View source for Ottawa station

{{short description|Inter-city train station in Ontario, Canada}}
{{About|Ottawa's main railway station|the former bus station|Ottawa Central Station}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Ottawa
| style = Via Rail
| image = Ottawa train station 2013 2.jpg
| image_caption = Main entrance in 2013
| address = 200 Tremblay Road
| borough = [[Ottawa]], Ontario
| country = Canada
| coordinates = {{coord|45|24|59|N|75|39|06|W|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}}
| line = {{rint|ca|rail}} [[Québec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)|Corridor]] <!-- detailed line information under "services" -->
| bus_operators = {{unbulleted|{{bus icon}} [[Air France-KLM]] (to {{rint|air}} [[YUL]])|{{rint|flix|bus}} [[FlixBus]]|{{rint|ca|ontcbus}} [[Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services|Ontario Northland]]|{{bus icon}} [[Orléans Express]] | {{bus icon}} [[Red Arrow Motorcoach|Red Arrow]]}}
| connections = {{unbulleted|{{rint|ottawa|otrain|1}} [[Tremblay station|Tremblay]]|{{rint|ottawa|bus}} {{rbox|N39||#{{octc|rapid}}}}|{{rint|bike}} [[Capital Pathway|Confederation Pathway]]}}
| structure = At-grade
| platform = {{unbulleted|1 standard-level [[side platform]]|3 low-level [[island platform]]s}}
| tracks = 5
| parking = 330 spaces
| bicycle = {{unbulleted|[[Bicycle parking rack]]s|Bike check service on some trains<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/bike |title=Take your bike on board |publisher=Via Rail |access-date=April 24, 2020 }}</ref>}}
| opened = {{Start date and age|1966|7|31}}
| architect = [[John B. Parkin|John B. Parkin & Associates]]
| architectural_style = [[International Style (architecture)|International]]
| closed = 
| rebuilt = 2016–2018
| years1 = 2020
| events1 = [[LEED]] Gold certification
| electrified = No
| accessible = Yes
| status = Staffed station
| code = [http://www.viarail.ca/cgi-bin/genericXSLT?xml=OTTW.xml&xsl=en_station.xsl OTTW]
| iata = [http://airportsbase.org/Canada/all/Ottawa/Ottawa_Railway_Station XDS]
| owned = [[Via Rail]]
| zone = 
| former = 
| passengers = 800,000+ yearly<ref>{{cite web |url=https://media.viarail.ca/en/press-releases/2016/29-september-2016-celebrating-50-years-via-rail-ottawa-|title=Celebrating 50 years: Via Rail Ottawa Station Major Renovation Project and New Departures |publisher=Via Rail |access-date=April 24, 2020 }}</ref>
| pass_year = FY2016
| pass_percent = 
| pass_system = 
| mpassengers = 
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Via Rail
|line1=Toronto-Ottawa|left1=Fallowfield
|line2=Fallowfield-Montreal|right2=Casselman
|line3=Fallowfield-Montreal|left3=Fallowfield|to-left3=Fallowfield|note-left3=Limited service|right3=Casselman
|line4=Ottawa-Québec City|right4=Casselman
}}
| other_services_header=Former services
| other_services={{adjacent stations|system=Via Rail|line=Canadian|left=Carleton Place|right=Dorval|note-mid=before 1990|to-right=Montreal}}
| map_locator = 
| map_type = Canada Ottawa#Canada Southern Ontario#Canada Ontario#Canada
| map_caption = Location in Ottawa##Location in Southern Ontario##Location in Ontario##Location in Canada
| map_dot_label = Ottawa station
| route_map = 
| web = {{URL|https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/ontario/ottawa/station|Ottawa train station}}
| embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=HRSC|designation1_offname=Ottawa Railway Station|designation1_date=June 1, 1996|designation1_number =[http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=15815 15815]}}
| mapframe                     = yes
| mapframe-stroke-colour       = #C60C30
| mapframe-stroke-width        = 3
| mapframe-marker              = rail
| mapframe-marker-colour       = #009D58
| mapframe-zoom                = 15
}}
'''Ottawa station''' ({{langx|fr|Gare d'Ottawa}}, {{Airport codes|XDS|p=n}}), or '''Ottawa Train Station''', is the [[Central station|main]] [[Inter-city rail|inter-city]] train station in [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada. It is located {{convert|4|km}} east of [[downtown Ottawa]], adjacent to [[Tremblay station|Tremblay]] [[O-Train]] station in the neighbourhood of [[Eastway Gardens]]. The station is operated by [[Via Rail]] and serves inter-city trains connecting to [[Toronto]], [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], [[Montreal]] and [[Quebec City]] on Via Rail's [[Québec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)|Corridor]] Route. It also serves as an [[Intercity bus service|intercity bus]] stop for several bus operators.

