Bus Shelters for Gatineau Park Shuttle Service Users

The National Capital Commission (NCC) launched the Fall Rhapsody shuttle service in 2015, offering transportation between the Capital's core and Gatineau Park on weekends in October. It has proven to be a very popular option, with a peak ridership in 2019 estimated at 15,000 people over four weekends. As this transit program is currently evolving into a permanent service expanding into the spring, summer and winter months, there is a need for appropriate infrastructure to replace the current temporary solutions.

Seven shuttle stop locations were selected within the Gatineau Park parkway network, including:

  • Camp Fortune;
  • Champlain Lookout;
  • King Mountain Trail;
  • Lauriault Trail–Mulvihill picnic area;
  • Mackenzie King Estate;
  • Pink Lake Lookout; and
  • the South Entrance.

 

The proposed bus shelter design at these locations will include outdoor waiting areas, platforms for onboarding and offboarding, shelters, seating, signage and landscaping. Certain stops will also include universally accessible washrooms. The shelters will sit adjacent to and work alongside existing Gatineau Park infrastructure, programs and services. Construction is planned to begin in summer 2025.

A characterization of the natural environment in the work and access zones was carried out. It described the terrestrial and aquatic environments that will be affected by the construction of shuttle shelter program infrastructure. Mitigation measures such as erosion, sediment control and tree protection will be implemented by the contractor to protect terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and their habitats. 

The project was proposed by the NCC on land under its stewardship (Gatineau Park). It is subject to federal land use, design and transaction approval (FLUDA) under the National Capital Act. Coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is required, as DFO must issue a letter of notification under the Fisheries Act for planned work in fish habitat.

The proposed project will affect Gatineau Park users at the seven locations. The NCC will inform the public and stakeholders of any anticipated traffic delays or planned detours.

More

Latest update

June 16, 2025 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The National Capital Commission is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
3 Notice of Determination - February 23, 2026
2 Suttle stops map PDF (201 KB) May 16, 2025
1 Bus Shelters for Gatineau Park Shuttle Service Users - May 16, 2025

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Gatineau Park (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Recreation and Tourism

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-05-16

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89362

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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