STO Page

The Société de transport de l’Outaouais provides service throughout the City of Gatineau with suburban service to the rural municipalities of Cantley and Chelsea. With a fleet of 250 buses, the STO, the only major transit agency in Québec where most of the buses are air-conditioned, provides service for a population of 242,000 people. The STO operates Classics, NovaBus RTS’s, and LFS’s, and there is still one GM New Look in service. About half of the 55 bus routes operate into downtown Ottawa, providing transfers with OC Transpo.

All photos are by the webmaster unless otherwise noted.

General Motors New Look

	A line of retired New Looks is shown behind the STO garage in Hull in May 1990 (above) and on May 25, 1991 (below). The three TDH-5303 buses 6501, 6304, and 6306 shown in the upper photo are to the left in the lower photo. The other buses in the lower photo are T6H-5307N buses bought in 1972 and 1973. (Photographer unknown for upper photo; lower photo by the webmaster).
	7316 is a 1973 GM T6H-5307N, shown on display at the CTCRO open house in May 1990. Until 1974, the CTCRO purchased buses equipped with full-width destination curtains, and these were retained until the buses were retired in the early 1990’s, with the route number being indicated in a small run number box located in the windshield just above the right turn signal. This bus also has brown standee windows and two-window exit doors. The CTCRO ordered buses with these specs until 1977, after which blue standee windows and four-window rear doors became the norm. Behind 7316 is former OTC bus 5911, which was found in a scrap yard in Hull during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009 (Photographer unknown).
	7742 was a 1977 GM T6H-5307N, spotted on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa on February 18, 2008. This bus was originally an OC Transpo bus of the same number and was the oldest operating transit bus in Ottawa-Gatineau as well as one of the oldest in Quebec at the time.
	7757 was another 1977 New Look, also an ex-OC Transpo bus seen on King Edward Avenue at Rideau Street on February 18, 2008. This bus also had the same number as it originally was in Ottawa and it still had the red stripe painted on the roof near the back of the bus. Both 7742 and 7757 were acquired by the STO in 2005 and remained in service until September 2010 when the buses were sold to private collectors, providing 33 years of service in Ottawa-Gatineau.
	7757 is shown on display at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	7901 is a 1979 T6H-5307N, and is the oldest STO bus in revenue service. It is shown at Confederation Square in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 20, 1997.
	7901 was seen again several years later on King Edward Avenue at St. Patrick Street in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood on July 24, 2006. This bus was the last remaining GM New Look in service in Quebec as of December 2010.
	7901 is shown again on King Edward Avenue on Feb. 18, 2008. This photo shows the bus refurbished with a digital headsign removed from a retired Classic in 2006.
	8112 was ex-Montreal 24-096, a 1981 T6H-5307N acquired by the STO in 2001. This photo was taken at the Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 27, 2002.
	8202 was a 1982 T6H-5307N, originally CMTS 32105 from Sherbrooke. It is shown on King Edward Avenue in Ottawa on Oct. 31, 2006. This bus was sold to a group of private owners from Quebec in May 2009.
	8307 was a 1983 single-door T6H-5307N. This bus was equipped with high-backed, reclining seats and tinted windows for long haul service between Ottawa and Buckingham in Gatineau’s far east end, and were used until being replaced by the RTS buses in 2000. It is seen on December 20, 1997, at Confederation Square in Ottawa.
	8310 was a 1982 T6H-5307N, formerly Montreal 25-013. It is seen at the corner of Rideau and Waller Streets in Ottawa on Dec. 27, 2002.

For photos of the STO 7901 charter on May 31, 2009, click here.

