The bus consistently arrives on time in good weather, whereas in winter, it usually runs a bit later depending on conditions. The regular driver is quite pleasant and says good morning to each passenger upon boarding. Dropping two tickets in the fare box covers the cost of $2.30 CDN per trip. A paper transfer, displaying the boarding time, is issued and acts as a receipt, allowing riders one and a half hours travel time to get off and re-board any bus during that period. At 9:20 a.m. the bus arrives at Bayshore Station after picking up several more passengers along the way. This is the final station on route to Kanata and the few remaining seats usually fill up with more high tech workers. A minute or so later, we’re heading onto the 417 Queensway in the rapid transit lane, off limits to automobiles. The bus exits onto Moodie Drive heading north, and turns into Nortel Networks, around 9:25 a.m. Watching a handful of employees departing, brings back memories of several years ago when Nortel was a thriving company in the Ottawa region, and the bus was literally packed with employees. The IT downturn in 2001 really hit this area hard, which still hasn’t recovered.

Exiting the Nortel complex, the bus travels back on Carling Avenue heading west to Kanata through a rural area. Several horses can always be seen grazing at the large riding ranch located on one side of the road, while on the opposite side, another farm is home to a lone llama resting in the field. Several large hay fields and an enormous corn field can be seen further along. Deer are often spotted venturing out of wooded areas, foraging for food. On one trip this past winter, I recall the bus driver slamming on the brakes, barely missing a couple of deer galloping across the road. Thanks to his quick reaction, the deer weren’t injured, and passengers only slightly startled.

The 182 makes one more side trip, looping into the Communications Research Centre at Shirley’s Bay, before heading to the Kanata North Business Park. At 9:40 a.m. the bus reaches my destination in Kanata. The thirty minute bus ride leaves me feeling relaxed, refreshed, and more like I’ve experienced a nature tour rather than battling early morning gridlock.

Join Harry on this journey from Ottawa to Kanata