Fewer crimes reported on OC Transpo property in 2025, report shows

OC Transpo Special Constables walk the beat in a new security program

There were fewer incidents of crimes against people and property on OC Transpo buses and the O-Train in 2025, the second straight year the transit service saw a decrease in crimes, according to new data.

The OC Transpo Special Constables Unit annual report for 2025 shows there were 21,912 occurrences involving special constables on public transit in 2025, up from 19,858 occurrences in 2024.

Of the 21,912 occurrences on OC Transpo, 9,430 occurrences were classified as “no offence” and 2,721 occurrences were for fare compliance offences. A total of 26.63 per cent of the occurrences occurred in downtown Ottawa, while 24.85 per cent of incidents occurred in Ottawa’s west end.

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The report says there were 412 crimes against a person reported on OC Transpo in 2025, down from 444 occurrences in 2024. OC Transpo special constables responded to 216 calls for Assault – Level 1 and 35 calls for uttering threats to a person.

Of the 412 occurrences for crimes against a person, 143 incidents had insufficient evidence to proceed, and 100 incidents did not proceed because the victim/complainant declined to proceed, according to staff.

There were 696 occurrences for property offences on OC Transpo buses, the O-Train and on transit property in 2025, down from 740 crimes against property reported last year. The 696 occurrences included 459 calls for mischief, 96 calls for theft under $5,000 and 83 calls for mischief - graffiti.

OC Transpo Special Constables also responded to 349 occurrences for drug use and offences on public transit. There were 250 drug occurrences on OC Transpo properties in 2024.

There were 4,390 occurrences for property offences on public transit in 2025, including 2,545 calls under the Trespass to Property Act, 1,000 calls for unwanted persons on transit property and 405 calls for liquor licence offences.

Special constables issued 2,721 fines for fare evasion in 2025, down from 2,924 tickets issued for not paying the fare in 2024.

The OC Transpo Special Constables annual report shows OC Transpo hired 19 special constables, two superintendents and one senior project officer last year.

Earlier this year, the Ontario government introduced amendments to the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, giving OC Transpo special constables new powers to arrest and fine people using drugs on the O-Train, buses and in transit stations

In February, Ottawa council voted 17 to 7 to express support for the proposed Ontario government legislation to expand enforcement powers to OC Transpo special constables.

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