GM/MCI/NovaBus Classic

	8401 was the first GM Classic purchased by the STO, and is shown on King Edward Avenue in Ottawa on July 24, 2006. The six buses purchased in 1984 were the only STO Classics equipped with vandal-resistant seating. This bus was originally slated to be preserved but was retired in May 2009 after donating its engine to 8202.
	8404 was another 1984 GM TC-40102N, shown at Confederation Square in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 20, 1997. The CTCRO purchased GM Classics in 1984, 1985, and 1986, but now the buses are all retired after 8509, the STO’s last original GM Classic, was withdrawn from service in late 2010.
	8413 was a 1984 GM TC-40102N, originally an OC Transpo bus with the same number, shown in service on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa on Oct. 14, 2005. The STO purchased several New Looks and Classics from OC Transpo to alleviate a temporary bus shortage. By September 2009, 8413 had been retired, the last of Classics the STO acquired from OC Transpo.
	8505 was a 1985 GM Classic, seen laying up on King Edward Avenue in Ottawa on Oct. 14, 2005. This bus had the standard configuration for STO GM Classics, with a 6V71N engine and a V731 transmission, small rear windows, padded bench seats upholstered in orange and blue vinyl, and dual-stream slide-glide exit doors equipped with MacKay gates.
	8536 is a 1985 Classic originally owned by the RTC in Quebec City. It is shown on George Street in downtown Ottawa on February 18, 2008.
	8603 was a 1986 GM TC-40102N, spotted waiting to enter service on King Edward Avenue on Oct. 14, 2005. All GM Classic buses were originally equipped with two-digit destination curtains similar to those used on the GM New Looks, but these were replaced by digital signs around 1990.
	8614 is another 1986 Classic, this one from Quebec City. The red box on the back is the original rear route marker used by the STCUQ. It is not connected to the STO’s headsign system but can be set independently. This photo was taken on George Street on Feb.18, 2008.
	8620 is another ex-RTC Classic shown on King Edward Avenue on February 18, 2008. These buses are all still operating in the original STCUQ livery, and were acquired by the STO in 2008. To see a photo of the bus in Quebec City, click here.
	8620 was spotted again parked at the STO garage having some transmission work done. This photo was taken during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	8785 was another former OC Transpo bus, this one from 1987, refit with a digital headsign typical of the STO’s GM Classics. It is shown on King Edward Avenue on Oct. 31, 2006.
	8803 is a 1988 GM TC-40102N, wishing everyone a happy holiday season while waiting to enter service on Dec. 27, 2002. This photo was taken while the bus was waiting on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa.
	8805 is another 1988 Classic, waiting at a red light on Rideau Street near the Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 27, 2002.
	8902 is a 1989 MCI TC-40102N, shown waiting for passengers at Tunney’s Pasture Transitway Station in Ottawa on August 30, 2005. The 1988 and 1989 MCI Classics are equipped with more powerful turbocharged 6V92TA engines, but outwardly they look similar to the GM Classics, with small, high-set rear windows. As of January 2011, the 1989 Classics were the oldest original STO buses still in revenue service with the exception of 7901.
	8911 is another 1989 Classic, seen at Confederation Square on December 20, 1997. This photo shows the bus equipped with its original three-digit destination sign, similar to the type used on OC Transpo Classics. These signs have since been replaced by electronic displays.
	9001 is a 1990 MCI TC-40102N, and is shown on display at the CTCRO garage during an open house in May 1990. 1990 was the first year that the STO purchased Classics with full-sized rear windows and electronic headsigns, and the last year they purchased non-air-conditioned buses. This bus was nearly brand new at the time and shows the “outaouais” markings used on CTCRO and STO buses before about 1994 (Photographer unknown).
	9003 is another 1990 Classic, seen at Confederation Square on Dec. 20, 1997. These buses are now usually used only during rush hour.
	9005 was spotted laying up on King Edward Avenue on Dec. 14, 2005.
	9006 is a 1990 MCI TC-40102N Suburban, one of two suburban Classics ordered that year, and is shown on display at the CTCRO open house in May 1990 (Photographer unknown).
	9006 was seen at Confederation Square on Dec. 20, 1997. This bus was equipped with high fixed-back seats and is used for commuters from Buckingham, who often face hour-long trips into Ottawa.
	9006 is seen several years later, waiting to enter service on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 14, 2005. This bus was retired due to structural problems but 9007 was still in service in 2010.
	9010 is a 1990 MCI TC-40102A air-conditioned bus, shown on York Street in downtown Ottawa on Dec. 14, 2005. The STO started purchasing air-conditioned buses in late 1990, and buses bought during 1990, 1991 and 1992 are equipped with rear-mounted air conditioners, and are thus the first STO buses ordered without rear windows.
	9127 is a 1991 MCI TC-40102A, seen at Confederation Square on Dec. 20, 1997. These buses can be distinguished from the earlier non-air-conditioned buses by the larger front destination signs.
	9214 is a 1992 MCI TC-40102A, shown painted into the new STO livery. This bus was spotted waiting for passengers at CEGEP Gabrielle-Roy in Hull on August 14, 2004.
	9215 is another 1992 MCI TC-40102A, seen on Cumberland Street in downtown Ottawa on Sept. 5, 2003. This bus has been only partially repainted into the new livery, as seen toward the back of the bus.
	9402 is a 1994 NovaBus TC-40102A, seen parked at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	9416 is another 1994 Classic, shown at CEGEP Gabrielle-Roy on August 14, 2004.
	9422 was spotted laying up on York Street in Ottawa on July 24, 2006. Many of the 1994 and 1995 Classics, originally with white fleet numbers on the front (see 9416 above), have had the number replaced with the more common black numbers.
	9426 is seen parked at the STO garage on May 31, 2009. Buses purchased between 1994 and 1997 were equipped with roof-mounted Sütrak air conditioners, and have full-sized rear windows.
	9501 is a 1995 Nova TC-40102A, shown at the Terrasses de la Chaudière transfer point in Hull on Dec. 28, 2004.
	9502 is another 1995 Classic, shown on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa on Oct. 31, 2006.
	9503 is shown on promenade du Portage at rue Eddy in downtown Hull on Dec. 28, 2004.
	9503 was spotted again on Wellington Street near the Bank of Canada building in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2009.
	9507 is shown parked at les Promenades de l’Outaouais in old Gatineau on August 14, 2004. This bus is shown painted in the old STO livery, though it has since been repainted as shown in the photo below.
	9507 was spotted again nearly five years later at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	9511 is shown at Confederation Square on Dec. 20, 1997. The 9400 and 9500 series buses are equipped with 6V92TA engines, like the earlier MCI Classics.
	9518 is shown at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on August 14, 2004. This bus has been repainted into the new STO paint scheme, at least behind the front end. This is now the standard paint scheme into which the Classic buses are being repainted. This bus also has the new LED taillight clusters which are gradually replacing the old rectangular signal lights.
	9601 is a 1996 Nova TC-40102A, one of three purchased in 1996 fit with all forward-facing seats on raised platforms, and a single-stream exit door, the first on an STO bus since 1980. These buses are primarily used on the long-haul routes between Ottawa and Buckingham. 9601 is equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine, and is shown at the Rideau Centre on Dec. 20, 1997.
	9601 was spotted again boarding passengers at the Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa on July 24, 2006.
	9603 was originally purchased for use as a shuttle connecting the Rideau Centre and the Casino du Lac Leamy in the Hull sector of Gatineau, painted in a special livery, but it is now used for regular long-haul bus service. It is shown on King Edward Avenue on Oct. 31, 2006.
	9701 is a 1996 Nova TC-40102A, delivered in February 1997, and it is one of the last Classics built. It is shown at Confederation Square on Dec. 20, 1997.
	9701 was seen again on Wellington Street near Bank Street in downtown Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2009.
	9705 is another 1996 Classic, shown at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on August 14, 2004.
	9705 was spotted again at the Rideau Centre on November 11, 2009. This bus is the last air-conditioned Classic bus ever built. After building a few more non-A/C buses for Lévis, Sherbrooke, Chicoutimi and Montreal, NovaBus stopped producing the Classic, ending a class of bus first built as the New Look in 1959.

