ORTC Receives ITE NCR Project of the Year Award

The City of Pembroke is pleased to announce that Ottawa River Transit (ORTC) has received the Project of the Year Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers National Capital Section (ITE NCR).

On Friday, May 15, Angela Lochtie of the City of Pembroke and Jordan Papazoglou of Left Turn Right Turn were on hand to accept the award.

The Project of the Year Award recognizes a groundbreaking transportation project that contributes to quality of life, demonstrates excellence in innovation, creates sustainable environmental and climate impacts, and advances the practice and knowledge base of the transportation profession within the National Capital Region.

ORTC is the City of Pembroke’s three-year pilot on-demand public transit service. Rather than operating on a fixed route or schedule, riders request trips as needed, with booking available by app, online, or by phone. The service operates within Pembroke and is designed to provide a flexible and modern transit option for residents.

The success of the project to date reflects the strong collaboration between the City, transit consultant Left Turn Right Turn, transit service provider Mobility Transportation Specialists, and transit software provider Blaise Transit. The City is grateful to the ITE NCR for this honour and for recognizing the impact of innovative transit solutions in communities like Pembroke.

“This award recognizes the collaboration, planning, and commitment that have helped bring ORTC to life,” said Angela Lochtie, Director of Corporate Services for the City of Pembroke. “As the City continues to explore practical and responsive service delivery options, ORTC is an important example of how innovation can support local transit needs.”

The award was presented to Pembroke City Council on the evening of June 16, 2026.