==Location==
[[File:Ottawa Station and Tremblay Station Area Map.png|thumb|left|Ottawa and Tremblay station area map]]
[[File:Intercity Transport Hubs in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.png|thumb|left|Intercity transport hubs in Ottawa, Ontario]]
Ottawa station is located at 200 Tremblay Road, which lies directly south of [[Ontario Highway 417]] (known locally as the ''Queensway'') near Exit 117 and east of [[Riverside Drive (Ottawa)|Riverside Drive (Regional Road 19)]] in an industrial park area. The station's main entrance faces north towards Tremblay Road.
 
To the northeast of the station area lies the [[Max Keeping]] [[footbridge|Pedestrian Bridge]], which provides pedestrian and bicycle access north across Highway 417 to [[Ottawa Stadium]] (a minor-league [[Baseball park|baseball stadium]]),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ottawa Stadium {{!}} Ottawa Titans Baseball Club |url=https://www.ottawatitans.com/ottawa-stadium |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.ottawatitans.com |language=en}}</ref> the [[Courtyard by Marriott]] Ottawa East<ref>{{cite web |title=Courtyard Ottawa East |url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowoe-courtyard-ottawa-east/ |access-date=13 September 2020 |website=Marriott International |language=en}}</ref> and [[Hampton by Hilton|Hampton Inn by Hilton]] Ottawa (the closest hotels to the station).<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampton Inn by Hilton – Ottawa, Canada Hotels |url=https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yowcnhx-hampton-ottawa/ |access-date=13 September 2020 |website=Hilton |language=en}}</ref> These two hotels are connected to each other by the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre and are located within a short walking distance to the west of the stadium parking lot.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Conference and Event Centre |url=https://ottawaconferenceandeventcentre.com |access-date=13 September 2020 |website=ottawaconferenceandeventcentre.com |language=en}}</ref> All of these locations are within a 10–15 minute walk from the station.<ref>{{Cite Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ottawa,+200+Tremblay+Rd,+Ottawa,+ON+K1G+3H5,+Canada/45.421172,-75.6570892/@45.4201374,-75.6563118,17.94|access-date=2024-12-04|title=Ottawa station to 100 Coventry Road}}</ref>

South of the station, across the railroad tracks and Terminal Avenue lies the Ottawa Train Yards [[Power center (retail)|power centre]] shopping complex which includes a number of [[big-box store]]s. There is no direct pedestrian connection south across the railroad tracks to the Ottawa Train Yards, so they may only be accessed by a longer route via Belfast Road (to the east of the station).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Location |url=https://ottawatrainyards.com/location/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Ottawa Train Yards |language=en-US}}</ref> Currently, the [[City of Ottawa]] is evaluating proposals to create a pedestrian and cycle crossing across the tracks from Tremblay O-Train station to Terminal Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web| author = City of Ottawa Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development Department| title = Tremblay Multi-Use Connection (Terminal Avenue to Tremblay LRT Station) Environmental Assessment (EA) Study| access-date = 2024-06-30| date = 2023-05-31| url = https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/public-engagement-project-search/tremblay-multi-use-connection-terminal-avenue-tremblay-lrt-station-environmental-assessment-ea-study}}</ref>

Far to the northeast of the station, across the 417 [[Cloverleaf interchange|highway cloverleaf]] and next to the [[Rideau River]] is an office complex of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]].

Ottawa station is located approximately {{convert|14|km}} north of the [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]. It takes 30 minutes to get there by public transport and 19 minutes by car or taxi. The station is also conveniently accessible from the Confederation O-train LRT Tremblay station, located 50 meters away. An O-train trip from a downtown Ottawa LRT station, such as Parliament or Rideau station, to Ottawa train station and vice-versa takes 13 and 10 minutes, respectively.<ref>
 {{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ottawa,+200+Tremblay+Rd,+Ottawa,+ON+K1G+3H5,+Canada/Ottawa+International+Airport,+Airport+Parkway+Private,+Ottawa,+ON,+Canada/@45.3709391,-75.7138821 |title=Ottawa station to Ottawa International Airport via Riverside Dr./Ottawa Regional Rd 19 and Airport Pkwy S |access-date=6 January 2021}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Union Station Ottawa a034379.jpg|thumb|Ottawa's former Union Station in the 1920s]]
:: ''For more information on the early history of rail in Ottawa, see [[Ottawa Union Station#History|Ottawa Union Station]]''.

The first passenger rail services in Ottawa began in 1854 with the opening of the [[Bytown and Prescott Railway]]. Several other railways subsequently began operations, and their services were eventually consolidated at [[Senate of Canada Building|Ottawa Union Station]], which was active from 1912 to 1966.<ref name="Churcher timeline">{{Cite web|last= Churcher | first= Colin |title = Dates in Ottawa Railway History| website = Colin Churcher's Railway Pages | accessdate = 2022-06-18| url = https://churcher.crcml.org/candate/ottawa.htm}}</ref> This station was located on [[Rideau Street]], directly across from the [[Château Laurier]] Hotel at [[Confederation Square]] and near the [[Parliament Hill|Parliament buildings]]. In 1966, railway services were relocated to Eastway Gardens, east of [[Downtown Ottawa|downtown]] and the [[Rideau River]].