Thomas FS-65 Conventional

2185 was a 1985 GMC-Thomas FS-65 conventional bus, shown on display at the CTCRO garage during the open house in May 1990. These buses were used on Tunney’s Pasture to Aylmer service before the Orion II buses were delivered in 1992 (Photographer unknown).

Orion II

2392 is a 1992 Orion II, seen at Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa in May 2000. The STO purchased these buses to provide quick service between west-end Ottawa and Aylmer, and the only bridge connecting the two areas had a six-tonne weight restriction. The Champlain Bridge has since been upgraded, and these routes are now served by full-sized buses. All Orion II buses have since been withdrawn from service.

NovaBus RT80-2W

	0003 is a 2000 Nova RTS, seen on King Edward Avenue in Ottawa in November 2000. These buses were purchased for highway use and for passenger comfort. With Quebec’s “buy locally” rule, the STO is limited to purchasing buses from NovaBus, which at the time offered only two models: the heavy-duty RTS and the low-floor LFS. Since early LFS buses had several design flaws, the STO chose the proven RTS.
	0004 is another 2000 RTS, shown parked at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	0007 is a 2000 Nova RTS equipped with high-backed seats, and was seen on Wellington Street in downtown Ottawa on November 11, 2009.
	0008 is shown loading riders on King Edward Avenue on July 24, 2006. These buses were purchased to replace the 8300-series New Look suburban buses, though they are also used on Gatineau express routes.
	0009 was spotted at Confederation Square near the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2009.
	0010 was seen on King Edward Avenue on Dec. 27, 2000.
	0011 is shown parked at the STO garage on May 31, 2009. In May 2011, the STO purchased three more RTS buses from the Société de transport de Lévis, which are being used for parts.

