January, residents have suffered through some of the worst transit service in recent months. While heavy snowfall has been a complicating factor, it is also more reason that we need reliable transit service, so that residents are not left waiting outside in the cold.
As you noted in your statement to CBC, cancellations and delays impact downtown urban routes disproportionately. Among the most impacted routes, the 6, 7, and 12 all go through Ward 12.
I have been advocating for more bus-only lanes and transit priority signals across the city.
Allowing buses to move first through traffic and intersections will address the domino effect that happens when, for example, traffic on Bank Street causes the route 6 or 7 to be late arriving in Ward 12. I introduced a motion to this effect at the budget meeting of City Council. I look forward to working with you on this.
People who live in Ward 12 are overwhelmingly renters, low-income, students and shift workers. Most do not own a car. These are equity-seeking groups that do not have another option for getting around the city, especially in winter. Unreliable service makes life much harder for these people who already get by with very little. I will be submitting an inquiry at the next Transit Commission on February 12 asking staff to look into how these cancellations and delays affect equity-seeking groups, though I a…

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jan 16

We don’t talk enough about how slowly the City of Ottawa moves to help residents. The Bank Street Transit Study was first proposed in 2021, and its implementation has been delayed again. The worst part? The study’s proposal includes just 2 hours of combined bus lanes a day!

Document 1 - Bank Street (Rideau Canal to Highway 417) Active Transportation and Transit Operations Feasibility Study - Scoping Document
1.0 Introduction
This scoping document is in response the following motion approved by Transportation Committee on December 1, 2021, and Council on December 8, 2021:
*THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to scope a study to improve active transportation facilities and enhance transit operations, including considerations for a potential pilot project on Bank Street (from the Canal to the Queensway), and as part of that scoping, identify a consultation program, a study cost estimate and options for funding source to undertake the study, and report back to Transportation Committee on this scoping effort by mid 2022.
The Bank Street Corridor (Figure 1) is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length between the Rideau Canal and Highway 417. Bank Street is used by OC Transpo bus routes (6 and 7), and currently operates in mixed traffic. In addition, special service routes (450, 451, 452, 454, 455, 456) as well as STO use this section of Bank Street for Lansdowne/TD Place events.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jan 10

Part of the issue is the cancellations are generally at peak times, and generally comes from high freq routes, so it's very noticeable people and severely hurts ridership (and fare revenue). These screenshots are from Monday and Wednesday this week. @arieltroster.com @shawnmenard.bsky.social

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jan 9

Next Ottawa Urbanism Book Club on January 26 will discuss Ottawology by @tonyadavidson.bsky.social We meet at 6:15pm at Sunnyside Public Library. All are welcome and reading is optional!

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Jan 1

I didn’t write this and only came across it recently, but it sums up well why I stopped posting on social media so much. It’s nice being able to walk around Ottawa and other cities and just enjoy them for what they are.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Dec 31

Former Nepean Mayor D. Aubrey Moodie claims to be the first in Ontario to levy development charges

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Dec 13

Great news: The Dalhousie Community Association has set a letter supporting improving bus mobility on Bank Street, including requesting to extend the study into Centretown. Love to see it! cc @bearswim.bsky.social @arieltroster.com @shawnmenard.bsky.social

DALH0USIE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
755 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6R1
November 18, 2025
Lise Guèvremont
Senior Project Manager
Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study
City of Ottawa
By email: lise.guevremont@ottawa.ca
Dear Lise Guèvremont
The DCA’s Mobility Committee notes with interest the Bank Street Active Transportation and
Transit Priority Feasibility Study, between Highway 417 and the Rideau Canal.
While the study area is distant from the communities within the Dalhousie area, we want to
point out that we are impacted by transit on Bank Street, and support measures to improve the
mobility of buses along its entire length, including north of the highway.
For example, Route 11 travels along Bank between Queen and Somerset, and any traffic issues
encountered by the bus here affect riders in Dalhousie for whom it is a principal east-west
connector.
We look forward to the outcomes of your study, and to the extension of this work north to
Wellington.
Sincerely
Ed McKenna,
Chair, Mobility Committee
c.c.: Ariel Troster, Councillor, Somerset Ward
Derrick Simpson, Chair, Transportation Committee, Centretown Community Association