The current Ottawa station is the result of an urban renewal plan by the French urban planner [[Jacques Greber]]. The plan was commissioned by [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]], who sought a re-imagining of the city following [[World War II]].

===Track relocation===
Among the proposals in Greber's [[Greber Plan|city plan]] was the relocation of railway tracks outside the downtown core.<ref name="Reevely 2017">{{cite news|url=https://heritageottawa.org/news/capital-builders-how-mackenzie-king-and-greber-made-modern-city |title=The Capital Builders: How Mackenzie King and Greber made the Modern City |last=Reevely |first=David |date=13 June 2017 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |website=heritageottawa.org |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref> This was not the first proposal to relocate trackage away from the central sections of Ottawa, as it had previously been discussed as early as 1915 and 1924. At that time, Ottawa was crossed by 11 train lines with over 150 [[level crossing]]s, causing numerous traffic disruptions.<ref name = "Thompson 2016">{{Cite journal| last = Thompson| first = John D.| title = July 31,1966 - Day of Infamy in Ottawa | date = 2016-09-01| url = https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=31h&AN=120338491&site=eds-live |journal = Canadian Rail: The Magazine of Canada's Railway Heritage |issue = 574 |pages = 239–244 |access-date = 14 June 2022}}</ref> Many of the railroads that crossed the city at the time were originally built in the nineteenth century to serve the [[Ottawa River timber trade|lumber industry]] and were no longer appropriately sited. The tracks divided neighbourhoods and were considered unsightly.<ref name = "Powell 2022">{{Cite web| title = Remember This? The last train to Union Station| work = CityNews Ottawa| last = Powell | first = James | date = 2022-07-25 | accessdate = 2022-09-15| url = https://ottawa.citynews.ca/remember-this/remember-this-the-last-train-to-union-station-5617258}}</ref>

Additionally, trains at that time were pulled by [[steam locomotives]], which brought their noise and soot to the downtown Union Station and rail yard. As ''[[Time Magazine]]'' noted in 1948: <blockquote>"Ottawa, dominated by the anachronistic Gothic buildings of Parliament, has remained frowzy, a city where trains run through the center of town and chuff smoke into the foyer of the best hotel."<ref>{{Cite magazine| publisher = Time Magazine | volume = 51| issue=18 | page = 36 | title = Ottawa, 1998.| date = 1948-05-03| url = https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=54778649&site=eds-live}}</ref></blockquote> Greber sought to clean up the downtown by relocating rail traffic outside of the city center. Part of this involved the construction of a new train station.<ref name="Reevely 2017"/>

The final decision to remove tracks from the downtown core was finalized in 1950, a time when transitioning to cleaner [[diesel locomotive]]s seemed like a distant future possibility. Despite the transition to diesel occurring earlier than expected in 1960, plans for track relocation and a new station continued.<ref name = "Thompson 2016"/> A land swap was arranged between the Federal District Commission (now [[National Capital Commission]]) and the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways in which they gave up their downtown railyards east of the [[Rideau Canal]] and railway [[Right-of-way (transportation)|rights of way]] through Ottawa in exchange for land near [[Walkley Road]], where the [[Walkley Yard|Walkley Train Yard]] would be extended.<ref name="Churcher timeline"/> This reduced the number of trains travelling through the downtown core, opened up new land for development downtown and provided the east-west right of way for what would later become the Queensway (Highway 417).<ref>{{Cite web| publisher = City of Ottawa Recreation and Cultural Services Dept| title = The Gréber Report| accessdate = 2022-06-18| date = 2017-02-06| url = https://ottawa.ca/en/arts-heritage-and-events/city-ottawa-archives/exhibits-and-events/virtual-exhibits/witness-change-visions-andrews-newton-photographs/construction-and-expansion/greber-report| archive-date = 2022-06-22| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220622130026/https://ottawa.ca/en/arts-heritage-and-events/city-ottawa-archives/exhibits-and-events/virtual-exhibits/witness-change-visions-andrews-newton-photographs/construction-and-expansion/greber-report| url-status = dead}}</ref>

===The new Ottawa station===
[[File:The Spectacular Ottawa, Ontario Depot, Now 50 Years Old -- 4 Photos (35925472865).jpg|Interior (1971)|thumb]]
The construction of a new railway terminal on {{convert|440|acre}} of land near [[List of bridges in Ottawa|Hurdman Bridge]] was announced in May 1961. The site was chosen because Ottawa's population was moving southward, it offered easy access to the Queensway, and there was ample room for parking. Additionally, the land that would make up the proposed site was already largely owned by the railways and the [[Government of Canada]]. It was thought that the terminal would become the hub of a new commercial and industrial area. The cost of the new train station, tracks and equipment amounted to around {{Currency|35M|CAD}}.<ref name = "Powell 2022"/>