NovaBus LFS

	0203 is one of nine NovaBus LFS buses acquired by the STO in 2002. Like other Quebec low-floor buses, these vehicles have the wheelchair ramp at the rear-doors instead of at the front. This photo was taken at les Promenades de l’Outaouais in old Gatineau on Nov. 16, 2002.
	0203 waits for passengers with 0207 at les Promenades de l’Outaouais. This photo was taken on August 14, 2004.
	0209 is another 2002 LFS, seen at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on November 16, 2002.
	0303 is a 2003 NovaBus LFS, spotted on promenade du Portage in downtown Hull on Dec. 28, 2004.
	0321 is another 2003 LFS, equipped with a Carrier rooftop air conditioner. This photo was taken on King Edward Avenue in downtown Ottawa on Sept. 5, 2003.
	0402 is a 2004 NovaBus LFS, shown on King Edward Avenue waiting to enter service on July 24, 2006.
	0411 is another 2004 Nova LFS, spotted at Tunney’s Pasture Station in Ottawa on August 30, 2005.
	0417 is shown at the Terrasses de la Chaudière transfer point in Hull on Dec. 28, 2004.
	0502 is a 2005 Nova LFS, shown on York Street waiting to enter service on July 24, 2006.
	0508 is another 2005 LFS, spotted laying up on King Edward Avenue on Dec. 14, 2005. The front destination signs along with the side and rear route markers on these buses sport larger, clearer lettering than the ones on earlier buses.
	0511 is shown at the Parc-o-bus Rivermead in Aylmer on May 31, 2009.
	0601 is a 2006 Nova LFS, spotted on York Street on July 24, 2006.
	0603 is another 2006 NovaBus LFS, seen on Rideau Street just west of Waller Street on July 24, 2006.
	0610 was spotted at the Rideau Centre on July 24, 2006.
	0616 is seen at les Promenades de l’Outaouais bus terminal on September 2, 2008. This bus is in a special Ligne Verte (Green Line) livery used by buses serving Maisonneuve, Fournier and Gréber boulevards in the Hull and Gatineau sectors.
	0617 is shown on King Edward Avenue on July 24, 2006.
	0701 is a 2007 NovaBus LFS HEV, the one of two hybrid buses operated by the STO and the first to operate in Quebec. It was spotted on Cumberland Street in Ottawa on January 19, 2008.
	0701 was seen laying up on York Street on Jan. 19, 2008. This bus has the projector headlamp arrangement NovaBus offers, spaced to make room for a bicycle rack. However, this bus and 0702 are the only STO buses with projector headlamps.
	0701 was seen again at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2009. At the time, the hybrid buses were still in their original wraps, but in early 2010 the buses were repainted into a simpler but still distinctive livery.
	0702 is the second of two LFS hybrids delivered to the STO in 2007. It is shown parked at the STO garage on May 31, 2009.
	0705 is a diesel 2007 NovaBus LFS, spotted resting at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on January 19, 2008. This bus is also in the Green Line livery.
	0712 is another 2007 LFS diesel, shown at the Promenades terminal on January 19, 2008.
	0713 was seen at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on Sept. 2, 2008. These buses are equipped with the regular LFS headlamps as offered on all LFS buses built from 1996 until 2006. The third-generation LFS offered starting in 2007 has a different headlamp arrangement, but Quebec transit agencies still order the second-generation design.
	0715 is shown laying up at the Promenades terminal. This photo was taken on January 19, 2008
	0803 is a 2008 Nova LFS, seen at les Promenades de l’Outaouais on September 2, 2008.
	0810 is another 2008 LFS, shown on chemin de la Savane leaving the Promenades terminal on Sept. 2, 2008.
	0810 was spotted again at the STO garage on May 31, 2009.
	0815 is shown parked at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	0817 was spotted laying up at the Parc-o-bus Jean-René-Monette near the corner of St-René and Labrosse blvds. in old Gatineau on May 31, 2009.
	0903 is a 2009 NovaBus LFS, seen parked at the STO garage during the 7901 charter on May 31, 2009.
	0903 was spotted again later in the day at the Promenades terminal on May 31, 2009. Next to 0903 is 7901, which had just dropped off its passengers after the charter.
	0905 is another 2009 LFS, shown parked at the STO garage on May 31, 2009.
	0908 was spotted parked at the STO garage on May 31, 2009. This was the last year that NovaBus built its buses with this rear-end arrangement, as the 3^rd-generation LFS began production around this time.
	0911 is a 3^rd-generation NovaBus LFS, shown on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa on November 11, 2009.
	0922 is another 3^rd-gen LFS, seen on Wellington Street near the Confederation Building on Nov. 11, 2009.
	0922 was spotted again at the Terrasses de la Chaudière transfer point in Hull later in the day on Nov. 11, 2009.
	0923 is shown at the Rideau Centre on November 11, 2009. The 3^rd-generation LFS was introduced in mid-2009 with most Quebec transit agencies receiving some, including the STO. The new design features a full-width rear window and a large radiator housing above it. The standard headlamp design was also changed, with halogen lights spaced farther apart to make room for a bike rack. NovaBus also began selling articulated LFS buses in 2009, with Montreal, Quebec City and New York City placing orders.

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