Learn more about the safety and accessibility features of the On Demand Transit service and shuttle buses.
General Safety Features
- For your safety, all shuttle buses are equipped with seat belts. There are also 1 or 2 built-in safety seats for children, and mobility devices can be secured to the floor.
- All vehicles also have surveillance cameras, similar to regular Edmonton Transit buses.
- Similar to regular bus service, after 6pm, you can request the vehicle stop anywhere along a main road within the On Demand Transit neighbourhood. The operator will look for a suitable location but cannot go directly to your door.
Accessibility
It’s important to identify your accessibility needs when booking a trip, to ensure there is sufficient space.
- Most shuttle buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift to assist those who use a mobility assist device or have difficulty walking up stairs
- There are 5 low-floor shuttle buses with entry ramps dedicated to seniors’ residences
- All vehicles have space for either 1 wheelchair, 1 mobility scooter, 2 walkers or 2 strollers (folded)
- Accredited service dogs are permitted with a lead and harness
If you have accessibility needs that require door-to-door service, please contact DATS (780-496-4567) to see if you are eligible for this program.
For riders who need to use a TTY device, dial 780-944-5505 to reach the On Demand Transit call centre.
Children Safety On Board
It’s important to identify if you need a child safety seat or stroller storage when booking a trip, to ensure there is enough space.
The On Demand Transit shuttle buses are designed for passengers of all ages.
- You can bring a child stroller onto the shuttle, but it cannot be wheeled aboard.
- There is space on board for 2 strollers, if they are folded and stowed away.
- There is no bike rack on the vehicle or space on board for a standard bicycle.
- Each shuttle bus is equipped with 1 or 2 built in safety seats that you must strap young children (20 to 51 pounds/9 to 23 kilograms) into for safety purposes. The Alberta Traffic Safety Act requires passengers of all ages to wear seatbelts or use approved safety seats in vehicles like these.
- You must bring your own infant safety carrier for those children who weigh less than 20 pounds or 9 kilograms.
- Bucket style infant carriers should be buckled into the seat belt provided.
- Children under the age of 12 are strongly encouraged to travel with a parent or guardian for their own personal safety.
Note: On Demand Transit is intended to link customers to other Edmonton Transit bus and LRT routes, and is not meant as a replacement for yellow bus service provided by school boards. However, older youth can travel with other customers to a transit hub where they can transfer to regular bus and LRT routes, including those heading to schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can still board if there is enough space and someone hasn’t already pre-booked it. Otherwise, you will need to book a ride on another shuttle.
- You can bring luggage or grocery bags on board, but they cannot be placed on seats if other passengers require them. Due to limited space onboard, luggage or large items must fit on a rider's lap.
- You are responsible for loading/unloading your belongings.
- Accredited service dogs do not need to be in a carrier, but should have an appropriate harness and lead. Small pets are allowed in an enclosed carrier, which must fit at the rider's feet. There is no cost for service dogs or pets.
- There are no bike racks on vehicles or storage space on board for a regular bicycle.
Yes, provided that food and beverages are in containers designed for travel and under the control of the rider.
- If the original shuttle assigned to pick you up is running late for whatever reason (for example, traffic and weather conditions), the On Demand Transit software may assign a closer shuttle to come pick you up
- Whenever a new shuttle is assigned to pick you up, you will receive a text message notification or push notification from the On Demand Transit app
- If you booked your trip through the On Demand Transit call centre, the driver of the shuttle will confirm your first name to make sure you are boarding the correct vehicle
Every shuttle is assigned to pick up riders in a specific order. To maintain estimated arrival times, drivers will follow instructions provided to them by the On Demand Transit software.
- Many transit hubs serve more than one neighbourhood. A shuttle arriving at a transit hub may be picking up a rider going to a different neighbourhood than yours.
- Check the shuttle ID number provided to you when you booked your trip.
- Drivers will confirm your first name when you board the shuttle to make sure you are on the correct vehicle. If your original shuttle is running late, you may be assigned a new shuttle.
- The On Demand Transit software is dynamic, which means the driver’s route can change. This may happen if another rider in your neighbourhood books a ride around the same time as you.
- Drivers must follow the routing provided to them to meet the estimated arrival times for other customers who booked rides.
- In the event your shuttle is delayed, you may be reassigned to another vehicle. This will cause the routing in the app to change.
- Every driver has a tablet with a list of riders they are picking up. To ensure the correct riders are on board, drivers will greet everyone by first name.
- Drivers will greet you by the first name you enter when you create your account or book your trip. If you are not comfortable using your real name, you can use a different name when you create your account or book your trip on the phone.
- Each shuttle has a limited number of wheelchair accessible spaces onboard. This ensures there is enough space available on the shuttle for your journey.
- If you do not indicate the need for wheelchair space when booking, then the shuttle driver will determine if you can board based on available space and the number of other customers who have booked a ride on the shuttle.
- If you require use of the lift, simply let the shuttle driver know before you board.
- At this time, you cannot indicate at time of booking that you need to use the lift. We are monitoring demand for use of the lift.
- The On Demand Transit software is dynamic and chooses the best route to take for each trip
- Depending on rides booked by other customers, you may be provided a different drop off spot than you wanted
- If you are provided a different drop off spot, the walking distance should not exceed 400 metres to your final destination
Contact Us
On Demand Transit Call Centre
Phone 780-496-2400 | TTY 780-944-5505