The new Ottawa station was built to accommodate the passenger services of the [[Canadian National Railway]] (CNR) and the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] (CPR). It was the last of the monumental union stations to be built in Canada. It was seen as an attempt to project a modern and futuristic image of rail travel in an era when it was being increasingly superseded by other means of transportation.<ref name = "Historic Places">{{cite web| url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=15815 |title=Canada's Historic Places: Via Rail Station 200 Tremblay Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>

The station was designed by the modernist architect [[John C. Parkin|John Cresswell Parkin]] of [[John B. Parkin|John B. Parkin & Associates]] in collaboration with the Montreal firm [[Affleck, Desbarats, Dimakopoulos, Lebensold, Michaud & Sise]]. Their design reflects a mix of modernism and [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]] planning principles.<ref name = "Historic Places" /> The station opened on July 31, 1966,<ref>{{Cite web| title = Railways of Ottawa - Ottawa Station Opening| accessdate = 2022-06-16| url = https://churcher.crcml.org/circle/Findings_OttawaStationOpening.html}}</ref> just a few months prior to the start of [[Canadian Centennial]] celebrations. The first train to arrive was the Canadian Pacific Railway's ''Rideau'' from Montreal, which left shortly afterwards at 9:04&nbsp;a.m.<ref name = "Powell 2022"/>

Per a sign located inside the station: <blockquote>"The Ottawa Station was completed in 1966 as part of a plan for the relocation and consolidation of many railway lines built between 1854 and 1916. The new arrangement was based on the [[Greber Plan|plans]] of the noted urban planner, [[Jacques Greber]], and was constructed by the [[National Capital Commission]]. The [[Canadian National Railway]] and the [[Canadian Pacific railway]] are owners and operators of the new installations."<ref>{{Cite sign |title=Ottawa Station |type=Plaque inside station|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/66151649@N02/38684882361/in/dateposted-ff/ |location=Ottawa}}</ref></blockquote>

Throughout its history, the station has won several architectural awards. It won a [[Governor General's Award|Massey Medal]] for architecture in 1967.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} In 2000, the [[Royal Architectural Institute of Canada]] named the station as one of the top 500 buildings produced in Canada during the last millennium,<ref name="RAIC">{{cite news|url=http://www.ty-a.ca/Citizen/top500.htm|title=Cultural consequence|last=Cook|first=Maria|work=Ottawa Citizen|publisher=Canwest|date=11 May 2000|access-date=11 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530090211/http://www.ty-a.ca/Citizen/top500.htm|archive-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> and in 2007 it was awarded the Landmark Award by the [[Ontario Association of Architects]].<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0839-3222| pages = –1 FRONT| last = Cook| first = Maria| title = Ottawa train station wins award for modern design; 41-year-old building a 'great example' of style: [Final Edition]| work = The Ottawa Citizen| location = Ottawa, Ont., Canada| accessdate = 2022-06-21| date = 2007-05-11| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/241078650| id = {{ProQuest|241078650}}}}</ref>

===Criticism===

{{Blockquote
|text=It would be true to say the closer you get to Ottawa, the farther you are from people who live along the tracks. It is possible to live in the nation's capital and not know where the Ottawa train station is located. It used to be within sight of Parliament Hill, but the old station is now part of the government gas works, used for [[First Ministers' conference|First Ministers meetings]] and other talkathons.
|author= [[Dalton Camp]]<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0319-0781| pages = –3| last = Camp| first = Dalton| title = Lean, mean way to set VIA policy: [SU2 Edition]| work = Toronto Star| location = Toronto, Ont., Canada| access-date = 2022-06-21| date = 1989-09-17| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/436026505| id = {{ProQuest|436026505}}}}</ref>}}

While the relocation of Ottawa station seemed like a good idea in 1948, the move to the outskirts of Ottawa put rail travel at a comparative disadvantage to other forms of transportation in the city. Although passenger rail travel collapsed across North America following [[World War II]], the downtown station may have maintained a higher market share over time and been useful for [[commuter rail]] due to its close proximity on foot to many destinations.<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.7202/1019205ar| issn = 0703-0428 | volume = 29| issue = 2| pages = 43–61| last = Gordon| first = David| title = Weaving a Modern Plan for Canada's Capital: Jacques Gréber and the 1950 Plan for the National Capital Region| journal = Urban History Review| date = March 2001| s2cid = 162423044 | doi-access = free}}</ref>

