FirstBus Canada will operate Ottawa bus service

FirstBus Canada Limited will provide wheelchair accessible public transportation services for the City of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. FirstBus Canada will operate a fleet of 90 buses for a five-year contract beginning July 1, 2002. It will also operate a fleet of about 37 sedans for ambulatory passengers under a second contract with the city. Combined gross revenues are projected to be greater than $50 million dollars. The City of Ottawa provides door-to-door transportation service for persons with disabilities who are not able to use conventional transit services. There are approximately 10,000 persons with disabilities in Ottawa who are registered for this service. Approximately 30% of the registrants use either a wheelchair or scooter and therefore require a wheelchair accessible vehicle. The remaining 70%are ambulatory and can usually travel in either a passenger car or a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.