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Oct 18

The musical acrobatics event in the Byward market last night was a great example of the potential of our neighbourhoods when we pedestrianize streets and prioritize people. More space for people, more business, more fun.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Oct 5

The LRT being closed for maintenance on Panda Game weekend is such a confusing and poor decision. Ottawa consistently forgets to think of the needs of students and transit riders when making decisions.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Sep 30

Thanks to everyone who came to yesterday’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club. Amazes me that after 2 years we’re still sharing ideas and listening to each other on how we can improve our city.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Sep 29

Ahead of tonight’s Ottawa Urbanism Book Club, here’s my favourite quote from Strong Towns. Meeting at 6:15 pm tonight at Sunnyside Public Library. All welcome, reading not required. @strongtowns.org @strongtownsottawa.ca

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Sep 22

The Centretown Community Association has sent a letter to @arieltroster.com supporting a ban on right turns on red in Centretown. “The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.”

Dear Councillor Troster,

We are writing to express our support for banning right turns on red lights in Centretown. We believe the safety and well being of our neighbours, families, and friends should be the number one transportation priority in Ottawa.

We encourage the City of Ottawa to follow its Road Safety Action Plan’s goal of improving road safety for all users. The lives of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers are more important than a few seconds saved at a stop light.

Banning right turns on red on an as needed basis leads to driver confusion, increasing the risk of dangerous collisions. It is wrong to wait until more people are hurt to consider improving the safety of our streets.

Further, we need more education for all road users, including drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users, and pedestrians.

We urge the city to act quickly, and would suggest Centretown as a location for a potential pilot project to test and collect data on banning right turns on red before a rollout throughout the urban core.

Centretown residents and their families deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhood.

Thank you,
Rob Dekker
CCA President

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Sep 21

The Berczy Park Dog Fountain in Toronto is a great example of a small improvement leading to big benefits. For the small price of a fountain we get a more interesting walk and increased foot traffic, a tourist attraction, and an all around more liveable and enjoyable space.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 29

Reliability is the biggest issue, but we don’t talk enough about how unenjoyable OC Transpo can be sometimes. Yesterday riders waited outside in the rain because the bus shelter was filthy. If you want people to take transit, it needs to be clean and enjoyable.

2 people holding umbrellas at the bus stop while the shelter sits empty

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 27

An underrated place in Toronto that impressed me was the North York Central Library. Easy to get to by subway, connected to a mall and a beautiful outdoor square. Almost the entire outside ring was bookable rooms. Seems amazing for studying or meeting. Every new library should do this.

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 18

Thanks to everyone who came out to the @strongtownsottawa.ca meetup this weekend at one of the the Uncommon Event Spaces. Who would have thought that when you make space for people, people enjoy the space. Thanks to @markomiljusevic.bsky.social for organizing.

About 15 people standing and talking around street furniture

People standing and sitting in a circle. The ground is painted and there are benches and umbrellas

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 17

Finally visited the nicest looking library in Canada, the Toronto Reference Library. My photos don’t do it justice.

A 5 floor library with an open centre and nice red carpets

A view from the side. There are plants and desks for people to work at

A view from the ground floor. There is a sign that says “ignite minds, not books”

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 14

I will never understand why Via Rail makes you arrive so early and line up to take the train. In Europe there’s often no super early arrival or huge lineup for rides between different countries. Anything we can do to make taking the train more convenient than flying, we should be doing!

Union station in Toronto where dozens of people are lined up to take the train

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 13

Took the 4AM train from Ottawa to Toronto earlier this week. It was 90% full and basically on time. Good on Via Rail for trying something new and providing more options to riders.

A Via Rial Train in Ottawa. The sky is still dark

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 12

What’s your urbanism take that the general public would absolutely hate? Mine is that making driving or parking less convenient can be incredibly helpful to public transit and active transportation.

Two OC Transpo buses bunched together on Bank Street. A man is walking on the sidewalk

Derrick Simpson@derricksimpson· Aug 6

I try to mostly post positive things about Ottawa, but these garbage cans at Minto Park, and elsewhere across the city, are embarrassing. If we can’t even fund proper garbage cans, how can we be trusted to fund and operate bigger things, like a functioning transit system?