Prior to the establishment of Via Rail in 1977, there was a trend in several Canadian cities, including Quebec City, Saskatoon, and Victoria, to close downtown stations and rebuild them in suburban areas. At the time, it seemed to many local governments that the benefits of removing tracks and railyards from downtown areas outweighed the benefits of providing rail access directly to downtown, as passenger rail appeared to be declining and increasingly irrelevant.<ref name = Gersovitz>{{Cite news| issn = 0319-0714| pages = –11(ILLUS)|last = Gersovitz| first= David | title = The return of the train| work = Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada)| date = 1985-11-23| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A165547237/BIC?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-BIC&xid=44eb6597}}</ref>

These decisions helped accelerate the decline in passenger rail popularity further, as direct-to-downtown service was one of the few remaining advantages trains had over airplanes.<ref name = Gersovitz /> This could be seen at Ottawa station. While Via Rail provided a shuttle bus to the city centre, the increased distance added up to 25 minutes in travel time to the fastest train to Montreal and reduced its competitiveness with other forms of travel.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0319-0714| pages = –6| last = Chambers| first = Bob| title = Passenger rail service| work = The Globe and Mail| location = Toronto, Ont., Canada| accessdate = 2022-06-29| date = 1978-01-10| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/387052279| id = {{ProQuest|387052279}}}}</ref>

In 1985, Via Rail President Pierre Franche estimated that Via lost around 15 to 20 percent of their Ottawa business because of the closing of Union Station.<ref name = Gersovitz />

[[File:Depot, Qttawa, Ont. on July 4, 1971 (24573701805).jpg|Main entrance (1971)|thumb]]
In addition to its more distant location, public transit service to Ottawa station was absent or minimal for its first 15 years of existence, making it difficult for non-car owners to access. This was partly remedied in 1983 when OC Transpo constructed a [[Transitway (Ottawa)|Transitway]] [[bus rapid transit]] station (''Train station'') across from Ottawa station, which would be replaced by ''Tremblay'' O-Train station to the west of the Ottawa station building in 2019.<ref name = "Thompson 2016"/>

Continued service reductions in the late 1980s and early 1990s further compounded the declining popularity of train travel in Ottawa. Services to Toronto and Montreal were reduced, and Ottawa lost transcontinental service to [[Pacific Central Station|Vancouver]] on the ''[[Super Continental]]'' when the train was cancelled in 1990.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0839-3222| pages = –1| last = Tolson| first = Anne| title = VIA service to drop 30%; 124 weekly Ottawa arrivals, departures cut to 84: [Final Edition]| work = The Ottawa Citizen| location = Ottawa, Ont., Canada| accessdate = 2022-06-21| date = 1989-11-14| url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/239406953| id = {{ProQuest|239406953}}}}</ref>

===Heritage designation===
The station has been protected under the ''[[Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act]]'' since 1996.  It "is a glass and steel, International style railway station [...] The VIA Rail Station at Ottawa is one of the finest examples of the [[International Style (architecture)|International style]] in Canadian architecture."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=15815&pid=0 |title=VIA Rail Station |author=<!--Not stated--> |website= historic places.ca|access-date=November 17, 2017 }}</ref>

===Renovation===
A $21.7 million renovation project was undertaken from late 2016 to 2018, adding an elevator to enhance accessibility in the spiral ramp and at tracks 3 and 4. The station's Track 1 side platform was also raised from the previous [[Railway platform height|low-level to a standard level]] for faster and easier boarding. Maintenance work was also carried out on the roof, and a climate-controlled waiting area was built next to Track 1 for departing passengers to wait for their trains.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://media.viarail.ca/en/press-releases/2016/29-september-2016-celebrating-50-years-via-rail-ottawa-|title=CELEBRATING 50 YEARS: VIA RAIL OTTAWA STATION MAJOR RENOVATION PROJECT AND NEW DEPARTURES &#124; VIA Rail|website=media.viarail.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Sustainable Mobility Report 2018 |url=https://media.viarail.ca/sites/default/files/publications/2018_SMR_EN_FINAL.pdf |publisher=Via Rail Canada |page=19}}</ref>

The station management also began working to attain a [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Silver [[green building]] certification from the [[Canada Green Building Council]].<ref>{{cite report |title=Sustainable Mobility Report 2018 |url=https://media.viarail.ca/sites/default/files/publications/2018_SMR_EN_FINAL.pdf |publisher=Via Rail Canada |page=37}}</ref>

The official certification process began in 2019, and on August 10, 2020, the building achieved a LEED v4.1 Operation and Maintenance: Existing Buildings certification at the Gold level, earning 68 of a possible 100 LEED points.<ref>{{cite web |last1=VIA Rail Canada Inc |title=VIA Rail Obtains LEED Gold Certification for its Heritage Ottawa Station |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/via-rail-obtains-leed-gold-certification-for-its-heritage-ottawa-station-874379879.html |website=www.newswire.ca |access-date=4 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gold LEED® Certification for Ottawa station {{!}} VIA Rail |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/news/2021/gold-leedr-certification-ottawa-station |website=corpo.viarail.ca |access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| last = Prochnau| first = Emily| title = Ottawa Station – VIA Rail| work = Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC)| accessdate = 2022-06-29| url = https://www.cagbc.org/green-building-showcase/green-building-spotlight/case-studies/ottawa_station/}}</ref>

