Room: International AB
Sponsor(s)
 
Session Description
Stream: Leadership Stream
Sponsor: Polymershapes
Moderator: Sabrina Pasian – OC Transpo, City of Ottawa
Speaker:
1. Sabrina Pasian – OC Transpo, City of Ottawa
2. Laurie Krahl – Metrolinx
3. Karen Lusk – York Region Transit (YRT)
4. Al Pritchard – York Region Transit (YRT)
The OPTA Safety and Training Committee session will bring together transit leaders and safety professionals for a focused discussion on advancing safety across OntarioÂ’s transit systems. Building on the momentum of the #2025OPTARoadSafetySummit at the #2025OPTAFallMemberMeetUp and the formation of this committee, the session will explore practical, real-world approaches to safety through topics such as camera monitoring and e-mirror systems, best practices following collisions, grade crossing, and insights into the MTO Driver Certification Program from an operator perspective. This committee meeting will support knowledge sharing, strengthen training practices, and promote a safe systems approach across the sector.
Agenda:
1. Welcome and Introduction to Polymershapes
2. Testing Camera Monitor Systems/e-Mirrors – How to Join Forces Between Safety and Fleet To Get Started
3. Post Accident/Collision Best Practices
4. Grade Crossings – To Stop or Not to Stop
5. Update from MTO – Driver Certification Program (DCP)
Speaker(s) / Presenter(s)
Sabrina Pasian – Chief Safety Officer, OC Transpo, City of Ottawa
Bio:
Sabrina Pasian is the Chief Safety Officer at OC Transpo. In this role, she oversees four distinct branches within her service area, including, the Safety Standards, Investigations and Reporting branch, the Training & Development branch, the Special Constable Unit and the Regulatory Compliance, Quality Control & Assurance branch. Sabrina has been with the City of Ottawa for over 20 years. She joined OC Transpo in 2016 as a Specialist in Transit Operations before establishing a new branch in 2020, the Regulatory Compliance, Quality Control & Assurance team. She was Program Manager for this new unit until stepping into her current role as Chief Safety Officer. Prior to joining Transit Services, Sabrina worked in Emergency & Protective Services in a variety of roles focusing on regulatory compliance, by-law and regulatory services and issues management. With a MasterÂ’s Degree in Criminology her professional background demonstrates her strong focus on safety and security initiatives. Sabrina is extremely passionate about driving positive change, continuous improvement, and making strides to enhance the safety and security culture within OC Transpo and across the entire transit industry.
Karen Lusk – Supervisor Safety and Training – Transportation Operations, York Region Transit, Public Works Department
Bio:
Laurie Krahl – Director, Bus Safety, Metrolinx
Bio:
Bio:
Moderator(s)
Sabrina Pasian – Chief Safety Officer, OC Transpo, City of Ottawa