http://www.octranspo.com/fares/Expre...ss_routes.html
Inbound Rule
In the morning, the Express and Rural Express fares are not required for passengers boarding at or between Dominion and Hurdman Stations.
Additionally, the Rural Express fare (green routes #200s plus 45) drops to an Express fare once a route is inside the Urban Transit Area. Flags with just a green number mean you should pay an Express fare, while a green number with an “R” indicates when to pay a full Rural Express fare.
Homebound Rule
In the afternoon, the Express fare is not required on Express routes for passengers boarding at the point at which the route leaves the Transitway or after it has left the Queensway. (See exception for route 45.)
The Rural Express fare should be paid until the route (green routes #200s plus 45) passes outside the Urban Transit Area boundary, regardless of whether or not there is an “R” on the flag. Once you’re outside the UTA, flags will show a red number and you should pay a Regular fare. (See exception for route 221.)
Route 45 Exception
The Homebound rule starts at Greenboro Station.
Express/Rural Express Combo Route 45 Exception
In the afternoon, customers exiting within the UTA follow the Homebound Rule above. Customers exiting outside the UTA must pay the Rural Express fare.
Customers exiting outside the UTA should exit at the front door and show proof of having paid the Rural Express fare, i.e. a Rural Express pass or a Rural Express transfer. Customers who only paid the Express fare, must top up to the Rural Express fare.
Express/Rural Express Combo Route 221 Exception
Effective on Tuesday, April 1, the fare policy for customers boarding route 221 in the afternoon will change.
Customers who board an afternoon bus in downtown Ottawa and get off the bus while still inside the Urban Transit Area (UTA), can pay an Express fare instead of a Rural Express fare. see map -->
For example, someone who gets off the bus on Old Montreal Road at Trim Road or Gerald Street can use an Express pass or pay just $4 or three bus tickets ($2.85).
Customers who live inside the UTA already pay additional transit taxes, and this change will allow them to take rush hour service at the same fare as other riders inside the UTA.
New PM Boarding Procedures
for Rural Customers
If your destination is in the Rural zone, you’ll need to:
*exit the bus at the front door and show the operator proof of payment of a Rural Express fare.
*If you pay with cash or tickets, you should request a transfer when you board and hold onto it as proof of payment.
The fare policy for morning trips is unchanged — customers inside the UTA can board the bus for an Express fare, while customers boarding outside the UTA pay a Rural Express fare.
The UTA boundary is located along Cardinal Creek, which is just east of Gerald Street.
Service from Gatineau (Hull)
Route 27 Exception
In the afternoon, the express fare is not required by passengers boarding express route 27 in Gatineau (Hull) only and getting off in downtown Ottawa (LeBreton to Hurdman).
For example:
*Customers boarding route # 27 in Hull pay regular fare.
*Customers boarding route # 27 from the first bus stop in Ottawa will pay express fare.
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More thoughts:
The inbound rule should be extended out as far as the Greenbelt since an peak route at that point would for the most part be a Red (reg fare) rather than a green (express fare).