====Accessibility improvements====
Following the renovations, Via Rail initiated a pilot project to test electronic systems enabling passengers with [[visual impairment]]s to navigate autonomously between the station entrance and platforms. These tests were carried out in collaboration with the [[International Union of Railways]], Canadian Council of the Blind and the [[Canadian National Institute for the Blind]]. The company intends to improve the system and eventually deploy the technology in other stations in its network.<ref>{{Cite journal| title = Partnerships and renovations make VIA Rail's Ottawa Station its most accessible| website = MassTransitMag.com| accessdate = 2022-06-29| date = 2019-02-01| url = http://www.proquest.com/docview/2220298331/citation/B7DA3846413441D0PQ/1}}</ref>

==Station facilities==
[[File:Interior of Ottawa VIA Rail Station including ticket desk.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of Ottawa VIA Rail Station]]
Ottawa station is an international-style building composed of exposed cantilevered [[Truss#Vierendeel truss|Vierendeel trusses]] and supported by massive concrete [[Pier (architecture)|piers]]. This creates a spacious [[open plan]] interior with a powerful roofline. The station's walls are a non-loadbearing glass skin and extend through the open steel trusses to the roof deck. None of the interior walls extend above the lower chords of the trusses, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the roof structure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orsa.ca/resources/gallery/details.asp?id=18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192640/http://www.orsa.ca/resources/gallery/details.asp?id=18|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-06|title=Ottawa Train Station  |author=Ottawa Regional Society of Architects |website=www.orsa.ca}}</ref>

The station is staffed and offers ticket sales, checked baggage and checkroom service, bicycle box service, an ATM, a cafe/restaurant, vending machines, wifi (in the station and business lounge), telephones and washrooms.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/ontario/ottawa/station |title=Ottawa train station |publisher=Via Rail |access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://theministryofcoffee.com/location |title=The Ministry of Coffee – Ottawa Locations – Via Rail Train Station |website=theministryofcoffee.com |publisher=The Ministry of Coffee |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220047/https://theministryofcoffee.com/location |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://blueheaven.cafe |title=Blue Heaven Cafe – Locations – Ottawa Train Station |website=blueheaven.cafe |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref>

A Via Rail business lounge is located in the southeast corner of the station, adjacent to the tracks. Services include free Wi-Fi, HD television screens with news broadcasts, non-alcoholic beverages and free access to [[PressReader]] digital reading materials. Lounge access is restricted to business class travellers for a maximum of two hours prior to departure and two hours after arrival.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Take advantage of our business lounge {{!}} VIA Rail| access-date = 2024-06-30| url = https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/business-lounge}}</ref>

The station's entrance, ticket office, washrooms and platforms are wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair lift is available to assist with boarding. Courtesy wheelchairs are provided, and curbside assistance is also available upon advance request. A service animal relief area is located near the station entrance.<ref name="auto1"/>

[[File:Ottawa train station 2013 1.jpg|thumb|left|Station platforms in 2013]]
Trains embark at one standard-level [[side platform]] and three low-level [[island platform]]s on five tracks. The platforms are connected to the main building via an underground walkway, which is accessible by a circular ramp, elevator, or escalator. The tracks are bordered on the south by offices of the [[Canada Revenue Agency]], surface parking lots and low-rise commercial buildings located on Terminal Avenue.<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4163473,-75.6533807,814m/data=!3m1!1e3 |title= Ottawa station and surrounding area |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>

Intercity coach buses serve three bus platforms in front of the station entrance in a dedicated bus lane.

==Services==
===Railway services===
Ottawa Station is served by all trains on Via Rail's Toronto-Ottawa and Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec services.

As of October 2023, the station is served by 8 to 10 daily roundtrips to Toronto and 4 to 5 roundtrips to Montreal, with 3 to 4 continuing to Quebec City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/train-schedules#accessible#accessible|title=Timetables| publisher=Via Rail Canada| access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref>

===Intercity bus services===
Following the closure of [[Ottawa Central Station]] in 2021, many intercity bus operators use Ottawa station as a terminus.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background: #abcdef;" colspan="2" align=center |Intercity coaches
|-
! Bus Company
! Destinations
|-
|[[FlixBus]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/flixbus-adds-via-rail-station-as-stop-for-ottawa-passengers/|title=FlixBus adds Via Rail station as stop for Ottawa passengers|website=CTV News|accessdate=March 22, 2025}}</ref>
|[[Toronto]], [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], [[Detroit]]
|-
|[[Ontario Northland Motor Coach Services|Ontario Northland]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario Northland Schedule 501 & 502 Sudbury – North Bay – Ottawa |url=https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/communications/schedules/062224/2024-07-22-SCHED-501-502-EN.PDF|website=ontarionorthland.ca |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>
|[[Sudbury Ontario Northland Bus Terminal|Sudbury]], [[North Bay station|North Bay]]
|-
|[[Orléans Express]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Orléans Express: Travel Québec by bus |date=2 May 2014 |url=https://www.orleansexpress.com/en/ |access-date=8 July 2021 |quote=Starting July 8th we will be adding the Montréal-Ottawa corridor with stops in Ottawa, Gatineau, Kirkland, and Montreal.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/orleans-express-will-offer-a-service-route-between-quebec-and-ontario-849466205.html |title=Orleans Express Will Offer a Service Route Between Quebec and Ontario |date=July 5, 2021|website=newswire.ca}}</ref>
|[[Gatineau]], [[Kirkland, Quebec|Kirkland]], [[Montreal]]
|-
|[[Red Arrow Motorcoach|Red Arrow]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.redarrow.ca/routes/ottawa-to-toronto/ | title=Ottawa to Toronto }}</ref>
|[[Union Station Bus Terminal|Toronto]], [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]]
|}
[[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]] and [[Rider Express]] serve [[St-Laurent station (Ottawa)|St-Laurent station]], not Ottawa station.

====Air France - KLM====
[[Air France–KLM]] runs a connecting shuttle bus from this station to [[Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport]] for Air France and KLM airline passengers only.<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel by bus or train on a KLM ticket – Bus between Ottawa Railway Station and Montreal |url=https://www.klm.com/travel/ca_en/plan_and_book/ticket_information/travel_by_train_or_bus_on_a_KLM_ticket/index.htm |website=klm.com |publisher=KLM Royal Dutch Airlines |access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.klm.com/travel/ca_en/plan_and_book/ticket_information/travel_by_train_on_a_klm_ticket/index.htm#p2 |title=Bus between Ottawa Railway Station (XDS) and Montreal (YUL) |work=Travel by train on a KLM ticket |publisher=KLM |access-date=December 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206063215/http://www.klm.com/travel/ca_en/plan_and_book/ticket_information/travel_by_train_on_a_klm_ticket/index.htm#p2 |archive-date=2015-12-06 }}</ref> As of 2016, Air France–KLM has three daily bus services between those cities.<ref name=AFQuebec>"[http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/press-releases/article/item/a-new-bus-service-to-quebec-city-1/ A new bus service to Quebec City] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220045248/http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/press-releases/article/item/a-new-bus-service-to-quebec-city-1/ |date=2017-02-20 }}." [[Air France]]. August 16, 2016. Retrieved on October 29, 2016.</ref> [[Swiss International Air Lines]] previously operated its Swissbus service from Ottawa station to [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport]] for its passengers.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20120620154627/http://www.swiss.com/countries/CA/en/local_content/news/Pages/swissbus_ottawa.aspx Swissbus  Bus transportation between Ottawa and Montreal-Trudeau airport]" ([http://web.archive.org/web/20120620154627/http://www.swiss.com/countries/CA/en/local_content/news/Pages/swissbus_ottawa.aspx Archive]). [[Swiss International Air Lines]]. June 20, 2012. Retrieved on October 29, 2016.</ref>

==Connecting services==
===Public transit connections===
{{main|Tremblay station}}
[[Tremblay station]] is located adjacent to Ottawa station, and is served by [[Line 1 (O-Train)|Line 1]] of Ottawa's [[O-Train]] light rail system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.octranspo.com/en/our-services/stations1/tremblay1 |title=Our Services – Stations – Tremblay |website=octranspo.com |publisher=OC Transpo |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007014942/https://www.octranspo.com/en/our-services/stations1/tremblay1/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Schedules & Maps {{!}} OC Transpo |url=https://www.octranspo.com/en/plan-your-trip/schedules-maps/ |website=www.octranspo.com |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Moovit: Your Public Transit Guide |url=https://moovitapp.com/ottawa_on-422/lines/1/10744237/4011832?t=1 |website=Moovit |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref>

===Auto===
A taxi stand is located outside the main entrance and a Discount Car & Truck Rentals automated kiosk is available immediately inside the main entrance doors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discountcar.com/locations/ottawa/379-tremblay-via-rail-station-car-rental  |title=Discount Car & Truck Rentals locations in Ottawa – Discount Car Rental Ottawa 200 Tremblay Road |website=discountcar.com  |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/transportation-services/our-partners/discountcar |title=Via Rail – Discount Car Rental |publisher=Via Rail |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

Indigo Parking manages 330 surface lot parking spaces. The lot is controlled by an automated, gated system; hourly and monthly rates are available.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ca.parkindigo.com/en/car-park/ot507-via-rail-ottawa|title=OT507 – VIA Rail Ottawa |publisher=Indigo Parking |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref> Inside the lot there is a small electric vehicle charging station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.plugshare.com/location/231122 |title=Ottawa Station Parking |website=plugshare.com |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref>

===Bicycle access===
Ottawa station is connected to the [[Capital Pathway]] system.

A path located just 250 meters north of Tremblay station connects to the Rideau River Pathway, which provides a slightly longer but easier northbound/westbound route to the city core via [[Lower Town]]. Crossing the Rideau River Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge offers a shorter but slightly more complicated westbound route via [[Sandy Hill, Ottawa|Sandy Hill]], [[uOttawa]] and the Rideau Canal Eastern or Western Pathway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawavelooutaouais.com/2017/05/09/biking-to-the-ottawa-train-station-from-centretown/ |title=Biking to the Ottawa Train Station from Centretown |website=ottawavelooutaouais.com |date= 9 May 2017 |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansonthebike.com/2019/08/15/new-mup-along-downtown-lrt-tracks-ottawa/ |title=New MUP along downtown Confederation Line LRT |website=hansonthebike.com |date= 15 August 2019 |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/cycling/routes-and-maps |title=Official Cycling Map for Ottawa-Gatineau |publisher=City of Ottawa |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref> Either route requires a 20–30 minute ride.

The Max Keeping Pedestrian Bridge, located 400 meters north of the station, allows cycling and connects the station to the [[Overbrook, Ottawa|Overbrook]] and [[Vanier, Ontario|Vanier]] neighbourhoods on the other side of Highway 417. It also provides access to Coventry Road and the [[St. Laurent Centre]] to the east and Ottawa Stadium [[Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park]], which is the home of the Ottawa Titans Frontier League minor league baseball team.

==Future==
In April 2020, developers Colonnade BridgePort and investment firm Fiera Real Estate acquired the 5-acre industrial site immediately to the east of the station, with plans to develop it into a mixed-use residential and commercial centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colonnade BridgePort to build 'mixed-use community hub' near Via Rail, LRT stations |date=27 April 2020 |type=Article |publisher=Ottawa Business Journal |url=https://obj.ca/article/colonnade-bridgeport-build-mixed-use-community-hub-near-rail-lrt-stations |location=Ottawa |access-date=2 May 2020 |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503013206/https://www.obj.ca/article/colonnade-bridgeport-build-mixed-use-community-hub-near-rail-lrt-stations |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colonnade Bridgeport, Fiera acquire Ottawa redev site |date=27 April 2020 |type= Article |publisher=Real Estate News Exchange |url=https://renx.ca/colonnade-bridgeport-fiera-real-estate-acquire-ottawa-redevelopment-site/}}</ref> Initial proposals include a cluster of six blocks of mixed-use highrises reaching up to 30 storeys.<ref>{{cite news |title=Developer proposes massive mixed-use six-tower project for industrial land near Ottawa's Via Rail station |url=https://ontarioconstructionnews.com/developer-proposes-massive-mixed-use-six-tower-project-for-industrial-land-near-ottawas-via-rail-station/ |access-date=16 January 2021 |work=Ontario Construction News |date=14 September 2020}}</ref> The project is also expected to include a central park and an extensive network of pedestrian and cycling paths to connect the development with Ottawa and Tremblay stations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Highrises, park key elements in Colonnade BridgePort's east-end development proposal |date=28 August 2020 |type=Article |publisher=Ottawa Business Journal |url=https://obj.ca/article/real-estate/highrises-park-key-elements-colonnade-bridgeports-east-end-development-proposal |location=Ottawa}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]]
* [[List of Via Rail stations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Ottawa Train Station}}
*{{Via Station|OTTW}}
*{{osmway|110560917}}
*[https://www.openrailwaymap.org/?lang=null&lat=45.41687389225464&lon=-75.65127074718474&zoom=17&style=standard Geographic data related to Ottawa station on OpenRailwayMap]
*[https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4167714,-75.6519475,3a,75y,134.43h,79.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYwRXl-IOMLOpQYa64YJUpg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en Station building from Google Maps Street View]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192640/http://www.orsa.ca/resources/gallery/details.asp?id=18 Ottawa Regional Society of Architects — Architecture of the Ottawa Train Station (Archived)]
*[http://madhava.com/photo/christmas2004/2004_12_27/ Photos of Ottawa Train Station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714014522/http://madhava.com/photo/christmas2004/2004_12_27/ |date=2011-07-14 }}
*[https://churcher.crcml.org The Railways of Ottawa – Colin Churcher's Railway Pages]
*[http://beachburg.blogspot.com The Beachburg Sub – Blogging about railways from Ottawa and beyond]

{{Ottawa landmarks}}
{{Ottawa}}

[[Category:Via Rail stations in Ontario]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Ottawa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1966]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Canada]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Canada opened in 1966]]
[[Category:Designated heritage railway stations in Ontario]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Transport in Ottawa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ottawa]]